The Obelia Sea-Weed

 

My new project is still in it's very early stages, but let me share the very beginnings. I'm working on an illustrated story that will revolve around a tiny water nymph called Amoeba. 

I use the term nymph with the pre-larval stage of a creature in mind, usually the young of an insect that undergoes incomplete metamorphosis. The term also brings to mind the numerous class of lesser deities of mythology conceived of as beautiful maidens inhabiting the sea, rivers, woods, trees, mountains, meadows, etc.

So my Amoeba nymph, accompanied by her dearest friend, an axolotl, will undergo an adventure under the sea - but that's all still in the works for now. 

The above image will not be one of the final illustrations (being mature content) but it was a good study for me to explore what my "nymphs" look like - a mix of the two definitions, part beautiful maiden, part creature. I wanted her proportions to bring frogs and troglobites to mind. 

A few more facial studies of Amoeba can be found here   and below the first character study for her Axolotl friend, and the first illustration sketch.

 

 

The Wrong One - A4 and A3 prints

I can now offer not only A4 prints on canvas of all my work, but beautiful large A3 ones too! 

Hip hip...hurray!!

"In Love with the Wrong One" is the first print up in the shop in the new larger size. She was the star piece in my solo exhibition "A Delicate Disillusionment".

Whilst I go through and list the A3 prints, if there's one I miss that you would like, don't hesitate to drop me a convo and request the one your heart desires. All pieces can be browsed on: www.monikaviktoria.tumblr.com

Browse Prints

Feature at Chic Obsession

A sweet little blog feature from a darling girl who visited my pop-up shop in London a few weeks ago. Thanks Natalie!!

Chic Obsession

YEN Female Art Award

Hello dearies! My painting "Peppermint Candy" is up for running in the Yen Female Art Award, and I'd like to enlist you all in throwing a people's choice vote my way! If I get in I promise I'll do a give-away of a beautiful A3 print of Miss Peppermint. So show her some love and get your voting socks on!!


Vote for me please!!

I've got heaps of facebook "likes" for it - but it's the grey "vote" button that counts!! 

Here's a diagram in bi-lingual language mode my adventurer drew-up to help weary travelers lost on their way....

Painted Mice

Tiny painted mice, commissioned by the owners of the miniscule jointed puppets by renowned Russian artist Lidiya Snull of "BJTales".

And an "enyo" doll. Inquiries or similar little character commissions are possible, just write to me!

Amoeba

Been enjoying a different, quirkier style on my days off from proper painting. I don't know what pigeon-hole it slots into... pop-sureealist? Urban street style? Oh well, this little face is "Amoeba" - the face of my new business cards, and perhaps a little series of illustrations. But we'll see.

From the Studio

I've been hired for full time work, which is a good thing because London is turning out to be a bank-account draining machine set to full-speed and maximum efficiency. Luckily, it's at an awesome Graphics Centre which means I'll be learning an incredible amount about art materials and new techniques to try... as well as spending all my wages on beautiful paper and premium paints.

I have a few days free, and it's snowing like wild out there. So I'm painting away happily inside. This post is to share the little paintings taking shape this week.

Peppermint Candy

Peppermint Candy
Watercolour on paper, 60 x 40 cm

Some additional detail shots and once she was decadently framed.

more shots on my flickr

Shop re-location

 

Like an amazing flea circus or one of those men selling stolen pocket-watches from the inside of a black cape, we ran into our shop yesterday morning, packed everything up, and relocated to a much nicer space before anyone could blink an eye.

Our new home is now Lot 448, (the basement, oooooh) Camden Stables, Chalk Farm Road.

So we didn't really move that far, but our new shop is slightly bigger, less flooded, and is next to an awesome cafe decked out in reclaimed vintage furniture, lampshades, pictures covering every inch of their walls. And the irresistible aroma of coffee and sandwiches being made.