Rose Quartz

Rose Quartz, Watercolour, 50 x 60cm

The first painting for 2015 - Rose Quartz is a representation of a few of my inspirations right now: crystal formations, spores, dried flowers, pastels and artist-made dolls. 

As opposed to most of my other watercolours here I was able to try out a new product that my art store recommended to me, canvas specifically treated to take watercolours. This opens up greater possibilities for watercolourists wishing to work on a larger scale I feel, it was interesting to work on but I think it is still not quite the same as working on paper (less absorbent, the paint stays on the surface level and cannot "sink" in to bond with the fibres.) I tried some of the "drippy" techniques I was able to learn at the Cherry Hood workshop last year, I don't plan to make it a trend in my work, but I do wish to lean towards a looser handling of paint this year, VS my older rigid works.

*

If you can, please visit this link, as she is in the running for the Yen Australian Female Art Award, voting for people's choice is super simple - the grey button near my entry for people's choice! I am lagging quite far behind, and will need about a-hundred vote's to make it to the lead, so each little mouse-click will be super appreciated!!

VOTE FOR PEOPLE'S CHOICE HERE

Belated Happy New Year!

Oops, a belated Happy New Year to everyone!! 

January is always my favourite month, and it is already almost over! I feel this year will fly by as well, just like last year.

Unfortunately I am noticing many of my older blog posts are having the images disconnected, and not able to be viewed. I think this is a problem with the varying hosting sites I use, whether it's flickr, facebook or tumblr. Sincerest apologies, I am trying to find a better solution to being able to continue blogging in 2015 - and have my images stay up here for many more years to be enjoyed!!

In the meantime, you can always visit me on these sites where I post frequently my newest work and glimpses of progress pieces:

facebook - www.facebook.com/monikaviktoriaart
instagram - @monikaviktoriaart
tumblr - www.monikaviktoria.tumblr.com

Cherry Hood Workshop (part two)

...photo continuation from my amazing workshop weekend with Cherry Hood - Australian Archibald winning painter and watercolour portraitist.  To see Part One

Finished sisters at the end of the workshop, both 108cm x 75cm

Full album of photo's from the workshop thanks to FourFinger Photo

Cherry Hood Workshop (part one)

This last weekend I participated in an intensive portraiture workshop with Australian Archibald prize winner Cherry Hood. An amazing artist I have admired for a very long time, it was a true honour to watch her work and receive artistic guidance from her at her fantastic studio in NSW.

Over the two day period I created two portraits in her style, working with very watery drippy paints on a far larger scale than I have ever painted. For my subjects I chose my own photographs of two sisters - thus further challenging myself to not only paint a good picture, but achieve a likeness as well. 

It was a highly enjoyable experience, and I can't wait to paint in this scale using my own approach and subjects. Seeing her huge studio has made it imperative for me to find my own place in which I can throw some paint around.

For more photo's from the workshop, Cherry's studio and the paintings, visit FourFinger Photo

Time to be a Unicorn

My cute 3-colour illustration "Time to be a Unicorn" is available though the FTAC collective for auction.

With a super low starting bid of just $15, head over and nab this adorable Unicorn Girl before the auction ends in a few days time!

BID AWAY DARLINGS

ps... she's going to become quite famous soon, as she will be included in a fabulous new art zine... but more on that later... for now, the original is available to one lucky bidder!

You're a Gem! Silk Scarf

A while ago I began planning on releasing a line of beautiful silk scarves printed with my tender watercolour patterns. Due to our imminent mass cross-continental move looming ahead, the project has been halted for now. 

However, I do have the first sample kerchief all finished, and am offering it to the first serious buyer! 100% pure silk, and printed with my pink, green and teal gemstone illustrations. There is only one available.

You're a Gem! Silk Kerchief

Perfect for any fan of sparkles and gorgeous gems, for jewellery lovers, gemmologists.....

Buy 2 get 1 Free Print Offer

Hello dearies! As some of you know, my lovely partner and I are currently living in London, but we are looking for the light at the end of the tunnel and straining our ears for the songs of Australian birds filtering through....

In preparation for our eventual big move to Australia in a few months, I will have to sell AS MUCH of my current art as possible (read: ALL OF IT!) We need to raise all the funds we can, and this means the chance to not only help us out immensely, but to do so by buying a beautiful painting at a great price. 

To start things off I am hosting a fab fab fab print offer on all canvas prints in my store: buy two, get a third print of your choice free! This lasts only so long as I have current stock available, as no new prints will be manufactured before our move.

Canvas A4  PRINTS - buy two get one free! 

Simply message me the print you wish to receive at checkout and all three will be posted to you together.