Inspirational Art at Handmade Canberra

I totted off to Handmade Canberra to be inspired. I was wanting to see what other artists were doing and also learn from and other stall holders about market stands.

It was delightful to feel the energy and joy from artists and designers that I talked to. To see how they created and what themes they created. I soaked in colours and lines and images. Looked at how themes can be the same but how people approach creating art about them differently.

The market helped me understand what styles draw in me and which styles just do not do it for me. It made me think about what I can envision my illustrations on and things I just would not be interested in.

These are some of the artists and images that called to my own creative spirit.

I met the shining personality of Amy Ranck from Outer Island whose ladybugs and mushrooms drew me in.

The animals of Red Parka created by Jennifer Cossins called to me, so I got some magnets. Her book A - Z of Endangered Animals was awarded a CBCA 2017 Honour Book for The Eve Pownall Award for Information Books.

Being an artist of black and white illustrations I had a fabulous chat with Paula Zetlein about her beautiful native plant illustrations and what materials and paper that she likes to use.

The big eyed girls by Lilli Bean Designs sparked my whimsical spirit and reminded me of my Sketchbook Revival picture by Tamara Laporte. I discovered that Kirstin McColloch was from the same town as my fellow illustrator, Shani Nottingham from Rare Pear Studios.

Then there were the beautiful children's illustrations of the animal characters from Welly's Wonders by Adam Murphy and Demelza Haines. I was inspired by the card 'Never Lose Your Wonder!' ...I think that it reminded me to view the world through a child's eyes.

There were the pretty pictures and strange creatures of Hannakin whose colour, line and whimsy drew me in to choose an A4 print to decorate my study and inspire me.

I could not go past our local illustrator and designer Irene Tan who is the artistic force of Missy Minzy. She is the go to for temporary tattoos, badges, reusable wall decals, note books and much more. I made sure to grab a little flower notebook without lines.

Finally, there was our local author, Nicole Godwin, from Tusk Books with her current book Ella, we are so looking forward to meeting book child number two, Billie, who will be launched  19 August 2018, 2 - 3 pm at Belconnen Library.
To RSVP: email hello@tuskbooks.com Or  https://www.facebook.com/events/1121898631298183/