Lake Bled - a repeat pattern

This is a new repeat pattern I've been working on. It's inspired by Lake Bled, a Slovenian village built around a lake with a tiny island in the middle which has a Church atop.
I visited Lake Bled in 2006 while I was living in Venice. I still remember it being one of the most magic (if not a little touristic) places I've ever been. The night we arrived (although we hadn't known ahead of time) there was a festival happening. There were thousands of tiny floating candles in the lake. So divine.
We hired bikes and rode around the lake picnicking and taking photos.They have swan shaped boats that you can hire to row to the church island in the middle of the lake.
I'm thinking this print could look super cute as wallpaper in a child's bedroom. I'm currently working on a personal collection of repeat patterns some of which I hope to have printed onto fabrics and/or wallpaper.

artwork copyright genna campton 2012

A White Christmas

Our Christmas tree with white paper gems and our Cockatoo lamp...for that Australian White Christmas feel.

Papercut Gem garland

Our tree lit up at night by our Cockatoo lamp

When it comes to Christmas decorations, I've always loved an all white colour scheme. I don't think it comes from an association with snow at Christmas. I mean, I live in Australia and find that the smell of mangoes and salt water signify the silly season much more than any association with snow.
I think it's that the whole Red and Green scheme freaks me out a little and I just love the idea of the simplicity of white.
So I set out to make some paper Christmas ornaments over the weekend. I used a fallen branch from a tree outside our apartment as our Christmas tree and some thick white paper to construct the ornaments.
Through Pinterest I found a fantastic website called Minieco which provides simple and amazing tutorials on projects like this. I made the Paper Diamonds and Papercut Gems to create a garland for the mantlepiece. I used tutorials and templates from a site called Scandinavian Deko to make the other geometric shapes.

Image courtesy of minieco.co.uk

Image courtesy of minieco.co.uk

Image courtesy of Scandinavian Deko.

artwork copyright genna campton 2012

It's nearly time for Santa to visit......

It's nearly Christmas (in case you haven't noticed)!! You know what makes great pressies? Art prints!....Coincidentally I've just added a whole bunch of new art prints and original works to my Etsy store. (More to be added in the lead up to Christmas)http://www.etsy.com/shop/gennaillustration
Pop on over for some shopping.

artwork copyright genna campton 2012

A new repeat patern......

Been playing around with some new prints. Thinking this one might make a nice print for a cushion. What do you think?

On the way to La Feria

My favourite thing about Santiago is that they have fruit and vegetable markets (Las Ferias) everywhere. They will shut off a section of a street to cars and set up stalls. We go every Sunday to a feria super close to our apartment. The walk there is always entertaining, street dogs and cats, fantastic street art, church bells. Here are a few photos from our walk to la feria on this  rainy Sunday in Santiago. 

Brollies

This is a  new illustration I just finished. The weather here in Santiago has been changing quickly in the last few weeks. We've had most mornings this week go down to minus 1! And the weekend before last was very rainy, which apparently doesn't happen too often here. But personally I love the cold, and rain. It gives me more energy for some reason.

artwork copyright genna campton 2012

Llama (or Llamo) Pom Poms

A few Saturday mornings ago I ventured with my sister in law to the Palacio de la Moneda which houses Chile’s presidential offices.

Beneath ground level there is a great cultural centre - Centro Culutural Palacio La Moneda. Here you’ll find a state run art-house movie theatre, temporary exhibition spaces and some fair trade artisan craft stores. One of these stores is Artesanias De Chile. Here, each Saturday and Sunday they hold free workshops teaching idigenous Chilean handicrafts. The workshops are taught by artisans from indigenous communities. This particular Saturday we were taught how to make traditional adornments for male llamas (llamos) which are made and used in the North of Chile. 

We made minaiture versions, but the real pompoms are quite large and are created in fantastic colour combinations. The colours go from light to dark and back to light in order to create a harmonious look.

Now if we get a pet llama I’ll have something for him to wear.
My photos of the day were shot on my smart phone and didn't do the fantastically coloured wool any justice, so I drew a picture inspired by them instead.

artwork copyright genna campton 2012

Illustration Seminar at Universidad del Pacifico

On Friday the 11th May I went to a free Illustration Seminar at the Universidad Del Pacifico here in Santiago, Chile. This of course was a true test of my Spanish and a good opportunity to hear from some South American illustrators. There were presentations by four illustrators - Argentinians - Laura Varsky and Christian Montenegro and Chilean illustrators - Alberto Montt and Paloma Valdivia.

The presentations were focussed on the theme of self managed projects (or autogestiòn). The illustrators shared their experiences of embarking on self initiated projects like fanzines, books, blogs, creating typefaces and products and how these projects have helped them creatively and professionally.

It was really great to hear their experiences and gain some insight into how other illustrators work...oh and I also learned some  illustration relevant words in Spanish. Bonus.

Self Published Book 'Cuatro Gatos Negro Flacos' by Laura Varsky and Christian Mntenegro

Self initiated project of typography design 'Lady Renè' by Laura Varsky which was later made into a real book.

A Wedding in Chile

Some street art in Santa Theresa, Rio.

It’s been months since my last blog post!

I’ve been busy! The last few months have been massive for me. Our family welcomed my new niece into the world in early March. Then I flew to South America with my partner where we got married in the South of Chile next to a lake and in front of a volacno. We were lucky enough to have a lovely group of our family and friends join us in the celebrations. 

We travelled further South into Chile and Argentina, then spent a week in Rio. We have decided to stay in Chile for the next six months (where my new husband’s family lives). I’ll be updating my adventures here in Chile focussing on the local design, art and illustration industry during our stay.

I'll still be taking illustration commissions from here.

A tile from the Selaron steps Rio

Some wedding canapes and pisco sours

A colourful kitty in Valparaiso, Chile

Chillis on the sidewalk in Rio 

Classic Sth America shot in Central Chile

Obligitary foot shot on Copacabana

Chocalateria in Argentina

Orchids in Leblon, Rio

The bride and grooms shoes.

An abandoned house we named 'the Tim Burton House'

Happy New Year to all!

2012 brings lots of exciting things for me, a big overseas trip in April to marry the love of my life in his home country, I'm becoming an aunty once again to my sister's first baby in March and a few other exciting plans that I have up my sleeve that I'll tell you about later down the track.

Bring on 2012 already I say!

What does the new year mean for you?

Hopefully it brings some happiness, good times and plenty of cheese and wine for us all. xx

Single Origin Roasters

I've recently finished working with amazing Sydney based coffee company Single Origin Roasters (how rad is their website?!) on some t-shirt designs. The production of the tees (and the design of the dead head moths on the roaster tee) was looked after by Bri and Andrew from Secret Squirrel Clothing Label.
Single Origin and Secret Squirrel were great to work with on this project. A big thanks to Emma for asking me to be involved!

mmm....I feel like a coffee now.

Signed & Numbered Gallery

This is a little collection I've just completed to be sold as limited edition Giclee prints through Signed and Numbered Gallery in Prahran, Melbourne. The original artworks were created using collage, pen and  ink. I'm so excited to have my prints amongst some amazing artists like Kelly Smith, Jordan Clarke, Catherine Campbell and Rik Lee! I know. Wowzers.

I get my illustrations made into high quality giclee prints. I always go to Lantern printing in Middle Park for my giclee printing. The prints always come out crisp and professional and as detailed as the original artwork.

Check out the online Signed and Numbered store if you can't make it to the real shop.

artwork copyright genna campton 2011

Melbourne Tweed Ride

These are some designs I created  for the upcoming Melbourne Tweed Ride logo.
Pick out your prettiest vintage frock or Tweed suit and go for a roll around Melbourne. Lovely. Sunday November 27th 2011

artwork copyright genna campton 2011

Browtician Website

These are some images of the new Browtician website. I recently created some diagrams to be used in the tips and tricks section of the website. The website showcases 'the fine line of tweezers and brow tools' from Browtician. As part of my research for the illustrations, I of course had to try out the products....and they are no ordinary tweezers. Seriously professional brows on this illustrator.

artwork copyright genna campton 2011