la france

Oh, là, là! La France est vraiment belle!

Sarah

en france

Je suis en France! It's been snowing a lot - a bit early in the year - and it is just amazing. Oh, là, là..


Here are a couple of photos I took in a gorgeous park - it was just like Narnia!

Sarah

les trois filles

Voici les trois filles..

Don't you love finding old photos? I really do. This one was taken a little while ago when these lovelies came over for the day and allowed me to take photos of them under a table cloth :)

2 days until I leave for France!

Sarah

Adventure 1

Here is another photo that I took of Bea during our first official "shoot" - I like the backdrop with the fairy lights :)

Sarah

the first adventure

I found this photo that I took on my first shoot with Bea. It was the middle of summer and the shadows and light that the trees made were so, so pretty.

The Park Adventures: No. 2

Over the last holidays, I took to rediscovering the show 'Pushing Daisies' - it is too cute and they make the most amazing pies..and so I decided it was necessary to find a recipe for pie and made a couple of apple pies which turned out very, very good indeed. (I can't remember but I think they were from the Hummingbird book..?)
And so, when Meaghan came over, we made pie and ate pie and then went to the park and took photos, of course.
Here are a couple of my favourites :)

the lovelies

Here are some lovelies  who let me take photos of them.

bailey, dear

Bailey was being a poser, so I decided to take the opportunity..

The Park Adventures

A wander to the park resulting in a photographic adventure, of course.

..to be continued


Sar x

the sister

A couple of weekends ago, my family went to a wedding. As my brother had brought his lovely camera along, I, of course, decided to steal it for the night and took photos of my family, particularly my sisters.
So, I took a photo of one of my sisters and drew it .. and this is what came out...

...and this morning I painted it...

Trying to capture the light on her face and neck was quite new but I enjoyed trying it out :)

Sar x

Karen in watercolours

Yes, I have indeed finished my painting - unless I end up deciding that I need to fix it somehow and do more to it... but this is the finished product .. for now :)

Sar  x

Karen

A little while ago, I picked up the magazine Karen in the newsagent.. and ended up buying it. It really does seem to be one of my sorts of magazines: practically all photos and full of inspiration. But mainly pretty pictures..
It's been a while since I bought Karen, and I bought the new issue only the other day to find myself in awe of all the photos - particularly one.
Of course, I decided to try drawing it the other night and will paint it very soon indeed .. :)

Sar x

a new adventure .. of printing photos

For the first time, I learnt - or at least began to learn - how to print photos myself from black and white film in the dark room.
Wow.
It's rather cool indeed.
As you can see, I did a test strip showing different exposures and that in itself was ... just so very cool. I really do love all the older methods of photography - analogue photos have such a lovely atmosphere about them :)

A little hint of the photos to come.. :)

Sar x

P.S My Frenchie arrived last tuesday and is enjoying Australia :) She is just lovely.

The McConchie Adventures

This adventure is from a little while ago - and the first adventure featuring Meaghan.
Actually, the first adventure featuring anyone other than Bea!
It was truly interesting to photograph others having become quite used to photographing Bea - and it was fairly random, too .. suddenly everyone was wearing turbans, at one stage in the day..

Sar x


P.S You may have noticed that the 3rd photo (of Meaghan) is the one that I used for my painting for this folio :)
P.P.S The photos were taken using a DSLR :)
P.P.P.S My French girl comes Tuesday night!!

One more adventure to add to the collection

I call this "The Mont Albert Adventures".
Last week, as part of my newest folio for art (themed "Inequality and Sisterhood"), a few girls came over (including Bea - of course) for some photos :)
I used a roll of black and white film - I'll have to develop it myself at school, which should be interesting! - and used the digital SLR.
As part of this idea, I wanted to use a sheet and take photos under it .. which then turned into an idea of using something lacy.. and then I found a doiley-ish tablecloth :)

Allow me to introduce you to Meaghan :)


Sar x
P.S You're probably wondering what these photos have to do with inequality and sisterhood .. I'm still figuring that one out :S  But, not to worry - I have a plan :)

a pretty girl in paint

Well, I finished my painting this morning. Started it and finished it :) How exciting. My first painting for my new folio!

double art

This morning, I had double art - ahhh double art. It really is the highlight of every week.
I took some photos of Bea and a few others last week, and this morning I thought I'd paint one of them - or at least start. So, I drew it, thinking it would be easy .. however, it turned out to be much more difficult than I had anticipated!

Sar x

Painting form :)

Here is the painted version of my take on a photo of Bea - of course, not exactly a complete Bea look-alike, but I quite enjoyed the shadows etc :)
I also changed it a litttttttttttle bit in art yesterday before mounting it so it's a tiny bit different.. What can I say? I can't help myself!

I got my L's this afternoon! About time, really.. :)


Sar x

Folio 2: drawing form

As part of my art folio, I decided to draw one of the photos that I had taken of Bea using film.. So, I drew it last night :) It took me around an hour and a half to complete - but, of course, I couldn't help myself and changed things and so on. So, this scan may be slightly different from how it turned out.. But I'm still happy with it :) Even though it doesn't really look like Bea..

More ideas on their way for my next folio.. :)


Sar x

Sarah and Bea's Photographic Adventures: No. 4

A few days ago, I got the photos that I took of Bea developed! They were taken on an old film camera - a Pentax, I believe ... Working with these cameras really is my favourite way to take photos and I am particularly happy with they way that this "adventure" has turned out :)

Sar x

Sarah and Bea's Photographic Adventures: No. 4

That's right - a new adventure!
As part of my folio for art, I photographed Bea at school in the gardens near the art rooms :) As usual, she brought a pretty dress and I did her up and we took a lot of photos - first on an analogue camera with colour film and then a few photos on a basic digital camera. Here's my favourite so far..

Hmm.. unedited and I'm thinking I may need to have a play around with light and colours..

Last Saturday, I took part in The 300 Project with the Salvo's :) It was pretty cool :) I looked after little kids and made cookies and I feel like I did something good! There was a night thing for it as well so there were performances - like by a guy from Melbourne called Ben Abraham :) He was great and you should definitely have a listen to his music.

My French girl from Lyon is coming next term! How exciting is that?!

Sar x

The one and only Regina

Last night I saw Regina Spektor! It was amazing. She is incredible. What else can I say? Her voice is gorgeous and she makes singing and playing the piano sound so effortless! She played all my favourite songs but mainly from her most recent album, Far. She went off for a bit but everyone cheered for so long that she came back and did a few more songs from Begin to Hope - Fidelity, Samson, Hotel Song.. :)
She really is incredible.

Sar x

Sarah and Bea's Photographic Adventures: No. 3

Last night, Bea came over and we watched Titanic, which was lovely. And intensely sad.
It got a bit late but, nevertheless, I did her makeup a bit and we went outside to take photos - I'd been looking forward to taking photos at night to see what happens when the flash goes off. The only bad thing is you can't tell what you're taking photos of until you've taken them.. which can be a bit amusing.
So, we had this idea to throw leaves. Which turned out amazing. We seem to have a lot of gorgeous autumn leaves out the front of my house, so, Bea sat in them and we started throwing them and.. you shall see the effect :)

I got Skype last night, as well! So I can speak to my friend who lives in Singapore! We spoke to her and it was a bit sad :( especially when we had to hang up..


Yesterday, I bought a few new things from American Apparel - my first American Apparel experience (haha). I bought a lovely checked, black and white high-waisted skirt, a green dress that crosses at the back and some socks and tights! I love frilly socks and long socks at the moment. So easy to obsess over, i tell you!


Lots of ideas of art. Shall keep you posted..


Sar  x


P.S Regina Spektor is soon!

Painting form

This is my most recent painting of a photo from the last issue of Vogue Australia. I gave this painting to a friend of mine after she asked me to do a painting for her (and then another girl from school asked for a painting.. and then one of my sisters, too!). I'm very happy with it and it is now on her wall in her bedroom :) How exciting :)
Now I need to find another photo to paint for my next painting.. and the one for my sister.. and for art at school as well!


This term, I've decided to take inspiration from a couple of amazing fashion illustrators:
Kelly Smith - who I adore. She has such an incredible style using pencil and watercolours.
http://www.birdyandme.com.au/
Bec Winnel is another amazing fashion illustrator. Her pieces are so dreamy :)
http://becwinnel.com/
Last but not least, Sarah Hankinson who I recently discovered. Her style is quite like that of Kelly Smith's - using pencil, charcoal and inks in greys and then splashes of colour. Amazing.
http://www.sarahhankinson.com/


Here's an amazing piece by Sarah Hankinson :)

Last wednesday I had my first SAC for Revolutions! Scary! I think it went okay-ish, though, so we shall see...


Sar x


P.S How could I forget to say this?! I'm going on the French Exchange! My girl will be here at the end of this term I think? And then I go over to Lyon - or somewhere near Lyon - for a few weeks and then to Paris for a week! :)

Drawing form

Firstly, please excuse the terrible quality of this photo - my phone doesn't exactly take the best photos, especially in bad lighting! :)
Well, this is a photo of my most recent painting in drawing form. I drew most of it the other night and finished it a couple of days ago when i got up in the morning - I find that, after having not set eyes on it for a while, you can pick up on a lot of things that need fixing and what not. I painted it in the afternoon a couple of days ago and I am very, very happy with it! This may well be my best yet ..maybe? All I can say is that I'm glad I ever began doing portraits!
This painting is going to be given to a good friend of mine - a few weeks ago she asked if I could do a painting for her and so I've gotten to it for her now that it's the holidays. I'll be giving it to her on Thursday :) How exciting!
I'll leave you with this picture of my painting - as a drawing - for the moment, and on Thursday, I'll post the scan of it painted :)
I hope you like it!


Sar x

she & him

I have a new obsession:
She & Him are such a gorgeous, quirky band! Zooey Deschanel - yep, the actress (500 Days of Summer) - sings! Which you may have heard before if you've seen 500 Days of Summer.. And she's got a great voice :) And apparently plays piano.. and writes all the songs for She & Him herself!
I bought their two albums today and love, love, love them both. A lot :) Yep, my newest obsession..

Aside from that, I got a cute pair of tights today :) I suppose tights and socks are another of my obsessions of the moment - I can not get enough of frilly socks and cute tights. I found a pair of Leona Edmiston tights today - they're a sheer pink with spots all over. Gorgeous!


Sar x

a day of painting

I have spent my entire morning and part of the afternoon painting.
And, I tell you what, it's been so nice :)
I haven't done this in so long and couldn't help it - having finished the drawing yesterday, I needed to paint it!
It took a bit to find a good colour for her hair in particular, but I can almost safely say that this is my best so far :)
I love the flowers in her hair..

Sar  x

Abbey Lee, you are amazing

You know what show I used to absolutely love when I was little? Well, actually, I still love it... Full House! It just so happened to be on TV tonight and, of course, I couldn't help but watch it. I never realised how corny it is...
I'm currently in the middle of finishing up my last piece for my art folio, a watercolour, although, at the moment, it's a drawing. I'm using one of the gorgeous photos from the Russian Vogue shoot with Abbey Lee Kershaw - it doesn't exactly look like her, but I'm trying to get the idea at least.. Plus, she's wearing roses in her hair and it looks so lovely :)

Courtesy of fashionising.com

I love the colours in this shoot - such pretty pastels..
A couple of weeks ago I made a wonderful purchase - I bought a polaroid camera! It's a bit vintage and old - but it looks practically like new. I haven't used it as yet but I can not wait!


Sar  x

Sarah and Bea's Photographic Adventures: No. 2

Last sunday, the dear Bea came over and allowed me to, once again, make her up, do her hair and put her in a pretty dress - and then photograph her :) This time, her hair was straight and we used 3 different dresses - and it was in my back garden where we have a water feature and a cute chair-thing.
We have a couple of bridesmaid dresses from when my sisters were 10 and 12 - big, pink, lacy dresses with tulle underneath - and, of course, I couldn't help myself.. Even though it was a bit small - okay, that's an understatement - it still looked real pretty on!
I've left most of the photos as is, but, for a couple, I've made them a bit more antique-y - almost sepia?

I also had my first practice SAC for revs today - eeeepp scary.. but it was better than I expected :) which could be a bad thing..? I'm trying not to keep my hopes up about it!

Sar x

P.S I'm officially seeing Regina in concert on 30th April! :) :)

I heart Regina

The highlight of my day yesterday was when, during my spare, I checked my phone to find that I had a text from my mum with an incredibly important piece of news: Regina Spektor is coming out in concert!!! As you can tell, this is very, very important! Regina Spektor is amazing - and that's an understatement! For anyone who has never listened to her music, you are truly missing out. She may come across as a little quirky or peculiar, but you have to embrace it! It's her quirkiness that makes her so great. Plus, her voice is unimaginably gorgeous.
Yep, I'm a bit excited!
Another highlight - but more of the other day - was when I came up with a little addition to some of my photography: fairy lights. Although I don't believe that we own any, they are sure to make the photos for art even prettier :) Too many ideas! I should probably restrain myself if I want any ideas for Year 12...
However, it's a bit hard when you come across a gorgeous shoot from Vogue Russia starring the beautiful Abbey Lee Kershaw - you must have a look at all the photos. They are simply amazing. :) http://www.fashionising.com/pictures/p--Abbey-Lee-Kershaw-Vogue-Russia-March-2010-5205-77828.html

Courtesy of fashionising.com

I'm finally better now - being sick really is terrible :( About time! Now, to work at having no life this weekend.. oh, revs..

Sar x

Audrey

"Breakfast at Tiffany's" has got to be one of the best films I have ever seen. Surely you must agree? I read the book by Truman Capote last year - apparently he was quite notorious back in the day, particularly for his black and white ball which sounds rather amazing to me - and there's something so bizarre about Holly Golightly that makes you adore her. Of course, Audrey Hepburn is brilliant in the role which makes the movie all the more enjoyable.

My favourite Audrey Hepburn film would have to be "Sabrina", though. Who on earth can pull off her eyebrows quite as well??

Speaking of classic films, the other night I stayed at a friend's place and we watched "Singin' in the Rain" with Gene Kelly - soo good! Unfortunately, I was exhausted so I fell asleep at the end and don't know what happened.. :( I have to see the rest!

Ugh home sick :( I hate being sick.. and I'm trying to finish homework but I can't seem to focus on anything!

¤ Sar  x

A little while later..

It's bizarre how long it's been since I've posted! This week has been incredibly busy - tests and things due in plus an oral.. I've barely had time to even think about posting! But, it's almost the end of the week now..


As you can imagine, I still have about a million ideas for art and I can't wait to begin! We've had a couple of sessions of life drawing and we have another one tomorrow morning! It can be such a challenge, I tell you what - but it's always so rewarding in the end, especially when you come out with a good piece of work! It shall be interesting :)


I also found this adorable video a while ago :) How cute is it?!



As for my art, I have a couple of new inspirations whom I had forgotten about for a little while there. They are both Australian artists - not to mention incredible! Do have a look at their works on their websites:


http://www.birdyandme.com.au/ 

http://becwinnel.com/ 

Their styles are fairly similar, however, if you want to see an incredible artist - also Australian - whose works are quite whimsical almost, have a look at Courtney Brims' art - http://www.courtneybrims.com/ 


One of my latest drawings was of a girl from a magazine in an old newspaper - I think she's a model but, what with it being a far away-ish photo, I couldn't seem to get the face right..

Sorry about the terrible quality - that's what you get from a phone.. :)

¤ Sar  x

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