Drawings of Flora

New Year & the start of a textiles range..

2010-01-04T19:43:00.000-08:00

Long time..no blog! I do apologise! It's been a crazy end to 2009 with all manner of projects. My final project was creating silk curtain designs for a client. This is a new area for me. I had been experimenting with fabric printing on my trusty Epson R1900 and found it difficult to find useful directions on the web. So I will endeavour to do a break-down of my experience.

I bought some paper backed, printable Habotai silk samples from my brilliant supplier
(www.gicleemediasupplies.com.au)
and printed some test images on the silk. I preferred the feel of the finest silk sample (10mm) though I'd hoped for richer colours. It makes sense that the finer the silk, the less density...
So, I ploughed on and spent hours fiddling with my 'Falling Poppies' scarf design.

Silk Scarves:
To begin my experiment of creating a line of silk scarves I chose a very simple pattern using repetitions of my 'Pink Poppy' image on a blank background.

I use a free (and excellent) graphics program called GIMP to do my layout in which I flipped and rotated each poppy until I was happy with the size. Because the Epson R1900 goes through so much ink, the cartridges are small, and silk is expensive my advice is to test, test, test!
*Photo: this is the first test scarf I printed on the silk. After this I decided to have a longer scarf with larger poppies.

Settings: I was unsure of which settings I should use for the silk/material so I tested a few (Best photo, matte paper, Best photo, plain paper) and there was very little difference in colour density. I didn't use the roll feed option as the roll I had bought was twice the width of my printer. I did use the fax format option in Epson Printing Wizard after I set the print size.

I cut all my test scarves out by hand after measuring the size I wanted, placed it in the paper feed and carefully supported the material as it printed. After printing, you peel off the paper backing. Which is fun, but in my case I got my boyfriend to help me because the scarf length is quite substantial and I didn't want the silk to get dirty on my studio floor!
*Photo: Drying scarves after steam-set and wash

I decided not to steam set the printed scarves until they were sewn. The silk was slightly starchy after peeling the paper off and I thought it would be less slippery for the seamstress to handle.
My seamstress took them away to hem...

Once I got the sewn scarves back, I set about steam setting the fabric. This was done over a pot of boiling water (I used a steamer!) and I'd gently turn the scarves with tongs. They were left to dry. Once they were dry I washed and ironed them on a silk setting and when they were quite damp so as not to burn the fabric.
*Photo: Ironed and hung!

Art Exhibition pics and memories...

2009-07-12T23:17:00.000-07:00

The Drawings of Flora - Leaf-Pollen-Petal exhibition in Melbourne was a real delight to put on.
Though, the night before I was up until 4am finishing framing and making last minute choices!

Held in New White Gallery (corner of Little Bourke Street and Hardware Lane) the show featured some of my recent works and some oldies (but goodies). Some pieces sold- which is always fun (for me) and the opening night was packed with about 50 people in attendance. I arranged to have Corinn and Nicola Strating providing some sweet irish tunes which really lifted the night and people lingered long after the finish time. Here are some photos of my work in the gallery.

Some pieces are still available so please let me know if you are interested in any. Some are also listed in my online shop.

Surfacing with new work

2008-08-28T08:42:00.000-07:00

So, the business plan is written, the financials sorted, the framing materials at the ready...and we're off! My hope is that this year will be full of new pieces such as these (Pink Dahlia and She Knew (study II Pink Californian Poppy).

I'll be at my new stall on Father's Day (next Sunday September 7th) at Sunday Arts at the Convent (Abbotsford Convent, Victoria) if you'd like to come by and say hello to all the beautifully framed prints (new ones included!) 10am - 5pm.

5 or 6 of my framed originals will be hung in Bird's Gallery, High Street, Kew from Early September so frames are being made for me on our huge kitchen bench as I write.

I'm exhausted. I finished my business plan as I said, as well as two drawings this morning, trying to list every night/early morning on my etsy.com shop and doing the odd bit of cleaning and admin. I think I'm going to need to get up earlier in the morning. Which is probably going to be painful but worth it in the end.

O the joys of small business.

New Drawing Order of newly discovered tropical plant species! and Business, business, business...

2008-08-01T18:04:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since my last post. I've been absorbed by my business course and finding things like my 'niche'...and learning about the dirty world of marketing....makes my head swell.
But, it's pretty interesting and my business plan is almost done. It's looking like I'll be hitting huge Trade Fairs twice a year to sell my wares to thousands of retailers looking for stock. As well as exhibiting in galleries and the like. Not to mention regularly selling through my etsy.com store. It's both exciting and terrifying.

Good news, got a drawing order whilst at the printer warehouse! Met a lad there who does treks into the jungle in the Phillipines and he's discovered a new tropical plant. He saw a few of my drawings and wants me to do a Botanical Drawing of this new species. The plant is really crazy-it grows to about the size of a dinner plate...little bit bigger... and it grows on the jungle floor. As it ages-it blackens. I'm really looking forward to doing this project. Renee-(the trekker)wants to sell prints of the drawing.

Check out the plant @: http://www.rafflesialobata.org/
The picture here is not the best quality as it's from a video that was taken, and as you can see, the blackened edges mean it's reaching the end of it's bloom time.

New drawings

2008-06-20T02:05:00.000-07:00

These are my latest pieces. I'm particularly fond of the pink/orange poppy. I'm not certain on titles at this point. In some ways, I'm trying not to get too attached as soon they will be framed and presented to Bird's Gallery as a big set. The purple/pink dahlia will eventually have a lime green/yellow/white centre. I'm concentrating on building up the dark areas first which seems to be the way I approach most layered petal drawings.
I've been spending most of my time painting the interior of our new house and learning how to be 'handy'. I don't think I'll give up my day job...I far prefer drawing. My new studio is taking shape. I am about to emabark on a huge floor to ceiling storage cupboard with doors-as I don't concentrate well with alot of clutter. I will post photos of the cupboard project soon as well as further photos of the new dahlia!

Later that day...

2008-05-23T02:41:00.000-07:00

They want more!
I need to do some re-framing of the two below and prepare about 5 drawings in all. All framed the same. The gallery will stock them all! Great news. So I have until August 26th to arrange that then they will be hung together at Birds Gallery, Kew.

Two pieces in Birds Gallery, Kew, Victoria!

2008-05-22T18:24:00.000-07:00

Good news! Today I have an appointment at Birds Gallery, 236 High Street, Kew
www.birdsgallery.com.au
where I am to drop off two of my framed works. I'm certain it's true that everything happens at once! I've only just moved house and am in the throes of repainting the entire interior. So, today I dress up and scrub my hands clean of paint!
Here are the two pieces I'm taking in:
'Red Dahlia' Coloured Pencil and Pen Drawing
'Her Purple Daisy' Coloured Pencil and Pen Drawing on Watercolour Paper

The Collectors' Exhibition 2008

2008-04-22T21:14:00.000-07:00

I just received notification today that this piece 'Memory of a Muse' has been selected for The Collectors Exhibition!

"A showcase for established and Australian contemporary artists...extensive exhibition of 119 artworks in many contemporary styles and media".

If you are interested in coming to the show:
Steps Gallery,62 Lygon Street, Carlton
Showing: 5th -18th May
Gallery Hours: 10:30am - 5:30pm (daily)

Dahlia Nearly Finished

2008-04-08T19:53:00.000-07:00

This burgundy/red dahlia (coloured pencil) has taken on a personality as I've been working into the centre. It's still needs more time spent-but I'm happy with how it's going. I'm going to title it 'Burst'. Hopefully I will post the completed drawing in a few days. Check out my 'work in progress' posts from last month and see how it's developed. My next task is to set up the web cam and begin a drawing...time lapse style.

A Petal A Day: Thursday

2008-03-06T20:01:00.000-08:00

Petal Study Four: Dahlia petals
Grey-lead pencil on Premium Drawing Paper 6" x 5.5"
$30.00

A Petal A Day: Wednesday

2008-03-05T03:40:00.000-08:00

Wednesday's Drawing: Petal Study Three (Parrot Tulip)

Coloured Pencil, Texta and Pen Original Drawing
Size: 5.5" x 6" on Premium Drawing Paper.
$30 from my online shop! www.drawingsofflora.etsy.com

A Petal A Day: Tuesday

2008-03-03T23:02:00.000-08:00

Tuesday's Drawing: Petal Study Two: Pink Lillium Petal

Coloured Pencil and Texta for the background effect.
Size: 5.5" x 6" on Premium Drawing Paper.
$30 from my online shop! www.drawingsofflora.etsy.com

A Petal A Day: Monday

2008-03-03T22:27:00.000-08:00

SOLD
Monday's Drawing: Variety- Helloborus x Hibridus 'Picotee Pink'

These small petal studies will be posted every day for seven days. Hope you enjoy them. They are quite small (5.5" x 6") though still tend to take me about four hours to do! Hope you enjoy them. They are $20 each plus $5 postage from my etsy shop. www.drawingsofflora.etsy.com

Work In Progress:Burgundy Dahlia

2008-03-02T18:14:00.000-08:00

It's coming along slowly! If you liked the Tulip Bloom Suspended drawing (see blog post titled Tulip Bloom Suspended is Finished!), it's now for sale (unframed) for $250 so drop me a line or visit my etsy shop www.drawingsofflora.etsy.com to purchase it. See below for more framed originals for sale.

HUGE ART SALE! Up to $300 off original works!

2008-02-19T16:57:00.000-08:00

'Red Dahlia' Coloured Pencil and Pen Drawing by Susannah Coleman-Brown
WAS $749 NOW $500

My exhibition has come to an end so I've decided to have an Art Sale with the remaining work. I've truly slashed my prices so you are sure to behold a bargain!
Contact me regarding freight/postage but I expect the cost to be approximately $60.00 Registered Post (within Australia).

If you would like to purchase an original framed drawing please email scolemanbrown@gmail.com immediately or phone:

'Drawings of Flora' mobile phone: 0430110602
or
'Opia...tea,gifts and homewares': 03 62286542

Artworks For Sale: All Drawings are on A3 (41cm x 29.5) size paper. Frame sizes vary as you can see from the photos. Let me know if you would like a complete measurement. 'Magnolia'
Coloured Pencil and Pen Drawing By Susannah Coleman-Brown
WAS $495 NOW $350
Photo by Christine Fry

'Her Purple Daisy' Coloured Pencil and Pen Drawing by Susannah Coleman-Brown
WAS $328 NOW $299
Photo by Christine Fry

'Moment of Clarity' Coloured Pencil and Pen Drawing by Susannah Coleman-Brown
WAS $610 NOW $410
Photo by Jessica Coleman

'Memory of a Muse' Coloured Pencil and Pen Drawing by Susannah Coleman-Brown
WAS $999 NOW $700

New drawing: Work in Progress

2008-02-19T01:45:00.000-08:00

Last week I started on this deep burgundy Dahlia. Obviously it's still in the 'formative' stage. I generally use the most evident medium/dark colours as a base then once all the petals are coloured I can go around every single one, adding depth and contrast with darks and also lights. The picture is always so different at the beginning, when I just get started-but it has it's own ephemeral beauty that I now love to photograph and share.

Blog Interview Lapaperie & Cozy

2008-02-14T16:08:00.000-08:00

News:
I was recently asked by one of my favourite art/blog sites to do an interview. The artist Beverly (Nova Scotia) makes incredible hand made, hand bound leather notebooks, drawings and beautiful soaps. Every week or so, a new artist is featured on her blog and this time-mines up! So please, go and visit her site-it's absolutely beautiful! www.lapaperie.wordpress.com

Other News: I've put my CD/EP 'Fall...' in my online shop! If you are interested in a listen-please leave a comment asking for an mp3 sample.

Tulip Bloom Suspended is FINISHED!

2008-02-09T05:02:00.001-08:00

So I decided to leave the background blank. I always feel initially elated when I finish a drawing then the next moment I feel utterly drained. The way you feel after watching a heart wrenching drama. So, I wallow exhausted for a while then throw myself into another drawing. I started one this evening. It's quite a dramatic one...I'll post photos of it's progress as I start adding colour. If you love this 'Tulip'-visit my etsy shop www.drawingsofflora.etsy.com and treat yourself to a beautiful giclee print!
Height: 29.5cm x 21cm

I also have a shop special: Buy 2 prints and get 1 half price.

Stay tuned for my next post as I'll have photos up from my recent exhibition!

Latest Drawing in Progress

2008-02-01T01:50:00.000-08:00

I'm currently working on a velvety tulip variety called 'Black Hero'. As there is so much black in the picture I'm working from-I feared it may start to look 'flat' on the page. So I decided to build up the dark areas with maroons and navy which gives a velvety effect, later adding black and/or maroon penwork. It's certainly true that if you stare at an object long enough, you start to see many colours in it. For example, it took me about 12 hours (not in one sitting of course...that would be scary) to come to the realisation that there is pale blue in the lightest parts of each petal. The challenge now is to finish the outer petals particularly the bottom ones and decide whether to leave the background as it is-or go to town with it! Still unsure.

Drawings of Flora by Susannah Coleman-Brown

2008-01-30T05:29:00.004-08:00

'Camellia Chocolate'
Susannah Coleman-Brown
Coloured Pencil and Pen Drawing on Paper

Welcome to my 'Drawings of Flora' blog.

I'm currently sitting hunched over my desk at half past midnight in Brunswick (Melbourne, Australia) joining the leagues of those who 'blog'. I don't know how I feel about it yet. It's the beginning of another year and it's the month I try and start a bunch of things I normally wouldn't. There's a documentary playing in the background on Bukowski and Tom Waits has just appeared (on TV, not in my lounge room...unfortunately)...Television is vital to my creative process. I spend so much of my time stationary with my coloured pencils and paper-spending hours layering and blending. I love to daydream and slip into other people's dramas. That said, It's always nice to take a tea break in my own reality. Utilising my collection of china teacups of course...! 'Her Purple Daisy'
Susannah Coleman-Brown
Coloured Pencil and Pen Drawing on Watercolour paper

I currently have an exhibition of eight drawings (all framed exquisitely!) displayed in 'Opia...tea,gifts and homewares' (74 Main Road Moonah, Tasmania www.opia74.com). Opening night was January 19th. Great turnout-around 50-60 people throughout the few hours. It's always mildly stressful organising something and experiencing the dreaded "what if nobody comes!" feeling. Which, when expressed to my brother he replied "well, we can just have a party together."

The giclee prints with white matt board surround are selling well. The quality of colour and detail in the prints always strikes me. It feels strange to know they are in other people's homes now.

I feel really strongly about making artwork that is beautiful and affordable.
I have a sale on currently in my online store:

www.drawingsofflora.etsy.com

ALL A4 PRINTS

$9.95US

(plus postage).

Be quick! this sale ends February 7th 2008!

'Moment of Clarity'
Susannah Coleman-Brown
Coloured Pencil and Pen Drawing on Paper

2008-01-30T05:29:00.002-08:00

2008-01-30T05:29:00.001-08:00