Italy / Shell Sherree

Italy

Showing posts with label Italy. Show all posts

Fluffy Fiat Friday : Tutu Cute at Museo della 500 di Calascibetta

15.1.21

Aqua Fiat with Pink Paris Tutu, Frenchie and Cat © Shell Sherree all rights reserved

Aqua Fiat with Pink Paris Tutu, Frenchie and Cat © Shell Sherree all rights reserved

If life has other plans for your travel plans, you can always journey with your mind. And I hope my illustrations also keep your travel dreams alive! (You can head on over to my studio store for fine art prints to keep you happy and inspired every time you gaze upon them, and Italian silk scarves for your local scenic drives.)

And when you're putting pins on a map of Italy for a future trip, here's a quaint and enchanting place to stop by: il Museo della 500 di Calascibetta near Sicilia.

This tucked-away treasure trove holds a fun and captivating array of memorabilia and novelties dedicated to this very adorable motor car.

And it's my pleasure to have loaded up my fleetest carrier pigeon with the original of today's ink and watercolour illustration to join other creative Fiat 500-inspired works contributed by artists from around the world to this petite and charming museum for all cute car enthusiasts to enjoy.

If you're there someday in the future when regular travel returns from its overextended holiday, plan on a leisurely hour or two of soaking it all in along with the picturesque surrounds! And on that note ...

Happy fluffy Fiat 500 Friday to you!

SHOP SHELL SHERREE

::: Light-hearted art decor for your home, original artworks and prints :::

Friday Flowers : Have Flower Truck, Will Travel

23.10.20

Flower Van in Italy illustration 'Have Flower Truck, Will Travel' © Shell Sherree all rights reserved

Flower Truck in Italy illustration 'Have Flower Truck, Will Travel' © Shell Sherree all rights reserved

If there's anything better than flowers, it's an aqua-tinted flower truck in Italy filled with them.

Today's illustration is replete with a feline flower arranger - something all flower trucks should make mandatory for maximum petal placing pleasure. As for our German Shepherd in the front seat, she might be inclined to herd a few sheep along the way, so best we leave the driving to a pro. And on that note ...

Happy Friday Flowers to you !

PS: Christmas Delivery Dates are now up in store - and there are beautiful original artworks, fine art prints and Italian silk illustrated Leap of Lovely Leopards scarves awaiting your Add to Cart pleasure. Merci, grazie, thank you! You can also head directly to my Society6 store for wall art and merchandise shipped directly from there to you.

SHOP SHELL SHERREE

::: Light-hearted art decor for your home, original artworks and prints :::

Divine Doors : When One Pink Door Closes

6.3.20

Pink Doors Mediterranean with Pink Flowers and Black Cat travel art illustration © Shell Sherree all rights reserved

Pink Doors Mediterranean with Pink Flowers and Black Cat travel art illustration © Shell Sherree all rights reserved

When one door closes, another one opens. Just not at this particular Mediterranean home!

Today's travel art illustration of vibrant pink doors with matching bougainvillea is a great way to brush up on your spelling of 'bougainvillea' for your next spelling bee - not to be confused with Bogan Villea, which could be a flannelette-clad town on an Australian Monopoly board if such a thing existed. If not, what a sad omission! And on that note ...

Happy Friday to you !

SHOP SHELL SHERREE

::: Original artworks, fine art prints and wares, illustrated leopard silk scarves :::

Fluffy Fashionable Friday Illustration : I Heart Dresses and Totes Adorable Kitty

6.10.17

Travel Fashion and Fluffballs illustration: Heart Dress and Aqua Tote Kitty © Shell Sherree

Travel Fashion and Fluffballs illustration: Heart Dress and Aqua Tote Kitty © Shell Sherree

Some people wear their heart on their sleeve. I figure, "Why stop there?"

I don't know about you, but by the time spring arrives, I'm totally 'over' my winter hibernation jeans and longing to escape into the breeziness of long, flowy dresses at every possible opportunity! Today's fashion and fluffballs illustration includes one such example I'd love to materialise into my wardrobe, along with a totes adorable kitty cat {as expected ... so predictable!} Our setting is a European back street somewhere ... sufficiently vague in detail to allow your mind to wander wherever your armchair travels fancy. If I was hazarding a guess, I'd say there's a hint of salted island air - but maybe I'm mistaking it for salted caramel fare.

So come, let us bask and chat and stroll with legs bare. And find a platter of local delicacies to share! And on that note ...

Happy Fluffy Fashionable Friday, honey bear !

PS: To acquire a paper daydream to escape into through your wall, you'll find a lovely range - growing all the time - in my Shell Sherre Studio online store. If you'd love a print of something that's not yet there, please let me know and I'll arrange it for you. Merci, grazie, thank you!

Fashionable Friday : Promenade in Procida

5.5.17

Fashion Illustration Promenade in Procida © Shell-Sherree

Fashion Illustration Promenade in Procida © Shell-Sherree

I'm not a worldly traveller. So the plenitude of picturesque places on Pinterest that would elicit reminiscent Oohs and Aahs of, "I've been there!" from others seldom get that response from me. I might Ooh and Aah over how pretty they are, but as to where they were taken? I'm mostly clueless.

The inspiration for today's fashion illustration with its stone neutrals and touches of pink had me wondering about Capri or somewhere in those thereabouts. A tad more research revealed it to be Procida, a wee, small island off Naples that apparently is a hidden gem, a tiny delight and a jewel box to be explored at your next opportunity. And it turns out my geographical instincts aren't completely clueless after all ! Huzzah !

Lemonade will flavour our weekend there. Espadrilles are standard fare, whether flat or wedge, and off-the-shoulder blouses will always be at home there. Floaty skirt or floaty pants ~ as long as the breeze billows through, it will do. And on that note ...

Happy Fashionable Friday to you !

Fashion & Fluffballs : Does My Donkey Look Big in This?

13.1.17

Illustration : Sweet Donkey, Pug & Cat Ride at Amalfi © Shell-Sherree

Illustration : Sweet Donkey, Pug & Cat Ride at Amalfi © Shell-Sherree

To the blessed hard-working 40+ million donkeys of the world, I dedicate today's illustration.

If only your burdens were as light and sweet as these. If only all our burdens were as light and sweet as these! And on that note ...

Happy Fashion & Fluffballs Friday to you !

Fluffballs Friday : French Bulldog Pup's Italian Cycling Adventure

4.11.16

French Bulldog and Mum illustration: Uvetta and Martina's Cycling Adventure © Shell-Sherree

French Bulldog and Mum illustration: Uvetta and Martina's Cycling Adventure © Shell-Sherree

Grazie mille, Google Translate. Like a dapper waiter at the cocktail party who charms the guests all evening then drops a tray of devilled eggs in the middle of a speech, you can cause mild embarrassment at inopportune moments. But in this case, you served me well.

I received an email recently in Italian from a beautiful French bulldog mamma Martina, requesting a custom illustration of her with her adorable pup Uvetta. {You can follow her adventure on Instagram here.} Well, that's what I hoped it said after chugging it into Google Translate. A clear, trusting brief with inspiring photos helped immensely in keeping our communiques quick and simple. When Martina saw her artwork and loved it ~ and nothing proved lost in translation ~ a "Woot!" and a high five-selfie escaped me. So indelicate!

So come, let's follow their lead and tootle into the countryside on bicycles built for one and a half. There's ample room for flowers, crusty bread and a cheeky bottle of red. Italy or France, take your pick. They both work for me. And on that note ...

Happy Fluffballs Friday to you !

Furry Friends Friday : Under the Tuscan Sun

7.10.16

Pink Fiat and Kitty Cat Pup Fluffballs illustration © Shell-Sherree

Pink Fiat and Kitty Cat Pup Fluffballs illustration © Shell-Sherree

Today's pink Fiat and fluffballs illustration tootles us off under the Tuscan sun.

Or it could easily be poot-pootling us off under the Provençal sun. Take your pick of tootling or poot-pootling and we're all happy, even without a bottle of raffia clad-Chianti or rosé.

Speaking of wine, the sauvignon blanc of C'est La Vie french wine ~ the one with my illustration planted on it ~ is still available here in Australia through Dan Murphy's. Please drink responsibly and if you're so inclined while you're at it, go pick up a bottle. It's as cheekily delightful as the label implies. As a bonus, you get a tiny Shell Sherree illustration to keep if you're the bottle-keeping kind! Sweet. And on that note ...

Happy Fluffballs Friday to you!

C'est La Vie french wine label illustration by Shell-Sherree

C'est La Vie french wine label illustration by Shell-Sherree

Fashionable Friday : Audrey's Roman Holiday

17.6.16

Audrey's Roman Cat Holiday fashion & fluffballs illustration © Shell-Sherree

{Audrey's Roman Cat Holiday fashion & fluffballs illustration © Shell-Sherree}

When in Rome, do as Romans do. Or Audrey Hepburn. I know which I'd pick.

Today's fashion & fluffballs illustration is inspired by Roman Holiday, a romantic comedy starring Gregory Peck and Audrey in her first film role. A timeless classic blessedly conceived before the term romcom was coined, though if Audrey and Gregory had been an item, it might have rather lovely seeing photos of Peckburn out and about on the town.

When doing my scant research in an endeavour to earn my librarianish spectacles, I happened upon this very adorable clip on YouTube showing Audrey's first screen test for Roman Holiday, along with a commentary describing her fetching charms. How true it was.

So come, let us choose our respectively favourite gelato by the Spanish Steps, wander further askance to toss three coins in a fountain ~ and mix movies along with our metaphors. And on that note ...

Happy Fashionable Friday to you!

Fashionable Friday : Shall We Dance

26.6.15

Fashion and Fluffballs illustration : Shall We Dance, Humbugs © Shell-Sherree

{Fashion and Fluffballs illustration : Shall We Dance, Humbugs © Shell-Sherree}

Hello, vague nod to Italian backdrop of uncertain precise location. For some reason, I'm thinking Milan, but we can be anywhere you like. Really. As long as we have one pigeon, we're cooking with gas. {No-one tell the pigeon, please. Some things are too hard to explain.}

A single pigeon makes a fetching dance partner. A flock ? Not so much. Kitty is here for crowd control purposes, lest I have a pigeonesque repeat of the Chook Feeding Incident of the summer of 1976 from which my sister and I are unlikely to ever fully recover.

If the idea of dancing brings out the 'bah humbug' in you, at least our black and white attire is colour coded to that particular boiled lolly. Come to think of it, Eliza/Audrey might want to join us. Her hat can find a boyfriend. And on that note ...

Happy Fashionable Friday to you !

Fashionable Friday: Flowing Felines in Milan

6.2.15

{Flowing Felines in Milan : ink pen, pencil and watercolour fashion illustration © Shell-Sherree}

Hang onto your magical purple-velvet-tufted-and-gimped flying love seat ~ we're in Milan this weekend for the first time ever Chez Shell !

Today's illustration with its nebulous nod to the Duomo cathedral is inspired by Alberta Ferretti, though as per usual, I've tailored the gown colour to suit myself. {It's all about me, after all.} Nothing against sea-green but it rhymes with pea-green and we don't need to confuse things by dreaming up the owl and the pussycat right now when clearly, their romantic boat trip has Buckley's and none of ending up here. Any thoughts on how best to amuse ourselves? The customary pastries and champagne are on the menu ~ and we'd fit in nicely for a night at La Scala. Let's see what other mischief we can get up to ~ and on that note ...

Happy Fashionable Friday to you !

SWAN OVER TO MY PETITE BOUTIQUE OF ART PRINTS HERE

Frivolous Friday: Acqua di Stresa

7.12.12

Illustration of Acqua di Stresa - Italy: by Shell-Sherree: pigment ink pen & watercolour

I don't speak Italian {aside from the occasional cheerily pretentious "Ciao, bella!" amongst friends}. And I forgot to ask Katie about this shop {thanks for the inspiration, bella!} So I really should have done some research before deducing its name could mean Water of Stress ~ then applying the logic that no-one would encourage people to use Water of Stress, therefore it must be one of those funky reverse meaning things, whereby it actually means Water of De-Stress... aha, a day spa! Delighted at the excuse to finally show you this spa in action, I launched into today's illustration, only to discover once finished that it's actually a perfumerie in the Italian town of Stresa on Lago Maggiore, and symbolic of "charming melancholy, passion and poetry". Not to worry. Let's inhale their scented waters, relax into a new weekend and use the occasion to try some Italian delicacies for a change. I have not implemented a system for cataloguing our wardrobe choices, so forgive me if we're wearing the same outfit twice. It's better for the planet anyway. And on that note...

Happy Frivolous Friday to you!

Venerdi in Venice: Romance

10.2.12

pigment ink pen & watercolour illustration, 7" x 8.75" [18 x 22.5cm] BROWSE PRINTS

While I believe it's lovely to make every day Valentine's Day in simple and unassuming ways {a note with sweet nothings tucked in his pocket ... the outline of a heart magically appearing in the steam on the bathroom mirror ... remembering not to call him 'Hugh'}, I'm happy to have a formal excuse to stroll upon the romantic side of life. When I saw this old photo shoot in Venice by Mario Testino {with styling by Grace Coddington} for Vogue US 2005 not long ago, it was easy to slip into the picture and start dreaming ahead of time ... of Bellinis at Harry's Bar {where perhaps we can arrange something like this, but not indulge in too many of their signature champagne cocktails lest we end up looking like this}. And for dessert, dark chocolate gelato and moonlight lapping on the canals. And on that note...

Happy Venerdi in Venice to you!

Venerdi in Venice: Gondola of Mystery

22.10.10

ink & watercolour illustration, 8.75" x 7" [22.5 x 18cm], private commission

I've been blessed to create some lovely commissions as mementos of holidays and special occasions, and today, I thought I'd show you another one. This delightful client has engaged me more than once, and after some Paris illustrations several months ago, we recently travelled over to Venice to even up the balance.

Now, you know I'm the soul of discretion, so I've protected the anonymity of my subjects by placing large sunhats on their heads. Yes, that's the kind of privacy you can rely on when engaging me. You don't have to be Sherlock Holmes to figure out that the gondolier was not my client and has to make do with his traditional straw number. {And seems singularly unimpressed.} As you can see, this unhappy chappy is not Hugh, who was entertaining us at the time if you can recall. Smiles all around. And on that note...

Happy Venerdi in Venice to you!

Venerdi in Venice: Miaou Micio

1.10.10

ink & watercolour illustration, 8.75" x 7" [22.5 x 18cm]

Lately, I've been seeing a lot of our Hugh in a TV commercial. And while I'm thoroughly enjoying the viewing pleasure, between you and me, I think he has too much time on his hands. Far better that we keep him fully occupied, steering our gondola tea party around Venice and scattering us with rose petals. So our mission this weekend, should you choose to accept it, is to ensure that drinking iced tea is far from his mind. Unless it's in our company, of course. Micio is amused by our antics just out of sight in the canal below. Thanks to dear Danielle of VenetiaMicio for graciously allowing me to use her gorgeous photos for inspiration. If you haven't ventured over to her place yet, I whole-heartedly recommend it. It's a wonderful opportunity to exercise your French language muscles as well if you're so inclined. The best of both worlds. And on that note...

Happy Venerdi in Venice to you!

Psst: You only have until noon Brisbane time Thursday 7th October to enter the giveaway draw to celebrate my 2nd blogoversary. Just pop over here to enter...

Venerdi in Venice: Meep, Meep, We're Here

13.8.10

ink & watercolour weensy meep miniature, 3.5" x 2.5" [9 x 6.5cm] ACQUIRE A MEEP

Buon giorno! Here we are in Venice. It seems we've been invited to stay in this teensy home, with its even teensier garden overlooking the Grand Canal. {Grazie mille to Pierre of Venice Daily Photo for his magnificent photo inspiration!} Did you remember to bring a hostess gift? Not to worry, I brought enough toy koalas and souvenir spoons to cover all of us. Mind your step ~ the gaps on the private footbridge are merciless on stilettos. Here, let me give you a hand with that Vuitton steamer trunk. Don't worry, we'll revive ourselves momentarily with something refreshing in the shade of those trees. And on that note...

Happy Venerdi in Venice to you!

Venerdi in Venice: A Weensy Stroll

16.7.10

ink & watercolour ACEO weensy, 3.5" x 2.5" [9 x 6.5cm]

Let's stroll into the weekend, dropping our cares into this canal in Venice, in a serene and quiet location near San Martino Vescova, away from the madding crowds. Grazie mille to Pierre of Venice Daily Photo for his constant inspiration. {Happy holidays, Pierre!}

We can vote on where we'll stay based on the colour of our favourite gelato. If no pets are allowed, someone may need to take a trip to the local Hotel for Dogs. But this puppy only barks "Meep, meep," so I'm thinking we can smuggle him in and no-one will be the wiser. And on that note...

Happy Venerdi in Venice to you!

The Versatile Blogger Goes Meep For Winter

6.7.10

ink & watercolour meep miniature, 3.5" x 2.5" [9 x 6.5cm] ACQUIRE

There's something about beach stripes that says "Summer". {Hands up if you just read that as "beach strips..." If you look closely, you'll see our kitty is wearing no clothes. Shameful.} As it's winter here, it's kind of nice to imagine making off with that towel and deck chair and finding a sunny spot, but that would force one to disregard the seductively half-open door. Decisions, decisions. And while we ponder our conundrum, please allow me to pose for a brief interlude...

I'm honoured to receive The Versatile Blogger Award from leOpard13, whose Lazy Thoughts from a Boomer is an intelligent and far-from-lazy blog that I thoroughly recommend to you. We met at PopCultureNerd's place, and I'm very chuffed to be included amongst his awardees. Thank you, leOpard13! In addition to thanking leOpard13 for demonstrating his discerning taste, I need to let you know seven things about me, as well as passing the award on. Here goes:

I have a sack of almond meal in the pantry and several macaron recipes but have not yet attempted any. I find myself sadly lacking in patience and candy thermometers.
I once played the harpsichord for half of Handel's Messiah from Scratch and it takes a lot of pluck to do that.
I have 29 rolls of ribbon at the ready for any kind of gift-wrapping emergency.
Yoga is my sport of choice {though my Olympic dream fades with every passing four years}.
I'm tempted to migrate north for the winter but I'd miss home too much {and a number of ducks I know don't recommend it}.
I'll happily sign a petition to have chocolate officially recognised as a food group.
I think I'm indecisive but I'm not quite sure...

So rather than trying to choose from all of the outstanding blogs I love: if I follow your blog, you're welcome to take this award and do a happy dance. Yes, I just ducked out of that one. Call me "chicken" and I'll be plucked {just prior to making the shortest recorded attempt at flying north}, but don't worry, I'll be back by Friday.

Venerdi in Venice: We are Lions, Hear Us Meep

25.6.10

ink & watercolour ACEO weensy, 3.5" x 2.5" [9 x 6.5cm]
Acquire this original Meep Miniature here.

Cats big and small love to laze, stretch, slumber in the sun ~ and to indulge in the occasional Faux-Doze for the benefit of potential prey. These stately lions watching over the Canal Grande in Venice are no exception, except that they tend to stay still for the sake of a regal photo or sketching opportunity, and all they're likely to catch is the odd irreverent pigeon thought. Thanks so very much to Pierre's Venice Daily Photo for generously allowing me its exquisite inspiration, and especially to Alain Hamon for this particular one. Grazie mille!!!

[Post Update 29th June: Dear Alain has kindly posted my little illo together with his photo at his own blog, and it's lovely seeing them side by side. Thank you so very much!]

It's a gorgeous fine winter's day here, the kind I'd be happy with all season long ~ mild in temps, a sun that's fully present but mellow rather than roaring, and a few benign little tufts of lazy vanilla fairy floss. I might even follow the lions' lead and climb out onto the roof to survey the landscape. And on that potentially perilous note...

Happy Venerdi in Venice to you!

Venerdi in Venice: It's All About Me-ep

4.6.10

ink & watercolour ACEO weensy, 2.5" x 3.5" [6.5 x 9cm]

Let's go for a tiny stroll. A very tiny stroll, across a very tiny bridge in Venice where we can gaze at our reflections in the canal and wonder at our collective beauty. I don't see anyone else around, so we can stay as long as we like. One can't rush narcissism, after all. Yes, that's a fluffy tu-tu, so it's not just about me-me, and to spot the kitty in this one, you may need one of these. And on that note...

Happy Venerdi in Venice to you!

PS: Just heard that the charming old Shingle Inn, long-since dismantled and stored, has finally been given a new home, and will be re-built in the foyer of our City Hall, currently under renovations. Great article here with a photo of the original. I am delighted. Delighted.

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