/ Shell Sherree

Francophile Friday: Le Tour de Kitty

6.7.12

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

You knew it had to come sometime over the next couple of weeks: a nod to le Tour de France. Last year's winner of le maillot jaune and one of Australia's favourite sons, Cadel Evans, is in the running again. {I think he went to the same School of Genuinely Nice Guys as our Hugh.} It's early days so we'll keep our tinder dry, but he's sitting very nicely so far. And he's well placed, too. I avoided the obvious and did not dress kitty in lycra, firstly because I couldn't bear to impose such an indignity on her, and secondly because head gear would be the obligatory accessory and I refuse to give her helmet fur. Thanks to dear Virginia of Paris Through My Lens for the wealth of inspiration {you'll find several other bicycles on that post if one simply isn't enough... bisous, ma chère!} If you'd like to go for a ride, I've chosen a maillot jaune of the more feminine kind, plus something that has a little give without revealing all. The basket is loaded with baguettes and flowers ~ good for the soul. And on that note...

Happy Francophile Friday to you!

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Fashionable Friday: The White Shed

29.6.12

pigment ink & watercolour illustration by ShellSherree for The White Shed

If I had a shed in my yard, there's a good chance I'd paint it white. Or aqua... lilac... pale pink ~ choose a pastel and add it to the list. One of the things I love about soft, dusty, lolly colours is that they play nicely with a favourite classic combo: black and white. Whichever pastel I settled on, my shed might have an awning like this, to add an air of jaunty distinction.

When commissioned by Letitia to illustrate a shop front representative of The White Shed, her elegant online homewares and design store, I was rather delighted {as you can well imagine} to find her modern country style furniture and accessories have more than a hint of French flavour. How fitting! Double the drawing pleasure for me. Letitia has been a joy to work with, and her clients must be more than a little in love with her. She has a lovely blog too, so feel free to pop on over and say Hello. You can wear this and be a chameleon. {We're friends, let me share my cold snap with you.} Then we can all meet up to pat colour co-ordinated cats and nibble delicately on colour co-ordinated treats. And on that note...

Happy Fashionable Friday to you!

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Francophile Friday: Cirque du Carrousel

22.6.12

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

When I first saw le Carrousel de Nogent at Genie's Paris and Beyond {thank you for the beautiful inspiration, ma chère!}, it reminded me of a circus tent ~ which seems fairly appropriate, given there's probably some clowning around going on inside, perhaps even red noses if someone pinches the last available seat. Genie happened upon this all-weather carrousel on the esplanade de l'Hôtel de Ville. So did Edward Scissorhands {after warming up on his practice pitch first.} Given the somewhat theatrical nature of the scene, I've procured some costumes for us to wear inside. With the protection from the elements afforded by this particular model of merry-go-round, we are at minimal risk of skirts flying, so relax and enjoy. And on that note...

Happy Francophile Friday to you!

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Francophile Friday: E-T for Two

15.6.12

pigment ink & watercolour illustration, 7" x 9.5" [18 x 24cm]

As we peep over the shoulders of our Parisian kitties and share their romantic view of La Tour Eiffel, please help yourself to the boxes of Ladurée macarons they've brought along. And join us in celebrating my 301st blog post. {Source of inspiration for today's illustration is here.} Thank you for your friendship, laughter and waving of pom poms in support. I've lost count of the number of macarons and glasses of bubbly {and prosecco!} we've enjoyed virtually together. {Thank heavens the sugar is virtual as well...} I'm hoping I've found a dress to suit each of you as we party in a pastelicious fashion long into the weekend. And on that note...

Happy Francophile Friday to you!

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Francophile Friday: Hôtel de Paris de Paris?

8.6.12

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

I'm infatuated with black and white again. It's been a long time since we loitered in the neutral zone, so today's the day. While the sign tells us this is a Hôtel de Paris, could it be the Hôtel de Paris de Monte Carlo? I couldn't find the source of the inspiration for today's illustration, so ... any thoughts? Wherever it is, we should travel there by train. And for just a hint of a rose in our cheeks, some pink éclairs will do nicely. And on that note...

Happy Francophile Friday to you!

Update: Thanks to dear Genie of Paris & Beyond, the mystery has been solved. Now called Hotel Paris Rivoli, this beautiful spot is located at 19, rue de Rivoli, Paris 75004.

PS: Update Saturday 9th June: finger on the pulse, I just saw in my blog dashboard that this was my 300th post. Oops ~ perhaps some pomp and circumstance is in order next week for my 301st...

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Fashionable Friday: Façades & Flowers

1.6.12

pigment ink & watercolour illustration, 10.25" x 7.5" [26 x 19cm]

I was momentarily tempted to call this a Francophile Friday post and attempt to pull the wool over your eyes, with the help of a black and white striped awning and some attractive potted shrubs. Malheureusement, the wording on the glass is a giveaway. {And I can't fib to save myself.}

Not to worry ~ I'm very glad the Rose St Trading Co calls Australia 'home', and I was thoroughly chuffed to illustrate the façade for its new website. The site designer, Danni O'Neil, has done really lovely work on the layout and visuals. And I love the way she has used elements of the illustration throughout the site, too. Given the shop is a homewares/interiors/fashion space, we shall co-ordinate ourselves accordingly before settling in for the weekend. I wonder if they sell beds. And on that note... actually, wait ~ there's more.

Nôte Couture, oh-beautiful-online-purveyor of personalised stationery, has added another of my designs to its range. Long-time followers might vaguely remember this flowery illustration. Julie at Nôte Couture is a treat. She takes cat-pampering to a whole new level {something many of us can relate to!}, and it's always a joy to work with her. You can read more about it over on this lovely post. And on that note ~ yes, this time, really...

Happy Fashionable Friday to you!

Rose St Trading Co
16-17 & 19 Beatty Avenue
Armadale Victoria 3143
Ph: +61 3 9822 9444

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