/ Shell Sherree

Fairytale Friday: Dash It All for Romance

15.2.13

{London Kiss: ink & watercolour illustration by Shell-Sherree}

As I write this post, it's Friday in Brisbane and Valentine's Day has passed with a whisper here, but is still present by a whisker there. Possibly your 'there'. {And possibly you're there.} No matter what the day, I thought it was time for a fine romance here Chez Shell. Life doesn't always mirror art, but one can dream. From the vintage of the car, we're being transported back to London in the 1940s? {What I'm lacking in history, I don't make up for in geography, so feel free to correct my vague hazarding of a guess. And whatever you do, don't catch the number 9 and hope to end up in any of the advertised locations.} Here's the inspiration for today's little fairytale flight of fancy. And speaking of time travel, action, romantic leads and ye bonne olde England, I'm deeply immersed in Petrea Burchard's Camelot & Vine right now and loving it. Don't be bashful, hop over and buy a copy. Petrea's puppy dog Boz needs a pocket money raise. {And a pocket, but that's another story...} And on that note...

Happy Fairytale Friday to you!

PS: Last call for prints ~ end of this weekend, I'll be putting the store on vacation until ... let's just say, "Don't wait up." Thank you ~ big hugs and thanks for all your support. I'm looking forward to exploring other creative adventures around the corner...

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Francophile Friday: Printemps in Paris

8.2.13

{Printemps in Paris: ink & watercolour illustration by Shell-Sherree}

It doesn't take Sherlock Holmes to sense the winter of your discontent up in the northern hemisphere lately. I'm not judging ~ I'm usually mumbling about moving to warmer climes by the third day of winter, not the third month. And our Brisbane winters are mild. Apparently. So, to spread a little cheer and give a sign of hope to those desperately dreaming of running barefoot through fields of wildflowers in a floaty off-the-shoulder number, beams of radiant sunlight bouncing off their hair and Chariots of Fire playing in the background {feel free to volunteer suitable substitutes ~ I'm in a hurry for a date with a glass of bubbles on the deck ~ not wanting to rub the salt of my summer into any wounds, of course}: I offer you Printemps {aka 'Spring'} in Paris. We might need to step up the wardrobe for running barefoot on the cobblestones of Paris. This should do. Some discreet skirt-hitching, however, is permitted. And on that note...

Happy Francophile Friday to you!

Thanks to dear Virginia of Paris Through My Lens for the spectacular inspiration. Merci, comme toujours, sweet lady...

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Francophile Friday: Religieuse Habit

1.2.13

{Religieuse Mint & Violet : ink & watercolour illustration by Shell-Sherree}

Hello, February! I could hug you ~ though your continued heat and humidity will make for a steamy embrace. {In the right company, that can be quite a nice thing...} Anyhoo, as January is typically the month for breaking self-defeating habits and creating healthier ones, this little pastry treat is served up as a reminder to keep your eye on the prize now that we're a month down the track. {It could be a crumby reminder if cutting pastries is one of your goals by reason of insanity. Let's not go there...} This pretty morsel is a Religieuse, which means 'nun's habit' because it's said to resemble one. I chose mint and violet because ~ well, it's a girl's perogative. And I imagine the nuns would like a change.

And I'm going to be very lazy today and not even vaguely attempt to give you the story about its creation in 1855 by pastry maestro Frascati, because I know a tough act to follow ~ and Adam at Paris Pâtisseries is one witty cookie. Hop over and have a read, and step away from your cup of tea or coffee before you do. {Your keyboard and monitor will thank me later.} When you're ready, let's meet for a five tiered stand of these treats. Keep your linen napkins at the ready to catch any pastry flakes, as we're glamming it up this time, being our first Parisian get together for 2013 and all. And on that note...

Happy Francophile Friday to you!

PS: Just a little courtesy note that my print store will be closing soon. If you'd like to partake while you can, please click here to browse.

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Fashionable Friday: Audrey's Puppy Love

25.1.13

{ink & watercolour illustration by Shell-Sherree}

I'm back. It's grand to see you. The holidays agreed with you ~ you're looking rested and raring to go. As for me, I discovered when yin and yang collide, you can guarantee an epiphany is around the corner. {Mine was black raspberry-flavoured. And I'd have another in a heartbeat if I could.}

Anyway, after plenty of late-night navel gazing, I've decided to change up a few things in my life ~ streamline, simplify, gather my energies and become more Yoda-fied. "Do or do not ~ there is not try." As part of that, I made the momentous decision {but a long time in the making} to pull down the shutters on my print store shortly and focus on things that are closer to my heart and more productive {both illustration-wise and otherwise}. I wanted to give you a weensy window of opportunity to order {please click HERE} in case you'd been considering something ~ but please pop over sooner rather than later!

Meanwhile, here on the blog, we'll be walking on the serendipitous side more often. Perish the thought you ever have to stifle a yawn. Today's illustration is inspired by Audrey Hepburn in Givenchy with a couple of non-miniature poodle pooches back in the day. She's the essence of grace and natural beauty inside and out ~ and 20th January marked the 20th anniversary of her passing. The world was left a better place thanks to her. {And thanks to dear Rose for steering me to this particular source of inspiration.} And on that note...

Happy Fashionable Friday to you!

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Francophile Friday: Dior Noël au Printemps

21.12.12

Inspiration: Dior's Christmas windows, Printemps, Paris ~ illustration by Shell-Sherree

I love that you know me so well and send me things you know I can't help but draw. Thanks to dear Cali for first showing me Dior's Christmas windows at Parisian department store Le Printemps this season. Call me 'shallow' and roll me in fairy floss, but I would give a lot for one of those marionettes. And the sets. From carousels to monogrammed hot air balloons, the House of Dior takes us on a whimsical and delicate journey through the City of Light. Choose your gown and some gilty sustenance, grab a kitty {or a pretend puppy dog if so inclined} and enjoy the ride.

May your Christmas and festive season be filled with love and laughter, no matter how you choose to celebrate. Thank you for another year of beautiful friendship and flights of imagination. I'll do my usual and enjoy a little R&R with my nearest and dearest {the ones who live here, that is!} See you in a couple of weeks or so. Group hug, my sweets. And on that note...

Happy Francophile Friday {and Festive Frivolities} to you!

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Furry Friends Friday: Whiskers + Kisses

14.12.12

Harry of Whiskers + Kisses {ink & watercolour illustration Shell-Sherree}

Ah, sweet mystery of search engines at last have found me... and I have no idea how, but it turned out to be most serendipitous when Leanne of Brischetto Photography happened upon me while seeking a kindred spirit to illustrate her fur kids. When I saw Dax, Rusty and Harry on the Whiskers + Kisses website their smitten mum has dedicated to them ~ well, resistance was futile! It was a two-fold blessing, as I've been wanting to have Ella photographed by someone who can do her justice {who doesn't live on the other side of the world ~ you all know who you are!!} ~ and along she came. One logo, three illustrations, a photo shoot and countless hilarious emails later, I've found a beautiful new friend as well. Ella was reasonably gracious for her portrait session {I'll be posting links soon} and such a good time was had by all, we ran out of light before Leanne could photograph my studio. Not to worry, it gives us another excuse to catch up again soon. I did procure some macarons for styling purposes, and they might perhaps have happened to fall into our mouths when we declared, "It's a wrap!" for the day. A fitting end to proceedings.


Rusty {top} and Daxy-Girl of Whiskers + Kisses {ink & watercolour illustration Shell-Sherree}

When you drop over to visit Dax, Rusty and Harry, I'm thinking casual is the order of the day. Snacky-wackies are optional but likely to be welcome. And on that note...

Happy Furry Friends Friday to you!

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