Xmas 2010

Hi There,

So much has been going on and I haven't blogged about it. All that will be changing. I am getting my very organised, intelligent and creative sister on board for the new year. She's a dynamite and will give me more time to blog, illustrate and be generally creative really. Thank you to Rosie and Louisa for all their help this year! You guys rock!

Rosie Catalano is also coming out with an e.p. next year and I will announce a launch date in the early new year. I am currently designing the ep which is alot of fun.
As we all know Christmas is approaching and there is much anticipation. I am offering a Christmas bonus to those who would like to purchase my prints. Use the code xmas2010 to receive a 15% discount on any of my illustrations, cards and books. www.nikkicatalano.bigcartel.com



XX

Eckersley's Catalogue for Christmas

Hi there,

With Christmas fast approaching the lovely girls at Eckersley's asked me to illustrate their Christmas Catalogue. It was great to work with Roula and Kylie, and I thank them for the opportunity.

Here is a picture below!

In other news, I move into my studio tomorrow! I'm very excited and plan to do a lot more blogging about things/people/places that inspire me as well as other news and events! I'm moving next door to Pepperstitches, I love her handmade toys. Follow the link to take a look!

xx

Made me laugh

Just a little update, Magnolia Square markets is on today, tomorrow and Sunday. I'll have my lovely friend Djava there today minding my stall and I will be in later in the evening. I'll also be there tomorrow morning and Sunday. My sister Rosie will be there with me tommorrow. Thanks guys!


I was working away this morning and found this image, I just had to post it. I love little critters. You may have noticed from my drawings. How cute and funny it is! I love it.

 

Okay, now back to more serious work.... till next time. May the force be with you. : )

Upcoming Magnolia Square Market Sydney

Hello!

I am happy to be part of the upcoming Magnolia Square Markets in Randwick next weekend and will be busy preparing for it over the next week or so.

In other exciting news I am moving into my first ever studio. Gone are the days of balancing living space with work space. It is a friendly, light filled space that I heard about through PepperStitches. Thank you! I remember seeing her blog about moving into a studio and feeling inspired to do the same, now I will be too! I'm looking forward to getting an easel and canvas out and exploring painting.

Shout out too to my friend Amy Cunliffe who took photos of me for PR. They are great and considering I don;t like being photographed you did very well with me, thank you.

Over the Christmas break I am planning on creating a new series of work. I will be organising an exhibition for next year too so I will keep you posted!

See you soon! X Nikki

Win a Sitting Pretty T-Shirt!

Hello,
I have just come back from the Finders Keepers Melbourne which was a great experience and I met some lovely people! Next week I will be back in Melbourne on the 21st, 22nd and 23rd for the Magnolia Square Markets! Nic Macisaac runs it and is a wonderful organiser.

I have just entered my Owl illustration into Threadless where it has the potential to become a printed T-Shirt but it needs your votes for this to happen. You could win a Tee, just take a couple of seconds to click my owly bird below, vote and comment to be in the running.  I would be very happy to see it printed and you can only win if it does!!! : )



In other news my pop up shop is still up in the Arcade Project at Gaffa if you have time to pop in. Also the exhibition Daydreams is still up Sydney Children's Hospital and a percentage of all sales is donated back to the hospital which is a good feeling for me.

Another reminder that the Mathildas market at Paddington Town Hall on the 30th is coming up too so if you are around come in and say hello.

Oh and before I go I just have to share these other arty products with you. In Melbourne I bought these very cool pink tights from Okay-Okay and these beautiful light, ,soft delicious pants from Nell. Both of them are from Melbourne. And the next gift I buy will be a beautiful bag from Emotional Baggage. They use gorgeous prints, some with a japanese feel and are all very well crafted.

Nikki

October News!

I can't believe it is October already and I'm quickly learning that this is a very busy time of the year.

I am excited to announce that I have a pop up shop in the city at Gaffa Gallery. My illustrations are on display and for sale until late November. The lovely people at Finders Keepers have collaborated with Gaffa to make this possible for myself and other designers/artists. Frankie Magazine also have a special reading room with 2011 diaries, calendars, magazines and photo books. Very cosy : )

The Sydney Children's Hospital Randwick exhibition Daydream is now up and running (on level 2). Lovely Roxanne Fea is the curator there. It was humbling to be there and put the work up with one of their volunteers Carolyn. I have decided to get involved and volunteer with their program which involves art and other activities with the children there.

This weekend coming up 9th and 10th of October I am having a stall at the Finders Keepers Markets. I am super uber excited and it is my first real 'business trip'. I would love to meet some new Melbournians. I like that place, they seem to love their art and craft!

And one more thing before I go, I am participating in the Mathildas Markets at Paddington Town Hall on the 30th October. It is my first time and I heard it is fab so I hope you can make it along.

Till next time... love and peace

Up coming exhibition 'Daydream'

Myself and my friends Isabel Watts and Hilary Thackway are having an exhibition beginning this September, opening on the 30th. Our illustrations work really well together both stylistically and with our childlike subject matter. Our illustrations share a sense imaginative curiosity.

What : Daydream Exhibition; Hilary Thackway, Isabel Watts and Nikki Catalano 
When : Opening 30th September, 6- 8pm
Runs from 30 September to 2 December 2010
Where: Artspace 2 (Level 2, Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick)
Enter via High street

Finders Keepers Melbourne and new illustration

The Finders Keepers Markets is coming up very shortly in Melbourne and I am happy to be participating with my own stall. I really do love Melbourne and I love Finders Keepers so its a match made in heaven.

I have also made this new image called Mama and Baby Owl which will be featured on Shivanis online blog as part of  a downloadable calendar at www.myowlbarn.com. I will post details shortly. The illustration will also be available on my online store from this Saturday.

And while I'm here I have to mention these two girls brand Sanoii + Six. I met them again at the Awfully Nice Market at UNSW and have fallen in love with their pretty dresses and blouses, oh... and also their cute retro swimwear... absolute gorgeousness!

September News!

This is an exciting month. Rosie and I have a new story/colouring book called Isabel and her Pirate Ship.

"The story is about a young girl named Isabel who would much rather be exploring the world than sitting in a classroom. She imagines sailing the ferocious seas, soaring high above the clouds and feasting in arabian palaces."





I am also having a market stall this Saturday at UNSW, Kensington called the Awfully Nice Market from 9am to 4pm... I'll be selling my cards, prints and Mitsu the book! Mitsu is also available at my store www.nikkicatalano.bigcartel.com

Next month in October I am having a stall at The Finders Keepers Markets in Melbourne. This is their first ever Melbourne Market and I'm very excited to be involved. Hope you can make it along! xo

Mitsu Launch Pictures

The launch for Mitsu went splendidly, a real treat. Thank you to all those who made it.

Thank you to David for his gorgeous wine. Also to Ben and Setsko from Cafe Yuga, they put on a wonderful night for us. : )

If you missed out and would like to buy a copy of the book, Nikki will be providing a link for Australian buyers at her bigcartel site, www.nikkicatalano.bigcartel.com. Images from the book will also be available for purchase at Cafe Yuga until the end of the exhibition on the 21st of August.

Rosie and Nikki... "Yeayh"

  Rosie, Mum and Libby Gleeson!

The Speech... Thank you Rosie for being so articulate!

And again.. thank you Rosie! I could hardly talk I was so nervous, just smile!

Louisa, Thank you for all your help, You are the best.

Mitsu Launch this Friday 6th August!

Mitsu's book launch and exhibition is this Friday the 6th of August!

There are artworks from the books as limited edition prints, nibblies, wine and of course Mitsu; The Dark Witch and the Dream Wilderness, the book. Rosie and I will be signing books on the evening.

We hope you can make it!

Date: Friday 6th August
Time: 6pm to 8pm
Venue: Cafe Yuga 172 St Johns Road, Glebe
RSVP: mitsubook@gmail.com

The winterlands were..

Last week was the Winterlands markets and lucky for me I had plenty of help. Once again Rosie and Louise were there, Hilary, dad and mum. I also got to put a face to the lovely Sarah and Brooke from Finders Keepers.

Rosie is below helping me prepare! with Smudge the crazy but beautiful cat.

I enjoyed the music and once again met lots of friendly people. There was even a mosh pit of children at one point to watch dancing with face painted faces. Very cute, I wish I could have joined in but adults don;t seem to get away with running around and rolling on the floor. Oh, those were the days.

I also met the lady from Pepperstitches. I fell in love with her handmade toys, gorgeousness.

Also, just a reminder that the Mitsu book launch is coming up on the 6th of August, 6-8pm at Cafe Yuga, 172 St Johns Road, Glebe. Hope you can make it. x

This one is for the boys!

I have a new print and this time its a more 'boyish' one. I have had many people ask me if I have more boy drawings and so I began this drawing. Its an adventure on the Sea and Max is there with his Pirate ship buddies. This new print is available at my store, you can click the image for more info.

Winterland Markets

I'm very excited to announce I will be at Winterland on July 15th, 16th and 17th with a stall. I will have a lucky draw prize

I am also happy because my sister Rosie Catalano is performing on Thursday 15th July, 10pm at Carriageworks. She is an amazing musician and I highly recommend you come along and hear her live. She is also fundraising at the moment for an ep and there are rewards for contributing, everything from an ep, to our book through to live performances at your own home!

Cards now available in my new store

I have just completed uploading my entire collection of cards up in my new store. You can find them at www.nikkicatalano.bigcartel.com. I really love this new store.

I also have a new colouring book coming out which my sister wrote and I am illustrating. It will distributed through Home and Human fashion. I will post when they are available. It is all about day dreaming, my favourite thing to do apart from drawing and dancing.

New Australian Store

Hello, I'm very excited to announce the Opening of my Australian store. All illustrations are in Australian dollars which is a great advantage. I have just posted up all my 8x10" and 8x8" prints.

Have a look at www.nikkicatalano.bigcartel.com

My illustrated cards will be up within the week so keep an eye out. : )

Friends from Magnolia Square

I've been very busy chicken lately. Magnolia Square went well despite the terrential rains. I want to thank Nic and Metka for having me and also the lovely people either side of my store who made the rainy weekend bright. Helen from Ensparkle had her beautiful hand painted ceramics with your own custom made childrens name.  Others had silhouettes of  fire trucks, cows and sharks.  Visit her at www.ensparkle.com

My other neighbours were the lovely ladies Natalie and Kathy who make these gorgeous cupcake holders. They are very pretty and have beautiful designs and patterns. You can visit them at www.thecupcakewrapperco.com.au

Magnolia Square 4,5 and 6th June

I'm going to have a stall at the Upcoming Magnolia Square at the Oaks Marquee, Randwick Racecourse on the 4,5, and 6th of June. I'll have my cards, printis, mounted prints and original illustrations. I'm looking forward to it.

Owls and Critters who love you

I am pleased to have created and completed the following two illustrations today. I hope you will enjoy them too.

Sitting Pretty is about an owl daydreaming in a blossom tree. I imagine some perfect spring day in a beautiful Japanese garden. This is a very delicate image with alot of detail and softness about it.

We Love You is a joyous and quirky illustration which began as an illustration for my sister and read ":We love you Rosie" I thought it was one that everyone could enjoy as you look up at these little critters declaring their love for you. I wish I had this one as a little girl when I was scared before bed. (imaginary monster etc. At least these monsters are the good sort. : )

....

I want to thank everyone who visited my stall at The Finders Keepers and also to my boyfriend Jason, my sister Rosie and her girlfriend Lou who all helped me out over the two days. I felt very loved and supported. Also, thank you to dad who surprised me on Saturday morning and greeted me on arrival.

There were so many beautiful stalls. I bought some beautiful bird earrings from my neighbouring stall Agent Indigo.

I also had my new Illustration up on display called Russian Doll. The print is available now in my etsy store.

Mitsu is now available online

I'm very pleased and happy to announce that Mitsu; The Dark Witch and the Dream Wilderness is now available online!

It has been 4 years in the making and with the inspiration of Rosalia's creative imagination and writing and my illustrations we have combined to create this beautiful book. I'm very proud of both of us for making this happen.

Keep watch as there will be a launch!

To buy Mitsu click http://www.trafford.com/Bookstore/BookDetail.aspx?BookId=SKU-000136962

For more information and updates join www.facebook.com/mitsubook or www.mitsubook.blogspot.com

Mitsu subscriber list up and new cards on my Etsy Store

I have two things to write today. One is in preparation for mitsu; The Dark Witch and the Dream Wilderness which is soon to be released. Click here to subscribe and we will send you launch dates, news and specials.

On another note; I am now selling my cards on Etsy. Its like giving a family or friend a little artwork. :)

Finders Keepers Online Profiles

Finders Keepers is coming up next weekend and they have now put up the profiles of designers and artists participating. Have a look at http://www.thefinderskeepers.com/nikki-catalano.php

Puppet Girl

I thought I would post my puppet girl I made for a study project as she looks very much like one of my drawings. I really like her. There are some paper birds too.

Finder Keepers; May 7th and 8th

Finder Keepers is on at Carriage Works (Redfern) on the 7th and 8th of May.

I will be there with prints, cards and original works. I'm really looking forward to it!

I've also created a new image with "Monsters Playground.. just have a look below.

I'm back with a new book

I've begun new course in Design and Illustration which has been busy in a good way.

Now my sister and I are about to launch a book called Mitsu; The Dark Witch and the Dream Wilderness in a few weeks. We will post more details as the event is finalised. In the meantime we have set up a site for the book at www.mitsubook.blogspot.com

Rosie wrote the book and I illustrated it. It s a book about a girl who enters a dream world in search of her mother. You could place it in a similar vein to Tim Burton or the movie Coraline.

I will let you know more soon.

New online Shops

I'm pleased to announce the opening of two new online stores. The wonderful people at Indie Art and Design have now launched my work for sale on their site. Simply go to www.indie.com.au/nikki-catalano to have a looksy.

Also I now have an Australian based shop online for those who prefer to shop in Australian dollars. Go to www.nikkicatalano.bigcartel.com

I'm planning on making new lines f products including beautiful illustrated badges and colouring book so keep an eye out and I'll keep you posted.

Love and Kisses... xx Nikki