8 excellent Australian monochrome art prints and posters for kids

Monochrome is still a massive theme for kids' bedrooms, so I pulled together these Australian-designed black and white prints for all the monochrome lovers out there. Black and white illustrations also look fantastic as a counterpoint to rooms with colour. Adding a touch of black to a pastel and white room looks particularly great. Read on for all the details:

TDF Collect art fundraiser for the ASRC

From 25 to 31 July 2015, The Design Files is hosting a fundraising art exhibition at TDF Collect by 28 Australian artists for the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre in Melbourne. It's such an amazing organisation to support and an great opportunity to secure some beautiful art for a great cause.

Goodnight kids' wall art from Nomuu

Simone Downey from Nomuu is one of my favourite Australian artists for kids' spaces - her work is original and has that magic wow-factor that turns a room into something special. Simone has just released a new print design that I know will become a bedroom classic - the Goodnight little one wall print. Gorgeous for a boy's or girl's room I think! Read more about Nomuu here on Bondville.

Image: Nomuu

Nomuu illustrated art cushions for kids

These brand new cushions from one of my favourite Australian illustrators Nomuu are hot, hot, hot. Gorgeous for a little one's room. I can picture one propped up on a white Eames rocker, or on Lilly & Lolly confetti spot bed linen-covered bed. Get your pre-order in now on the Nomuu website before they sell out! Read more about Nomuu here on Bondville.

Image: Nomuu

Bondville Charity Auction: original Meredith Gaston watercolour and Kindergallery children's art

I'm thrilled to let you know that I have just received three new pieces of artwork for kids for the Bondville Charity Auction, donated by Meredith Gaston at Kindergallery. Meredith is an acclaimed and well-loved author, artist and illustrator (hello Meredith Gaston fans out there!), and also the director of Kindergallery - an online art gallery for children.

Meredith has kindly donated one original watercolour painting worth $245. Even more exciting - you get to choose! The winning bidder of the Meredith Gaston watercolour will be able to choose from any of her watercolour pieces available in Kindergallery!

And that's not all. Meredith is also donating two art prints from Kindergallery artists Ida Pearle (RRP $90) and Hannah Melin (RRP $40), also available in the charity auction, with bidding starting at 99c! I love them both to bits.

Head over to the Bondville Charity Auction on eBay and bid now! Find these and more gorgeous products for Mum, Kids and Home on the Bondville Charity Auction page - we're up to over $8,800 worth of designer goodies so far! All proceeds will go directly to the Children's Cancer Institute Australia.

BID NOW.

Read more about Meredith Gaston here on Bondville.

Images: Kindergallery

Bondville Charity Auction: Little Circus Design lucky dip prize worth $170!

The gorgeous Madeleine Stamer of Little Circus Design has just added an amazing sweetener to her donation to the Bondville Charity Auction for the Children's Cancer Institute Australia. The winning bidder of her two A4 bird head prints will also receive an extra large A3 lucky dip print of Madeleine's choosing from her collection, worth $170! What a lovely surprise for the winner - thank you Madeleine!

You can find Madeleine's art prints and many more gorgeous artworks and products for Mum, Kids and Home donated by Australian designers and online stores in the Bondville Charity Auction. The auction closes early on Monday 25th November, 2013. Bid now!

Images: Little Circus Design

Bondville Charity Auction: Inaluxe hand signed wall art

I'm so thrilled to have received this amazing donation from Grampians, Victoria-based artists (and Bondville favourites) Kristina Sostarko and Jason Odd of Inaluxe. These three large hand-signed art prints (RRP $145.00 each) will be available as part of the Bondville Charity Auction, starting at only 99c each, if you can believe it!

The three designs available to bid on from 15th November are: The Shipping News, Message No.15, and The Birds of Australia. Each artwork is 42cm x 55cm, hand signed with hand written title, inaluxe logo and date on a generous white border.

The bold illustrations and mid-century modern style of Inaluxe's work has been copied by many, but a true Inaluxe is an iconic piece and easy to spot. We have The Tale Of Mr Cat sitting proudly in our home and we love him to bits.

You can find these gorgeous artworks and more donations from over 64 Australian retailers and designers (now totalling more than $7,700!) in the Bondville Charity Auction. I will continue to show off all the great products in the auction over the next few weeks. Sign up to the monthly newsletter to be reminded on bidding day. If you would like to donate, please head to the submissions page. Only 2 weeks to go!

P.S. read more about Inaluxe here on Bondville.

Images: Inaluxe

One Very Tired Wombat children's book by Renee Treml

Renee Treml is both a dear friend of mine and a talented illustrator-turned-author/illustrator. Her first children's book One Very Tired Wombat is a counting book for kids full of her incredible illustrations of Australian animals and... wait for it... is on the 2013 Crichton Award shortlist for new illustrators!

What is the message of your story for kids?

RT: Other than the counting theme, I wanted to show off some of my favourite (and sometimes lesser known) Australian birds. I always hope that after reading my book, a child will recognize a crested pigeon or fairy wren in the wild.

Is the Very Tired Wombat based on a real character?

RT: Wombat is based on a common wombat I saw at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, Brisbane, in 2007 – just a few weeks after I moved to Australia. It was the first time I had ever seen a wombat and all he did was sleep, despite all the noisy children, lorikeets and kookaburras around him. I didn’t realize how impressed I was by his ability to just sleep until the illustrations started popping up in my imagination.

Where did your inspiration for this story come from?

RT: The story came to life after I started illustrating the above mentioned sleeping wombat – first I drew him with one frogmouth, then two galahs, then three kookas and so on. I kept hoping someone else would come along and write me a story featuring the wombat, which I could illustrate.  f course, this didn’t happen, so after my son was born I decided to try to write it myself.  It took well over a year for the story to transform from a straight-up boring counting book (1 frogmouth, 2 galahs…) to the story it is now.

Have you always been interested in illustrating animals, and in particular, Australian animals?

RT: I have always been interested in illustrating animals and I tend to be interested in whatever is in my immediate environment. In the States, it was chickadees and barred owls.  Here in Australia, it’s wombats and frogmouths and boobooks…

How did you decide to make the transition from illustrator to author and illustrator?

RT: Taking on a new title is tough – I didn’t study writing and was very unsure about claiming myself to be an author. But after Wombat was published and the second contract was signed I had to look myself in the mirror and repeat ‘I’m an author-illustrator’ until I believed it.

Are there any more children's books in the works?

RT: Yes! Colour for Curlews is due out in September – in fact it’s at the printers now and I’m anxiously awaiting my preview copy to arrive in a few weeks. Curlews is published by Random House Australia and follows the two curious curlews and a host of other birds as they get into mischief with my paint brushes and paint. (Of course Wombat makes a guest appearance as well.)  I am finishing up two other manuscripts that feature Aussie natives and another pesky one about a cheeky owl that I just can’t seem to whip into shape.

You can find One Very Tired Wombat in good bookstores including Fishpond, and Amazon. Read more about Renee Treml here on Bondville.

Images: One Very Tired Wombat

Super Duper Supertrooper Studio Scandi art for kids

Finding the gorgeous Supertrooper Studio at The Finders Keepers market in Sydney on the weekend was a real a-ha moment. I was literally stopped in my tracks by the Scandinavian-inspired artwork and homewares for kids.

The illustrated city art prints first caught my attention. The Super Places collection includes Sydney, Melbourne, Manly, Fremantle (with more to come), translated into posters, cushions and tea towels. Who doesn't love a graphic homage to their favourite city - and Supertrooper Studio does it so well...

This kids' memory card game is features fun, stylised animals in classic red, blue, black and white. The quality of these cards is lovely:

 The kids' animal artwork is also available as wall prints which would work well in both boys' and girl's rooms:

 I particularly love this MiniTipi canvas store playhouse/teepee for kids:

Based in Manly, Supertrooper Studio is one to watch. I can imagine these gorgeous graphics as bedding, quilting fabric, kids' fashion and any number of applications. These guys are hot! You can find Supertrooper Studio products in the online store.

Images: Supertrooper Studio

Kids art therapy fundraiser - Gorman sneaker collab with Australian creatives

Are you ready? The fabulous folks at Gorman are auctioning 21 Adventure Sneakers personalised by some of my favourite artists, designers, and creatives including Aussies Miranda Skoczek, Beci Orpin, Madeleine Stamer, Rachel Castle Kat McLeod, Dawn Tan, Ellie Malin, Hungry Workshop, Marsha Golemac, Kate Tucker, Megan Morton, and more. How can you even choose?

The customised sneakers will be auctioned to raise money for kid's art therapy school, Little Seeds Big Trees. In addition, Gorman will be chipping in $20 from each sale of the standard Adventure Sneakers.

You can bid on your favourite sneaker on the Gorman eBay page until 7th June 2013. How wonderful that all those creatives have spent time and effort to create these amazing wearable art pieces for kids art therapy. Head to Gorman to start bidding. Good luck! And let me know if you score one of the sneakers!

Images: Gorman

Inaluxe wall art sale on Temple & Webster

I'm kind of over-excited about the Inaluxe wall art sale over on Temple & Webster today. All my favourite mid-century modern-style Inaluxe prints are discounted:

The Land Of Fig embroidered art and cards

Nicole Figueroa is the incredibly patient artist and crafter behind the The Land Of Fig brand. I spotted her hand-embroidered illustrations and greeting cards at The Finders Keepers market in Sydney this year (you may have noticed her gorgeous vibrant pom pom garland strands on her stall). Nicole's pieces made my heart stop - they are truly the work of an artisan. Here are a few examples of her at work...

Nicole's artwork is so beautifully executed - these are heirloom pieces made with love, enormous amounts of concentration and a steady hand. They are printed and stitched on Arches watercolour paper with DMC & Anchor embroidery floss. What a great gift for someone special. 

You can find The Land Of Fig greeting cards and original art at stockists around New South Wales and online.

Images: The Land Of Fig

Loving: Ink and Spindle leucadendron wall art

I adore this Leucadendron wall art print by Melbourne-based Ink & Spindle's Lara Cameron. It's part of three art prints that Lara has designed from the Protea family. The bold colours and mid-century modern style would work equally well in a child's room or an adult's living/working area. You can find this print in the Ink & Spindle online store.

Image: Ink & Spindle

Lucky Door Prize: Print Paper Cloth art prints

You might remember the gorgeous artwork of Print Paper Cloth artist Maraya Rodostianos featured on the Ten Fab Australian iPhone Cases feature last week. Maraya is generously giving away two of her beautiful wall art prints - the Wild Spirit design and the Feathered Nest design - to two lucky Bondville monthly newsletter or daily email subscribers!

These gorgeous art prints are 8" x 10" original watercolour, pen and ink illustrations reproduced digitally onto 100% recycled satin matt card. They are packed in cello sleeve with acid free backing card and retail for $19.95.

Maraya is based in Byron Bay and her surface art designs are licensed for homewares, interiors and stationery industries. Maraya also has her own collection of art prints, cushions, teas towels, notebooks, note cards and calendars - all available in the Print Paper Cloth online store.

Look out for the winners in the monthly newsletter, coming your way in the next few days. Thanks Maraya!

Terms and Conditions:
1. Lucky door prize will be allocated to two Bondville monthly newsletter or daily email subscribers.
2. There are no entry requirements.
3. This Lucky Door Prize giveaway is open to all Bondville subscribers in Australia only.
5. This Lucky Door Prize giveaway is hosted by Steph Bond-Hutkin via the Bondville blog at blog.stephbond.com.
4. The prize consists (1) x Wild Spirit art print RRP $19.95, and (1) x Feathered Nest art print RRP $19.95, plus postage within Australia and internationally from Print Paper Cloth.
5. Lucky Door Prize winner will be notified in the Bondville Monthly newsletter, sent to subscribers the week commencing 25th September 2012.

Images: Print Paper Cloth

Hey Maker! creatives rejuvenate Murwillumbah town centre

When Ellie Beck and four friends noticed that 32 of the 70 store fronts in their home town of Murwillumbah, NSW, were empty, they decided to do something about it. By mobilising friends, family and artists around the region, they are developing a creative Hub in their town, and bringing fresh blood and life to their wilting town centre. The entirely community-funded Hey Maker! initiative encompasses a pop up shop selling locally-made products, a series of workshops, and art installations.

It's amazing and inspiring to see what these women have been able to achieve in such a short time; a template that we could apply across all our regional areas and even outer suburbs and neglected inner city spots. I'll let Ellie do the talking...

Let's start with the elevator pitch. What is Hey Maker! in a nutshell? Do you have a mission statement or goal?

Hey Maker! is a group of five passionate creative women who came together with the mission to change the the vacant spaces of our town, Murwillumbah, in Northern NSW. We are Jo Olive, Belinda Smith, Kathy Egan, Christy McLeod & Ellie Beck.

Our goal is to defy 'small town' thought about art and modern craft, and show people that the act of gathering and sharing in a creative manner can bring about change in any environment. We wanted to bring a little bit of inner-city zest into our beautiful art-deco streets.

Basically we facilitate pop-up art events and community gatherings, based around people's creative needs. We hope to show people that art, design and craft are accessible and affordable, and something that everybody can participate in (especially using recycled materials).

We are lucky that we live in one of the most creatively diverse regions outside of any metropolitan city in Australia. It must be the (extinct) volcano that drives such a strong artistic community. Most of these creatives live out in the hills, and work from their studios at home. We aim to bring those people into our town's cbd and share their love and handcrafted goods with the wider community. 

Where is your shop and where do you hold your workshops? When can we start attending?

Our shop is in the spectacular Austral Building, right at the entrance to Murwillumbah. It's on the corner of Commercial Road and Proudfoots Lane. Look out for the art installations in our windows!
Our workshops and retail shop share the space harmoniously, with a cane lounge for enjoying a cup of tea, some crafting, and gossip! Our doors opened on the 12th October 2012. You can book workshops instore, or through our online shop. 

I was amazed to read that 32 out of 70 shops in beautiful Murwillumbah are empty. How have you managed to secure some of these spaces? Was it difficult?

Yes, there are so many empty shops. It's sad walking along the streets and seeing all these once thriving businesses closed down, and vacant shops standing quietly waiting. This is a reality for many towns, and it takes a little bit of imagination and a lot of hard work to change things. It has been difficult to talk with real estates and land lords, who don't want to lower their rents or allow pop-up shops (which to bring light and fresh air into their empty spaces). We'd love to sit down with them all and hear their stories, but often that doesnt happen. Luckily we knew someone who knew someone, and we have found our beautiful shop for our pop-up. We truly believe that by bringing fresh paint and creative eyes to this long-vacant shop, that people will look at it in a new way. Even now, before we've officially opened our doors, simply setting up the space has created colour and vibrancy on the street corner. 

Hey Maker!'s aim is to help other creatives host their own pop-ups; we'd love to build relationships with the landlords and work together to change the look and economic situation of our town. 

Have you had any support from your local council for this project? Are they also excited about creating an artistic hub in the town?

Council is mostly very excited about what we are doing. Unfortunately there is always a lot of red tape and endless talks to make things happen within council structures. We do hope that within the next year things can change and progress in this manner. Until then, Hey Maker! is content to forge ahead.
We've had a lot of support from our local Chamber of Commerce, and other organisiations from the valley and surrounding villages. We're forming connections and partnerships. There is lots of talk about a Creative Hub or Precinct for Murwillumbah, and council is very much a part of this.

How far is it to Murwillumbah from Brisbane, the Gold Coat and Ballina/Byron?

Less than 2 hours to Brisbane city, and about 45mins to Byron Bay (South) or Gold Coast (North). The drive from Brisbane through the back roads past Natural Arch is particularly stunning. Murwillumbah town is about 15 minutes to Mt Warning National Park; the iconic mountain, called Wollumbin by the local Aborigines, catches the first sunlight in Australia.

How long will you have your shop and workshops space open to the public?

Our pop-up is from 12th October, right up to Christmas eve. We have workshops and social gathering events through out this whole time, as well as our retail space showcasing handcrafted work of locals (and wanna-be locals!). After that time, we'll see what happens. Hey Maker! has grands plans for many events, gatherings and creative pop-ups, as well as art installations and public art throughout our town.

Do you have any advice for other creative souls in regional areas or outer suburbs who would like to create their own art hubs?

The biggest thing for us has been to keep at it, despite the hard work and long hours (mostly volunteer). We wanted to make something happen, and knew that we just had to go for it and push through any obstacles to make it work. Once we started, it seems everyone around us wanted something like Hey Maker! to happen, yet it's a hard thing for most people to get going on their own. The strength of five women is pretty amazing! Forging connections and making relationships with other creatives is super important as well. Talk with everyone, share the love for what you do - there's many more out there wanting to do what you are doing, but have no idea how.

Also - we took the chance on setting up a campaign through Pozible, and asking people to donate for our dream. Reaching our goal was wonderful - what was even better was connecting and meeting people, and finding our community. For us, community is really what it's all about.

 -------------------------------------------
Congratulations to Ellie and team on an amazing job. If you are in Northern NSW up until Christmas, make sure you check out the Hey Maker! website for workshops and store opening hours. This week kickis off a great series of Creative Business Talks featuring inspiring locals Jess van Den (Epheriell Designs), Peta O'Neill (Love Mae), Christy McLeod (Creative Village) and Jen Djula (Blue Caravan) - amazing! Maybe you can take inspiration from the Hey Maker! model for your own area? If you, do, please let me know!

Images: Hey Maker!

Real Kids Room: Spoonful of Colour playroom and shared girls bedroom.. and giveaway!

I adore the white-with-pops-of-colour look that Melbourne graphic designer, paper product designer, all-round crafty gal and blogger Pascale Clearihan of Spoonful of Colour has pulled together for her girls' playroom and shared bedroom.

Pascale has included many of her own handmade decorations and artwork in her childrens' rooms. The stand-out A-Z Animal Print below is one of Pascale's own (you can find it in the Spoonful of Colour online store). I'm thrilled that Pascale is giving away one A3 print to a lucky Bondville reader! (giveaway now closed). See the end of this post for details. Enjoy this tour!

Room: Girls' bedroom and playroom
Age: 3 years and 4 months
Designed by: Pascale Clearihan (Spoonful of Colour)
Location: Melbourne, VIC, Australia

The Hungry Workshop & Koskela presents Rituals - get your letterpress on

If you're a fan of letterpress and Australian illustration, then you will love Ritual - an exhibit being held at Koskela as party of Art & About Sydney.

Letterpress cool kids The Hungry Workshop, based in Melbourne, have pulled together a stellar group of Australian artists including Beci Orpin, Ben Ashton-Bell, Drunk Park, Eirian Chapman, Georgia Perry, Kindred Studio, Lauren Carney, Luke Lucas, Malade Pathetics and Spew Corp for a hand-printed letterpress exhibition. The exhibition will feature limited edition prints and unique, one-of-a-kind overprints.

There are lots of other great actitives happening for Art & About Sydney, including some fun events that are child-friendly too. Organiser Jenna Hipgrave - one half of The Hungry Workshop duo - is a friend of mine from Brisbane, so I'll be heading along to the opening night on Saturday 22nd Sept 2012, 5-7pm - hope to see you there.

Update: The Hungry Workshop and Malade Pathetics are also hosting a lino and type workshop from 1 - 4:30pm before the Exhibit opening. Participants will be exploring the fundamental principles of letterpress, relief printing and typography, through simple, hands-on techniques. Check out the Koskela website for more details - looks great!

Image: The Hungry Workshop

the red thread 50% off artworks online garage sale

My talented friend Lisa of the red thread is hosting a once-only online garage sale with her back catalogue of artworks available for at least 50% off!

Head over to the red thread garage sale pop up shop to grab yourself some great artwork at a bargain, including SushiBird Tiles, vintage Heart Boxes, vintage Storybook Tiles. Gorgeous for kids' rooms.

Hurry - this is the last of Lisa's artworks and most are one-off designs. They won't last long, and won't be released again. Happy shopping!

Image: the red thread

Udessi Australian art store relaunches

I am so excited that my friend Kim Wallace has relaunched the Udessi Australian art store after an overseas hiatus. Kim was ahead over her time when she launched Udessi in 2008; it really was one of the first places online to find Australian-designed independent art and design.

It's great to see the new Udessi back online with five launch artists that I love: Renee Treml, Sweet William, Beth Emily, Wendy Britton and Kim's own ceramic jewellery and vessels. On the site you'll find a range of original artworks, Australian art prints, ceramics, jewellery as well as Australian-designed handmade art and toys for kids.

Not only does Kim have a great idea for beautiful art, but she is a master stylist and shows you how each piece can work in your home with her own styled images.  

Head over to the relaunched Udessi Australian art store and say Hi from me. There are some great re-opening discounts available and a great giveaway - see the Udessi blog for details. Welcome back Kim!

Images: Udessi