There are also a few new things to see. As I have been painting throughout the show there are now two new paintings. And I have hand-coloured some of the etchings of the elephant – with a gorgeous blue in the sea (saturated near the edges and fading to the middle) and some lovely colour on the girl.

The show has sold very well and it is with a little sadness that I will be saying farewell to my paintings. The choices have been so varied… depending on the connections people have made with them. The few remaining are still getting a lot of attention and are some of my favourite works. It’s been wonderful talking to people about them all.

I’ll be painting as usual for my last hurrah and it would be wonderful to see you. I’ve loved my time at No Vacancy and I’d like to thank you all again for your support – especially to those who have made a special effort to come from far and wide, and some locals who have visited me many times. I’ll miss you and my mini studio!

From 3pm onwards, people will be starting to take home their work so come before then, if you can.

And in other news I’m talking today at the free CAL lectures/discussions happening in the SLV. I’ll be on around 2.15, discussing where I think we’re heading with ebooks, opportunities, issues and the challenges coming up. A favourite topic for me!

OPENING NIGHT

Forgive me for including some quotes here but I was just bursting with pride! It’s a great article. Celine’s books have gone all round the world and there are 6 different covers for the trilogy, which really means 24 different covers… the article asks here about them all.

Celine: I think of all my covers, the ones that hit the mark in all three respects (story, tone and characters) are the Australian ones. They are quite simply stunning. Australian fans often take time to praise the cover art to me, this is, I suspect, very rare.

…

It’s not immediately obvious but there are many subtle details on the AUS covers which reflect aspects of the story ( my favorite of these being the ravens that flow from cover to cover; the way Wynter is still wear Christopher’s jacket on cover three, and most especially, the way she is carrying Razi’s falchion sword: this is such a subtle and lovely symbol of a moment in book three where Wyn takes up Razi’s burden when he can go no further.) Another huge reason for my love of these covers is the inclusion of Razi – it can’t have been easy to come up with a design that included all three major characters, so many story elements, and such a strong sense of drama without cluttering the page. Lovely.

The full article is here. I am so happy that the experience for Celine was positive and that we were able to be in such close contact. It makes a big difference to be able to ask the author all those questions – I know I’d appreciate someone asking me.

And then there’s this one which is a great article about fantasy cover art – the good the bad and the ugly! I love the graph of clichéd elements of cover art – from unicorns to swords and “the completely dark cover of meaninglessness”. Mine fall under the heading (and she blushes) of “Really Awesome Cover Art In Fantasy” which, they are happy to note, also seem to sell the books.

My favourite response of all though is a reader who bought the book overseas then, on seeing the Australian covers, had to buy it again That’s more than I could have hoped for!

The Crittenden Estate on the Mornington Peninsula has been stupendous in throwing their support behind the exhibition and will be treating us to some of their beautiful wine on the night. Do check out their website and drop in if you are heading that way. It looks like a little slice of heaven. Thank you Crittenden!

Introducing  TWO NEW PRINTS coming out ino the big wide world for the first time this weekend at the Sister’s Market in Brunswick and the Maker’s Market at the Abbotsford Convent. It looks like a stunning weekend (if it’s anything like today) so come and say hello to my new adventuring girls.

]]> http://www.elisehurst.com/journal/2010/04/new-prints-2/feed/ 4 http://www.elisehurst.com/journal/2010/03/we-heart-avantcard/ http://www.elisehurst.com/journal/2010/03/we-heart-avantcard/#comments Wed, 31 Mar 2010 12:23:57 +0000 elise http://www.elisehurst.com/journal/?p=1486 Exciting news! The people at AvantCard have decided to throw their weight behind the exhibition by featuring one of my images for a run of postcards all throughout Melbourne in the weeks prior to the opening.

If you haven’t come across them before, Avant Cards are a brilliant company that distribute free postcards throughout Australian cities. Businesses can invest in advertising through this system, but they also feature artists work from time to time – so you never know what you’re going to find. The postcards will go into cafes and shops.

So now I have to decide which of two images to use! Here are a few layouts. I’d be grateful for feedback here! Please let me know which you’d be most likely to pick up as a free postcard, and which would make you most likely to go to the exhibition or at least look at a link on the back.

Yes – we have a name! And yes it is all coming together spookily well! So without further ado…

I hereby launch the new exhibition website and invite you to have a look.

Most excitingly I have released four paintings for pre-sale. These pieces will still form a vital part of the exhibition of course – but they will have that all-important red sticker. If you want to make sure you don’t miss any information about the show or secret sneak-peeks all you need to do is subscribe. You can do that here or from the exhibition site.

I’d love to know what you think and if you have any hot tips for getting the word out about the show.

I am so very impressed with this prize and particularly the opportunity it gives artists to pursue their dreams. Not just with the support of money and chocolate and the inspiration of  gallery membership – but the confidence gained from recognition by their peers and the public that what they love to do is worthwhile. And that they should continue to do it. While some were practising illustrators and designers, others were simply people with a passion for drawing. It was truly inspiring to see everyone’s work – especially the work of the kids, many of whom were drawing at an adult level.

The entrants responded to a template drawn by the talented Michael Lindell.

And so without further ado…

Drumroll…..

Here are the winners!
Judges Prize: Christine Larsen for “Chocolatl… food of the gods”
People’s Prize: Katja Krummel for “Bubbles”
Junior Prize: Alison Low for “The Great Easter Choco Chook-off”
Special Commendation: Daniella Germain for “Finders, Keepers”
Special Commendation: Maxim Poole for “The Egg Thief”

Huge congratulations to all the winners and to the finalists (you can still see their work in the Royal Arcade in Melbourne and on Koko Black’s website). The quality was sensational – so much drawing talent, imagination and wit. It was a huge challenge for us to choose the winners, but a very pleasurable one. I can’t wait to see what people submit next year! I hope you all enter.

Geoff Pollard, Katja Krummel, Shane Hills, Christine Larsen, Emma Mayall, Elise Hurst, Alison Low.

Missing judge from this picture: Guy Grossi

me & Maxim Poole & his amazing drawing! (centre)

Kristina Olsson, Angelo Loukakis, Rosalind Hinde

There’s been a lot happening. Last weekend I was in Sydney for the Australian Society of Authors AGM, the awarding of the Barbara Jefferis Award to Kristina Olsson for her book The China Garden by (UQP) and first meeting of the committee of management for the year. We have a great group of dynamic people and a lot of experience. Don’t forget that you can contact me with ideas, questions and concerns throughout the year. I’ll do what I can to answer or assist! And if you’re an Australian author, illustrator or someone interested in the industry, you should have a look through our website which is full of very useful stuff on rates, contracts, industry news and tips.

The illustrations are in, the judges have met and now it is time for the people to vote! Hop onto the Koko Black site to vote for your favourites in the Easter Drawing Prize.

You may win something delicious yourself!

As for comings-ups, there is a market this weekend on Sunday at the Abbotsford Convent. Outside will be the gorgeous Shirts & Skirts market and inside will be the magnifique Maker’s Market via the big-tree courtyard. We’ll have beautiful things to see, good things to eat and the near-by Children’s Farm will provide nose-to-nose time with some of our furrier friends. Don’t worry if it looks rainy – the Maker’s Market is under-cover.