Art Journal » Koko Black

ooooh!

elise — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 04:04:53 +0000

How lovely lovely lovely is this? Koko Black now have made these characters of mine into the most gorgeous moulded chocolates. I LOVE them. And to show just how much I love them… I accidentally went through a couple of these when I was taking the photo. Snap, then before I knew it – another one gone. I honestly don’t know how it happened… Yes, I do – it’s utterly divine smooth lovely chocolate.

They also have the video of the making of the Salon rabbit painting on their website. It looks lovely

And here it is on my YouTube channel.

Chocolate and crosshatching

elise — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 02:07:51 +0000

I very recently had the happy task of judging the Koko Black Easter Drawing competition the other week. I met up with fellow judges – Emma Mayall from the NGV, Jason Smith from Heide Gallery and Shane Hill, owner of Koko Black.

Up in the beautiful parlour at the Royal Arcade we spread out an amazing array of drawings. Narrowing them down to a top 20 was hard – and then there was the under 12s. It struck me how much harder it was, with the added consideration of what they had accomplished for their age. There was a big discussion about that actually – how much it should figure in the final selection. Being a child that had entered competitions myself, I knew how important it was to be judged like an artist, not a child. So for me, the strongest work had to win. But the accomplishment of some entrants when considering their age was considerable. All of the artists should be proud of their work and keep entering each year. It was a pleasure to see their work and have the chance to share it with others.

Check them out right now in an exhibition in the Royal Arcade.

Be in it to win it…

elise — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 02:56:29 +0000

Voting is now open for the People’s Prize in the Koko Black Easter Drawing Prize. The work of the 20 finalists can be seen online here or in the flesh in the Royal Arcade, off Bourke st, Melbourne. Which one will you choose?

By voting, you go into the draw to win an indulgent Koko Black chocolate hamper valued at $100. If you needed any incentive!

The artist who wins the People’s Prize receives a $1000 art fund, lots of chocolate and a membership to the gallery of their choice. There is some great work on display by some very talented people. Let’s support them!

Easter surprise

elise — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 02:22:37 +0000

Look what’s appeared in the Koko Black windows!

It’s their new beautiful Easter Box and yes, that’s one of my paintings!

The original oil painting can be found in the Royal Arcade salon. During the Strangely Familiar exhibition I was commissioned to create a work for Koko Black based in one of their salons. I loved the idea of one of my characters wandering upstairs for an indulgent afternoon tea. And as I find that place quite magical – it was fitting that it be a white rabbit. Now, in the Royal Arcade salon you follow her up the stairs to that sumptuous space…

Koko black drawing prize – is here again!

elise — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 14:58:57 +0000

It’s that time again everyone! Sharpen your pencils, whittle your quills and ink up your squids… This drawing prize is not to be missed!

Entries close on march 4.

Entry kits are available at their stores or online at:
www.kokoblack.com

Entries are open now, the template is on their website and there are two divisions to choose from… The Junior Award (for artists under 12) and the Judges Prize. And don’t forget the peoples’ choice award to be determined by the general public who vote for their favourite Top 20 artwork when displayed along the Royal Arcade, Melbourne. The prizes are fantastic – the top prize being $2500 towards art expenses, a years supply of chocolate (yes you heard right!), and galley membership of your choice… So give it a go

And the best news for me is that I have the huge pleasure of being a judge once again.

Mondoodle 20-12-2010

elise — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 02:33:41 +0000

Hello friends! Here’s something in the Christmas spirit of sharing all good things – those being, of course, drawing and chocolate. If you happened to wander through Melbourne’s Royal Arcade of late you would have seen the delicious Koko Black window display featuring my soldier and ballerina characters! Hooray! I’m also spying some other beautiful things there… chocolate snowmen, trees and perhaps some gingerbread houses… Too delicious! I mean, delightful

Oh, to be a magically animated window display figure in a chocolate shop in the dead of night… The snow men, I’m afraid, would not make it to morning!

xx elise

Mondoodle 22-11-2010

elise — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 02:42:38 +0000

Here’re a couple of pictures that I did a little earlier this year and I had to share them with you! A package arrived early this morning from Koko Black, which is always an exciting thing. When I opened it I found soldiers and ballerinas hiding inside – my soldiers and ballerinas! Hooray! What’s more they have the most gorgeous chocolate inside. So that’s definitely a double hooray.

They’re in the Koko Black salons now

I love getting the chance to have my work reach a new audience in a new way. Very exciting!

Koko Black artists

elise — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 23:19:46 +0000

Thursday was the announcement of the winners of the 2010 Koko Black Easter Creative Drawing Prize. It was a beautiful day that celebrated the drawing talents of some amazing artists – young and old. Well, none actually very old at all They came from interstate, and all around Victoria. There were stories of someone sleeping with the invite under her pillow for weeks, and others that came at great personal expense. It was a genuinely joyous occasion.

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)

Happenings

elise — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 04:08:46 +0000

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.