Paula Mills Art

I have been doing a part time drawing course at the University of Melbourne , which has been incredibly enriching. I can often come away at the end of a three hour session of life drawing or collage making feeling a little confused as I struggle with the pull between fine art and commercial art. The next day I have to 'switch' and answer a clients pretty tight brief for an illustration job or I may do a pretty illustration that sits well in our Sweet William shop...I suppose there is a cross over as I am taking a lot from the university course and applying it to all art that I do. I wonder if others have these same battles? Anyway here is some of the fine art work I have been working on lately, I feel I need to share it with as much pride as I share my commercial art with you all, although for some reason, it feels a little more scary to do so. Have a lovely weekend! Paula x

Vicki Dvorak, a talented photographer, featured us on her lovely blog, Simply Hue, which you can view here . We thought we would return the love - Vicki's beautiful images are for sale in her etsy shop and there is a lovely flicker stream to look at too. Enjoy.

I have just finished this illo of Camille, who has the power to do may things. She flies with angels, dances with the wind and climbs any mountain! Camille prints are available to buy in our etsy store.

Here are some lovely things that are on my 'would love to acquire' list. These items are from: cutetape and marchare - all so lovely, enjoy!

A few weeks ago I went along to the Design Market at Federation Square in Melbourne and I bought 2 lovely posters that were silkscreened right on the spot by the Harvest Textiles team. It was very inspiring to see the whole process happen right in front of me and I am very keen to look into one of their silkscreening classes, I just need to add that to my list of 21 million things I really wonna do! Have a look at their blog here . Have a great weekend everyone. P x

We moved home a few weeks ago and I am slowly settling into my new surroundings. I am having fun finding new spaces and just the right places for all my bits and bobs. It always takes a while for things to find just the right nook. I have loaded some images into my flicker stream which you can view here . Due to the place still being a bit of a mess, I haven't taken any full room shots yet, but one day I will, once I am happy everything has found it's new home.

Just thought I would share some shots of my family on our break in Venus Bay. We are in the middle of winter here and it is pretty chilly but occasionally we get a lovely sunny winters day which brightens everyones mood. Happy weekend to you all. Paula x

I am back from a week's break at the beach - which was lovely in the winter. I have had a chance to work on some new illustrations and have had this image in mind for a while now. A bowl full of butterflies would cheer up anyone's day. This print is available to buy in our etsy shop (and madeit shop for Australians) and it comes in two colour ways, have a peek.

As some of you might know, my little family and I are living the rural life, just outside of Wellington New Zealand. We are doing our own house build and we have been living in a tiny little cottage on the property – with very little amenities! It has been 6 long months of waiting for our building plans to pass – but they are finally done! We are so excited to finally start our build – but I think the hard work has only just begun! I hope to set up another blog to write about our building adventure – but like many things – its something I have been talking about for a while! Will let you know when it’s all up and running. Anyway I took the shot early in the morning from our little front door looking across the valley – its mid winter here – I love the mist and the glisten of the silver water against the deep greens and pale sky. The print was an Etsy purchase – it made me smile as it reminds me how lovely our kids have been throughout this whole process – they have found joy

I felt inspired to do something for Illustration Friday's topic 'giant'- If I were a giant I would go around dishing out rainbows to brighten up everyone's day. I have also recently finished a whole pile of illustration work, which I have posted onto my illustration blog . Busy, busy, busy!

My baby girl, Liberty, turned 4 the other day and I realised it would most likely be the last chance for me to throw a full on pink, girly, fairy party. I impressed myself with the cake and party food that I managed to make (I am no Martha Stewart or Donna Hay), lovely Fairy Mary came along to keep the 22 kids occupied inside (middle of winter here) and painted their faces beautifully. It was a chaotic whirl of pink, balloons, wrapping paper, sugar frosting and wonderful fun! I will miss those parties. Paula x

Here in Wellington, Craft 2.0 is running some lovely Winter Craft Workshops, and I will be one of the guest tutors. (This wee little embroidery is one of the classes). Each Workshop takes place at the lovely workspace at the The New Dowse and lasts 90 minutes. Click here to find out more. If you so happen to be in Wellington, New Zealand and you want to have a crafty catch up in a great location (or maybe just get out of the house) - make a booking - I would love to meet you! x Shells