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And though the seasons change, you still stay the same.

Got an online shop or blog to promote?

I’m currently working on the layout for my other blog, Here Comes the Sun, and am adding advertising to the mix. I’m selling advert space to people from overseas to promote their blogs and etsy stores and other online shops, but if you’re a New Zealander you can have some ad space for free!

Just email me at amanda.ellen.thomas@gmail.com and send me your 125 x 125 banner and a link to your page and I’ll put it up.

Here Comes the Sun gets thousands of hits every week from readers all over the world, so if you’ve got something to promote, I’m happy to help you out.

Viktor Vauthiers Photographic Diary

I’m really enjoying the pictures over at Viktors blog. He uses a 35mm camera and produces raw, authentic images with no editing or elaborate lighting. Some of his more risque images (check out his blog and you’ll see) remind me of Terry Richardson.

Inside Kat Heyes Home

Kat Heyes is a talented illustrator and i love love love how she has decorated her home! You can check out more pictures here.

P.s I stumbled upon these amazing pictures through my friends blog which I recommend everyone head to check out now now now: Daydream Lily. We have a project coming up soon which I am excited to share with you when we launch it!

Oh, it is love!

This picture makes me happy for some reason.

(taken by Gemma Booth)

Art to inspire

I found Blaze Danielle’s work on etsy recently. Check out her shop here. I’d like these pieces for my home!

Speaking of etsy, they have a twitter account with over 200, 000 people following and they posted a link to one of my recent blog posts on Here Comes the Sun and my net traffic sky rocketed which was exciting. I don’t know how they found me, but I’m stoked they did!

Come one, come all!

It’s gonna be a fun winter night. Good music, good company, hot chocolates and cup cakes. Come!

DuJour magazine- The vintage edition.

I had the opportunity to help out with the new issue of DuJour magazine. You can get an eco-friendly digital subscription here or eventually it will be out at MagNation in Auckland.

But in the meantime, here’s a look at the pages i worked on:

(that’s my face in the bottom heart. complete with a drawn on mustache on my finger)

Looking forward to owning my hard copy

Kelly Smith

I’ve been enjoying the work of Australian artist Kelly Smith for awhile now. Recently I asked her a few questions about her inspiring work.

Where did it all begin?
Way back at pre-school. There was a carer who was the most amazing
artist who would sit down with me and draw for hours.
I was a bit of a pain if I remember, but I was just in awe of her. I
would sit next to her and draw chickens with eyelashes and girls with
no noses.

Your work has been featured in numerous magazines- how were you first ‘discovered’?
I don’t really think there was ever a point that I got ‘discovered.’
It’s hard when you’re starting out to get your work seen by anyone. I
started off posting my artwork on myspace and sending it around to
various places. Initially I got alot of exposure online which then
gave me the confidence to start submitting to print publications. The
industry is full of stepping stones. A bit like snakes and ladders!

What inspires you? I like that your illustrations are always of beautiful women.
Thanks! I have an obsession with beauty. Not just physical beauty, but
I’m a perfectionist, so i’ve always been drawn to that almost
unnatural perfect symmetry of the faces of models and actresses. But I
also like the small quirks and imperfections that make each face
unique. I could look at people all day long.
I’m also heavily inspired by fashion, photography and pop culture.
There’s inspiration to be found in anything actually!

Where to next?
I have absolutely no idea! I’ve always wanted to write and illustrate my own book. I have a friend who is a writer and we’ve talked about doing it for years. So hopefully we get there one day.

What tips and secrets do you have for aspiring artists?
Just be confident in what you create. It can be easy to fall back on
what other people are doing, but you should never be scared to be
original. Show your work to as many people as possible. Even if you get negative
feedback, it all helps you to progress and develop as an artist. It
can be really hard work sometimes, but it’s definitely worth it!

If you could be someone else for a day who would it be and why?
Such a hard question. The grass is always greener, so they say… I wouldn’t mind having a go at Diane Kruger’s wardrobe for a day!

Lastly, finish these sentences:

If I weren’t an artist I’d be…a photographer.
I usually start my day with..a cup of tea and emails.
My drink of choice is..vodka, lemon, lime.
In ten years time…i’ll be happy I hope.
You can find me on the web at…www.birdyandme.com.au

Du Jour

Recent tid bit of news: Just started work as the Arts and Culture writer for Du Jour magazine. You can check them out on the web here and get an online subscriptions for only $10US for a whole year! So cheap for so much prettiness! And alternatively, Du Jour is now being stocked at Mag Nation in NZ and Australia.

Look out for the next issue (the Vintage issue) and you might just see one or two things of mine!