Sunday, 12 May 2013

Finished, Yummy, Happy...

    Great news! I have so totally, utterly, completely finished my online photography course [via Photography Institute]. There was a time a couple of months back when I didn't think I'd make the deadline. But thinkin' that thought was just the rocket up the bum that I needed to complete the course.
    So here I am with a certificate on it's way, a world of inspiration in my pocket, a dreadful cough that won't go away and a bit of planning to do, for the next couple of months.
    Following are some of my recent foodie photo shoots. Hope it makes you hungry.
Photography by Melissa Gaggiano.

Photography by Melissa Gaggiano.

Photography by Melissa Gaggiano.

Photography by Melissa Gaggiano.

Photography by Melissa Gaggiano.

Photography by Melissa Gaggiano.

Sunday, 5 May 2013

Dia de los muertos... Perhaps

    Not entirely sure where I am going with this sketch. But one thing is for certain I have dia de los muertos on the brain. There is something both frightening and darkly beautiful about this imagery. I would like to make something with this theme in mind. Almost, possibly, half considering this concept for a handmade doll. Perhaps. Perhaps. Perhaps.
Drawings by Melissa Gaggiano.

Sunday Drawings

     I had a moment to spare and I was feeling creative. So out came the water colours and away I drew. And I still have plenty of other things I want to get out onto paper before the day is over.

Illustration by Melissa Gaggiano.

Illustration by Melissa Gaggiano.

Friday, 3 May 2013

An Evening with Megan Hess

    A couple of evenings ago I put on my gravity defying black buckle high heels, coffee coloured lipstik and headed into the city to The Willows for a celebration of illustrator Megan Hess and her book Fashion House: Illustrated Interiors from the Icons of Style.
    The first part of the evening was spent looking through a gallery of Megan's work, talking with other fellow attendees of this soiree, and eating canapes [a first for me]. Champagne and wine was also on the menu but being that I was a bit dehydrated upon arrival I simply had a glass of water.
    Further into the evening we were led to a conservatory. From there we watched and listened to a relaxed, couch side conversation with Megan Hess, conducted by Sally Williams.
    Then we finished the evening with a book signing, which included a quick chat with the lovely illustrator of the hour.
    It was a happy and inspiring evening for me. At a time when I was thinking of retiring my drawing hand, Megan encouraged me to keep at it. I also learnt that she works with Japanese brush pens, so that'll be next on my art supply list.
    Oh, and I just have to say, Megan's book, Fashion House, is dreamy and gorgeous. It is a wonderful piece to have in my library. I have been staring at the pages every day since I came home with it.


Wednesday, 1 May 2013

Finished & Ready

    I just finished making a plush doll intended for a kinder charity auction. Very excited about this. This particular design is a Mark II of a pattern named Mademoiselle Meow. I hope this cat finds lots of love in her new home, where ever that may be.
Doll designed by Melissa Gaggiano.

Tuesday, 30 April 2013

A Charitable Notion

    I have begun work on another cat doll. If all goes well [ie I have no trouble pulling her bloody arms and legs through the narrow head] then this lil' wonder will be making it's way to a kinder charity evening.

Doll by Melissa Gaggiano.

Friday, 26 April 2013

She Skates

    Happy Friday everyone! Now go do something fun. Like maybe, you could cook a homemade pizza on the BBQ, or perhaps join a local roller disco.
    What will you do?
Illustration by Melissa Gaggiano.

Wednesday, 24 April 2013

An evening with Megan Hess

Copyright Megan Hess

    This blogger is quite excited as next week she will be spending An evening with Megan HessMegan is a wonderful fashion and lifestyle illustrator. And there are so many questions I shall want to ask her, I hardly know where to begin. If Megan Hess were a sorcerer, I'd so want to be her apprentice. 
    I loved her work even before I knew her name. For those not quite in the know Megan is the artist behind many of Candace Bushnell's book covers. Additionally her client list does include Chanel, Marc Jacobs, Vanity Fair, Italian Vogue, Christian Dior, just to name a few.
    To find out more about Megan, you can check out her website:

Just Some Wednesday Moments

    I thought it was Thursday. So I had rolled out my garbage bins a little too preemptively. As soon as I made it to the nature strip I looked around, realised my error and dragged my bins back up the driveway. That being my embarrassment for the day.
    Well, anyway... following are some of my artistic captures for the day.
Photography by Melissa Gaggiano.

Illustration by Melissa Gaggiano.

Pen and Red Nail Polish

    I did some late night doodling. I pulled out a fashion mag and chose a couple of photos to draw from. I didn't worry about perfection or getting the proportions just right [that would have meant starting with a pencil and eraser]. I just went straight in with a black pen. And on the girl in the middle I added some colour using nail polish [I was too tired to pull out my water colours at the time]. Sometimes you have more fun when you are not trying to be perfect.

Illustrations by Melissa Gaggiano.