GalaHouse | Illustration Journal

Homemade Christmas Mobile

studio@galahouse.com (Honor Bowden) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 23:00:00 +0000

Today we made this mobile for above the dining table. I spraypainted some branches, tied them together and looped on some decorations, pretty simple but so effective. The kid especially loves it and has been a bit transfixed while eating since I put it up.

I did a similar thing for the front door instead of a wreath this year... The countdown is on the inside - I painted the back of the door with chalkboard paint. Comes in quite handy for messages too!

Party!!!

studio@galahouse.com (Honor Bowden) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 01:25:00 +0000

Well, the kid had quite a time at his first birthday party. He woke from his nap just in time and then ran around like a little rocket for the next three hours. He also managed to stuff his face with the banana cake I made - he even stole half my piece! This recipe was amazing. I was a bit scared making something new and especially since I doubled the quantities, but it turned out perfectly.

We opened up our back room and had the do outdoors... he's been sporting his '1' t-shirt that I made him ever since and we rescued some of the streamers from outside for his room yesterday. I just cut up some coloured paper into squares and ran them through the sewing machine to make these - easy! I handpainted the trees onto the back wall of his room a while ago.

We're making a Christmas mobile today - will post a pic tomorrow. x

On the Wings of Love...

studio@galahouse.com (Honor Bowden) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 23:26:00 +0000

Here's my entry for Mixed Media Monday this week. Peace and Love to everyone this holiday season! The kid and I are decorating the house today... down with the birthday balloons and up with the tree! x

A Whole Year!

studio@galahouse.com (Honor Bowden) — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 02:50:00 +0000

Wow! I can't believe it's here already but I'm busily preparing for the little one's first birthday party. He's having fun picking out streamers at the shops and making a mess everywhere he goes! So not much drawing this week, but I did do this for his invitation. Will post some pics after the big day. x

Playing Cards

studio@galahouse.com (Honor Bowden) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 02:25:00 +0000

Here's the Queen of Hearts for Mixed Media Monday this week. Oh and I know it's been a while... This is the first new little drawing I've done in I can't even remember... but the studio is slowly coming together and maybe the new year will be a bit more kind with giving me some free time! x

Where Have I Been?

studio@galahouse.com (Honor Bowden) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 20:16:00 +0000

Poor blog. It's been a while. I've been enjoying spending time with the kid, he's just so much fun! We've just spent a week in London, had a gorgeous stay at Lake Como, Italy and are now taking 10 days to soak up Paris. This is the view from our apartment... Not too bad at all!

On the creative side, I think I really needed a break. Maybe creating my gorgeous baby took it out of me! Anyhow, I can't think of a better place to be inspired than in Paris and am looking forward to doing some new work when I get back.

Thanks for checking in. X

Charming Junk. x

studio@galahouse.com (Honor Bowden) — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 23:00:00 +0000

Here's this week's Mixed Media Monday. I'm hoping to get back into the swing of this after moving house. Thanks for popping over. x

There are Two Reasons...

studio@galahouse.com (Honor Bowden) — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 10:32:00 +0000

...that I haven't been around much lately.

The first is that I have yet to unpack my studio supplies and set everything up. I totally underestimated how much time and effort goes into moving house. (I have to decide what to repaint my new room too, apple green is not quite me... any suggestions?)

The second reason (and my favourite one) is that I have been very busy enjoying the little one. Playing blocks, walking to the beach, making a great mess with mashed potato and chasing the cat up the hallway! We had a big day yesterday... his first tooth, pulling himself to stand up and seeing whales breach at the beach.

So apologies for the blog being a bit boring of late but I hope you can forgive me. x

Illustration Friday - Worn

studio@galahouse.com (Honor Bowden) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 07:20:00 +0000

Illustration Friday - Unfold

studio@galahouse.com (Honor Bowden) — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 03:36:00 +0000

Wooden Toys Rock!

studio@galahouse.com (Honor Bowden) — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0000

I know I should be packing, but I had to share the kid's latest toy. We gave this to him for his 'half' birthday last week and although his little feet don't reach the bottom yet we're sure he'll get a few years of enjoyment out of this one! This little pony came from our local antique store and fits in nicely with his other wooden toys and handmade friends.

Relocating

studio@galahouse.com (Honor Bowden) — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 23:43:00 +0000

Hey all! Thought I should do a quick post as I haven't been around here much lately... we're actually moving house next week so I'll be busy packing and unpacking for a week or so.

I've been missing my little Illustration Friday sketches. I was hoping to do one every week this year but only seemed to make it half way! Never fear - I'll be back with a brand new studio to work in and sharpened pencils. x

Layers

studio@galahouse.com (Honor Bowden) — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 05:25:00 +0000

Here's this week's Mixed Media Monday. I love the way watercolour lets you play with layers. Thanks for visiting. x

A Tale of Two Kellys

studio@galahouse.com (Honor Bowden) — Mon, 25 May 2009 23:00:00 +0000

Talented fellow Aussie illustrator Kelly Smith is about to exhibit her gorgeous works with Kelly Thompson in Melbourne. Such a shame I couldn't stretch out my holiday a little longer to check out the show. If you're down that way you won't want to miss it!

Feathered Friends. x

studio@galahouse.com (Honor Bowden) — Sun, 24 May 2009 22:00:00 +0000

It's Mixed Media Monday again. I actually got about 15 minutes last night to do this one... Enjoy and thanks for popping over. x

Illustration Friday - Cracked

studio@galahouse.com (Honor Bowden) — Sun, 24 May 2009 09:03:00 +0000

Hmmm... Bowie. A little cracked? Maybe. But in a good way. x

I ♥ Melbourne

studio@galahouse.com (Honor Bowden) — Wed, 20 May 2009 23:00:00 +0000

Here's a peak at what the kid and I got up to last weekend. It was great to get away with hubby down to Melbourne for a short break. Lots of strolls with coffee and danish stops to keep us going! Lucky we got outside while we were down there as it's been bucketing down since we got home... Oh well, cozy cuddles on the couch aren't that bad either. x

Illustration Friday - Contagious

studio@galahouse.com (Honor Bowden) — Wed, 20 May 2009 07:37:00 +0000

Ink and watercolour. Enjoy and thanks for visiting! x

Altered People. x

studio@galahouse.com (Honor Bowden) — Tue, 19 May 2009 23:17:00 +0000

Here's my piece for Mixed Media Monday this week! I've been down to Melbourne for a short break so am using an existing image (cheating a little bit?). This one is part of a collection I've done called the 'Secret Garden', you can see the others on my website. Will have a new one next week, promise!

Helping Hands. x

studio@galahouse.com (Honor Bowden) — Mon, 11 May 2009 00:25:00 +0000

Here's my piece for Mixed Media Monday this week, sometimes Stella wished for a helping hand. Enjoy and thanks for visiting!

Illustration Friday - Parade

studio@galahouse.com (Honor Bowden) — Sat, 09 May 2009 08:55:00 +0000

Here's another super quick entry for IF this week. Looking forward to a little sleep in tomorrow for Mother's Day if the kid lets me. Hope all the Mums (& Moms) out there have a great day. Enjoy! x

On The Beach. x

studio@galahouse.com (Honor Bowden) — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 23:50:00 +0000

Here's my piece for Mixed Media Monday this week, the theme being 'On the beach'. What a perfect topic for a Gold Coast girl! These two were done in pencil, watercolour, and digital collage. I think a walk to the beach with the kid and my dog might be in order now. : )

Illustration Friday - Theatre

studio@galahouse.com (Honor Bowden) — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 02:21:00 +0000

Well, somehow I'm managing to keep posting for Illustration Friday! Lately I've been having to do my drawings super-quick while the kid naps so my new works are a bit rough... I kind of like the looseness though and the challenge of illustrating quickly. It's a bit of a race to translate from idea to page but sometimes things work out for the better when you don't have time to overthink things too much. Thanks for visiting! x

Just to Annoy You!

studio@galahouse.com (Honor Bowden) — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 23:00:00 +0000

Alice's Dream is on the cover of the latest issue of Just to Annoy You. If you're in Melbourne you can pick up a copy of the zine from gallery 696. x

Quilted Playmat

studio@galahouse.com (Honor Bowden) — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 23:00:00 +0000

Here's a sneak peak of a quilted playmat I made for the kid. I bought the fabric from here and was inspired by this blog and this blog.

This is the first quilt I've ever made and I have to say I'm pretty pleased with the outcome. Bless the internet for the wealth of information and tutorials on just about anything you want to create! (I'll post a pic of the whole quilt when it's sunnier, the weather here is a tad grey at the moment.) x