New experiences, new paintings...

We went to ARIA restaurant on Sunday night for dinner. Super fancy. 7 courses. Teeny tiny work-of-art meals.

My favourite of the night - Buffalo curd w poached pear, roasted hazelnuts and potato crisps. (photo taken from www.foodiemookie.com)

Dessert was dehydrated honey cake with toasted rice sorbet, pomegranate and lavender.

For the huge price I still walked away hungry (ha!) but it was worth it for an experience to remember. It's also inspired a couple of art ideas...

 I was right when I said that this week would be quiet with back-to-school! It's eerily quiet here, but it has given me the chance to catch up on commissioned paintings, replying to emails, and working on a couple more smaller paintings, as well as some original ACEO sized (2.5"x3.5") paintings which I'm popping up for auction on eBay starting at $1.

"Little Green Sparkle Wings"

"Lover's Eye III" original painting

 These tiny paintings have been refreshing after painting lots of BIG pieces lately. I also added a couple of slightly bigger 5"x7" fairies to the shop too.

"Fuschia Glitter Wings"

"Black Glitter Wings"

Tonight is the premiere for the new "Ghostbusters" movie. My husband is the biggest Ghostbusters fan I know (a true 80s kid!) and we are going to see it first thing tomorrow! I can't wait.

 I hope you're having a lovely week.

Auction Action.

This week I'm popping a few paintings up for auction! The first one up is "Fragile Beauty". This is one of my favourites.



The auction starts at $1 so everyone is in with a chance to bid. You can go to the auction HERE.

I'm currently working on a painting that was initially going to be a "sugar skull" style girl on a lime green background. Once I started painting her though, I stood back and all I could see was the artist Wyanne - which is rather bizarre actually because I haven't watched her videos or read her blog in quite a while. She's great though - very inspirational! So now I can't shake that out of my head, and I've decided to make it a portrait of her. Hopefully when it's finished it will be good enough to gift to her!



In between some of the bigger paintings I'm working on, I've been having fun painting some little ACEOs (collectable art trading cards). Tonight I popped this one up on eBay starting at $1 (with free postage within Australia). It's called "Sparkle Seahorse" and it's actually quite sparkly! The photo doesn't really do it justice.

"Sparkle Seahorse"

Back view

It's school holidays and we currently have one of my little cousins staying with us also, so much of the day is playing, setting up activities and making/cleaning up food and throwing in some painting where I can. I wouldn't have it any other way though. Next week is back-to-school and it will be eerily quiet!

 

Planning for July?

This month I've been busy working on four big commissioned paintings, plus the newest "Lover's Eye II" and "Frida and the Dragonfruit". So needless to say, there's been a lot of paint splashing around the studio.



Somehow I also managed to pick up a head cold, so I've been trying to rest when I can, but thankfully I have had help from my family to juggle work and the kids while not feeling 100%. As a "work at home" mum and full-time artist I am so grateful for the support from my family, friends and customers. I can't say thank you enough.

I've listed a couple of available original paintings below that I've added this month, including the new "Frida and the Dragonfruit", inspired by the beautiful Mexican artist, Frida Kahlo.

"Lover's Eye II" $29.99 Buy Now "Frida and the Pomegranate" $99.00 Buy Now "Frida and the Dragonfruit" $99.00 Buy Now

Yesterday was the Winter Solstice here in Australia, and I'm now planning out July with my new colouring in calendar. To grab yours - sign up here:

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That's all from me for now, I will share some new paintings with you soon! Have fun colouring and planning!

 

Wednesday Catch Up

I woke up this morning to see bidding has begun on my "Alice and Absolem (the Caterpillar)" original painting! I popped it up for auction yesterday starting at just $1, so that hopefully everyone has a chance to bid. 

 
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE AUCTION FOR THE "ALICE & ABSOLEM" ORIGINAL PAINTING! 

 I've been busy working on commissioned paintings this month, but I did get the chance to do a little eye study the other day - it's only 4" x 4" - and would look interesting on a bookshelf or among a bunch of other art work. I've popped it up in my shop HERE. {UPDATE - It's SOLD already!}




I really enjoyed working on such a small scale, and looking at the details in the eye. I think I might make a little series of these paintings, so having the first one may be a real collector's item someday!

I've just sent out my "June" colouring in calendar to my mailing list - so if you're not already on it, jump on here:

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"Fragile Beauty" and "Mermaid at Dusk"

I've been trying to make some room in this little art studio of mine, so I'm putting some original paintings up for auction starting at just $1!

"Fragile Beauty" is one of my favourites I've painted so far this year. I was tempted to keep her actually. The colours and tone suit my house and I just love the cute innocent expression on her face. Bidding has already begun so I guess I'll be kissing her goodbye sometime soon.

"Fragile Beauty" original painting

The other is "Mermaid at Dusk" - a painting in some of my favourite pinks, mauves and purples with tons of little details including a seahorse, a jellyfish, skellyfish, and a treasures chest.

"Mermaid at Dusk"

Both are starting at just $1! A great chance to add some original art work to your collection. I hope they will make a great investment to my collectors some day! 

Big Magic!

Last Thursday night, I was lucky enough to see one of my favourite authors, Elizabeth Gilbert, and one of my fave bloggers, Mia Freedman speak at the Brisbane Writer's Festival. One thing that really stood out (among many things!) was when she said: "People wait their whole lives for inspiration to show up. But inspiration is there waiting for you (to start doing the work)." This is how I feel about painting. I can sit an look and think about a blank canvas all day long, and no matter what I have planned for it, once I begin to paint - it has a mind of it's own. For instance - I recently started out painting a "Day of the Dead" themed mermaid. I had it sketched out, planned out and started painting it on to the canvas. However...as it evolved, I realised what I was actually painting was "Snow White"...and along came the seven dwarfs with her. Except they weren't dwarfs at all - they were fish. Which eventually turned out to be "Snow White and the Seven Fish" (and the original painting is now up for auction, starting at $1 here!) There is a sense of mystery when it comes to inspiration and creativity - you just have to follow that little niggling of curiosity and see where you end up! If you're excited about living creatively - I highly recommend Elizabeth Gilbert's book "Big Magic" (and no, this isn't a sponsored post, I truly loved it.) With Easter coming up - I've put five of my bunny themed prints up for sale for a limited time only they are just $9.99 (normally $14.99)! For the collectors, I have a bunch of original paintings available here. Be quick! There is only one original painting of each, so once they're sold, they're gone. That is all from me for now. x Follow along with me ↓↓↓ Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ArtByJaz Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/JazHiggins Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ArtByJaz

Februfairy!

FEBRUFAIRY is here!

Every couple of days this month I'll pop up a new small fairy painting for auction HERE.

So far we have:

"Love Birds"



and
"Purple Dragonfly Friends"

 

Each auction will start at $50, so this is your chance to snap up an original piece of art at a great price!

Watch them as they flutter in every couple of days. Keep up to date on my Facebook page, or through Instagram.

Also - if you haven't already, jump on my mailing list to grab your FREE February colouring in calendar:



 

"Fragile Beauty"

A new painting!

 This one is called "Fragile Beauty" and she is the first one up for auction in 2016. 

 

 A big blue eyed girl, with plaits in her hair, a skull by her side and butterflies fluttering around her.

 

The original panting is up for auction HERE.