RIP Yvonne Therese Marie Malpas: 25 Jan 1920 - 12 Dec 2011

 Bonnie Malpas: Dec 2009, at Mission Bay

 Yours truly on the far left

Some of the grandchildren and great-grandchildren

Our dear mother passed away last week about a month shy of her 92nd birthday.

Although the preceeding days were a little fraught and emotional, the funeral and farewell were lovely.

It was the first time in 42 years that all 10 of us siblings were in the same place at the same time!



The kindness of strangers

While at the PYD design markets, a woman bought one of my bags made from recycled barkcloth curtains. She took a card and said she would get in touch as she had been collecting barkcloth fabric over the years and would I like some....

Fast forward to yesterday.  I picked up a parcel from the post office.  Imagine my surprise and delight to unwrap these beautiful fabrics.

Over the years I have been the lucky recipient of kindness from complete strangers but yesterday's gift was just outstanding.

Thank you Janette Morris from Hornsby, Sydney.

PYD Design Markets, Waterloo, Sydney

The last Mango Frooty market for a while: PYD markets in Danks St, Waterloo on the weekend of 26/27 November.
The wet weather and lack of visitors made for a disappointing weekend for many of the traders which was a real shame.  However, I reported my best result for markets ever.

I must say that the quality of items on offer was extremely high so I was proud to be accepted.  I was next door to Melissa Tan who is a regular at the Rocks markets and is also active on etsy.  Melissa was so friendly and welcoming that the weekend was a lot of fun.

I will be rethinking the market strategy for 2012.

Eugene Wang: Buying art online

I don't have a problem with buying pictures online.  In fact I've bought a number of them without seeing them in person first.

I know a number of you may find this strange - dodgy even.  But why? 

I realise art is an emotional and intensely personal thing but if you like the image, have an idea about the size and the buying experience is pleasant - why not?  Sure, the colours may differ slightly between real life and the image on your computer screen but they are fairly close.

Anyway, above is a little crab painting I bought online from Canadian/Chinese artist Eugene Wang.  He makes beautiful little still life paintings and sells them via his blog.  I've placed the picture next to one of my own above the kitchen table where I work every day.

I'd be interested in your thoughts about buying online though....

Disco Biscuit series: Coming to Bondi Market - Sunday 20 Nov!

So I'm going back to 1984, getting my Buffalo girl stance on and painted a number of tshirts in the Sydney colours of Summer.  That's a one off Gabby Malpas in bold and permanent colours on a cotton tshirt for $30.  Wooohoooo.

References for the motifs are amoebas, mitochondria, seed pods, marine life... I'm thinking: Vivienne Westwood, Malcom McLaren, Keith Haring, Jenny Kee, Linda Jackson...

Coming to Bondi Markets on Sunday 20 November - see you there!

The National Trust Harper's Mansion Still life prize entry

This is my entry to the National Trust Harper's Mansion Art prize for Still life in October.  It was selected to hang but sadly no prize. 

I'll keep trying....

Bro cards

This year's offering of seasonal cards for all those Kiwis and Kiwi lovers out there.  Some of my favourite 'from home' expressions painted up in watercolour.

I am selling cards of these designs for $15 per pack of 5.

See you at North Sydney Market tomorrow, PYD markets 26/27 Nov and watch this space for details of Bondi Markets.

More bags for the markets

As you may know, I unleashed my Mango frooty bags on the unsuspecting public of Kirribilli earlier this year.  I'm still refining my product and also sounding out which market is a good fit.

To this end, I will be coming soon to Bondi Markets and will be at the PYD Designer markets from 26-27 November. Above is a selection of my latest efforts.

I can't WAIT!

See you there!

Introducing Maria Masi-Edwards part II

As you know, I am a big fan of Maria's label 'avian'. 
Maria had her second collection showing here in Sydney at the house to a select group of friends and followers.
This collection was for 'Super Vixens'.  Edgier and more rock and roll than the first collection but no less attention to fine fabrics, craftsmanship and detail.  Think Blondie, the Cure and the Clash - less trash.  A saucy and playful collection for grownups: silk and scrumptious fabrics, enough animal print to unleash your inner cougar but well made and practical enough to wear anywhere (the skirts were reversible - crazy animal print one side, plain and coloured denim the other).

Also on show was a selection of Ms A'Marie DaisyJaw's latest prints which fitted the theme beautifully.
Watch these names - they will be going places.

You heard it here first.

 Maria explaining her inspiration.

 A'Marie's prints were a drawcard.

 Loving those capes!

 The super vixen at work.

 My camera did not do justice to these fab clothes - all exclusives!

Mango Frooty images featured

Well how about that!

My work is featured in an online magazine from Argentina: http://issuu.com/pluzultra/docs/issue17/63

Thank you Jeronimo Laborde!

Gabby Malpas at the Sydney Art Show 14 - 16 October

Come and say hello if you are coming to the Sydney Art Show at Darling Harbour from Friday 14, until Sunday 16 October.  I'm on stand D17.

I have put a sneak preview of works for sale on my website here.  There will be a large number of unframed works (some brand new), and all at special prices for the show.

And for those of you who want an original Gabby Malpas for under $5 - I will be selling watercolour Christmas cards for $15, per set of 5.  Each card is a one off and made along the theme of:
'The colours of a Sydney Summer'

Hope to see you there.

Mobile pouches

OK, so hot on the heels of the Mango Frooty Choiceland and Aussie destination bags are my selection of mobile phone pouches. All are made of two thicknesses of stiff fabric for protection and have old mother of pearl buttons fastened with an elastic loop.  Some have old mother of pearl buttons, other have little plastic tikis as decoration.

Lately we've been having a bit of aussie/kiwi sports matches so in the spirit of things I have named the selection of pouches made from Vintage Mambo fabric (2nd from left and last on right), with tikis: 'The bros love breadstealers' bags.

Geddit?

They're $12 each and will be onsale at the Kirribilli Markets this Sunday, 9th Oct.  Perfect Xmas presents and to send overseas in a little envelope for about $2.

Too offensive?  please let me know

Blacktown City Art Prize

 'Dog day afternoon' - highly commended.  Yay!

Being a newbie to Art prizes, I was surprised at how well presented and at the calibre of works on show at the Blacktown City Art Prize.  I had received a call on the Friday afternoon to ensure I was attending.  I was planning to go and have a look but was starting to go off the idea with the thought of Friday afternoon Sydney traffic which turns most of the motorways and all roads west, into a car park.

Him indoors took me on the motorbike.  We made it there in under an hour.

I got a highly commended award for watercolour of which I am well chuffed!