Happy June

‘Autumn Forecast’, by Eduardo Benito, for British Vogue, July 1929Here’s a bright and happy picture to wish in June. It’s winter in Melbourne, but I am ringing in the month in sunny Barcelona, and will be hopping on a plane to Lisbon, Portugal in two days’ time. Not that I’m trying to make anyone jealous or anything.

This classically Art-Deco illustration ‘Autumn Forecast’, was created for British Vogue’s cover of July 1929 by Eduardo Benito. His style was distinctive, and very simple and minimalist even for an era famed for its streamlined style. His colour palette here is particularly bold and summery.

When I bought this calendar and first flipped through the pages to see this image, I was immediately reminded of another Vogue image from, I think, the 1990s. Benito’s illustration is recreated out of sorbet, strawberries and orange zest.

For British Vogue; photographer/stylist Tessa Traeger (?)My tearsheet does not credit the image, but if I remember correctly, the photographer is Tessa Traeger. (An exhaustive search of her website failed to turn up this image however, although there are many others like it, where food is used to create an illustration.) How amazing!

Now go have a gelato or something.

The Boy Bear

I scribbled for a while, trying to work out his shape. His face was kinda sad.The other night I dreamed that I had dreamed of someone else's teddybear. And in the dream I remembered the little pink teddy bear of my childhood. I decided that I should draw my teddybear when I woke up, and honour him with a story in my Sketchbook.

He was pink, with big blue glass eyes, and looked like a jigsaw-puzzle piece. You'd think, being pink, he'd be a she, but he was definitely a boy bear. He had an open, hopeful expression: like he really needed a hug, waiting to be imprinted with my memories. And boy, did I love him!

Riding the Zebra

‘Spring Fabrics and Original Vogue Designs’, British Vogue, January 1926; illustration by André-Edouard Marty.May is synonymous with the celebration of spring, dancing round Maypoles, exchanging flowers for kisses, that sort of thing. But not in Australia. It’s not spring here; it’s the last month of autumn, and Melbourne is overcast and sombre.

This image on my calendar, however, is delightfully frivolous enough to distract me from the gloomy aspect beyond my window. Who has ever ridden a zebra you might wonder? In fact, it can be done and has been done. The first doctor in Kenya used a zebra to convey him on house calls in 1907.

Perhaps the artist, André-Edouard Marty, was inspired by the real-life adventures of the American documentary filmmakers Martin and Osa Johnson. This intrepid couple travelled on safari between 1917 and 1936, capturing the public’s imagination with titles such as Among the Cannibal Isles of the South Seas (1918), Jungle Adventures (1921) and Osa’s Four Years in Paradise (1941).

I doubt very much that Osa ever wore an evening gown on zebraback though…

Happy May to you!

Osa Johnson riding a zebra, 1924. Photo from the Martin and Osa Johnson Safari Museum.

Bunny Boy Wishes You…

Born with rabbit’s ears, poor Bunny Boy has always been a bit of freak. It has caused him a lot of trouble in the playground. However, he has decided to make the best of his handicap, and enjoys a temporary popularity at Easter time when he hands out chocolate eggs. At home, his dad likes him to stand next to the television during football matches, because they get better reception that way. Bunny Boy is very good at maths, and also likes to eat carrots. 

Bon Voyage Collage

A very lucky work colleague of mine is off on a nine-month jaunt around the world. She celebrated her last day last week. 

For her farewell card I created a fun collage with images inspired by all the countries or cities she is going to: London, New York, Mexico, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Morocco.

One of the images perplexed Cupcake. “What's the jousting man for?”

“Portugal,” I answered. (The Portuguese celebrate many festivals, religious and medieval, although perhaps they are better known for their delicious custard tarts.)

I’m sure she’ll be sinking her teeth into adventure – as well as the odd tart or two.