Fashion Illustrations for your Life

A really lovely development I want to share with you all. Red Bubble (the awesome website I sell prints of my fashion illustrations through) has a new product they have recently introduced for their site... iPhone 4 and 4S cases! I sheepishly admit I only recently got on the iPhone band wagon, but I am glad I did... and now I've uploaded my first iPhone case design I can't wait to do more and more importantly put in an order for one for myself (even if it does come across as shameless self-promotion I genuinely want one).

This got me thinking this evening about the ways art and illustration can become a lovely part of your eveyday life.  I think too many people think that art is something for a niche group of the population, but it really isn't. For me personally, art is about seeing new things from someone else's point of view, and therefore learning more about the world we live in. It can also be about beauty, and regardless of what others say, John Keat's now famous line "A thing of beauty is a joy forever" is true in my book.

So hang a poster that makes you smile lovingly on your bedroom wall, go the gallery (there are always free exhibitions on if you take the time to look) and make your life more beautiful - it wont change your life, but it will brighten your day. XX

P.S. You can pick up my first iPhone 4 case here: http://www.redbubble.com/people/bethanyjoymonsted/t-shirts/7961357-her-eyes

Pretty Vintage

Some photos I took of some vintage nighties and scarves hanging all lovely and clean on the line... They looked so pretty wafting about in the breeze I just had some take some snaps!

New Drawing...

 

I know I know... I kind of lost my way with this blog. No excuses will be uttered. I just, well, I guess life got busy. 

However, I will reward anyone out there reading this with a pic of my new drawing called "Her Eyes..." You like? It actually took ages to finish. I was aiming for a really detailed look, and when I compare it to previous efforts I think it was worth the time. My trip overseas also interrupted drawing/blogging proceeding, but life goes on, and I refuse to complain about travel! 

ANYWAY... the point is that I'm back XX 

P.S. If you like this pretty lady with dreamy eyes you can get yourself a print here: http://www.redbubble.com/people/bethanyjoymonsted/art/7610606-her-eyes

Shiny New Website!!!

http://www.wix.com/bethanyjoymonsted/fashion-illustration

It's been a quiet, behind the scenes project I've been working on for a month or so... and I am happy to announce my new fashion illustration website is up!

http://www.wix.com/bethanyjoymonsted/fashion-illustration 

You like??

New Illustration :-)

Here's a new fashion illustration I finished a couple of weeks back... It's called "Pretty Lady & Puppy"... Do you like it?


I thought this would be a simple drawing to do, but it actually was trickier than I expected to get her face right. The right facial expression is REALLY REALLY important for me to achieve, and this lady was tricky with her slightly bemused, slightly surprized, but still really cool smile. 


It was like she was really happy, but didn't want to let her guard down too much and lose her demeanor. I think we've all felt this is at times...


ANYWAY hope you all like it, and don't forget you can get a copy of this for yourself or as a great gift from my Redbubble Page or here: www.redbubble.com/people/bethanyjoymonsted/art/6856435-1-pretty-lady-and-puppy  

The Sweet Life

Sometimes, you just have to order the strawberry souffle XX


(Beecroft Post Office Wine Bar & Restaurant)

Grae Magazine Feature!

Very excited to let you all know one of my drawings was featured in Grae Magazine's latest edition! It's my "1950's Model" illustration and it's on page 43!

Check it out here: http://graemagazine.com/?p=355

Also you can Like their Facebook Page here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Grae-Magazine/185016198177153?ref=ts

"Grae Magazine is an online magazine created to uncover underground artists who have a passion for creating. Each issue will be filled with art and inspiration that will strive to open your mind. It is hard to get your name and your art out there, so let Grae show what you can do, to the world."

Finally, if you like my drawing and would like it on your wall, as a greeting card or on a T-shirt you can shop for it here: http://www.redbubble.com/people/bethanyjoymonsted/art/5342475-1-1950s-model 

Brain Art Exhibition

So last friday I had the lovely opportunity to support my two brothers at an art exhibition in Paddington. Lachlan, my younger brother, conceived, filmed and edited a short film starring Liviu, my younger kid brother! Was a very cool occurrence I must say to be the big sister of such talented young men. So I rocked up to Global Gallery for the exhibition launch and it was a great night full of great art, a great atmosphere and even performers. 

The theme of the exhibition was neuroscience, which made for some very interesting artworks.

The exhibition runs from the 3rd-12th March, so there's still time to check it out. Find more info here: http://brainartexhibition.com/

Global Gallery
5 Comber Street
Paddington, 

Sydney, Australia

ALSO you can view Lachlan's film here: https://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10150423588975153&oid=236886447011&comments

If you enjoy what you see, "Like" it kittens!

 

 

 

 

 

   

Remembering The Good Bits

It's so easy to get caught up in the busyness of life. I know I do. Not that I'm complaining. I have a bunch of wonderful friends who keep me busy and entertained... my family are amazing... and my boyfriend, well I wont gush ;) Sometimes though, you can carried away "doing" things, not and forget to "enjoy" things.

On a night out with some gal pals recently, we headed down to Circular Quay, which for non-Sydneysiders is right near the Opera House. It was a ridiculously hot and humid night, and by all accounts we should have been inside enjoying some well deserved air con, yet the view of our fair city was so beautiful we all felt really lucky to be there.

Having said all that, I'm waaaay happy that that crazy heat wave has broken, and I can now get back to my drawing again! It was just too hot to draw for a while there... not fun, and this is from someone who loves summer (so I feel for all the winter-inclined folks out there).

Sizzlingly Hot

 

Sydney is sizzlingly hot at the moment... and it makes drawing in my little studio at home really unpleasant. Which makes me rather sad as I have a new drawing all lined up to properly start on. Gah.

So to keep my head cool I'm going to post some pretty, pretty pictures I took in the Southern Highlands recently. My lovely boyfriend took me to a gorgeous winery and the gardens were really amazing - like something out of Beatrix Potter actually! (Cue Peter Rabbit!!) I've always been a fan of a cottage gardens - I know, I know, very un-trendy... but they are so pretty and healthy and unstructured! I mean, formal gardens can be amazing, but they always have a contrived look about them to me. I can appreciate the hard work, skill and artististic eye that it takes to grow and maintain a formal garden but... but... tumbling roses and lavender and a tree in the corner heavy with sweet apples or cherries wins my heart over time and again.

So now you know my terrible taste in gardens I hope you'll humour me with my photos. Enjoy! XX  

First is the Worst

"1950's Model" - Bethany Joy Monsted Fashion Illustration

Remember in primary school this lovely rhyme we used to sing:

"First is the worst,
Second is the best,
Third is the golden princess!"

Perhaps the most random rhyme in history... or was this just from my primary school? (Note to self, must Google to check popularity of said rhyme.)

However, I do feel a bit like this about this blog. I've been meaning to start one for a while now, but have been rather putting it off... Yet now the second month of the new year has begun I figured it was a now or never scenario, so I had better get my act together and just do it.

So basically, this first blog post is I'm sure the worst for me, as it took me so long to get around to creating it!

Anyway, the plan is (if I stick to it!) for my little blog to contain some of my fashion illustrations, musings about things I love and maybe some pretty photos which inspire me. If you like what you see/read comment and let me know. If you'd like to suggest something for me to draw - all suggestions welcomed... but I do tend to love drawing pretty ladies, so keep that in mind kittens *grin*