Natalie

It's the magic of tiny lines on paper creating form, that makes my heart happy. I can't believe it took me so long to come back to putting pencil to paper. What magic makes your heart happy? . . . #wip #workinprogress #moonart #moonmagic #fullmoonmagic #witchyart #witchart #witchessociety #witchsociety #witchythings #witchthings #witchywoman #witchylife #witchery #witchlife #witchaesthetic #witchyvibes #witchesofinstagram #wakethewitches #fantasyartist #fantasyillustrator #fantasticalwomen #fantasy #fantasyartwork #magiccreatures #dreamyart #magicalart #magic_of_illustrations #shadybower

A take on the sleeping beauty tales, here Beauty has agency and is taking control of her own destiny, becoming one with and recognising her intimate and interconnected relationship with the protective, thorny barrier she puts before herself. She finds her truth

Graphite scribbles are my first love, my go to, what I think of as 'my art'. I'm still very much a student of the scribble, and I learn more every day. I do have favorite papers now, I love the pages of a #moleskine for example for its slight tooth and off white color, and of bristol for its insane smoothness and bright white. Hot press watercolour paper is also a favorite, though it has much more tooth than Moleskine and scribble lines and blending is so much different on this surface. I love to tell a story with these tiny lines that coalesce into a figure, a form, a creature. . . . . #marchmeetthemaker #marchmeetthemaker2019 @joannehawker #storyteller #visualstoryteller #productrange #folkstory #fairytale #fairystory #forestcreatures #faun #satyr #forestsprite #pan #puck #womenwhodraw #womenofillustration #sickgirlscribbles #australianartist #shadybower https://www.instagram.com/p/BuuSultDOKs/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1im3sbf7ej96a

"Lost between the flagstones, alyssum, wild and free, has mushroomed into puffs of white, competing with sweet peas!" (Spring Is In The Air by Carrie Richards). Line art in #procreate for the prompt #sweetalyssum for @floralsyourway She's a busy little flower this one! . #lineart #botanicalart #digitalart #australianartist #shadybower (at Central Coast NSW) https://www.instagram.com/p/BusSiG2Dpk6/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1tlgmi9vpbger

There's something about getting your hands messy, a visceral aspect to creating that sparks endless joy in me. For day seven of #marchmeetthemaker with @joannehawker the prompt is "Less Glam Side". While charcoal covered fingers is undoubtedly unglamorous, it's not the Less Glam Side of my creative journey at all. For me that's striking a balance doing and sharing: between creating for the love of it, for the intense pleasure and satisfaction I get out of watching something come to life on paper, and finding a way to honor the creative energy of the universe and share what I've made, to collaboratively spark inspiration in others so they too can create and share. I guess you could call it 'admin', but I don't think it's as mundane as that term implies. Taking photos and sharing on social media, building a website, thinking constantly about future projects, and fitting that in with full time muggle work is a challenge, but just a different form of creativity. Working hard to find balance is less glamorous, but the payoff is getting to meet all of you and finding the most generous, wonderfully supportive and inspiring community, finding my tribe, and that's beyond worth it. . . . #marchmeetthemaker2019 #lessglamside #mess #charcoal #draweveryday #shareandfindyourtribe #creativeenergy #creative #divinefeminine #eagle #illustratedwomen #womenwhodraw #sickgirlscribbles #australianartist #shadybower (at Central Coast NSW) https://www.instagram.com/p/BurvOBzjETy/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1migu7hd0xum2

Full or part time? That's the prompt for #marchmeetthemaker today, day 6 - and I'd love to know whether, like me, you create as a side (hustle?) to a muggle job. Maybe it's better to say that I'm a full time artist/creatrix that at the moment can only devote part of my time to doing so. And that's ok, I mean the sun also rises and I can pay my bills and I get to take special chunks of time out of a day to scribble a little something that I can come back to later or that becomes just a little evidence of a moment of complete presence. A union between me and my pencil and the paper, a communion with the creative energy of the universe. This is a little sketch done in the car on the way to Sydney, and something I want to flesh out some more (from a photo on #unsplash ) . . . . . #marchmeetthemaker2019 #artallthetime #artstagram #artistsoninstagram #illustratorsoninstagram #illustratorsofig #illustratedwomen #womenwhodraw #sickgirlscribbles #pencilmeditation #penciltopaper #livemoremagic #liveauthentically #australianartist #shareandfindyourtribe #shadybower https://www.instagram.com/p/BupzozcjyM9/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1uo9gmus7gidf

Oops! I mixed up day 4 and day 5 of #marchmeetthemaker! 😁 Anyhoo... Tools and materials. If all I could take with me in the zombie apocalypse was what's in this picture plus a bunch of paper, I'd be happy (as happy as you can be in a zombie apocalypse). Graphite is my first love, followed closely by charcoal and watercolour, and these amazing mini-palettes from @spmlaw mean I can have a bunch of colors with me all the time super easy. What are your go-to tools? • • • #marchmeetthemaker #marchmeetthemaker2019 #toolsandmaterials #minipaletteinthewild #graphite #charcoal #danielsmithwatercolors #artistgonewild #drawinginthewild #paintinginnature #womenwhodraw #womenofillustration #sickgirlscribbles #australianartist #shadybower (at Central Coast NSW) https://www.instagram.com/p/BumPLfpjC13/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=5ctie8a4yewb

Thank you to @amandamakepeace for the reminder March 3rd is #worldwildlifeday Thank you also to organisations such as @ironwoodwolves and @juniperfoxx for helping us connect with wildlife on a visceral level on social media. Wild creatures (and domestic creatures too for that matter. All the creatures!!) have my heart - my love and respect for them is often overwhelming, and with that comes despair and grief at what we humans do to them. I draw them as an act of love and honour as I wish them peace and the root of all peace. A quick lunchtime scribble in my 9x14cm pocket #moleskine . . #wildlife #woodland #wolf #creature #illustration #folktale #fairytale #faerytale #greywolf #womenwhodraw #illustratedwomen #sickgirlscribbles #australianartist #shadybower https://www.instagram.com/p/Bukhjm4j_BE/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=3irfgpvaawio

Detail, in particular eyes, is something I luuuurve to draw. And that's eyes of any description - human, mammal, bird, fantasy creature, I'm not fussy. I stare into their eyes as they coalesce, as they are falling out of my pencil, and I have to see a tiny spark of life in them or the work continues. It's a joy, truly, and I will spend an inordinate amount of time working on eyes in comparison to the rest of any given piece or doodle. It's an close up and personal connection. For #marchmeetthemaker Day 4: Detail or Close Up • • • • #marchmeetthemaker #marchmeetthemaker2019 #detailorcloseup #eyes #eyeseeyou #guesswho #graphite #charcoal #folktale #fairytale #faerytale #sickgirlscribbles #australianartist #shadybower (at Central Coast NSW) https://www.instagram.com/p/BukAHBzj1jS/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=d64qgyb51f74

This tale is coming together slowly, slowly. Can you guess what classic it is influenced by? Today on #marchmeetthemaker wth @joannehawker the prompt is #flatlay - I'm new to flatlays, but they appeal to my sense of story! The mornings here are starting to cool off a little, but the next few days are going to be very hot, a last hurrah of summer (I hope). I can see the light changing, and I'm excited for the cooler colors of winter to come. Happy Sunday! . . . . #marchmeetthemaker2019 #flatlaystyle #fairytale #folktale #faerytale #sleepingbeauty #thorns #briars #brambles #callanishstones #calanaisstandingstones #scotland #womenwhodraw #womenofillustration @celticfusiondesign #artistslife #sickgirlscribbles #australianartist #shadybower (at Central Coast NSW) https://www.instagram.com/p/BuhkVNADN5Z/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=y9kqfs086s56

Just a couple of meeces drinking tea! Inspired by a delightful art challenge from my friend Jamie @fable_and_forest and @nussay_watercolor . A little bit of watercolour meditation was just what I needed this morning! . . . #mothernatureartchallenge #watercolour #watercolor #aquarelle #woodland #woodlandcreature #mouse #mice #tea #forest #watercolorartist #watercolor_daily #wildlifeart #wildlifeillustration #womenofillustration #australianartist #shadybower (at Central Coast NSW) https://www.instagram.com/p/BufURuuD_H1/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1q35k7cknebgp

I've been experimenting with line art, contour drawing and general squiggles on my iPad with #procreate for a fun upcoming project, and thought it the perfect excuse to play along with the prompts for @floralsyourway this month! Up first is 'hellebore', the gorgeous winter rose. Still learning, but having fun! . . . . #floralsyourway #hellebore #winterrose #linedrawing #digitalart #botanicalart #flower #stilllearning #artallthetime #artislife #sickgirlscribbles #australianartist #shadybower (at Central Coast NSW) https://www.instagram.com/p/Buc5DPPjs4U/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=18gzmwa7iffnc

Yay! It's the first day of March Meet The Maker! Today's prompt is 'favourite to make' - and for me that is absolutely a collection of tiny scribbles on paper depicting something to do with a folk-or-fairytale. If I can throw a tree, a creature or bird in there, all the better. The above is a #workinprogress for my (tragically late) final project for @carterhaugh.school #findyourfairytale - such a brilliant course. I'm enjoying the tooth of this hot pressed watercolour paper again after working on bristol card a while - these two papers behave so very differently with the graphite. This is also a larger piece, 11.7"×16.5" and I'm working on a standing easel, which is much kinder on my back. What's your favorite thing to make? Join us using the hashtag #marchmeetthemaker . Thanks @joannehawker for such an awesome #artchallenge . . . #marchmeetthemaker2019 #favouritetomake #graphite #pencildrawing #fairytale #faerytale #folktale #womenofillustration #illustratedwomen #womenwhodraw #fantasyartist #sickgirlscribbles #australianartist #shadybower (at Central Coast NSW) https://www.instagram.com/p/BuaeheyDguE/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1vxwg746z992n

This morning I want to point you towards @iriscompiet and @patreon. I cannot recommend them enough, truly. If you love Iris' work like I do, not only do you get to support her continuing to make incredible, inspiring things, but she joyously imparts her wisdom and skills to her patrons, and it's wonderful! I spent 40 minutes painting along with Iris as she created a skeksis #patreon reward, and not only did I learn so much, but the process ignited a new sense of excitement and possibilities within me. I'm so thrilled with how my Chamberlain turned out, and he now keeps Aughra and Ursol company. So grateful for this amazing art community. To get to Iris' #patreon click the link in her profile or go to www.patreon.com/iriscompiet - come and join the fun! . . . . #watercolor #watercolour #aquarelle #danielsmithwatercolors @danielsmithartistsmaterials #fabriano #waterblog #thedarkcrystal #skeksis #thechamberlain #jimhenson #alifeofintention #alwayslearning #artismagic #sickgirlsclub #sickgirlscribbles #australianartist #shadybower https://www.instagram.com/p/BuRrjZgDsrB/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=15423cyfm7vqv

As three all-seeing sparrows.

“This orphan girl is pious, patient under misfortune, and kind to the poor, with whom she shares the little she has. Tell me what you wish for her.” The first said, “I wish that when she weeps her tears may be changed into so many pearls.” “And I,” replied the second, “that when she smiles sweet roses may fall from her lips.”

So hoping to finish this Month of Love piece tonight - another meditation on a wondrous fairy tale. . . . . #graphitedrawing #fairytale #folklore #folktaleweek #tears #pearls #roses #slowandpurposeful #australianartist #shadybower https://www.instagram.com/p/Bt4opfDjvbS/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=ourx9cyaqxbq