A wonderous adventure

I am currently having a wonderous painting adventure at the moment . Strange things happen when you let caution go and just let your creativity run wild  . I am currently working on three large new Alice paintings in my well known series they are intensely detailed and demand all my skills . While clearly knee deep in wonderland I have done a few Alice portraits with her famous friends in sketch form and smaller works . I have had visions/dreams for many years of a white series and it looks like it's finally becoming a reality . It's will work in conjunction with my Alice series nicely and will let my technological vision be far more up close and personal . 

This is my new Alice cover for my ROSEGOLD iPhone , of course it just had to be featured . I have had a love affair with apple and all their devices and it's still going strong . I also recalled a twisted sci-fi movie from decades ago called donny Darko which has inspired in some new works to incorporate a rabbit head on a human for my white rabbit . This has been a great thing as I can't own a rabbit for my series due to laws of rabbit ownership in Queensland :( 

White rabbit aside he's looks magnificent with my Alice and has added a modern quirky twist to ever evolving series . ⭐️

 

Wedding bouquet paintings .

So happy to announce that I am going to paint wedding bouquets for blushing brides . I have been painting my floral bouquet series for many years and due to its popularity and similarity to a wedding bouquet have decided why not put it out there . I have recently been surrounded by so many brides and weddings that I realised just how important a brides choice in floral was . Every girls choice is unique and colour combinations differ as they reflect you wedding colour and theme  . Art lasts a life time just like your happily ever after so really there is no better way remember your ' BEST DAY EVER ' . Of course you would have to like my bright bold style girls lol . 

The process is simple you just submit a photo of your wedding bouquet and I turn it into a work of art . It's painted on a 40cm X 40cm stretched canvas ready to hang for 550.00 AUD . I do my arty thing too and make it look like art and not just a photo of your bouquet as that's what those incredible wedding photographers are for . You might want a bridal white back ground or a pretty in pink or even a something blue all choices that together we can make ..........yes I have an amazing eye for colour combinations and you will then have a peice of highly collectable art by STARR . You will always know as the years past that that beautiful floral painting hanging in your home was actually was your wedding bouquet . All my galleries of course can help you or www.starrfineart.com for global or non represented states in Australia inquires .⭐️

Story behind my LENNON painting .

Never have i painted a more difficult subject in my painting career so far .lol  I have in the past done a self portrait in cross position so this was an idea I was more than comfortable with . Ritchie Yorke the writer and rock historian approached me with an idea , being a painter and not an illustrator makes things more difficult as I am not into painting what other want me too etc . I am a Beatles fan and a closet rock chic however so that pushed my interest over into commitment . The most scary bit was the fact the Yoko herself had to OK the book and the cover and she's NEW YORK art royalty . 

Working with a series of images from the 70,s that the author had supplied and even having a model pose in cross position was all part of the process . I found the most difficult aspect was painting him with the beard that was not 100% correct for the time but was needed for the cross vision I had in mind . I guess that's where artistic licence comes in ? I always believe art should make you think and maybe be a little uncomfortable . Lots of changes were requested like the pillow behind him which after a bit of thought, I thought would work and it grounds the subject nicely . Another one was jeans on him as some thought that the religious aspects might upset some I decided against that for my artworks integrity . Of course what the graphic designer do to make it a terrific book cover us up to them with my blessing . 

As you can see the results speak for themselfs and I got to create my most challenging painting to date and push myself as an artist . This book cover dose not show the second version with the jeans one . I imagine the first version will be a collector item in the future . It's a remarkable story and a fantastic read of a time in history that effected millions Ritchie was there to witness all this with his friends John and Yoko . Tonight is the Australian book launch as it's going to be huge with a 'Bed in ' recreation and my painting will be on show of course . 

The American book launch as a huge success as you can see here with ALICE COOPER holding up a copie . Yes as rock chic this was super exciting for me as I just love ALICE and have seen him many many times in concert . 

So here is an offical invitation to what's set to be an incredible night . So if you loved the 70s or the Beatles this you won't want to miss this opportunity to meet Richie and hear his story . I was so honoured to able to have the opportunity to be involved with this project so thanks RITCHIE . X 

Paris street art / Ba Ta clan / Picasso

Paris is such wonderfully arty city and is so full of street art it's very visual . I just love taking a few snaps of it . Of course I personally love the super bright ones . Lol 

Here are some incredible samples of Paris street art !!!!!!! 

I love to wander the street of a normally bustling city that is Paris . While it was their winter Paris is always packed with tourists . It had a bit of a somber feel this time many normally packed hotels were not. In fact my girlfriend who lives in south of France who visits Paris all the time said her regular hotel she was the only one there and normally she's hard up getting a booking :( . The recent attacks in Paris have had a massive effect on the city . 

 

I walked past the ' Ba Ta clan cafe ' with a heavy heart for all the loss of life that had only recently taken place . I could relate to this as I am a rock chic who loves to go to concerts in these types of venues . My friend had recently seen ' bullet for my Valentine ' there and said it could have been her or anyone on any night out with there friends . 

The Paris people and all the visitors left cards and candles and you could just feel all the prayers surrounding the memorial site . Of course I said a pray for the victims of this tragedy .

I also had a visit to the awesome MUSEE PICASSO PARIS ........ Wow and the wait was worth it . I have waited too on all of my last visits it was always under renovations . Finally was amazing to see his Intire story shown on five levels of a remarkable gallery . You could see what a strong hand/style he had that transcended his different art periods and evolution . I walked away with a heightened respect for the genius that is PICASSO . 

and my new favourite mug ........ Xo 

Art shops and bunny heads

One of the most interesting pursuits with travel for an artist is visiting mega art shops in other countries . Paris has some incredible ones all have some similar items but most are totally unknown which is always exciting . I have a bit of a thing for buying brushes as I find the quality in France is second to none . Always amazed by walls of colourful paint displayed still has the same effect on me as it did when I first entered an art shop as a child . !!!!!! 

Always make you wanna have a paint even if it just with a bit of black wash . A bit into the watercolours ATM . I also travel with them mainly as they are less trouble at customs . Trust me I have lots of trouble at customs just with one name of STARR . Lol it's a complete nightmare so I don't also need dramas with the word PAINT . WATERCOLOUR is lovely and no offending . 

A buffet of pencils is always a good idea nothing gets the creative juices flowing quiet like them . Another thing I am always on the out look for are glamorous and beautiful sketchbooks , I am a sucker for a good one !!!!! Must be really thick and of the highest quality something that's hard to find in Australia . 

Lucky last is never but never hold back on buying a killer prop like a bunny head . This will show up soon in my Alice in wonderland series . Nothing creepier than human/animal head or more whimsical depending on your artistic bent . I am undecided but I knew I had to have it . 

Buy because you may never see it again even if it's a bunny head or a new sketchbook . Well that's my tip . X 

I LOVE PARIS

I am current back in PARIS and the pursuit for beauty to capture on canvas . It's off to a flying start and I feel so inspired the minute I am on French soil . It's a bit cold would be an understatement and it's interesting to see the effect on the sky ........I do love vanilla sky's in the day and indigo Sky by night . 

It's alway a good idea to see the Eiffel Tower as soon as you can it personally makes me excitedly happy . Ohhhhh and quick watercolour sketch never hurt anyone or a coffee in your favourite cafe . 

 I love to be a bit random and let things just happen and wander . I find beautiful streets that inspire and even though navigation in not my strong point sometimes you need to be lost to be found . 

Or at least learn to use the metro lol . So let the adventure begin that is Paris . X 

Love a photographic adventure

It's been quiet the arty adventure with my iPhone !!!!!! Love my iPhone as much as you do yours . I am addicted would be understatement . While my photos are most likely have a rather fabulous ending ahead of them it's fun all the same . Yes as a painter girl they will end up on canvas for an up and coming exhibition . Here is a small sample of my latest photos . 

I think the camera is fantastic tool for an artist to master . I know many award winning photographers and to be honest while I love what they do I would always rather be messy and paint  . In saying that 2016 is the year I get some extra photography skills up and take it a bit more serious . Every year I always take up a new skill that will enhance my practice . Last year it was the airbrush lol .

So 2016 is the PHOTOGRAPHY year for me . I actually dabbled in it via intermedia and art college but never quiet got it . This time I am having private lessons and am very percific with want I want to learn so not to overwhelm me . Totally excited about the plan !!!! 

Hope your New Years off to a fabulous start I am still in London painting and about to head over to Paris for a spell X 

Starr ⭐️