Hand Lettering

Yesterday I had a day off (score!) and I felt like doing something creative, so I had a play with some hand painted lettering using water colour, brushes, and an ink brush pen. When I was younger I was quite into calligraphy, and I was reminded of it by all the beautiful hand lettering and typography that is around at the moment. I used to use calligraphy pens and ink back then, so it was really fun to have my first real go at hand lettering with brushes! 

I have always had a habit of writing in different handwriting styles and doodling words in fancy cursive or different lettering styles. I'll sometimes just doodle words that are being said in the conversation around me! Does anyone else do this? Or is that kind of weird...

Of course my cat Stella wanted to come and lie on whatever I was taking photos of. Lucky she's such a beautiful model and didn't seemed phased by a lens being put in her face! I think she might have what it takes to be Australia's Next Top Model, what do you think? ;) (She is getting seriously podgy though... too many cat biscuits for you Stella.)

I decided to hand letter a kind of title page for a letter I'm writing to my friend KD in the U.S. He studies art and does great screen prints so hopefully he'll like this! 

I only have very cheap brushes and pens at the moment, but I'm excited to see the brush pens, brushes and ink available in Japan when I'm there in just over a week! Japanese calligraphy is amazing, so I'm sure there will be lots of inspiration to be found!

Nina xo

Cupcake Bunting

I bought this cupcake bunting a long long time ago, and found it recently still in its packaging! I didn't know what I was going to do when I bought it, but I thought it was really cute.

I decided to hang it in my office/workspace next to my desk! I think it looks really nice in the sunlight that comes in through the windows.

My cat Stella didn't want to pose for this photo, and she nearly escaped! I love it when she comes to hang out with me in my office space (except when she sits on my keyboard!). :P 

I hope everyone is having a good week so far! It's my one day off today, but I'm feeling really deflated and flat. :( Hopefully I'll get my positivity and motivation back soon! What do you guys do to cheer yourself up when you're feeling down?

Nina xoxo

Cats In Ukiyo-e + I Can't Stop Drawing Cats

Hello! Well the weather here has gotten even colder, but today is sunny and cold and beautiful - AND I have the day off! It couldn't be better! Last week and the weekend was really busy with work, so I'm really glad to have a day off to relax (and finally write a blog post!).

Recently I've been enjoying looking at this book called Cats In Ukiyo-e. My Mum bought it for my birthday a couple of years ago, but I recently re-discovered it. Since I've been drawing cats a lot, I've been really enjoying looking through this one again. I adore the way the cats are drawn, the style, and how much character each cat has. Just like a real cat, they're all full of mischief and attitude! :P And the fact they are from the 1800s is even cooler.

The dust cover is cute, but this kraft colour patterned inside cover is really amazing too. So many cats!

The cloth in the background of these photos is actually a scarf which came with the book! It's so lovely. 

As well as the artwork in it, I really love the design, colour and layout of this book. It's really nicely put together. I especially love this little cat bookmark which is attached to the book! Super cute.

Like it says here in my sketchbook, I can't stop drawing cats. :P I'm still playing around with my fountain pen and different drawing styles, trying to capture the attitude and nature of a cat. My two cats, Finn and Stella, are so different not just in looks but their personalities and habits too! It makes me want to draw all different types of cats.

Well, another busy week ahead after my one day off this week, but I'm feeling ready. ;) 

Little Pink Cactus xo

Sketches

Just a quick post to say hello! Here are a couple of sketches from yesterday. Can you see the little trees on top of the snow-capped ice-cream mountain? :P My cat cup with the lid is from Daiso! It's so super cute. I've been drinking a lot of hot tea and coffee since the weather is becoming colder. I've been working a lot recently, but I hope to be able to post more frequently soon. :) I have a couple of fun things coming up to show you guys!

Til next time, Little Pink Cactus xo

Art, Mail, and Staying Positive!

Hello! I'm really trying to boost my positivity at the moment. I've been focusing on eating really healthy, exercising more, working toward my goals, and trying to enjoy the little things along the way. It's been really important lately to remind myself to stay positive and optimistic and remember what I'm working toward when I'm working 6 days a week and don't have much time for fun stuff!

Anyway something I always enjoy is writing letters and putting together mail for my pen pals! I made this little handmade "business card" for my blog to let one of my friends know about it haha.

That's the back of the business card at the front there. And how amazing is the cat memo paper? I got the memo pad in a cat-themed swap quite a long time ago (my first package swap, actually!).

Washi tape, stickers and pink card make a nice address label. ^_^

Putting mail together and drawing and doodling makes me happy. What do you do to unwind when you're busy, or to help you stay positive when things are hectic?

Little Pink Cactus xo

Art and Outgoing Mail

Here are a couple of recent sketches in my sketch book! I've been working on a different style, and I've been really enjoying playing with my Sailor fountain pen from Japan. I haven't done much drawing with it before now! What do you guys think of this style?

I've had a couple of splotchy problems with the fountain pen :P. I wish I hadn't blobbed ink on this poor kitty! I had a lot of fun painting him and inking the lines. I'd like to do a bigger painting like this! What do you think?

I love gouache paints! And I had a lot of fun mixing this pastel palette.

Here's some outgoing mail to a pen pal in Japan. She kindly asked me to draw her some fruits and vegetables. She likes a simple style of art. :) I think it goes nicely with the herb themed letter set!

I love writing cute letters on San-X stationery. And my clipboard is so handy for writing a letter out in the garden, or the lounge room, etc.! ;) 

I hope everyone's had a fantastic week!

Little Pink Cactus xo

Drawings + Kitty

Here are some recent doodles of mine! I'm working toward getting some simple cute designs together to print on stationery, like note cards, maybe note books, etc. What do you think?

While I was taking photos of my drawings, along came my cat Finn...

And he ended up just sitting right on top of my sketch book, of course! 

From Little Pink Cactus and Finn xo