Jenny Laidlaw

Time Out!!

1/6/2015

I have just returned from an incredible, amazing time, solo hiking the Larapinta Trail in Central Australia. It was time to get my head in the right space, ready for the next phase of treatment for my kidney disease.
I feel ready and inspired to draw and paint again now......and have been planning some exciting new illustrations. Looking forward to sharing my progress with you.

In progress: illustration with farm animals!

Dreamwall Printing

28/4/2015

I am nearly ready to launch the next exciting chapter in my journey.

Just putting the finishing touches on to my Etsy Shop and website store! (which I have also just updated...very challenging but also rewarding! Negotiating through updating my "checkout" etc nearly drove me nuts!)

I am joining with Dreamwall Printing to offer an exciting new option for customers to purchase my artwork.

In association with Dreamwall Printing (a new local family business, based in Lara, Victoria), my artwork can now be printed DIRECTLY on to walls (or blinds, glass, glass splashbacks, etc etc).

A child's name can also be incorporated onto children's prints, to create a truly customised artwork, which I really love.

The printed artwork cannot be ripped or peeled off and if in 50 (!) years time you decide to update the room, you can just apply a few coats of paint and the room is as good as new.

My youngest daughter, Sierra, recently selected my artwork "Follow Me" to be printed on to her bedroom wall. We also personalised her print with "Sierra's Room" incorporated into the top left of the print. It looks amazing!! If you live locally please feel free to contact me if you would like to come and have a look at the finished artwork on her wall.

Natalie and Paul from Dreamwall Printing after completing Sierra's print .

I'm back!

12/3/2015

It has been a challenging 6 months where I have been unable to draw or paint due to having the hand shakes from a cocktail of medications I have been on for a kidney disease.
However, I can happily say I am back on track now after my health hurdle and feeling positive, motivated, enthusiastic and excited about what lies ahead in my artistic career.
Many exciting things are happening!
As of today, I am finally on Instagram. Yes, I know: It has taken me a while!
I am currently illustrating a children's book, working on a collaborative project involving "Fibonacchi", and also working on new artworks!! Happy days ahead.

Fibonacchi inspired designs created by Matthew Stevenson (a photographer and owner of Bell Street Printworks and Gallery in Torquay and Geelong) and painted by me.

St Leonards College Artist in Residence

21/11/2014

During Term 4, I was lucky enough to be Artist in Residence in the Early Learning Centre at St Leonards College in Brighton, Melbourne. This was a wonderful, enlightening, enriching and fun filled time.The 80 children and staff worked on a collaborative piece of artwork with me, inspired by the Moreton Bay Fig tree which features throughout the school grounds. Each child and staff member was given a 10cm x 10cm square of watercolour paper within on which they could draw, sew, add collage, paint etc.My pen and ink illustration of a Moreton Bay Fig Tree is in the centre of the artwork.The final framed artwork pictured above was unveiled to the school in December and now hangs in the Early Learning Centre.

"I Know A Better Place"

8/9/2014

This is the next artwork I have just completed. This painting is to be viewed with the painting "Follow Me". They work together.......The animals are being led by the little girl wearing red gumboots and pulling a little red trolley, on to the hot air balloon. They are leaving the island that is crammed, claustrophobic and has no room left for animals to roam. They are being taken to the artwork "Follow Me". See previous blog.

"I Know A Better Place" ©Jenny Laidlaw 2014. 750mm x 350mm

"Follow Me"

22/8/2014

© Jenny Laidlaw 2014

Measuring 750mm x 350mm......working on a new artwork for my upcoming solo exhibition.
There is going to be a recurring theme/progression with a number of my paintings.......more like telling a story through my paintings. It will be like visually turning the pages of a big book!

August 16th, 2014

17/8/2014

My new tin of 132 Prismcolour Premier coloured pencils!! Big plans for some new drawings for my Solo Exhibition at Eagles Nest Gallery in Aireys Inlet opening on the 2nd November.

Colour In Your Life

12/8/2014

On Thursday 7th August, Graeme and Sophia from the TV show "Colour In Your Life", came and filmed me in my studio, for an episode that will go to air on Sunday 7th September at 6:30 pm on Ch 74 (TV4ME). After overcoming my fear, nervousness and apprehension with having 3 cameras in my studio, filming and interviewing me whilst I was drawing/painting, it was an amazing, fun filled day. Below are some of the progress photos of the artwork that will feature in the episode.

©JennyLaidlaw 2014

"The Meeting Place" ©Jenny Laidlaw 2014

©Jenny Laidlaw 2014

Geelong Xmas 2013

1/8/2014

In December 2013, I was commissioned by Geelong Central Marketing to do 5 Christmas themed artworks depicting iconic Geelong centre landmarks.
These are the 5 artworks....blown up and displayed as huge stickers at a number of locations......you had to find the 5 hidden letters in each work, unscramble the word and enter a competition to win free movie passes!
The images were also available as Christmas cards.
Recently I was also commissioned to do the artwork for flags hanging in central Geelong. They depict summer in Geelong.

First Blog!

30/7/2014

I am finally utilizing my website to its full potential and beginning on my journey of blogging!

Let me introduce my newest member to my art materials and studio, my new "Comic Master Tracer LED".
This is the first time I have used a lightbox.....I am a little old fashioned and usually hold up my artwork to a window to trace......this lightbox is definitely easier and more efficient!

This week I am planning and working on the image I will be using on the 7th August, when "Colour In Your Life" come to my studio and films me drawing/painting for a day, for an episode in this fantastic TV series. This is a very exciting time for me and an invaluable chance for me to share my work with a much larger audience.

I am excited and apprehensive and nervous at the same time. I call myself a very private artist, not liking anyone to be watching over me when I am drawing. I work best in a quiet studio with no interruptions! Having a film crew surrounding me and being interviewed at the same time is rather daunting and a little out of my comfort zone. However I am willing to challenge myself!

I have decided to draw an image that came to me one very early morning(2am!) a couple of weeks ago. I love drawing animals/birds and I have created a scene for this animal menagerie that encompasses a few techniques with pen and ink and watercolour paint.