Wall art

'Scary bat' vinyl cut and applied to wall.

Are you an empire builder or an explorer? I was debating the merits of each with a colleague this week.  I wish I was an empire builder, but it looks like my big bro got that handy profile. By now I am reconciled to my peripatetic tendencies veering as I do from graphic design, to writing, to communications in any given week. I guess they don't call me Zigzag for nothing. But, believe it or not I've been wondering whether I might be able to slip on one more hat. Could I add interior designer into that mix?

I've written before about how I daydream about cushions. I like rugs more than is strictly necessary. One of the things I miss most while I am at work is the lack of tactile contact with objects (my Mac doesn't count). So it was very gratifying this week to find my secret inner life (interiors) and day job (graphic design) aligned with my other passion, my monkeys (in this case Otto).

After summer's success in rearranging the kids room we've been wondering what to put up on the walls. I am resisting the loud cries for "graffiti". But I like the idea of wall graphics, even though the available ones are usually a bit NQR. I like the idea that the kids get to see their own work up. Then I found this drawing from October, part of the Halloween collection of drawings floating around the house. I put it aside and this week I scanned it and had it cut in vinyl.

Otto is pretty chuffed to see it beside his bed. I know what you are wondering, was it expensive? It was so cheap it was free.

I think it's safe to say Shane, my contact in the world of vinyl, is not an empire builder. But from one explorer to another, thank you.

I Print Wallpaper

When you rent it's difficult to feel expansive about the possibilities of your home. And spending as much time as I do at home, sometimes that can get me down. I won't bore you with the schizo spiral it sends me on. (It's a version of I want more. Pause. But I've got so much. Pause. I've got too much. Pause. Have I got too much? Round and Round. I'm sure you get the picture) Given all of this it will probably amuse you to learn I spent a day making wallpaper on Sunday. Pushing boring practicalities to one side like, 'hmm what wall will I paper?', I had an excellent day immersed in block printing at Harvest Textiles under the expert tutelage of Kyle Budge of Mizu Design with Harvest designer and den hen Emma Byrnes for company. Aside from a slice of cake, I don't need much more to send me straight to H-E-A-V-E-N. Yes, a little Mother's Day fairy had me in her sights because the awesome, eccentric bakery and cafe next door, Each Peach, pulled a Pumpkin Pie out of the oven in time for our tea break. That is called a trifecta.

Harvest Textiles will run a 2 day wallpaper printing workshop 4-5 June if you feel inspired.

photo: Emma Byrnes

I had grand ambitions when it came to the design. William Morris by way of Scandinavia. It did not work for a repeated design (surprise surprise). So I modified it to a few woodland elements.

The finished block was 25 cm squared. Here I am pulling the lino up to check the print.

photo: Kylie Budge

I did this both sides of the paper about a dozen times each side.

photo: Emma Byrnes

Kyle getting serious with me. Me getting serious with the strawberries.

And the finished design. Not quite William Morris. But it was my first go. What do you think?