Ali J Art & Illustration

Windows On Wiliam Approaches

 

I'm so excited.  My collaborative window display for Windows On William opens this coming Wednesday Night.  I hope to see you there!

We will have a limited edition print available as well as freebie surprises to those who attend the opening night.  I'll reveal the window display once we've got it all setup.  :)

Store : Fi & Co
Location : 289 William St, Northbridge, Perth
Time : 6pm - 9pm

check out the facebook 'event' page here

Can you keep a secret?

I can.  I just finished one of my latest projects and I'm absolutely OVER the moon about it!  Lets see if you can guess what it is from the picture above......

Opening Night of Candy Cult

The lovely Beth posing beside an adorable cardboard creation!

On Saturday night Beth and myself attended the opening night of the Candy Cult Character Party at the Breadbox Gallery in Northbridge.


Lots of people!

The place was absolutely packed.  I was so nervous and I felt so out of place - I need a trendy style makeover! 



I feel in love with this work by Lisa Max but unfortunately it didn't fit into my handbag!  Notice my convenient standing in front of the red sticker?  I wanted to pretend it was mine.  :)



Beth however did not linger too long to snap up her new piece!  She adores Creepy.

Now here are some random scene shots -





Don't all the characters look so cool?  What I haven't shown you yet is my work!

This is Stacey -





and last, but not least this is my favourite who is named Bella -




Who also is now going to live in a new home thanks to this gorgeous lady!

I must admit that my girls weren't quite what I had expected in terms of size & colour matching, but it was a fantastic experience, and to be part of a group of so much talent was absolutely overwhelming.  If Beth hadn't attended the event with me I would have ran off the moment I walked in the door from fear!  I can't wait for more exhibitions in the same funky vein.  It is definitely one of the type of events that will bring Perth into the future!

Made On The Left November Market

With only six weeks to go, the Made On The Left november market is keeping me awake at night.   I'm so excited about it, and as one of the co-founders I'm also flat out with the behind the scenes preparations!

We've just released our poster design which I worked on collaboratively with Jacquie Ramsden from RamsdenDesigns.



Jacquie came up with the concept of the girls on the swings to tie in with our current theme "Spring Into Spring".  I worked for many many hours on my girl trying to get her angle right on the swing.  I even researched it by going down for a few trial runs at the local school playground! 

I love working with Jacquie, it is such a challenge mixing our techniques together to create a final work.  I'm an illustrator that works in 'real life' with pen/paint & paper whilst Jacquie illustrates on the computer.  The end result always blows me away!

Here is a more detailed shot of the original drawing -


Doesn't she look like she is having a blast?

Be sure to mark the date down in your diary and come on down!  I'll have a stall there, and I can't wait for it.  I think I'm developing an addiction to having stalls at markets & craft fairs!

Oh, and another exciting announcement.  I will be participating in Windows On William for the Artrage Festival & The Northbridge Festival.  I'm doing this as part of the Made On The Left team and this means a group of us will be working on a window installation in a store in Northbridge.  The event runs from the 29th of October until the 23rd of November.  My contribution?  A life sized original artwork of my girl character from the Made On The Left posters.  I haven't quite decided what she'll be doing yet or what pose she'll be in but I'll have to decide soon as she needs to be started next week!

The theme is "Spring Into Spring" and if you have any suggestions, I'm all ears.  :)  Afterall the window installation is a community minded affair!

Blown Away At Upmarket

On the Sunday just passed I participated in Upmarket at the Perth Town Hall - a new market formed with the intention of showcasing handmade designers.  I'm over the moon about my display!

I was very pleased to see so many repeat customers, and new faces come out even though the weather wasn't the best & the wind was terribly cold.  I've had so many suggestions from you all, and ideas about future works - I can't wait to do some new peices ready for the next market!!




 

I do however need to work on a few things for future market displays.  My partner Chad thinks that I'm a veteran at markets, but the reality is that I'm always learning and growing at each one.  I need to work on how to display my cards, my prints and my original drawings in a way that shows them, but is still unique and not like every other stall whilst still suiting my style.  It is a very hard journey!!

I'm open to suggestions all the time of ideas you may have for displays, or even what kind of things you'd like to see in the future.

My master plans for the coming months -

1. Mermaid/Sailor/Romance Theme
2. Halloween Theme
3. Christmas Theme
4. Birthday Designs

as well as extending those images across most of my products, I will also be releasing exclusive designs on t-shirts and bags.  I'm so excited.... back into the studio for me!  :)

Popsicle Opening Night

 Last night was the VIP opening night for Popsicle! for the Perth Fashion Festival.  I thought I'd take some photos to share with you.  I just love the little details they've put into the room!  :)














 
There was a huge array of designers in there, I hope to go back in daylight hours when it has less people so I can get a better look.  I don't know quite how to feel about my display, I've never had my items in lockable display cabinets before!  Still, I was very excited to get some new images & lines out with the jewellery ranges.  I hope to get even more out released in time for Upmarket (which is one week away).

Popsicle! 
(A pop up shop open only for 11 days)
212 William St Perth
Open 11am - 6pm daily
Open from the 4th - 14th of September.

A sweet treat!

I just had some of my products participate in a photoshoot for the upcoming event Popsicle! as part of the Perth Fashion Festival.  Don't they look absolutely divine?!  (Hairpins, Mirror, Ring)

Read more about Popsicle and all the other designers participating right here

Or alternatively - here is the event flyer.  Be sure to come on down!