This weekend we did our annual trip to the Archibald exhibition at the Art Gallery of NSW. I actually always think the best part is the Wynne prize, and two of my favourites from last where finalists again. Joshua Yeldham and Neil Frazer. Plus I really liked the photo realistic painting of a graffiti covered back street by Luke Barker. Which reminds me I still have some Melbourne graffiti photos to share from our trip in January - more of that later.

The winner of this years Archibald Prize, Margaret Olley by Ben Quilty, was far better in real life, photos don't quite do it justice. I also really like the technique of Craig Ruddy's Cathy Freeman portrait. Splashes of acrylic paint across the back of toughened glass and ink on the front, over the top of plaster on canvas.

The Archibald and Wynne Prizes are at the Art Gallery of NSW until 26th June.

Finally a holiday! The easter and anzac break is here and Im getting stuck into some artwork - plus finishing off all those little DIY jobs around the house. Here is the latests print added to our etsy shop. I did this as a gift card a couple of years ago, don't know why it didn't occur to me to turn it into a pretty print sooner. The creative monsoon website is also down for a revamp but check out our new online gallery. A bit of fun, I'll be changing the exhibitions on there every few months so be sure to keep checking back.

This week I was feeling a little inspired by the work of Frida Kahlo. Ive been looking at a lots of Mexican wedding ideas for the 'i do' it yourself site, and she just kept popping up! So I put together a little homage to Frida, a digital mixed media collage using one of her quotes "Feet, why do I need them if I have wings to fly?" Available as a print from our redbubble and etsy shops.

So I cant really say new work for this, its something I did many years ago and just found on an old backup this weekend. But its still really lovely :) 'Buddha and lotus' available in my etsy and redbubble shops.

Bad, bad me Im so far behind with all my blog posts!
Last year we finally made it to Sculpture by the Sea, two years right by Bondi and we'd never been before!  My favourite sculptures were the steel camel complete with its own sewing machine by Suzie Bleach & Andy Townsend, and a beautiful wave made from eucalyptus sticks by Peter Collins. But of course I have to love the steel French Bulldog sculptures by Geoff Harvey standing on sentry duty along the coastal path.

Another favourite from the Wynne prize this year, Min Woo Bang and his beautiful misty acrylic landscape paintings.

Thanks to the windows and doors group on redbubble who awarded our 'Flowerbox in Paris' photographic print the 'Best of featured work in the group for 2009'! Thanks guys!

This week I finally found some time to tweak another one of Aarons beautiful sunrise beach shots. Love the pink and cloud detail. I think it would make a lovely gift for Valentines Day.

Selecting art or photography for someone else can be a daunting task. So we've made things a little simpler and we're now offering a creative monsoon gift certificate! The perfect way to give the gift of art to someone special this Christmas. And great for those friends and family overseas.