This week we meet Rach, of Penelope & Pip – who just happens to live in the same wonderful part of the world as me!
Where do you live?
Beautiful, sunny Brisbane, Australia
Where do you do your work?
I have a little studio at home filled with lots of lovely artwork to inspire me and my big, old fluffy cat to keep me company.
What’s your favourite place in the world, and why?
My favourite place in the world is anywhere where there is snow and lots of it! I love skiing (there is no snow in Brisbane!) so I have to travel to all sorts of exotic locations to get my ‘fix”.
Tell us a little bit more about yourself! Your ‘day job’ or business, family, hobbies…
I am a High School teacher by day and freelance illustrator at night. I have three beautiful classes of teenagers at the moment who keep me very frantically busy marking but also very happily laughing too. I also look after the whole of Year 10 (they are fifteen years old) which is about 270 students – my day certainly flies at work! Apart from drawing and teaching I also play piano and when I get a spare moment from all of the above, I can be known to devour a book or two.
What did you want to be ‘when you grew up’?
Apparently when I was very small I wanted to be a bridge. Luckily I have moved on from that! I think deep down I have always wanted to be an artist. I have just been searching for the right medium and the right time in my life to take the risk.
How did you first get into your craft/art?
I don’t ever remember not drawing or writing stories. My first ever ‘book’ when I was a little girl was about a family of eggs who all died tragically in an egg and spoon race. I still have it tucked away in case someone wants to publish it one day.
What do you make?
I draw pictures of whimsy and adventure from the imagination of two characters called Penelope and Pip. My illustrations are like little one page stories.
What are you most proud of making?
I really love a picture of a little bird I drew for my mum right before she went in to have a very big operation. The little pink bird is sitting on a branch which is made up of the words from a Robert Frost poem: “But I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep and miles to go before I sleep…”
What do you like the most/least about selling your wares online?
I like that people from all over the world can purchase my illustrations. I am amazed at how many different locations my prints have travelled to. I don’t like all of the administration that goes into keeping my websites fresh as sometimes it takes away from time I need to also spend on drawing.
I love…
rosy cheeks, a peek through the blinds at a moonlit, starry night and Mister Mo, my cat.
It drives me crazy when…
I get tired! I find it very frustrating as there is so much I would like to do in a day.
What’s your favourite word?
Oh no, I have too many – I teach English! I like “nebulous” – I think it explains many mysteries of our world.
If you could sum yourself or your work up in one sentence, it would say…
original illustrations of a world of make-believe…
Find Rach Online!
Shop: Penelope & Pip
Website:Â www.penelopeandpip.com
Facebook Page:Â www.facebook.com/penelopeandpip
Guess what? Three of you get to win this week!! Yep, Rach is very kindly giving away a print and pin set of the winner’s choice – and two pin sets to 2 runners-up – yay!!!!
To Enter:
1. Visit Penelope and Pip and come back here leaving a comment about your favourite piece from the store.
2. For additional entries, leave a comment saying that you: followed or subscribed to Epheriell Designs (or already do); have twittered about the givewaway; have shared the giveaway with friends on Facebook, or; you have written a blog post about it.
3. Entries close next Friday, the 17th of September, at 12pm Australian EST.
The winner will be chosen via Random.org
Remember to leave me a way of contacting you.. and Good Luck!
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Amazing work!!!
I couldn’t really narrow down to one – too difficult to choose!
I guess I felt mostly attracted to the cloud keeper painting!
Thanks for sharing!
xo
Oooh, what a cute store!!! I definitely love the Love in the Key of G, Archival Art Print. The muso in me couldn’t resist it, LOL.
I am already a follower and subscriber of your blog. 🙂
I adore one of the ones featured on this very page .. the girl holding the clouds with the little rainbow and the singing bird atop. So many gorgeous ones to choose from though, and the stories just seal the deal each and every time! Just love P&P!
PS: I already follow Epheriell and will put a link up on my facebook page 🙂
my childhood home is adorable! i am obsessed with my children and building us a family home so that hits the spot with me!
ps – follower of Epheriell Designs and have shared the giveaway with friends on Facebook
love in the key of G – so cute. I love her art.
My favorite is Card – When I close my eyes I think of you. xlacrimax at gmail dot com
I’m following your blog. xlacrimax at gmail dot com
I like the “Don’t be Afraid. I’m right here” print.
I follow you on GFC!
I also follow you on Facebook!
I love the “She makes a wish” and “My love grows”
Following ED in google reader
Added Penelope & Pip as fav on Etsy
“Liked” Penelope & Pip on facebook
“like” you Jess on facebook
Like YES
Follow YES
oh too many to remember…
going to share on facebook now
Escape to Somewhere Wonderful
follower of Epheriell Designs
I love love love the This is a Party Bird print! It’s how I envision my mother if she were a bird! Love the art and I already follow Epheriell designs! Mahalos for all the inspiration!!!
If I could sail away on stormy seas, I’d take a Penelope and Pip badge along for the ride!
Jen x
I love everything! But my favorite illustration is Dorothy takes a walk in the park! So pretty!
Thank you for the gorgouse giveaway!
I twitted about it!
http://www.etsy.com/listing/48562701/she-makes-a-wish-archival-art-print
Love it. 🙂
~ Laura (Moags)
I love the forest protector and the birdkeeper prints!
I follow your blog too!
The penelope & pip illustrations are truly lovely! I adore the “my love grows” print ~ it’s how I feel about my family and dearest friends. Thank you!
oh, all the illustrations are so darling!
My favourite is probably The Moustache Merchant, Archival Art Print. So cute and clever 🙂
So many lovely designs, The Forest Protector was a favourite
How adorable! My favorite would have to be Mister Gray (The Whale) Happy Days. That would look great in my office and keep me smiling.
Thank you for the opportunity to win.
Shandartprod@gmail.com
My favourite piece is ‘She Makes a Wish, Archival Art Print – Original illustration from Penelope and Pip’
I’m following as Jasmine1485 🙂
I tweeted about it:
http://twitter.com/NTFancy/status/24426449475
Hi Jess. Great giveaway! This is my favourite print from Penelope and Pip’s store: http://www.etsy.com/listing/52466138/my-childhood-home-archival-art-print
oh, I am also following your blog x
So hard to pick ‘just’ one…
The Blue Flying Fox, Cloud Keeper and Peaceful Penguin are my top three… see I couldn’t pick just one!
Cheers,
Tasha
And I already follow you Jess!!
Cheers,
Tasha
And I tweeted for you – http://bit.ly/bi60VJ
Cheers,
Tasha
I love My Childhood Home, Archival Art Print – Original illustration by Penelope and Pip. thanks for sharing these lovely prints!
I follow your blog and I am happy to do that.:-)
I tweeted this giveaway: http://twitter.com/Lubaska/status/24461509963
I shared it on my FB wall:
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001428019486&v=wall&story_fbid=159947747349401&ref=mf
Oh my gosh, i loveeee her work! So sweet & real, yet also so imaginary & whimsical <3
If i HAD to pick a favourite, it would be the "My Love Grows" Art print..really warms my heart 🙂
ps: ive 'liked' Penelope & Pip on Facebook & will be blogging about it when i get a chance 🙂 I'm about to subscribe to Epheriell Designs too 🙂
I love Racheal’s work! I’d certainly pick “This owl owns this town”. Thanks for this wonderful giveaway!
I follow you blog!
they are honestly all adorable! I love this print though, http://www.etsy.com/listing/48982175, because it’s in my favourite colours.
I already subscribe to Epheriell Designs and I tweeted (@balancedcrafts) about this giveaway. 🙂
I like The pink lady cat… print.
I follow you on Google Friend Connect as nightowl