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Art Exhibition Website showcase

2011-09-02T10:20:00.002+10:00

Having an art exhibition at the moment at APTE Cafe and getting the message out there and people inspired to go along and see is as much fun as doing the art. Here's a website that is dedicated to this exhibition and shows the works which are involved.

If you are near or far, please have a look and if you like what I see please come along. The exhibition is only on for a short period of time at APTE Cafe in Alphington.
Address: 538 Heidelberg Rd, Alphington, Victoria
Visit the above web link for more information.

Printspace Gift Vouchers for the friend who has everything

2011-06-28T00:00:00.000+10:00

Looking for a personalised gift for a loved one. Finally we have some Gift Vouchers at a whole bunch of different price points. We have an area for you to include the To and the From details. We will include your details and will send to your friend. Or leave the space blank and we will leave it for you to write your personal message. Now available in the Printspace store.

Printspace Australian Winter Promotion

2011-06-19T14:46:00.000+10:00

Printspace Winter Sale now on. Until the end of June. Visit the link here to obtain your 20% off.

Flying machines

2011-03-24T23:34:00.000+11:00

At a recent Market a customer placed these three prints together. I thought that it was a cool combination and thought that you might like to see this also. These three are in the Printspace store now. If you love to travel like I do, this might be a nice little reminder of a trip you had or a trip to plan.

Summer Holidays in Melbourne Australia

2011-01-30T15:54:00.000+11:00

Had a great time with the family for a week. Would be great to do that a lot more often. The water was refreshing, the beer was cold and I used a lot of sun screen and did not get burned. Which is great.

Christmas deliveries for Printspace Art Prints

2010-12-13T01:01:00.000+11:00

Thinking of ordering a Printspace product for xmas for a friend or family member? We have written up the postal delivery dates to keep people informed about what is possible. Visit the link for the details.

The colours of Printspace

2010-09-28T11:09:00.000+10:00

Looking at the Printspace etsy page I was pretty pleased with the range of colours on display. We have limited the use of primary colours. The idea behind this is to show viewers the vast aray of tones, hues and colours available. It's like eye candy when I see these colours together. I hope you like them as much as I do. This is just the start because there are a number of greens and oranges which have also been explored. Have a great day. For a closer look visit the Printspace etsy store.

I like the Playsam products becuase they shine

2010-09-07T19:06:00.000+10:00

Well, it's more than that. They are really well designed and so very simple in form. You should buy one at Playsam. A wooden gift from a Scandinavian company. Oh but to be a Scandinavian designer. Or even a piece of wood. Shiny wood.

Catch me if you can - what an inspiration

2010-09-02T19:46:00.000+10:00

Artist Florence Deygas is one of my favourite moving picture artists. Not forgetting Saul Bass and Maurice Binder. This title sequence though would have to be my favourite set of titles from any movie. Thank you Florence.

face paintings

2010-09-01T22:40:00.001+10:00

Hi there. I've been busy with a number of paintings of faces. This is a collection of faces which were all painted together as they appear in this picture. I guess you could say that I am back into painting in a more figurative way with these dudes. I think these chaps would be wearing some great suits. I might look into painting their full outfits. What do you think these guys should be wearing if they had bodies.

Le Corbusier Lc4

2010-08-31T22:25:00.000+10:00

I'd just like to share my appreciation for the little I know about Le Corbusier. Architect, Painter, Furniture designer, Modernist. I think might save up for this one and perhaps some of his books too.
Off to find more things which have the attributes of great art and design form the Otispepper perspective that is.

Sleeping up closer

2010-08-31T21:57:00.001+10:00

Organic paintings searching for the yin and yang

2010-08-31T21:48:00.000+10:00

Here are some new pictures recently completed called Sleeping. And I hope they don't put you to sleep. Well, only if you are tired - and a lot of people are. They are each 12" x 12" in size.
They have been described by a friend as being abstract. While I think there are abstract elements there are also some figurative areas of each of the pictures. I think these are more about searching for a balance in asymmetry rather than a search for anything else.
I think initially I see the dark paint strokes but then the colour comes through, look a bit longer and the line work drives you around the pictures where the stars and faces pop out.

I think they would be good for someone who is into the yin and yang of life.
All three signed prints are available in the otispepper shop.

Black and white paintings by Nicholas Girling

2010-06-17T10:33:00.001+10:00

Since my last post things have been pretty busy with trips to Adelaide and Sydney and a Solo exhibition in Gertrude Street Fitzroy in a store called Mattt. That is very exciting for me.

I have been working away with my paint brush on a series of black and white paintings inspired by some memories I have of going out and some images which have been bouncing around in my head. Hope you like this new set of three square paintings at 12'x12'. This is a sneak peak at some prints which will be available soon in my etsy store and our Australian store called Printspace. They are created to fit into a square frame like one I found at IKEA.

I don't know why I was focusing on punks vs snags. Perhaps it's how we all feel sometimes. It does feel a bit strange thinking about IKEA and punks in the same space.
I have not really planned these pictures. When I started painting them, all I was thinking about was painting people and this is what came out.

Printspace now available as wall stickers

2010-05-06T23:19:00.000+10:00

Mara and I have recently been approached by the lovely girls, Fiona and Jenny from The Wall Sticker Company to produce a selection of art specifically for wall stickers.

Moving from our archival paper to wall stickers is not too much of a jump and we have put together a collection of designs which we hope people will like. This concept fits right into the vision of Printspace to collaborate with the most talented professional artists and business people in the world.

See the new collection of wall sticker art here.

Individual greeting cards

2010-04-08T02:02:00.001+10:00

The full range of 20 kinds of greeting cards are now available on the Printspace store. We are excited to be able to produce these on such a wonderful paper stock. We are very pleased with the colour and we love the messages. There has been great interest already from our lovely stockists. Always call before going in as these are fresh cards and may not be with all the stockists as you read this.
Here are but a few and if you are interested in seeing some more of our creative exuberance, you can see the rest in the above link.

New range of greeting card packs

2010-04-08T01:54:00.002+10:00

Just launched the new range of greeting card packs. 4 cards x 2. 8 Cards per pack.
Greeting Cards are printed on 100% recycled paper using vegetable based inks.
Envelopes are also made using 100% recycled paper.
Size: 105 x 148mm. Blank Inside.
Available in the Printspace store today.

Fun one two and three

2010-04-07T01:42:00.000+10:00

I think the colour says it all. Now available in my otispepper store.
The new Otispepper size is 12 x 12" which is a cool size. Square is the new black and here we have colour punching from the page. Printed onto archival paper with pigment inks. This will keep you bright and would look great with a white frame. Hope you like.

R001 Robot Red. The first in a collectible series of paper sculptures

2010-03-31T02:23:00.000+11:00

This little fella is a free standing robot made from an embossed ribbed paper. The finish of the paper has a metalic sparkle look. The robot is designed not as a toy. Red is one of a series of paper sculptures in the 2010 range. Approx 240mm tall and 140mm wide. His feet can be removed and turned around to point outwards or forwards - for no particular reason. There are no flashing lights and no moving parts.
The artwork has a beautiful graphic texture as seen in the close-up.
This little red beauty was created as a collaborative piece between designer Nicholas Girling and Paper engineer Juan Diego Sanin Santamaria. Thanks Juan for such a wonderful interpretation of the robot drawing and converting the 2d picture into this wonderful art piece. Looking forward to producing the rest of the robots.

Robot Red 001 is available in the Printspace store as either a 'do it yourself model or as a ready made product.
Juan takes about 1 to 1.5 hours to make this or you can take your time and make it in your own time.

Charles Harper. Pure and simple.

2010-01-07T21:57:00.001+11:00

I was at a market recently and came across some wooden puzzles and also some children's books illustrated by Charles Harper. I was immediately captivated by the colours and the shapes. I really feel a connection to this art and am only at early days in terms of my study and appreciation of it.
I enjoy that the colours are of their time but are also timeless. I know that sounds weird. I am now searching for a biology book that he has illustrated to see how he has taken his own art and style into a commissioned work. I cannot believe that I have not seen his work until very recently. While he has recently passed away, I am happy that his work still lives on.
I am attracted to the idea of expression without complexity.

Panda Shuffle and Penguin shuffle

2009-12-15T14:36:00.000+11:00

A new edition to the shuffle set is the new Panda Shuffle. Or perhaps a swagger.
I am interested in another black and white animal to do for the range. Lets bring this dual up to a trio.

Both of these are available in the etsy shop. They both come in three sizes. 6 x 8', 8 x 10' and 12 x 16'.
On Etsy, these are listed at the 8 x 10' size. If there is a third, it is not far away.

Do you have any thoughts on what the third one might be?

Wolfy and a bit of sweetness for your wall

2009-10-29T12:27:00.004+11:00

This is the latest in the Otispepper range. Hot off the press. I call him 'Wolfy'.

The newspaper cuttings originated from a lovely lunch I had in a Japanese place where they had some 'take one' news papers. So I did and felt that the typography was so cool that it needed to be re purposed as a piece of art.
Wolfy is simply sleeping.

I hope you enjoy as I have enjoyed making the little fella.

If you like what I am creating and would like to see more or stay in touch, join the enewsletter (on the right of this page where it says 'stay informed') to see some beautiful art and ideas leading up to xmas and beyond.

Printable calendar a hit

2009-10-24T17:12:00.004+11:00

This Printable Calendar for 2010 by Mara Girling from Printspace is a great little idea for people who like to DIY with great looking design. It is featured on the Pinecone and Lola etsy store. There is some more information on the Printspace blog. If you have an inkjet or colour laser printer and some nice paper then you have what it takes to print your own 2010 calendar. It comes as A4 or as Letter format with 2 months on each page. The colours are kinda gelatti and retro - And I love retro. A nice fresh look and a great little gift idea. Nice one Mara. There is a special offer on this via the Printspace facebook fan page. Log onto it and find out more.

This place in your space

2009-09-04T18:41:00.004+10:00

I'm pleased to write that this magical place on the top of a lovely mountain is going to be part of the new series of art pieces in the Printspace and Otispepper collection. It is not available in the store yet but will be soon.
Mara and I are currently painting more of the Printspace little wonderous world. It's a colourful place where some unexpected colours, tones and shapes fly around the sky. We both have our paint splattered shoes on and our floppy french hats on. Don't ask me why..... it helps.
If you are interested in this rich art print, you might also like the others in the series called retro1, retro2, and retro3. If you would like a print of this one (retro 4), it will come in the art cards and signed in 6'x8', 8'x10' and 12' x 16' onto museum quality archival art print paper. Ikea do some reasonable simple frames. I think that these would work well with either a white frame or a wooden unpainted frame. Perhaps even something hand made as a frame with some glass.
That reminds me of some frames I saw which were made from flotsum - they would really match the type of feel - but something possibly abit simpler though so they don't overpower the art. It needs to be well balanced. Well, that's my 20cents anyway.

Rose street market

2009-08-16T13:00:00.001+10:00

Paul Rand on design

2009-08-05T18:43:00.001+10:00

Magnolia Square Event

2009-08-05T10:49:00.003+10:00

Magnolia Square

Come along and say hello at the Printspace store. We are looking forward to catching up with friends andfamily and meeting new people at the event. There are heaps of other store holders and some beautifully designed products.

You are invited!

Mavern Town Hall
Corner Genferrie Road & High St Malvern
Thur 6th August, 10am to 9pm
Friday 7th August, 10am to 5pm
Sat 8th August, 10am to 4pm

Printspace at Design Made Trade

2009-07-16T22:50:00.003+10:00

Both Mara and I have our artworks on show at the Design Made Trade Event currently on at the Royal Exhibition Building Carlton Gardens until This Sunday.
We both showing artworks under the brand name Printspace
The details of the event are here
trade shows

Printspace is represented by Dorothy & Evelyn.
DesignMadeTrade
Royal Exhibition Building,
Carlton Gardens, Nicholson Street
Open 10am - 5pm daily 16-19 July.
16-19 July (industry days)
18-19 July (public days - $10 entry)
Hope to see you there on the weekend.

Retro modern green and red chairs

2009-07-14T13:58:00.007+10:00

After a bit of a mix and match with colours, the result is a variety of greens and reds. I really like the way that each of the images give a sense of depth without really playing with the scale of the objects. (objects of desire!).
I can see these as a massive backdrop on canvas or as a floor rug.
The obvious third colour is a blue or a tan. Let me know your preference for a third colour in a comment.
These objects of desire are available in the shop at this link.

Original Paintings the process of removing the conscious mind

2009-06-01T16:12:00.001+10:00

It is probably better to look at these individually but just hold your hand over the others as you look.
I'm not sure that it is completely possible to totally disconect with thinking about the brush strokes and the content of the pictures as they are being created. However, these are a bit closer to it than the previous posts.
The top left one - there was a conscious idea to have a bit of white space in the picture. And in each I have retained a horizontal and vertical default to the paint strokes. And obviously there was a decision to use birds in the lower right image.
Hope you like.

original paintings June 2009

2009-06-01T15:59:00.000+10:00

The top right image looks like the odd one out. It was actually created with some verbal prompting from my oldest son Maxy. When I say oldest - he is 3. So that one is of a park with a playground. I remember my own love of slides as a little kid and how important they were to being happy.

The other pictures were created together with the idea of using the black ink in a relaxed doodling way.
After this I explored less consciously what I was doing with the paint. You will see a dramatic change. You will especially see less figurative elements than are present in these paint sketches

Original Paintings - exploration of paint and hand

2009-06-01T15:34:00.000+10:00

It's great to say that I have pulled out the acrylic paint and mixed it up on the canvas. For the most part I have avoided thinking too much about what these paintings are about as I continue to explore what is and is not working. If my paintbrush wanted to subconciously go somewhere, I consciously let it go there. I have found in the past that the conscious mind can wreck a perfectly good painting by overthinking every stroke. Deep.

The affect looks highly textured. There are a lot of tonal variations in some of the pieces.
Over the next few posts I'll show you a bit of a progression of style and affect. No alcohol was used in the production of these pictures.

Gone fishing

2009-05-19T18:22:00.000+10:00

As always, this little one was produced with a lot of love. Its for my little boys who went fishing for the first time recently. The playground equipment magnetic pull become a bit too much though on the day and we had to down rods for a bit. It also reminds me of being a little boy and a friend of mine really wants his boy to love fishing as much as he does. I had those people in mind also as creating this one. Spead the love.
This 'gone fishing' art print is 8 x 10. It is not yet in the online shops as it was produced especially for the markets that Printspace and Otispepper are holding this week. See below for details of where and when.

To market to market

2009-05-19T17:28:00.000+10:00

MAY! People MAY! 2009

Otispepper art prints and a new selection of cards will be available at the Printspace stall. Mara and I will be there. Please bring coffee. Hopefully you are in Melbourne and can make it to the marathon 3 day market. If you cannot make it to that one, we are going back to back with another market on Sunday in Preston. See below for details.

MAY! People MAY! 2009

Magnolia Square
Thursday 21st May, 12pm-9pm
Friday 22nd May, 10am-5pm
Saturday 23rd May, 10am-4pm
Brighton Town Hall
Cnr Wilson St & Carpenter St, Brighton
Melbourne Australia

Sonny & Coco Market
Sunday 24th May, 10am-4pm
Preston Town Hall
284-286 Gower St, Preston
Melbourne Australia

It's almost night time

2009-04-23T00:25:00.000+10:00

Getting the balance of green and red in this one was a pleasant challenge. When thinking of a title, I concluded with the reference to night time as a little helping hand for the mums and dads who need any extra bit of help in getting their little ones to bed on time. Shhhhh, it's almost night time....The little butterfly, the faint stars, the birdies that blend into the background are each placed in to the picture in a subtle way.
Can you see the cupid pencil sketch in the background?
I wanted the texture of the print to have a fabric feel about it. In a close up of the picture you can see the texture of the ink. I might look at printing this onto a more textured paper to increase that intentional effect.
This one is an attempt to create a mini world - something to look deeply into and find small calming things. Perhaps my little cut paper people can play in this world too. Lets see where this takes us.

Retro dream - art print on archival paper

2009-04-16T13:07:00.001+10:00

I've just managed to place this little gem in the otispepper shop. I'm looking forward to completing the other two beauties which are part of the set. This style is a loose like a goose.

It was inspired by a note received by AmyPerrotti. And thanks for your other thoughts.

memories of my old curtains

2009-04-15T12:19:00.000+10:00

While these are not my old retro curtains these were the colours in them for sure. The images here are of prints created from a beautiful paint brush, ink, quil pen and a meandering mind attempting to tap into the early 60s. I've been wanting to create a series of three prints following the same theme. And here it is. Possibly the first of a few new artworks. These would work beautifully up a bit larger as prints. I am thinking about making these about 12" x 16" See if you can spot the bunny rabbit. Have a great day!

sneak peeks - I love chairs postcard series

2009-04-14T10:48:00.000+10:00

This is what I have been thinking about most recently. With a love for shapes that give a sense of depth and also natural hand drawn lines - I have combined both into some ideas for a small range of postcards.
This is a crop on a larger design to give you a sneak peek. The pattern looks great in the full design. The lines were drawn using a quil, ink on paper.
I am currently working on a range of these prints in different colours rather than just doing a one off postcard.
I can just see these in neat line in little frames in our lounge room. Let me know if there is a specific chair you love and why.

In the room

2009-04-11T01:08:00.000+10:00

Tall bird 8 by 10 print

2009-04-10T00:46:00.001+10:00

Hot off the press. Tall Bird is saying chirp, chirp, tweet, chirp, oi.
I love this retro lamp shape and more typography coming your way.
This little tall bird is available in the shop.
Also, have a look at Mara Girlings artwork at www.printspace.etsy.com for more 1950s and 1960s inspired art

chirper bird

2009-04-09T02:45:00.000+10:00

Here is a bit of a sneek peek of a new picture that I have been working on.

Portrait

2009-04-07T13:01:00.000+10:00

Pat and Kate. A portrait

My Little Earthling

2009-04-06T00:53:00.000+10:00

Enjoying red at the moment. Is this a little earthling or an alien with leg-ins? let me know which you think this little fella is. Although, the fact that I have included the word Earthling is a bit of a clue. Even so, I'd still like to know what you think.

A hoot amongst the leaves - 8 x 10 Giclee print

2009-04-05T01:48:00.000+11:00

This lovely little lad is the latest in the Otis Pepper range. It is the first 8 x 10 print which is more convenient for framing.
I had a lot of fun creating this little dude. You could say that it was a hoot - but I would be taking advantage if I did that. So i wont say that.
You might see a little bit more of this little guy. He could become the new face of Otis Pepper.
I think I'll float off in the clouds now.
Find him in the store.

My Favourite Guitarist - A4 Giclee art print

2009-03-27T10:09:00.000+11:00

Recently I found out that a Neighbour teaches guitar lessons. I've have wanted to learn and have not known the best way - so this might be a good opportunity to stretch my mind.
I've been trying to figure out which eara is more influential on what I like in terms of art and graphics. I am thinking that 1961 and 1962 was a pretty amazing time in terms of art and design.
I have the 1961/62 graphis annual and feel such a connection with the imagery in this book. Until the next design book I pick up.
I think that this picture might make a great poster as well. I have it in the shop at A4 size but can also do A3. Shoot me an email if you like it to nick@girlingdesign.com.au

The Incredible Diver Man - A4 Giclee art print

2009-03-26T12:57:00.000+11:00

A man on a loud speaker calls out to the crowd - Lady's and Gentlemen, Boyz and Gargoyles.
Introducing the most amazing thing you have seen today. He is here. He is strong, he is fast. Yes...It's the Incredible Diver Man!. (insert loud applause, whistling and cheers - and a honk). There is a hush amongst the crowd - a small boy calls out. 'Your the best Incredible Diver Man'. The Incredible Diver Man waves to the small boy in the distance. He stands proud on the wobbly board. He knows no fear. There are drums, a swift jump and a perfect 10. A standing ovation. Raaaaa! The crowd goes wild. The most amazing dive by The Incredible Diver Man. Batteries not included.
This one is now in the otispepper shop. Are there any people that dive out there?

black bird thirds - giclee art print

2009-03-23T23:15:00.000+11:00

I've been creating what I call simple illustrations. Trying to keep the designs to as few shapes as possible. This one is in the shop

otispeper - the art of Nicholas Girling is back

2009-03-21T23:37:00.000+11:00

After a bit of a stint away from the internet and working on drawings and giclee prints, I'm back to show the world what I have been working on. I'll be placing some art onto the shop over the next few days. Here's an example of the sketchy style. I can't wait to see how they look in the shop. I'm aiming to keep a consistent look to the style of art.