The Art and Life of Nell McKellar

Blog has moved.

2010-11-28T21:02:00.001-08:00

Yeah, I know this blog was already kind of dead, but I have a new one!

Photoshopping existed before Photoshop

2010-09-01T03:59:00.000-07:00

Think heavily airbrushed photos of models and celebrities are a modern invention of this image-obsessed world? Think again!

Whilst browsing online through some old photos I came across this doozy- from a hand-coloured postcard from the 1930s.

I immediately noticed there was something unsettling about her face, then was drawn to an obvious lighter area beside her chin- why those dirty bastards have shaved off her chin!

Observe:

They have also shaved off some of her cheek below her nose.

The poor lass- having a normal sized chin is extremely unfeminine!

Tinting photos was common practice before coloured film, but it is funny to see even back then people went to pains to create an idealised beauty. Some things don't change!

Old Things Have Soul

2010-07-27T03:35:00.002-07:00

It's true... :)

Click image for larger version

I really love using ink pens for intricate work...

My Fave Bohemian Queens

2010-07-22T04:06:00.000-07:00

I am going to try to feature people past and present (but mostly past) whose style really inspires me, or whose work puts me into a cold sweat (in a good way).

First up is 70s disco artist Sylvester. Who is (or was, as the case is) Sylvester? He was the flamboyant and gender-bending queen of disco.

A really great album cover, totally retro-awesome.

Total and utter 70s bohemian cool. Only a true diva can rock that amount of jewellery and still make it look casual.

I must admit, I didn't know who Sylvester was until I bought a compilation of Disco hits a few years ago during my disco phase (Yes, i am daggy enough to really like disco and daggy enough to have a disco phase, but that's another story entirely). His song You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real) is in my opinion, one of the best disco songs ever.

A man after my own heart. Reclining in bohemian splendor.

He probably appeals to me because of my unhealthy obsession with sequins.

Only recently I saw the video to the song You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real) on Rage. It's very camp and giggle-worthy but I just love it!

It's well worth the watch, especially for the dancers, his awkward pointing at the camera and the fantastic nightclub it was shot in.

He died of complications from AIDS in 1988 but his awesome music will live on!

Not too Shabby...

2010-07-22T03:59:00.000-07:00

I came runner-up in a t-shirt design contest run by Supre, and scored myself a $50 Supre voucher. I submitted my "Dreams in Hair" illustration.

http://www.yenmag.net/fashion/supre-winner/

Congrats to the winner!

Dreams In Hair

2010-06-23T04:10:00.000-07:00

This piece evolved from a random sketch. It just flowed right out of me.

It's meaningless really, just some eye candy.

That must be a faux-pas, for an artist to say a piece is meaningless. Well I don't care!

Creature Feature- From My Sketch Book

2010-06-23T03:47:00.000-07:00

A peek from my sketch book, some cute little critters! I love drawing animals- real and make believe. It is something I should do more.

I used to specialize in creatures when I was younger- around 16 and 17. Dragons were a specialty!

From My Sketchbook

2010-04-23T03:56:00.000-07:00

Sketched tonight while watching TV - Emma Booth from this month's cover of YEN magazine.

Loving her work (and vintage wardrobe) on Underbelly - The Golden Mile.

It's always time for tea or coffee!

2010-04-06T23:29:00.000-07:00

Two new illustrations I finished today - Time for Tea and Time for Coffee.

www.nellmckellar.com

Vintage Pretties

2010-04-03T19:31:00.000-07:00

My handmade vintage earrings over at http://www.nellmckellar.com!

All are made using mostly vintage materials, and all are one-of-a-kind. Serious vintage glamour

Take a look! :)

2010-03-30T21:42:00.000-07:00

I'm having a bit of a "nothing" day as I've been looking after my puppy who was desexed on Monday. Trying to keep her quiet and resting is near impossible! Just before she was madly racing around the yard, with me screaming after her (which only made things worse). Thankfully she is asleep right now. I can't wait for things to go back to normal!
While she was having her "supervised" outside time in the yard, I decided to use the time to make a terrarium.

In it I placed two small porcelain dogs.

Also, the other day I found this awesome bag at an op-shop. It's from the 50s or 60s, and it's a "lucky penny" bag, as there's a small plastic pouch inside which (usually) holds an Australian penny- except someone had removed it! Grrr!
Instead, I've decided to put one of my Moroccan Dirhams inside. I'm sure that will bring me all sorts of luck!

It's now my "every day" bag. I've reached a point where I can't stand all that new mass-produced shit out there. Recently I've bought a few dresses from the 70s and 80s and I noticed that ALL of them were made in Australia! How rare it is to find Aussie-made clothing now!

Breathe new life into an old pair of shoes!

2010-03-18T03:38:00.000-07:00

I had a great pair of shoes that were a faux leather metallic mint green. I wore them into the ground and they got so scuffed and sad I considered throwing them away. Then I realised they had potential for a second life. So I painted them a bright metallic lime green. And I wore them into the ground again (and got LOTS of comments along the way).
I was going to paint them green again then I thought perhaps they had potential for a third life.
So I painted them the green again, then COVERED them in green glitter!

So how did I do it?
I covered the entire shoes with binder medium using a large paint brush, then while still wet, I sprinkled the glitter on small amounts at a time, tapping the excess off and spreading the glitter evenly with a paint brush.
When that layer dried, I applied more medium, then more glitter until I was satisfied with the thick coverage. Then when dry, I applied further coats of the binder medium to seal the glitter.
It's very messy work so I had my table covered in newspaper! I still got glitter all over myself though!

Don't laugh at my veiny feet! I like them.

They are seriously sparkly! The photos do not do them justice! I'm a total glitter junky.

I have already worn them a few times and they are holding up well, with minimal glitter loss.

I'm not sure of the longevity of my work, instead it's all about prolonging the life of a great pair of shoes in an imaginative way!

I have even glittered another pair of shoes, this time a pair of heels in holographic silver glitter. Photos coming soon!

Welcome

2010-03-17T16:47:00.000-07:00

Hello and welcome to my blog (if anyone is reading!). I plan to make this blog an offshoot from my regular site http://www.nellmckellar.com with art updates, links to cool sites and also some creative and crazy ways to breathe life into your wardrobe. It will also showcase my love of all things vintage, with a look into my wardrobe at some of my favourite vintage pieces.

So stay tuned!