Sophie McPike

My main ‘thing’ is Illustration. I have very busy hands and a busy mind, so I like to keep things interesting by trying all sorts of mediums and techniques. Gouache, acrylic paint, Glass dip pen drawings, ink painting… you name it!

Each piece is hand crafted or hand made, poured over with love and enthusiasm. I really put my whole self into each thing I create and being able to create and express myself makes me beam every day.

The Nonsense Maker

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The Nonsense Maker is inspired by artist Emily May's imaginative adventuring alter ego, along with Melbourne’s many hidden secrets.

Starting out in 2016 with her business partner Sidonie by her side, the pair set out to bring a little more Nonsense to the world one illustration at a time.

Since then the brand has grown into a playful, fun, and whimsical collection of Australian made greeting cards, wall art prints, and stationery.

Popcorn Blue

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PopcornBlue was established by dreamer, illustrator and artist, Sarah Hardy in 2010. Her stand out artworks can be found at boutiques Australia-wide.

Children big and small, continue to love the delicious detail in every PopcornBlue illustration with many homes, nurseries and bedrooms adorned with the magical prints that are designed to delight.

The lovable collection of Australian fauna and story book animals celebrates Sarah’s stunning skill, wild imagination and passion for the furriest of friends.

With a background in graphic design and children’s storybook illustrations, Sarah is a seasoned professional and works from her home studio in Melbourne. PopcornBlue sells high quality archival prints, cards, tea towels, calendars and children’s storybooks illustrated by Sarah. Commissions are also invited.

Penny Louise Artist

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Penny Louise is a self-taught visual artist living in Melbourne; paramedic by trade, artist by nature. Penny Louise finds peace in the world of creating. As Picasso said, “art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life." 

Growing up in rural NSW, she was surrounded by native animals, farm life and the exotic animals at the local zoo. Having been fortunate enough to travel around the globe, Penny Louise has met flamingoes in the Galapagos, robins in Yorkshire and elephants in the jungles of Thailand, just to name a few. These creatures have sprung to life in her art from lazy lionesses to bright blue wrens. Today, she continues to be inspired by the world around her. Now you will find her on neighbourhood walks with her trusty hound, Walt; foraging leaves and searching for feathered friends, dreaming up her next painting.

Penny Louise uses watercolour, mixed media and digital drawings to create her works. Her art is about character. It captures the quirky personalities of animals of the world, letting their eyes and body language share their own little story. But it is not all about the animals, in her quiet moments, she also sketches Flanders poppies, gum leaves, king proteas and bicycles!

Her paintings are vibrant and subtle, quiet and bursting with personality. They are fun, original, honest and capture the vibrancy of life.

Monica McNab

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“I was just trying to find my place in this world. I have always drawn, painted and made gifts for family and friends. They always commented and said, 'you should sell that!' but I never took the comments too seriously.

It wasn’t until I returned from living in London, that things started to change. The global financial crisis had begun, and employment was very hard to find. I grew frustrated, so I started making things to sell at markets. A surprising thing happened - I found my true passion wasn’t just being creative, but making people smile and promoting sustainable living!“

Monica McNab, Founder of Monica McNab.