Looking for fun and fabulous wooden letter blocks for your child's room? Nicole from ABC Paintings is the person to see. Printed from handpainted artwork, they are a bright and funky and able to sit on a shelf or be mounted on a wall. Nicole also makes stunning Kiwiana blocks and triptychs too. Here, she shares a glimpse into her creative world...
Who is ABC Paintings?
Nicole Bitossi. I came up with the idea of ABC Paintings while trying to create some funky artwork for my son’s room. I am a stay at home mum, before that I was a Landscape Architect, and I’m about to start studying again this year. Very busy but I always seem to find time for new creations!
What’s your “handmade groove ?”
I love creating things. Some I am better at than others (ie I enjoy sewing but I don’t think anyone else would enjoy my sewing!) My favourite is painting. Before starting ABC Paintings I did mostly landscape paintings, (which I still do on occasion) but find kids paintings a lot more fun! I love being able to use more outrageous colour combinations and design.
What’s on your bedside table right now? (hey, no tidying up or censoring)
A lamp. That’s all. My little boy has just started pulling himself up on furniture, so after walking in to find him one day with a glass of water tipped onto the floor and him chewing on my phone, it now stays pretty empty!
Who are your creative role models? What music, books, images, poetry spark your creative fire?
I find inspiration mostly from checking out local markets, galleries and exhibitions. I love seeing what other people have done and always come away with new ideas. I think music also plays a big part – some of my best ideas have come from taking a long walk with my ipod.
What could you talk late into the night about with like minded people?
Not much to be honest – I am a bit of an early bird! However with good friends and a good wine I could happily chat away about travel, books, gardening and just about anything else.
If you could go to three free workshops/creative events this year which ones would they be? What are they about?
I would love to learn some new painting techniques, and maybe experiment with mixed media. Also photography and sewing – I am pretty hopeless at them but always room for improvement!
How do you balance your creative life with your family, life commitments?
I am lucky to have a very supportive family, and a baby who sleeps a lot! I get most of my work done while he’s asleep.
What is your favourite creative screw-up?
ABC Paintings is the result of my favourite creative screw-up. I was trying to try a bit more varied work but had real trouble drawing animals. They usually turned out looking cartoony and more like kids drawings – perfect for my kids artwork!
Kitchen table or studio?
I have taken over my husbands man cave – he is not too happy about it!
Do you have a wish list? Can you tell us what’s on it?
To have more time to work on new pieces, and to get a bigger following for ABC Paintings
You can find ABC Paintings products ... here
And follow on Facebook ... here
Just popped over to your FELT page to have a look at the Kiwiana Blocks, real cool my favorites Nicole, cheers Marie
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