November 17, 2008
designer melissa gardner
Melissa Gardner is another creative woman that I contacted for the upcoming real living "handmade" feature. While her "day job" is as a graphic designer at Brisbane design studio Jolt, she also spends considerable time and love painting Russian Babushka dolls for Nushka Dolls. And with what little spare time she has left over Melissa also does part-time assistant teaching at Shillington College to share her knowledge with emerging talent.
Which five words best describe you? Creative. Passionate. Sarcastic. Organised. Silly.
What's your proudest achievement? Buying my first unpainted Babushka doll - it was just going to be a gift for a friend but has now turned into a fabulous hobby where I get to create more and more!
Who inspires you? Every day I come across new people who inspire me. Flickr is my main source of inspiration - there are so many fantastic artists/illustrators/designers/photographers on there that inspiration is endless! One of my long-time sources of inspiration is Dick Bruna who created Miffy. I love his style. I also love my boyfriend who inspires me every day with new creative endeavours.
What are you passionate about? Design. Art. Photography. Music. Classic cars. Not-so-classic cars. Traveling. Dreaming. Good food. Great coffee.
What's your proudest achievement? Buying my first unpainted Babushka doll - it was just going to be a gift for a friend but has now turned into a fabulous hobby where I get to create more and more!
Who inspires you? Every day I come across new people who inspire me. Flickr is my main source of inspiration - there are so many fantastic artists/illustrators/designers/photographers on there that inspiration is endless! One of my long-time sources of inspiration is Dick Bruna who created Miffy. I love his style. I also love my boyfriend who inspires me every day with new creative endeavours.
What are you passionate about? Design. Art. Photography. Music. Classic cars. Not-so-classic cars. Traveling. Dreaming. Good food. Great coffee.
What's the best lesson you've learnt? Creativity takes courage - Henri Matisse.
Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? Dick Bruna and any other creative illustrators who inspire me.
What's next? More dolls! I'm planning to expand my current spectrum of designs into even more contemporary colours and patterns! Maybe some cute little animations?
What are you reading? I'm a big magazine buff - just bought 3 new ones on the weekend. Really love all design-related mags and also Frankie is a good read too!
Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? Dick Bruna and any other creative illustrators who inspire me.
What's next? More dolls! I'm planning to expand my current spectrum of designs into even more contemporary colours and patterns! Maybe some cute little animations?
What are you reading? I'm a big magazine buff - just bought 3 new ones on the weekend. Really love all design-related mags and also Frankie is a good read too!
Images courtesy of Melissa Gardner