winter 12
the joy of creation
Brigid Allan is this winter’s creative genius behind the artworks on our womens gear.
It was during a climbing season at Homer Hut, Milford Sounds that Brigid set out on the artist path when she found herself painting through the rain waiting for a fine spell to climb. A qualified Geologist and Industrial Abseiler, Brigid has focused on her art for the past 8 years, now painting through the fine spells as well!
With many solo exhibitions behind her, she continues to develop her art technically, emotionally and conceptually and is headed for Visual Arts study so she can teach her passion.
Brigid has worked with Chalkydigits a few times over the years, finding the design collaboration to be an exciting time creatively. “Inspiration comes from everywhere and when I least expect it, but my love for adventure and the outdoors keeps me connected to my surroundings, here too I find my inspiration. My favourite destination is always the mountains, the mountains, the mountains... this winter for a colossal snow fight with my kids!”
check out Brigid's gorgeous graphics on our
Roaring Twenties Loosefit Top and
Lucky Charm Merino Top.
summer 11.12
We have dreamed up some very special guests for our range this season; our spirited kokako features as both eye-catching graphics on our gear and as a breathtaking little beauty of a pin badge, the humble honeybee makes an appearance on our womenswear and so too does some of our native flora like the lovely ngaio.
Lianne Edwards is the creative nous responsible for many of the graphics in our Summer 11.12 range. Her focus is upon on nature-inspired art - just like us!
"For Chalkydigits Summer 11/12 range some works were inspired by old botanical and bird prints, such as the pencil and ink drawings of the ngaio and the peacock. Others involved taking more iconic images of natural New Zealand such as the kowhai pod, bee and the kokako with its masked eyes and gorgeous blue wattle and adding more graphic elements and pattern." Lianne, 2011.
We love that Lianne is as inspired by nature as we are and together we think we make a really good fit! Her kokako design was carefully reworked to become the limited edition "Our Hearts Beat For Kokako" pin badge from which all proceeds go towards preserving this endangered species.
"Working with Chalkydigits allows me to indulge in something I love to do, and that’s to draw, especially images of nature. I usually introduce elements of pattern and repetition in the work". Lianne.
We feel lucky to be able to utilise Lianne's inspired creativity and talent to bring you the freshest and finest chalkydigits styles! Check out Lianne's other work at the
Antoinette Godkin Gallery, Auckland.
winter 2011
the seasonal wheel turned dramatically in the winter of 2011; the chill nipped at our heels and crept in through the cracks, in fact most of New Zealand had a decent dose of snow! Finally we happily made way for crispy mornings up the mountains and cosy nights in by the fire…yuss!
Inspired by the story of our fragile kakapo and the rugged beauty of its forest home, our winter 11 offerings were all about getting back to basics; being stimulated by the outdoors and the beauty of our natural world, its history and conservation, after all, it’s where the wild things are!
So, we have meltingly good merino, warm woollies, heavy-duty pants, super stylish skirts and exciting accessories. Our graphics include native short-tailed bats, the fragrant Easter orchid and our distinctive night sky, so even if you can’t find a wild place this winter, wearing chalkydigits will take you there!
Mens Tiki Tour Merino
Deep down south the night sky is truly amazing; it’s mind-blowing how many stars and constellations we can see. Kakapo head out on night duties; missioning from one side of the island to another in search of food, adventure or a mate. Captain Cook navigated by these very same stars: tough job looking at those all night!
Mens Territory Merino Crew
James Cook’s arrival in Aotearoa in 1770 carried with it a truly disastrous cargo; an infestation of Norway rats that found their way ashore wherever the ship attached itself to land by rope or gangplank. These cunning carnivores were loosened and devastation was wreaked upon the native bird species.
Womens Wild Posy Merino Top
Our famed kakapo suffered tremendously from the rodent invasion, but efforts to conserve this species are slowly bringing it back from the brink of extinction. Here they are teamed up with our native short-tailed bat and unique flora, showcased in an emblem-style graphic.
Summer 10.11 graphic art…
The joy of creation...
chalkydigits is really keeping it crafty this sunshine season by basing our women’s graphics on the process of raw tactile creation. In these heady days of excessive digital design our women’s prints began their life the old-fashioned way – using the tried and trusted tools of pencil and paper.
Initially, the talented Lianne Edwards sketched out the primary images for us (see Kaka being sketched above). Next, we applied some innovative screen-printing techniques to these sketches to maintain the hand-worked feel of the drawing.
Our summer graphics share the sensory experience of making art the messy way; for us its about getting back to the guts of design; charcoal-stained fingers, splashes and spills of paint and surprising patterns that emerge from an over-eager application of colour.
Just like in nature...from creative chaos, beauty is born.
Lianne Edwards is an exceptionally talented New Zealand artist, having had great success with her nature-themed styles of art. In 2007, she won the Development Award in the Wallace Arts Awards and attended a 3-month arts residency at the Vermont Studio Centre, USA. She was also profiled in "Seen this Century - 100 Contemporary New Zealand Artists, A Collectors Guide" by Warwick Brown, 2009. Her works are held in the Auckland City Art Gallery's Chartwell Collection and the Wallace Collection. Her artworks are sold through the Antoinette Godkin gallery in central Auckland and can be viewed on the website www.antoinettegodkin.co.nz
Lianne’s original training was in the natural sciences; she has a BSc in Zoology/Cell Biology from the University of Auckland and worked in the conservation arena. Once her youngest child started school, she went back to study and obtained a Bachelor of Visual Arts from the Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology in 2006.
“My artwork usually focuses on the natural world, the environment around us, and my particular interest – New Zealand’s unique plants and animals. I like to re-use or recycle materials in my work, and chalkydigits philosophy of the sustainable use of resources and using local manufacturers fits in with my way of thinking.
The sketches I have done for Chalky Digits are based upon my love of nature, I like both the patterns of nature –such as the whorl of leaves, or the arrangement of petals, and the chaos evident in nature - the diversity of colour and form as seen with the butterflies. The butterflies also reference chaos theory and the butterfly effect, where small changes to living systems can have large and unintended consequences. I believe this emphasises the fragility and vulnerability of the natural world.”
Lianne's butterly vortex in full colour glory.
Goin’ wild this summer…
Whether its kiwi ingenuity or slack-lining you are into, our men’s tees are all amped up this summer to inject some bold colour into your life. Do you dare? Risk being awesome!
The great outdoors isn’t something that should be experienced inside your living room…get your toys and now, immediately, this second, go outside and get into it.
In collaboration with clever artist
Aaron Hogg, chalkydigits has produced bold graphics for the guys this summer, reflecting their uniquely kiwi attitude towards life in this land of the long white cloud. Some hearken back to the heady days of our ‘70’s youth, others represent a cheeky twist on modern day dilemmas. The inspiration for the one pictured below comes from the infamous slogan of the 60’s and beyond “Kill Your Television”.
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This message is just as apt for us kiwi’s today – we are incredibly lucky to have the rugged outdoors as our backyard – and what better way to whittle away the summer hours than to get into it!
Aaron has produced a substantial body of graphic designs across many genres. After stints as a motionographer, art director & graphic designer for the street/fashion industry he launched Ministry of Aesthetics in the spring of 2005. The company now boasts a wide range of clients from New Zealand & abroad. He also illustrates & designs under the moniker ‘hogboy’.
Check out his other works at
http://moadesign.net
