Introducing my Newsletters

This year I've started writing some newsletter for some of my subscribers. I just wanted it to be a short read with just these categories:

1. An interesting factoid about a famous artist or art movement

2. A studio update

3. An art hack that's easy and quick

4. A school funny - comment or situation from my teaching

5. A book/film recommendation

So here's one of them for you to checkout. If you like them please subscribe to my newsletter. There's links on my website or send me a message. Feedback is welcome.

Art Snippets from March 2025

Hello and welcome to my humble monthly newsletter where I give you some short updates, studio news, a piece of art trivia and a cute story from my classroom. A special shoutout to my new subscribers, some of whom came to me through Delores Naskrent, my favourite artpreneur mentors. 

Let’s get to it!

Artist Trivia 

Few people know that Salvador Dali designed the Chupa Chup logo and much to his clients confusion he insisted on positioning the logo on top so that it could always be seen when eaten. The daisy shaped red and yellow logo design has been around since 1969. Dali is said to have designed it in less than an hour on the back of a napkin! He never disclosed what he was paid for it but some say it was a million bucks. 

Studio update

My focus for March was pitching my latest designs to The Dairy and Casetify. I heard back from the CEO of The Dairy very quickly which was exciting. She said my designs were lovely and she’ll keep them on file for consideration next season. Fingers crossed. I’m still working on growing my listings on some other ‘print on demand’ websites and am pleased with the sales growth so far  (Cardisle, Redbubble, Spoonflower, Cloth Cuts, Etsy and Creative Marketplace). I also got outside my comfort zone for an artmaking weekend workshop with painter, Anna Blatman and internationally renowned art weaver, Natalie Miller. There’s some photos on Insta. We combined this with a trip to the glorious Southern Highlands Flower Farm where we picked a huge bunch of Dahlias. Prepare to see more of these gorgeous flowers in my art work! 

Art Hack

60-30-10 rule - You may have heard before that the secret to an artwork can lie in a limited colour palette. Well, this aligns with the 60-30-10 rule used in art compositions, pattern making and interior design. 60% is the dominant hero colour and/or motif, 30% is the secondary and 10% the accents sometimes referred to as a ‘pop’ of colour or a ‘hint’. Following these rules can lead to a more harmonious, easy on the eye colour palette that doesn’t give people sore heads. 

School Funny 

Walking into school one spring day, I felt pretty good as I was wearing my new linen shirt which was decorated in bright orange and pink hibiscus flowers. With my class lining up outside the room one of my students approached me. ‘Get back into line Tommy,’ I said. 

‘But Mrs Golding, I have to tell you something, it’s important.’

As he walked in I asked him what he’d like to tell me. 

‘Mrs Golding,’ he said confidentially, ‘this isn’t Hawaii’.

Books/films

I’ve almost finished the short series called ‘Adolescence’ written by Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham. The series is directed by Philip Barantini. Listening to one of the writers who stars in the film and how he hopes that it starts some discussions around teenage violent crime. The series highlighted to me that there’s a whole other language and agenda going on with young people and that through the online world there is little to no protection or monitoring happening there. Food for thought. 

Have a great April and would love to hear from you with your news or funnies over March. Take care. Xx

Michelle