Introducing the Daisies for Days mental health series by Geelong artist Steph Chapman for Picnic Season.

 

This collection is inspired by Steph’s favourite soul-soothing places. It takes you from the banks of the winding Barwon River to her grandparents’ garden in suburban Geelong and colourful summers in Queenscliff and Byron Bay.

 

Steph has suffered from anxiety since her teens and truly believes nature is a mental health wonder.

 

Steph's anxiety got worse in early 2018 after finding out she needed a heart operation. Highly anxious, she struggled even leaving the house. Steph spent her days painting the flower-dotted places her anxiety kept her from. But, two cardiac procedures later, she found her way back to the flowers. She reconnected with nature in late 2020, and hasn’t looked back.

 

Daisies for Days captures this rediscovery.

 

While each of Steph's three designs are unique, tiny loveable daisies unite them. For Steph, daisies represent her inner child. They remind her to embrace nature like she did as a little girl.

 

Steph hopes this series reminds people to head into the great outdoors, arms and hearts wide open. To unwind on sandy shores. To heal on riverside trails. To make memories with loved ones under big, blue skies.

 

We hope Steph’s nostalgic wonderland brings you joy. In this colourful collection, the air is fresh, the daisies go on for days and the adventures await.

Meet Kasey Rainbow. First things first: Yup - Rainbow is her real surname. And as her name suggests, she is a lady of many colours.

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We are thrilled to team up for the second time with Melbourne Artist Deb McNaughton to bring you THE snazziest picnic gear of the Summer.

 

Deb explains how one of her fave designs, Leopard Love Story came to be.

 

STORY TELLING THROUGH ART

 

"Sometimes, I just paint abstract shapes and lines and squiggles until I’m satisfied it looks pretty enough to sell. But not this one. This one is a story about two leopards who never gave up on their love for each other.

 

Although separated by distance during the great migration in the Serengeti, their love song stayed strong and their hearts beat in sync to the same tune. They were destined to be together but it was going to take courage and determination.

They crossed raging rivers riddled with crocodiles and dry desert plains with no end in sight until finally, they were reunited and could walk through the rest of their lives together. Stronger, wiser and braver from their individual experiences.

 

Can you see the symbolic references between the artwork and the story?

 

Can you see the matching hearts amongst the leopard spots and on their noses?

 

Can you see the path they walk together once reunited and the colours to match the two different leopards?

 

Can you see the river? And the desert?"

Shop the Leopard Love Story Really Big Picnic Rug and the Really Cool Picnic Basket.

Sisters Bridget and Kylie are the creative duo behind the vibrant, hand-painted accessories label with a cult following, Poppy Lane Designs.  We sat down with Bridget for a virtual chat to talk all things Poppy Lane and our newest collab to bring you the hottest picnic gear of the Summer.

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