Van's Scribbles

My most recent artwork, on a recycled wooden board, for my mother.

Home 90 cm x 90 cm Acrylic on stretched canvas I poured so much love (and paint) into this. It represents the south coast of New South Wales, the scenes that flash by my window on familiar road trips winding through countryside and ocean. Should I continue this series?

Ibis Oasis Acrylic on stretched canvas 41 cm x 62 cm

My entry for the Burwood Art Prize 2021.

I have a head canon that following the whole “set a Basilisk on the school” incident, Ginny was a friendless pariah going into her second year so she naturally attracted the only other outcast in her year - Luna Lovegood. In fact Luna saw the whole Chamber of Secrets experience as an interesting conversation starter. So Ginny thought nothing of joining Loony Lovegood in the train carriage when she, Neville and Harry needed a compartment. Luna had proven to be a safe and reliable presence in Ginny’s life by that point. Their true friendship was forged during the Dumbledore’s Army years. But I like to think that their bond began when two insecure, lonely girls gave each other the liberating gift of kindness without judgement.

Big Mushrooms 29 cm x 42 cm Watercolour and ink

This one was a delight to create - I had missed working with watercolours! [ID: an illustration of tessellating mushrooms in red, orange and yellow].

Revival Acrylic on stretched canvas 54 cm x 44 cm This year, Greece celebrates 200 years of independence from the Ottoman Empire. The 25th of March has always been a significant date in our household. Both sets of my grandparents migrated from a town called Kalavryta, a place amid the mountains where I spent many months of my childhood on our family's regular pilgrimages to Greece. It was in this village, where my ancestors once lived, fought and died, that the Greek revolution began. This is my submission into the By George! Art Prize, run by the Foundation for Hellenic Studies. It’s my interpretation of what independence is good for: the process of rebuilding and revival. The Hellenic spirit has overcome every adversity across every era. Our culture endures.

I had a lot of fun on this commission. I was given the most exquisite brief, and it was a pleasure to bring Renuka and Nisha’s vision to life. 🖤🏴‍☠️ Commissions @ Vanessa.Papastavros@gmail.com 

Redrawing a 2016 oldie.

Holding Boundaries

Also known as don't text him back (even months later). More on my instagram @vanscribbles 

Check out my instagram @vanscribbles to see where I update my art regularly 

Along The Road’ By Robert Browning Hamilton

I first illustrated this poem in 2015 (which you can see here) but I’ve wanted to re-draw it for some time. Considering where I am at right now, it felt very fitting to return to it.

We need to love and nurture the child within us by parenting ourselves. That, to me, is the definition of self care. It means setting boundaries for ourselves as if we are our own parent. Eating whatever we want and staying up late and leaving no time for imaginative play is just as detrimental for us as adults as it would be for a child. We crave healthy boundaries. We need rest. We need to be our own mothers so we can live fulfilling lives. 

I wanted this drawing to be as dreamy as that scene from Ponyo (you know the one) where Granmamare Queen of the Sea first emerges. She, to me, represents the ultimate mother archetype. I need to watch a Ghibli movie. 

Conversations With My Higher Self

Conversations With My Higher Self

Hey fam, the reason I’m almost never active on here anymore is because I migrated to instagram. Go follow me there @vanscribbles 

Do not repost this artwork.