View from the Zoo

3×3 has just announced their winners for this year’s edition of the Children’s Show, a juried collection of illustrations and books for children. Just to get in, the majority of the eight judges have to vote for the piece. I’m very happy to announce that three of my entries were selected – one for a newspaper illustration about relaxing activities for kids during Spring Break, a second for a poster showing the handmade Bambino sled and, the third, for the ADzif line of blackboard wall decals «Memo». Congratulations to La Presse, goslide.ca and ADzif! 

All the winners will be published in the upcoming annual No.7. 3×3 is a magazine of international contemporary illustration, published in New York. In addition to the magazine, 3×3 organizes three juried shows each year and publishes an invitation-only directory.

Velvet Moustache, I love your sense of humour! The big Boyfriend, pictured above, is climbing into the hearts of many plush enthusiasts. Is it a bear or, what? Many of their inventions are inspired by animals and nature. Among others, there is Panda Mourant (right, center – save the panda!), Arctic Warrior (top right, kind of an owl), Esturgee (bottom right, a huge sturgeon), all made by hand with organic cottons and recycled materials in their studio in Montreal.

Velvet Moustache, I love the name! «Velvet, for the softness of the material and Moustache, because it’s cute and has personality.» says Majorie Labrecque-Lepage, who hails from a fashion background.  With her partner Benoit Massé, a graphic designer, they founded Velvet Moustache two years ago based on their common interests in ecology, ethics and crafts.

Velvet Moustache – where can I buy your creations?  Directly from their studio online, or if you are in Old Montreal you can stop by Galerie Zone Orange, a cafe-art gallery which offers a variety of handmade items by local artisans. Do you have a creature that you would like to see in 3D? Majorie does special orders.

Velvet Moustache – what is your most popular toy? «Popeye (below)  – people are really surprised when they realise they can take the eye out and play with it like a ball!»

You can see Velvet Moustache in person this weekend where they will be participating at Couture X-Press in Montreal, creating fashion, live, in front of an audience, starting at 21h.

Photos by Velvet Moustache, 2009

A couple of weeks ago I went to the zoo, not only to observe the fauna but also to browse the gift shop. I discovered a line of Australian wooden toys called Anamalz and I had to get more than one! My wife got the alligator, I got the panda and my parents are going to get the lion and tiger for Christmas – let’s hope they don’t read this post! Winner of an Australian International Design Award this year and awarded the top three-star rating by the Canadian Toy Testing Council for 2008, these environmentally friendly animals are conceived «through sketch drawings while drinking coffee and eating cake in Torquay, a little seaside town in Australia famous for surfing and surfclothing (Quicksilver and Rip Curl).» says Tim Scott, co-founder and business development manager. «We take the sketches and put them into technical drawings. I go to the lathe and turn the shapes, and attach the legs and materials according to the design. We then engage Darren Keating (Lion King 2) to do the illustrations of the faces and paintwork.» «We» refers to Tim and Louise Scott (who is at the origin of the concept and is the lead designer). Made from FSC maple wood, water based paints and fabrics made from recycled materials the toys are now being distributed by Russ Berrie. Congratulations, Anamalz!

PS : I would love to work around coffee and cake on the beach! Where is Torquay, anyway?