Fresh from the Studio: A Little More LilliBean Magic

There have been quite a few things happening behind the scenes here in the LilliBean studio lately.

Between painting, preparing for markets, working on projects that have been quietly developing for years and attempting to keep up with the occasional creative side quest, I’ve managed to add a few lovely new things to the LilliBean shop.

Some have been a long time coming. Others are new ways to enjoy artwork that has already found its way into the world.

And a couple of them are projects that I am particularly excited to finally share.

So, come into the studio for a cuppa, and see what’s new, what’s coming and what I am loving creating at the moment. 

1. The Release: A Little Reminder to Let Go

Last week on the blog, I shared the story behind the latest painting to come off the LilliBean easel. 

The Release was a beautiful reminder to let go, to paint slowly, to let her emerge in her own time, with each layer revealing more of the story of her and for her to share the lessons I needed to learn about releasing myself. 

Sometimes, we need to release our expectations of how things should unfold and simply allow them to become what they’re meant to be.

The original painting found her new home at the Canberra Handmade market, but I’m delighted that her story can continue through a collection of fine art prints.

The response to Release at the markets was incredible. There were so many beautiful and heartfelt comments, some of which made me a little teary and I had many requests to be notified when I finally listed prints in the shop.

For me, there is something lovely about knowing that a painting can continue its journey beyond the studio, finding its way into different homes and becoming part of someone else’s story.

2. A WHOLE YEAR OF WHIMSY: THE 2027 LILLIBEAN ART CALENDAR

One of my favourite annual projects is creating the LilliBean Art Calendar. 

There is something rather wonderful about gathering together twelve pieces of artwork and imagining them accompanying someone throughout an entire year.

The 2027 LilliBean Art Calendar is now available to preorder!

This year’s calendar features twelve of my original artworks, bringing a little colour, wonder and whimsy to each month.

It’s A4 portrait, wire-bound and designed to be genuinely useful, with plenty of space to write down all the things that make up our wonderfully messy, beautiful lives.

Birthdays. Appointments. Adventures. Market days. Those little reminders that we inevitably forget if we don’t write them down.

And, of course, a new piece of art to enjoy every month.

Deciding on which twelve paintings will be featured each year can be a daunting task. Which painting goes on the cover? Which one do I want to see in my birthday month? Is the balance between collections right? 

The past two years’ calendars have featured Oracle paintings, but this year there is a mixture of my portraits, the tarot queens and the Moonscape collections.

I love the idea that the calendar becomes more than something hanging on the wall. It’s a little collection of art that accompanies you through the changing seasons and all the ordinary and extraordinary moments in between.

Preorders are open until 15 November 2026.

3. The LilliBean Oracle: A Little Magic in the Making

Oh, the Oracles.

If there was ever a project that demonstrated how one little idea can grow into something considerably bigger than originally anticipated, this would be it.

What began as a collection of paintings slowly developed into a 44-card oracle deck, complete with a guidebook and companion workbook.

And now, after many years of painting, writing, editing and more editing, the LilliBean Oracle is moving closer to becoming something you can actually hold in your hands.

The deck has been created as a gentle invitation to pause, reflect and reconnect with yourself.

Each card carries its own message and encourages you to explore what that message might mean in your own life.

There are no rules to follow, no predictions about what you should do and certainly no expectation that you need to have everything figured out.

Just a little space to listen to yourself.

I never expected, when I started creating the Oracles, how much I would learn about myself, how much my artistic style would evolve, and how it would be the writing of the guidebook that would be the hardest part of the process. 

There have been times when I wondered if I would even finish this project, and now that I am in the final stages, I can’t quite believe it. I am excited, scared, sick and relieved all at one time. 

I’ve always believed that a little whimsy can be found in the everyday, and the LilliBean Oracle is another way of inviting that whimsy into our lives.

Preorders are now open, with production and delivery updates to follow as everything comes together.

4. THE TAROT QUEENS: LITTLE ART CARDS WITH PERSONALITY.

Another lovely little addition to the shop is a collection of six A6 art cards featuring my Tarot Queens.

These include the High Priestess, the Empress and the Queens of Wands, Cups, Swords and Pentacles.

Each has her own personality, symbolism and story.

I originally created these paintings as part of my exploration of the feminine archetypes found within tarot, interpreting each character through my own colourful, whimsical style.

And now, they’re available as individual pieces of art that you can enjoy without needing to find space for another original painting.

Pop one in a little frame, tuck one into your journal, add one to your creative space or send one to someone who might connect with her particular energy.

I have always been drawn to the Empress, but after painting the Queens, I find myself drawn to the Queens of Pentacles and Swords. However, since painting the collection, I find that when I use my own card, the Queen of Wands pops up all the time!

One of the things I love about creating these smaller pieces is that they make collecting art a little more accessible.

You don’t necessarily need a large wall, a special occasion or an elaborate reason to surround yourself with artwork that makes you feel something.

Sometimes, a little piece of art (or an art card) is enough.

A Little Piece of the Studio for You

Looking at all these new additions together, I’m reminded of just how many different directions my creativity likes to wander.

From original paintings and tiny art cards to calendars and an entire oracle deck, each project begins with a little spark of curiosity and eventually finds its own way into the world.

And while they might all look quite different, they’re connected by the same idea.

That art doesn’t have to be reserved for special occasions or grand spaces. It can be something we invite into our ordinary days.

It’s something that makes us smile when we walk past it. Something that encourages us to pause. Something that reminds us to notice the little bits of beauty and magic that are so easily overlooked.

And as we move out of winter and fully into spring (for us it’s more early summer at the moment!) I  love looking back and seeing what I made during those long winter nights,.

If something has caught your eye, you’re very welcome to pop over to the shop and have a wander.

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