Freelance illustrator and Saratoga local, Christine Friend, is celebrating her third collaboration with international craft company, Diamond Dotz.
Three of Friend’s designs now feature on the product which is being sold in over 25 countries.
The Australia owned company, Diamond Dotz, is a work of art consisting of making designs out of small rhinestones, known as facets, placed together in a pattern on an adhesive surface.
She said the collaboration with the company occurred following an accidental meeting with a company representative at the Terrigal Markets.
“I noticed this new artwork that was really beautiful, and I had not seen before,” Friend said.
“The artwork was made of these things they call facets because they have 13 facets on them, which reflect the light beautifully.
“I spoke to the lady who was selling them and asked them if they needed any artists because I thought maybe my artwork could go on their product.
“When they said they did, I put together a really good proposal with quite a few artworks and sent it through to the head of the company.
“It was quite amazing because he said, even though we live overseas, we are Australians and have some relatives who live close.
“Those relatives came and saw my artwork, and liked it, and coincidentally the head of the company was coming back to Australia.
“So I got a catalogue of over 50 designs together, and an exhibit and that was where it all started.”
Her three artworks titled Kibali Western Lowland Gorilla, Eastern Rosella Gathering and Mother on Guard, are now the branding art for the products.
“The founders have been in the business of producing tapestries and embroideries through their company, Needle Artworld, for over 20 years.
“They founded Diamond Dotz in 2016.
“Lots of people still don’t know what Diamonds Dotz is as it is quite new,” Friend said.
“But it is becoming a craft craze everywhere around the world.”
Friend has been a local artist for over 20 years and is known for her illustrations around Australian native flora and fauna.
“I love nature,” Friend said.
“I love getting out for walks and visiting zoos and nature reserves.
“Most of my illustrations are based on nature, whether they are geometric florals or realistic animal portraits.”
She said the Mother On Guard design was inspired by a visit to Oakvale Wildlife Park north of Newcastle.
“I saw a peahen with her chicks,” she said.
“The chicks were falling all over each other in the grass, oblivious to my presence, but the mother had her eye on me the whole time.
“One thing that makes Diamond Dotz different is they are very concerned about the environment.
“They make sure they comply with the EU and the standards in America and Australia.
“They have environmentally friendly adhesive, and even the dyes they put in the facets don’t have any harmful chemicals.”
Jacinta Counihan