Winesmiths latest Limited Edition collab is here, featuring none other than South Australian illustrative artist; Billie Justice Thomson.
Billie’s work reflects her obsession with the kitsch, nostalgia, and iconic food imagery and for this Limited-Edition collaboration we asked Billie to create designs that reflected some of the flora planted around our vineyards, and to celebrate native Australian Bees that are a vital piece of biodiversity.
From an extensive list of the local flora from our winemakers, Billie narrowed down her selections and began creating her illustrations. The final selections included;
Winesmiths Premium Rosé - Oswald's Wattle Winesmiths Premium Semillon Sauvignon Blanc -Sweet Apple Berry WInesmiths Premium Shiraz - Grey Mallee Winesmiths Pinot Grigio - Dune Grevillea Winesmiths Sauvignon Blanc - Pimalea Daisy Bush Winesmiths Premium Cabernet Sauvignon - Square Fruited Mallee
We chatted to Billie about her thoughts on Winesmiths, sustainability, and of course, her journey to become an artist.
Tell us a little bit about your work and what led you to become an artist?
I’ve always been drawing since I was old enough to hold a pencil. It’s just something I kept doing, I was encouraged through school, I went to art school and studied painting and now here I am. I still pinch myself that I get to do drawings for a living.
Your work gives a nod to all things kitsch and nostalgia, what has inspired this?
I get the most pleasure from drawing things I have some kind of connection with. It makes sense for me to draw the things I love- both from the past and the present day. I like to think the affection for- or appreciation of the object is somehow imbued in the work.
What was it about Winesmiths that made you want to work with us?
I was excited to share my work with a new audience and bring some fun, some nature and Australiana to the iconic packs.
Tell us a bit about the different artworks you have created in collaboration with Winesmiths? From where did you draw your inspiration?
It was such a great process, we looked at the native plants that grow in and around the vineyards. Bees and native plants play an important role in the biodiversity of vineyards and untimely the wine itself. I’ve always been attached to natives, they’re so uniquely Australian. They’re so rugged and often a little bit strange.
And which is your favourite design and why?
In drawing I fell in-love with the little daisy the most, the pimlea daisy bush, it’s so sweet and a bit gnarly, just like native Australian flora should be. Now that I’ve seen the finished versions, the Rosé is my favourite.
What did you enjoy most about working with us?
It was great given so much creative freedom and trust. The process was really fun- from hearing from the winemakers about the local vegetation to studying and researching the plants and bees to then drawing in my studio.
Where can people find out more about you and your art?
The best place to see my current projects is my Instagram @billiejusticethomson and my website www.billiejusticethomson.com