We are so thrilled to receive a surprise gift for our baby Grayson. This year, I have been corresponding with one of my Retro readers from Down Under. Her name is Michelle Glen, an amazing Aussie artist. She is Retroppo Design and creates incredible retro hand painted ceramic art.

She made a fabulous retro name plate for our son Grayson Danger Cain. It has retro boomerangs, amoeba, rockets, starburst satellites, etc. All the things we like. Wow!

Michelle was kind enough to answer a few questions for Retro Info.

Where do you go to school?

I do classes at "Kew Ceramics" in Melbourne. I originally completed a certificate of promotional display, which covered, some photography, finished art, graphic art, window dressing, ticketwriting & point of sale displays etc. I then was employed as a ticketwriter (signwriting) working for some major retail stores as, David Jones, Georges, Liberty Mews (Laura Ashley), Chocolate Box, Bunnings, Freedom, Harvey Norman & Ikea.
While at Ikea I also was given the opportunity to work o/s setting up a store in Mallorca, Spain, before we started OUR family.

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Where did you get the name Retroppo Design?

"Retro" came about because of my love of anything different or unusual. The "troppo" came from my love of collecting pineapples.

What is the process of creating a name plate such as the one you made for Grayson?

I choose a greenware item, & proceed to prepare it by sanding off the imperfections left over from the slip mould. I then brainstorm & sketch my design with a rough idea of colours to be used. As I like to use a lot of colours it takes a lot of planning as you have to start with the lightest colours first. I use a product called wax that I paint over the details so I can then layer the colours. It has a first firing & then I glaze it ready for it's final firing.

How did you get into retro design?

I think my parents helped shape my "retroness". From a very young age I would spend many happy times at our "Mitzi" 8 seater kitchen setting, drawing & colouring. Ticketwriting was at it's prime in the mid-century so a lot of "how to" lettering tet books were published & never updated, so they have that great "retro" look which I have grown to love. I'm also an avid collector of mid-century which also has influenced me immensely!

Is retro design a trend in Australia?

Definetley! Melbourne is the Capital City of Retro in Australia.

Where do you get your inspiration?
Many things inspire me, but most of my inspiration comes from my dear friend Andrew who passed away 5 years ago. We shared alot in common, which is quite scary, he inspired me sooo much when he was nearing the end. He was a ticketwriter and also a huge Elvis fan. I am convinced he too was born in the wrong era. Magazines and the internet also inspire me. And, of course my 4 beautiful children are a huge inspiration...by getting away from them to do class! (Oh, I do love them, but making "time for me" has been an inspiration in itself).

Who are your favorite artists/designers?

Charles and Ray Eames, Harry Bertoia, Featherston, Frank Lloyd Wright, Shag, Keith Haring and all Scandinavian designers.

You seem to be immersed in retro design, including your home, decor, art, etc.

Please tell us about your unique retro home and some of your favorite decor/collections.
We bought our mid century modern home back in 1988. It is located in the beautiful Dandenong Ranges, 38 kms east of Melbourne.
We laughed when the realtor told us that the unique retro columns on the front balcony light up. My love affair started with our home and we have lovingly renovated it over the years to suit it's era.

I am also an interior decorator hobbyist. I have collected several pieces of furniture, lighting and now have a large collections of original housewares. You can never have enough. One of my favourite past times is to browse through thrift stores to discover that illusive piece. I am also an Ebay addict. I find a lot of my collectibles online. My fave collection at home is my pineapple collection. I have everything from a plate, to an ice bucket, to a table lamp. I think the family holiday as a child to "The Big Pineapple" in Nambour, Qld started all of that!

What current or upcoming art projects are you working on?
I am currently working on Christmas plates and baubles. I have been asked to do a plate for a wedding chapel early in the new year.

Thank you Michelle for the interview. We appreciate the wonderful gift plate you made for Grayson. We will display it with pride in his nursery and I will use it to serve him his first slice of birthday cake next year.

Michelle Glen
Retroppo Design
email Retroppo@yahoo.com