meet ngaio parr, the artist behind the 2023 frankie diary

Tell us a bit about yourself. Hi! My name is Ngaio (you say it nigh-oh) and I’m a creative director, artist and author living and working in Laurel Canyon, Los Angeles. I run my own independent studio where I work on publications, branding and identity, gallery projects and spaces. I also write a fortnightly recommendations newsletter called Some Things, and I wrote and illustrated a deck to help people through grief called the The Grief Companion. I love: hanging out with my husband and our blind Boston terrier, Iggy Pup; finding treasures at estate sales; throwing dinner parties in our backyard. The 2023 frankie diary is themed around Australia’s seasons. What’s your favourite season? Summer, hands down! I’m a real beach baby. All the best fruits and veggies are in season then, there are thunderstorms in the afternoon and fun holidays built in. I miss the Australian summer! What’s your favourite illustration or pattern from the diary? They are all my favourites! If I had to choose, I think the boots pattern is my true fave – mostly because I wish I owned those cowboy boots. How do you like to stay organised? I am a true believer in lists. If I don’t have it on one of my many lists, it’s not going to happen. The list always starts out neat and ordered, then the page ends up looking like an abstract artwork with all my notes. What’s your best tip for staying organised? Have all your lists, but prioritise only two or three tasks each day. Limiting your focus keeps you organised and able to get things done.