Poster girl

Artist Henrietta Harris. Photo / Supplied

Henrietta Harris will showcase some of her distinctive illustrative works as part of Ruby Boutique's Paint Your Heart Out exhibition this weekend, alongside two other local female artists, Kelly Thompson and Shayna Quinn. The exhibition aims to act as a "celebration of the joy of picture-making", with the chance to buy limited edition works from all three artists.

Harris' illustrations have featured on gig posters and record artwork for bands here and overseas, including The Mint Chicks, Brand New Math and Cut Off Your Hands, as well as on T-shirts and on walls around town. If you've been into Tatty's Designer Recycle on Ponsonby Rd you will have seen her work: she drew the cute dogs on the wall by the counter. Her original artworks for the Ruby showcase - and those of Thompson and Quinn - will be available from Ruby stores throughout New Zealand until Christmas.

Ten favourite things

1 Penguin money box

I got this in Melbourne at the Chapel St Bazaar a few years ago. I don't know how old it is but he has such a nice little face. I'm guessing maybe from the 60s? My brother likes penguins way more than me but I kept it for myself.

2 Dog handkerchief

When I was little I used to suck my thumb, but for some reason would only do it if I was holding some soft fabric in my other hand. I stole this out of Granny's drawer and she let me keep it. As you can tell I really, really liked it. I'm thinking of framing it.

3 Sketchbooks

I've kept sketchbooks my whole life, I write quotes and try new things and practise drawing and stick pictures I like in them. I am, however, a bit apprehensive about showing them to too many people as it will spill the beans on how weird my brain is.

4 Muji watch

I bought this from Muji in Japan in August. It is supposed to be for men but I don't care. Best design ever. It is automatic, I thought it had stopped working so paid $20 to get it opened. Turned out it just stops if I don't wear it and needs to be shaken to work again. Amazing.

5 Vic Reeves art

You should check out Vic Reeves' drawings. I bought a set of cards which are all Elvis-themed, saying things like 'Hey Elvis, doing the ironing?' with a picture of Elvis doing the ironing. And 'Hey Elvis, on your way to the shops?' They also came with a set of caravan postcards, with the people Reeves imagined living in each caravan written underneath. "Striesland B", "The Corrs". He is a genius.

6 ESG You're No Good 7-inch record

This is so great, You're No Good backed with UFO, on Factory Records, so the artwork rules. The illustration is by someone called T.J. Boulton who I know nothing about. ESG are three sisters from the Bronx, named Emerald, Sapphire and Gold. Their CDs are easy to find, you should check them out.

7 Cape by Zara Woman

I mentioned to my bestie Aimee that I liked capes, and she went and found me the best cape in the universe. Double-breasted, woollen, and the right length. Admittedly it's a bit awkward to wear every day, but makes me feel like $100 when I do.

8 Ram head ring

I bought this ring a few weeks ago in New York but it makes the top 10 list easily. It's from a jewellery shop in Williamsburg called Catbird which was recommended to me by a friend, and well worth the trip. They're at 219 Bedford Ave if you're ever in the area. Such great jewellery. Wish I was rich.

9 Typography book

Mum dug this up from somewhere when I started making posters and getting into design. I have no idea where it is from because it doesn't have a cover and Mum is in Mexico so I can't even ask her, but by the looks of the page titled Key To Modern Posters, I'd say it's definitely not very modern. Hey, this would also look good in a frame.

10 Ward Zwart zines and drawings

Ward Zwart is an artist from Belgium whom I love. He had a show at Liberty Gallery last year which was incredible.

I admire how prolific he is and how effortlessly he creates such great drawings. I own a few of his zines and a few of his pencil sketches which I never tire of looking at.