meet the artists behind the 2026 frankie calendar

If you didn’t already know, our 2026 calendar is schmick as chips. Chock full of a dozen rad artists, your new year is looking quite lovely indeed thanks to their handiwork. We caught up for a chinwag to pick the brains of some of the creatives behind these 12 dreamy artworks – each of which comes with a perforated edge, so you can hang onto your favourite prints long after the month is over. Don’t forget to get your mitts on the frankie 2026 calendar by visiting the frankie shop or one of our friendly stockists.

ALICE LINDSTROM is an artist and illustrator based in Adelaide/Tarntanya. She injects a sense of vibrancy into the many mediums she works across, including paper collage, painting, papercut and drawing.

What are you looking forward to in 2026? A reduction in the ongoing violence and global unrest across the globe. I also hope there's more drastic action taken on environmental issues. We only have one planet.

Describe your perfect New Year’s Eve. Somewhere in nature, away from crowds, watching the starry sky and reflecting on the past year with people I love.

What are you hoping to leave behind in 2025? A constant feeling of never being quite enough.

What are you hoping to take with you into the new year? A sense of hope and optimism and more self-acceptance.

CASSIE BROCK is an illustrator and designer based in Melbourne/Naarm. She enjoys creating bright and playful illustrations, exploring pops of colour.

What are you looking forward to in 2026? I became a mum last year, so I’m looking forward to seeing my baby learn all sorts of new things. I also can’t wait to draw more and try out some new ways of creating art.

Describe your perfect New Year’s Eve. My perfect New Year’s Eve would be a cosy night in with friends, family, snacks and a nice glass of wine. 

What are you hoping to leave behind in 2025? Self-doubt! Taking on a new mum role can be full of it, so here’s to less of that in both life and work!

What are you hoping to take with you into the new year? Lots of playfulness and silliness, and brand-new ways of thinking. 

GRACE WILKINSON is a painter based in Moutere, Aotearoa New Zealand. She’s drawn to scenes of natural landscapes and is currently experimenting with acrylic.

What are you looking forward to in 2026? I’ve just had a baby and we’re currently living in a tiny house while we build another home, so my art space has been taken over by nursery items. I’m looking forward to settling into our new home and life, and also finding a new rhythm of painting and looking after our baby!

Describe your perfect New Year’s Eve. Staying at a cute seaside bach with my favourite people, eating fresh fish tacos, sipping a gin and tonic and ending the night with an impromptu boogie!

What are you hoping to leave behind in 2025? My bad habit of holding onto too many clothes. I feel like I’m in a perpetual state of culling and I’m so ready to only own a thoughtful collection of quality clothes I love that I can wear time and time again.

What are you hoping to take with you into the new year? The presence and simplicity that having a baby is teaching me.

CAROLYN HAWKINS is a graphic designer, illustrator, animator, printmaker and painter based in Melbourne. She dabbles in a variety of mediums, playing with colour and texture.

PEY CHI is a multi-disciplinary artist based in Melbourne. She is inspired by all things kitsch and cute, and works across ceramics, hand-poke tattooing, drawing and more.

NERYL WALKER is an artist, illustrator and designer who draws inspiration from vintage and nostalgic motifs. Her work is a love letter to mid-20th century pop culture.

EMMA HOLLINGSWORTH (aka Mulganai) is a proud Kaanju, Ya’u and Girramay artist based in Brisbane/Magandjin. Her work explores stories of culture, Country and connection through contemporary Aboriginal art.

What are you looking forward to in 2026? I’m looking forward to growth both personally and in my art. I want 2026 to be a year where I feel more grounded, independent and excited about the future. I’m looking forward to new opportunities, travels, connecting with more people, and creating artworks that feels like the next level of who I am. 

Describe your perfect New Year’s Eve. My perfect New Year’s Eve would be simple but meaningful, surrounded by good people, good food, laughter, music and peace. Maybe watching fireworks, maybe sitting under the stars, maybe even having a movie night as the clock ticks over. As long as there’s warmth, connection and no stress, it would be perfect.

What are you hoping to leave behind in 2025? I want to leave behind self-doubt and the things that held me back this year. I also want to leave behind second-guessing myself, staying small to keep others comfortable and not truly expressing myself.

What are you hoping to take with you into the new year? I want to take my creativity, resilience and the lessons I’ve learnt. I want to carry forward my newfound strength, new connections, my independence, and the love I give and receive. 

EMILY VISKI is an artist based in the Yarra Valley in Victoria. She loves the joy-inducing effect of colour and has a knack for experimenting with abstract forms and playful mark making.

What are you looking forward to in 2026? More family holidays! I’m thinking Uluru and New Zealand.

Describe your perfect New Year’s Eve. Definitely by the beach watching the early fireworks and then in bed before midnight. I am not very good at staying up late.

What are you hoping to leave behind in 2025? Burnout. At the moment I’m at home with my little girls every day, so I work at night. Next year they will both be at kindergarten so I’m hoping for two dedicated painting days.

What are you hoping to take with you into the New Year? Dopamine dressing! I’ve really embraced my style this year and dressing in fun colourful clothing brings me so much joy.

LILIN CHUNG is a designer and illustrator based in Melbourne. She is inspired by travel, food and fashion, using pencil and paint to create her illustrations.

What are you looking forward to in 2026? A fresh start to create new daily habits and more opportunities to share my creative work. I would like to go on more road trips to places I've never been and spend more time with family and friends.

Describe your perfect New Year’s Eve. I usually have a busy schedule right up until Christmas, so it's nice to slow down after it. My perfect New Year's Eve would be spent with my husband. We go out for dinner and a movie and drive home in time to watch the fireworks in our neighbourhood. 

What are you hoping to leave behind in 2025? To let go of things that won't matter in the long run. 

What are you hoping to take with you into the new year? More confidence in my work, gratitude and patience. 

MEL BAXTER (aka Moonshine Madness) is an illustrator, designer and author based in Clear Mountain/Turrbal Country in Queensland. She is constantly inspired by the beautiful flora and fauna that surrounds her abode.

What are you looking forward to in 2026? I have high hopes for 2026 and some fun plans in the mix. An autumnal trip to Tasmania is on the cards and I’ll be starting and (hopefully) finishing my next book.

Describe your perfect New Year’s Eve. New Year’s Eve is the day after my birthday, so I’m generally glued to my bed with leftover cake, a family pack of food and binging British crime shows. It's pretty perfect.

What are you hoping to leave behind in 2025? It’s been a big year of paperwork and contracts for my family – most of it hasn't been fun. I’ll be happy to leave all that to history.

What are you hoping to take with you into the new year? The absolute joy my kids and my partner bring into my world.

ELAINE LI (aka XF Illustrations) is an illustrator who is inspired by memories, nature and the limitlessness of the imagination. She likes to lean into a sense of playful curiosity in her art.

What are you looking forward to in 2026? More paintings, of course! And a more confident version of myself who proudly tells everyone that I am an artist!

Describe your perfect New Year’s Eve. A cosy night with good food and my favourite people – and Spoon, my little doggie. Nothing fancy but the countdown and 12am kisses and hugs is a must! Fireworks and star gazing would be great bonuses.

What are you hoping to leave behind in 2025? Self-doubt when I compare myself to other artists.

What are you hoping to take with you into the new year? My inner child's sense of play, and the kindness and support I've received from people who connect with my work.

SAMANTHA CURCIO is an illustrator, designer and author based in Melbourne. She enjoys playing around with cheeky, bold and colourful imagery in her design.

What are you looking forward to in 2026? Lots of time spent with my friends and family. Illustrating and working with new collaborators. Developing more fun products. Getting back to the cinema more. Let's go, baby!

Describe your perfect New Year’s Eve. A small group of friends and family, delicious food, the perfect playlist and most likely in bed before 12... let's be honest, 100 per cent in bed before 12.

What are you hoping to leave behind in 2025? 2025 has been pretty kind to me, so I can't complain really.

What are you hoping to take with you into the new year? More positive and evolving experiences in my freelance practice! This year things have shifted gear a little so it would be nice to stay in this gear and carry it on through to unexplored territories!

Our calendars and diaries are usually snatched up pretty dang quick, so it's in your best interest to pop over to our online shop ASAP! The diary and calendar cost $47.95 each (including shipping), but if you're keen on saving $10.90 then you can grab them both as a bundle, yay! Alternatively, you can grab all the info with our lovely stockists.