spontaneous or unorganized?

A couple of days ago I decided I really wanted to teach a workshop on how to set intentions through the use of journaling and mixed media. It has been such a potent and powerful tool for me...when I look back at the things I've journaled about and they have come to the light of day, well it just surprises and amazes me to no end.And it is SO MUCH FUN!

This is what I'll be sharing on the 22nd July at the Flora Court Studio. Some would say that putting a workshop together over 2 weeks is a short amount of time to be organized, but I say 'what the hey!' I'm inspired and I want to teach others how to do this good stuff!

So you can decide whether you think I'm spontaneous or unorganized....deep down I know this is worth sharing and is a valuable way of not only creating beautiful art but beauty in life.

re-igniting

what can I say? Carolyn Taylor-Smith is a creative, humble, genius. I know she probably wouldn't want me to say that, and I acknowledge all her support staff and team....but Carolyn those ideas come from you and they are amazing. awe inspiring. magical.

I sat memorized for what seemed like fleeting moments. enchanted with the language of textiles, theatre and the dynamics that came together, a visual feast. i drank it up and it felt like home.

Carolyn shared an amazing amount of information. her philosophies, her inspiration, the small budget she easily works within, techniques, which included burning tearing sand papering, sandblasting (all for the broken down look),recycling customes, the amount of collaboration, priorities and the 6 week time frame to get all customes completed....no mean feet for a Shakespeare play.


I came away completely inspired and acknowledging the call of couture.it has been ever present but pushed down.not knowing what to do with it or how to express it.maybe i caught a glimpse of that in my last artworks....

my deepest thanks Carolyn, for re-igniting a flame within me.

Blooms have blossomed!

Spring is in the Air

I surprised myself. I got these 3 artworks finished with time to spare for cleaning up the house and packing for our trip. And it feels good not to be rushing to get away. Three very different pieces came together and whilst the heat was on there for a while to get them done, I am thrilled with the end results. It feels like a new art space for me. One I'm really happy with.

Spring Couture

I was running short of collected bottle tops, so I went straight to the source....I wondered around the carpark of bottle shop until I found the number I needed. Hey you gotta do what you gotta do.

Embellished in Spring

shouts and sharing

I'm off to Toowoomba tomorrow, delivering paintings, seeing family and friends and going to
a Design Talk with Carolyn Taylor-Smith. Carolyn is the costume designer at the USQ and is also an award-winning couturier. Her design direction has been exquisitely exhibited on stage with "Shakespeare in the Park' productions. She creates absolutely beautiful designs and I felt privileged to have her open of my solo painting exhibitions 'Inwrought Couture'. After her Design talk there is a fashion parade of costumes and champagne. Sounds like a great creative recipe for an evening out!


Another shout is about my darling friend Anna. Anna has recently had some major achievements..giving birth to her 4th child and getting her website up and running. Anna is now selling Golden products on line and is based in Queensland. So for anyone wanting Golden products have a look at this Shiny Happy Art site.



I am in love with this collection of stamps. Love the image in b+w with a coloured background....reminds me of my own artworks on paper. I bought the postcard set and they are divine!

Have one more artwork to finish today, along with some washing, packing and playing.

in the meantime, a little distraction

I have been giving my artworks some solid time and thought I'd share some creative goodies. I've been involved with a couple of swaps lately, personal and group swaps and thoroughly loved being part of, on many levels. I found it such a loving and sharing way to gift some creativity to another. I'm sure you recognize the bird above from darling Dot...

A beautiful heart stuffed with love from Jacky. I have both of these hanging from some driftwood I collected.

Another 'creative distraction' I finished last week. I have a collection of 'important' bits and pieces, that have been sitting around for the longest time, waiting for their turn to be put together. The buckle in this one is from a pair of shoes I wore in the 80's and just knew I was meant to use them on something else. Loved the ornateness and shape. Somethings I just know, feel, they have specialness in them.

This is a combination of 'Grandmaness'. Some crystal beads from my grandmas collection and the brooch from Darryls grandma. A delicate sentimental piece.

I am making progress with my artworks and looking forward to sharing the photos of finished works with you. I'm pushing through the resistance, procrastination and leaving the mounting laundry.....

got what I asked for

Yes I got what I asked for.....to be consumed in my next project. I had completely 'fogged out' a couple of dates for upcoming exhibitions. So with paperwork filled out and in the post, the creations are in progress. Its not the best way to enter an artshow. A totally organized artist would have the artwork completed before sending the details off, but as I am so aware I don't always do things the 'conventional' way. Another date to work towards and a number of creations to finish sees me juggling school holidays, spending time with my children and getting to my art table.....

I totally got what I asked for.

loose ends finished up

My contribution to Grrls project got finished a few days ago and I loved having a date to work to. It meant I got to take my knitting everywhere with me; in the car for school pick up, dance drop off, watching my daughters netball and sons hockey, school assembly and most of all I loved being occupied creatively during the evening. So much so I have been feeling a little lost the last few nights....my fingers and heart are itching to take up another project that is all consuming.

My knitting strip ended up being quite a 'collaboration' in itself. I cut strips of fabric from a textured tshirt my Grandma wore, one of my favourite tshirts of all time that I had completely worn out, some wool from a poncho that my mum knitted for me and both my children helped with stitches here and there. All embellished with shells. And one piece of coral that was heart shaped.It had the perfect hole in it already for attachment. It finished up a bit like a wild womans sampler!

'you are loved'

Finishing up this week also saw this mixed media collage on paper, go into the post for Debbi



Inspiration for this piece came from a beautiful piece of jewellery Grrl created in Stephaine Lees class at CSR09. I fell in love with the vintage pink crystals. It took me for ever to work out a pattern and threading material I was happy with. This time I was glad I was more patient than I usually am. I had enough materials left over to create a bracelet.

Now I'm earning for another consuming creation to pop up for me. I love being so immersed in creativity, although I find it not so easy to set my own deadlines.Its probably right there on my table already...just waiting for me to pick it and run with it. Maybe if I walk past often enough it might just yell out "Hey you, its my turn!"

My wish for you today is for you to be happy consumed in your creativity, always!

Collaged Couture Workshop

Look at the amazing art these ladies created on Sunday. They spent the morning learning and trying techniques, then after a scumptious shared lunch in the garden, full steam ahead with the portrait part of the workshop. Some of these ladies haven't done any art since leaving school, so what came together was absolutely beauitful. Well done ladies!

Robyn's watching Mary finish her masterpiece.

Mary and Kaye at work.

try

Roses for You (a commission)

In this household we have been loving "Masterchef".... personally I loved the fact that Poh was an artist and that she brought her sense of design and artistry to the plate/kitchen. I mean how often do we see artists on these reality shows? I also enjoyed that she was courageous enough to try new things with the inspiration that came to her...and I could so relate to her overwhelm, when things got a 'little hot in the kitchen'. Have you seen her paintings? Yes they are beautiful.

I realised yesterday how much of an impact the show was having on us as a family. My 8 year and I had made some food to share at a school celebration and she asked me "Mummy, can I plate up?"

People come and go in my life, I am influenced by them, learn from them, perhaps see some of myself in them and move on...I've seen and experienced this in the art world too. New techniques, new mediums, how an artists uses something in their art. I feel inspired, try it and see if it fits into how my art is created. perhaps thats about exploring creatively, perhaps its like trying on something new to see if it 'fits'. maybe its just exposure. is it greener on the otherside? Somtimes the only way i find out is to go and have a look and then try.

At the begining of Masterchef, Poh said that painting and food were her 2 passions. Now she knows whats its like to cook and paint. I think thats a great thing.

pushing it ouside the box

Sometimes I love to stretch whatever I'm doing and push it just that little bit further. I could see a single blossom on a canvas with bits running out from the flower and over the edge.The 'click' of what that was happened after a email from darling Ro and I got to creating with crocheting wire and beads. This creative vision has been with me for a while, its just taken a while for it to emerge and I'm so grateful that Ro gave me a 'prod' with a loving stick! Hey isn't that what its all about, sometimes I just need a good prod to get me out of my box and put it all together.



Then I recalled some other artworks that I created a couple of years ago that have a similar theme.

This was from a series of 4 canvas' from 2006, the flowers all different colours and different yarns entwined and crocheted with wire. The whole series sold together in an exhibition.

And these came a little later, a combination of paper flowers, crocheted wire/yarn and canvas flowers.(its current on a wall in a display home in Hervey Bay). The one below is all flowers glued to a canvas with the edges sitting up.

The realisation has just hit me that these blossoms have been within my art for a while, even transpiring into other forms. In Sept 2007 I had an article published in Belle Armoire Jewellery with this piece, based on crocheted wire, beads and buttons. Honestly I didn't see that it reached back that far and wide. Somethings are innate within our creating, a progression...and they unknowingly resurface, like a memory. sometimes I fog over what I have created before.....so a revisit is definitely worthwhile. Wonder where the blossom is off to next?

a bunch of blossoms

blossoms and more blossoms.....even though it is winter here, I so enjoy having flowers around me, adorning my artwork or myself. Maybe because it is winter and our little yard lacks any sort of garden I am making up for it in a bright mixed media, creative way. (Thank you Dot for the special buttons you sent me)

The blossoms are a combination of paper and fabric. I use an iron on technique with dress making pattern paper, canvas, paint and lace or tulle....and a treasure in the centre.I love the uniqueness of found objects. My children and I have been collecting squashed bottle tops for a while.The rustier the better. The excitement my kids and I feel when we find them is like finding money. And we have collected them from where ever we go.

I have blossoms around my home, this one is on my vintage mirror on top of the bedroom drawers.And they are great on pressies for a loving touch. They are flexible and more resilient than they look.

Can you see the weaving under the present? I rediscovered a pile of them in a box that is in storage. I kept them from a loom weaving assignment at uni. I remember it was an enormous loom , one that had a seat as part of it. Absolutely loved using a combination of different threads and we were encouraged to use unusual colour combinations. Although this one came through with many wonderful bright colours and glistening gold thread .my favourite

I have a couple of these blossoms for sale on my website.

art events

I would love to invite everyone! Because I'm so excited about sharing these techniques. All of my favourite ways of putting an artwork together in this workshop Collaged Couture Portaits.



The workshop is about unleashing your inner feminine energy and allowing her to inspire you to create collage portraits. Learn techniques of stencil making, gel medium transfers, how to create painterly backgrounds, and embellish with cherished treasures. Sound like fun? More details?

Date: Sunday 21st June


Time: 9.30am - 4.00


Where: Flora Studio,(15 minutes from Hervey Bay)


Please email me for more details or check the workshop out here.
Would love to see you there!!

***********************************

On another Creative note I've been asked to speak at a Yoga Studio this Thursday night. If you are in the area the doors are open wide with welcome. I'll be speaking about Creativity and how Perceptive Astrology can help our light to shine.

When: Thursday 11th June

Where: 1 Flinder St, Point Vernon

Time: 6:30pm

I'll be sharing information on how we can shine from our heart space. By having a look at our creativity with the tools of Perceptive Astrology, we can learn what qualities our sun sign is yearning to embrace and begin to become aware of how our ego plays out. This information can be very enlightening as to what is blocking our creativity and how we can become aware of these blocks.

Good soul information!

knitting away

My knitting for Grrls project has been inspired by one of my own pieces. A painting that has recently sold to a gorgeous lady. The textile piece hanging in the middle is a combination of knitting and crocheted cotton string and I loved the freedom of alternating between the two. It is sprinkled with collected shells and hung from a piece of beautifully smooth drift wood.Woven in the sands of time. (sorry about the slightly blurry photo)

This was the feel I wanted to use for my strip of knitting. I've been using cotton string, cut up tshirt fabric, cord and some regular yarn too. I'm threading shells through the knitting and allowing my thready ends to be all part of it. A beachy feel.

It has very 'organic' sides but Denise assures me all is good.Now to get it finished! Any knitters out there....this is a fun thing to do, check out the details.

An Interview with Violette + Journal Bliss

I first met Violette a number of years ago. A friend introduced me to a lovely Canadian lady who was visiting Australia. She had a mixed media magazine with her (i think it may have been CPS). It first time I had ever laid eyes on any mixed media publication....and Violette was featured in it with her amazing art. I was totally blown away. And then I discovered Violette online through her website and blog...this was my introduction to blogging. I am eternally gratiful.

Over time I have got to know Violette and I am aware that writing book has been on the top of her 'Want To' list for sometime. Now it is a reality. I had so much fun with these questions Please enjoy my interview with Violette.

1.What was the most challenging and the most rewarding thing about writing this book?

The most challenging thing was having editors switched more than halfway through the project. I ended up having to create a lot more content since the second editor was more specific as to what she wanted from me. Everyone has a different mode of working so it takes a while to understand what the editor is looking for. Being new to the publishing world i did not have any background to prepare me for all of it. The wonderful thing though is that the second editor made things so much easier for me as she outlined fairly clearly what was expected of me. It helped immensely in the creation and writing process. When things are too nebulous you don't know where to start. The process of finally putting the book together fell into place much more easily after receiving very specific feedback. The most rewarding thing is to finally see Journal Bliss on the shelves and to receive all of the wonderful e-mails (and feedback in person) about how much my book has helped the reader access their creativity.

2. For those people just starting journaling what is your best tip?

My best tip is to get out of your own way and simply BEGIN........don't over think things.........just begin drawing, doodling and splashing paint on a piece of paper or in your journal. Use your Journal as your silent listener so you can spill and be vulnerable without fear of being judged. Oh and here is another tip......paint your backgrounds and make borders ahead of time so that the Journaling process is not so daunting.

3. And to those more experienced?

To those more experienced i would say go deeper and use your journal to document your inner feelings and to trust more the little whispers and prompts you receive from your soul. Don't judge what comes out - it could be a stream of consciousness type of writing like i did in some of my pages. Sometimes little gems emerge from these sessions - very unique revelations you were not consciously aware about. My work is constantly informing me as to where i am at emotionally. It's pretty thrilling when you let go and go with the flow.

4.What makes your journaling book and information different to other 'how to journal' books?

Well it's different in that it's uniquely ME........sure you'll see some similar techniques used by other artists (because really there is a finite number of techniques......you just have to mix them up to come up with something new). I think what makes Journal Bliss different is that folks will be able to see my process, get inside my head a bit and realize that hey.........it's okay to document tiny fragments of memories from my past, it's okay to drone on and on about a cat that slept on my chest while i was petrified all nite, it's okay to honour my friends and heros/heroines by creating a page for them. I think the inspiration value is the most important thing of all.

5.What advice would you give someone who is contemplating writing their own book?

Well if you want to do it my way you need to develop your platform - you need to get a blog, begin blogging, join online groups in your area of interest, get on facebook, twitter. You need to develop a following before a publisher will even look at you. Get known by submitting projects and articles to your favourite magazines - Somerset, Cloth Paper Scissors, Quilting arts, Crafts n Things etc. The more you get out there the more you'll be in front of people who are on the lookout for fresh talent. Martha Stewart's people found Claudine Hellmuth because she was being interviewed on another popular blog. If you don't have an online presence today you don't have a hope in becoming known. Rice Freeman Zachary who has written several popular arts and crafts titles including Living the Creative Life is always on the lookout for talent wherever she goes. She writes columns for several paperarts magazines. Rice mentioned how at a quilting show she spied some fabulous innovative quilts. When she excitedly questioned the creator about them she was rather chagrined to find out that the artist did not have a web presence. This meant that Rice could not e-mail the editor of a specific magazine and say "Hey....i just found a fabulous quilter i would like to do a story on - check out her art on her blog....." This was a missed opportunity for the artist. Magazines can lead to books since publishers of Arts and Crafts books read Creative Magazines. I think most of all you need to be passionate about what you are doing and what you want to write a book about - if you're not you'll fizzle out halfway through the project. You've got to love what you are doing - put your heart and soul into it and share with the world. " If you build it they will come" but only after people know that you've built it!

As I was writing and drawing the illustrations and creating the pages for Journal Bliss I kept envisioning "LOVE" so that the reader would feel the love coming from my book. You know like the movie _ Like Water for Chocolate....the heroine of the movie would but her emotions into the food she was creating and whomever ate her food would experience those very same emotions. So the feeling of "love" was thought of and hopefully imbued in Journal Bliss. It's my hope that readers will sense and feel this.

For all those avid journalers you can check out Violette and her book at http://www.violette.ca/

Creative Goodies

My goodies are ready. All listed on my website. Ready for your perusal. There are collaged tags, 2 clutch purses and some collaged artworks.The collaged artworks have original backgrounds and tactile embellishments with my ladies faces. The artworks on paper are mounted on foam core and cello wrapped. I love the being able to purchase artwork without feeling it has to be framed straight away. So that is what I had in mind when I packaged these creative goodies.

If you would like any BuBu cards I am happy to pop those in your parcel too...save on postage. Simply Email me the name and quanities you would love.

Enjoy your viewing.

perfectly messy

stitching, hanging threads and putting on magnetic clips. Finishing off these 2 clutch purses has been my quiet creative time today. I feel my 'style' is shining through, the messiness that just happens. There is a type of rawness that is present, almost like seeing the work in progress.

I remember when I started working in one of my first jobs, my first real dream job, sales assistant in a fabric shop.Part of what I did was teaching teenage girls how to sew with stretch fabric.It was all the go in the late 80's! On one occasion I was asked if the ends of the stitching needed to be tied off and trimmed. I distinctively remember saying "What for?"

Maybe I've always been a thread hanger!

Good things.

Its not as bad as what I thought. Thank goodness. It is a little concerning when a computer turns itself off. But my new computer man assures me it just needs a good clean and some updates. Phew. Had some great conversation about Mac computers with him, I have always been fascinated with Macs and their creative capacity. Turns out there is a Mac group that gets together in the Bay area for information nights. Might see myself there next gathering.

Have a look at this new collage on fabric, on canvas board.I've used lots of goodies from my treasure trove. I have found a use for pattern papers. I love the texture and the print on it. Makes a great background layer. Some doily lace and photo print outs. It hangs by some silk ribbon and buttons.

This and some fabric tags and a couple of clutch bags shall be for sale on my website on Monday. Going to wait for Mercury to go direct so I can have clear communication and computer ease.



A gift. A doll with a paper face. I'm not one that usually does fairy creations but this little lady came together almost on her own. She came together with lovely patients, which is unusual for me. In the past I've felt myself rushing to get something finished. Lately its been different and I'm happy to take more time....like the sense of urgency has slowed down. That is a good thing. Definitely.

Mercury Retrograde

Well good old Mercury in Retrograde struck our house this morning. I thought I might have got through this astrological transit unscathed. Not to be this time around. Mercury is the planet that rules communications, networks.. the Winged Messenger.This is the time when communication can go awry.

My computer decided not to stay on today. It switched itself off. Not good. I have been listening to the hard drive making noises for a while now, and getting frustrated with the lack of speed. I have cleaned up files and done some backup....lets hope it is enough.

I went to the phone book to find some one to fix my much needed communication tool, my link to the outside creative world. And found a yellow pages add with the first line stating "Anything is Possible' That's my computer man! So its being picked up this evening.

Fingers crossed it will be back soon.In tact and running as good as ever!

*I neglected to mention I still have my hubbys laptop, so I'm not totally without computer communication. Just don't have my own files.

what I have is enough

some lavender my neighbour passed over the fence

an 'aha' light bulb moment smashed me across the head this morning! wow did I really get it. what I have is enough.

I have often seen myself being, doing , having so much more than where I am right now. Mostly in terms of my creativity. There are things I want to achieve and the hardest part is being patient and allowing things to happen as the Universe intended. Something I have struggled with.

This week I have felt most happy in my creativity. I've been allowing myself to create what ever came to me. Sewing a doll as a gift for a new friend, started some knitting for the beloveded Grrl and really loving the diversity.Too often I've tried to categorise myself, putting myself into a box of this or that. And it so doesn't work. I have even wished that I could only do one creative thing, to narrow my focus....but I'm aware this doesn't work for me either.

Being creative in many ways is a blessing...and I can see that in Stephanie Lees blog. Not only does she create beautiful jewellery, she works in plaster, writes and journals and paints....and there is a common thread through all.

So this morning I surrendered, told the Universe I'm handing things over, giving up control and trusting with all my heart. Then it came to me. What is wrong with me? Can't I see that I have enough. I really felt it. Reading and knowing is one thing. But to really feel it on every level is another.

I got it Universe. I can see I am blessed with all that I have. Now I am in a place of true gratitude.

seashells by the seashore

I love being surrounded by beauty and I love being inspired by whats around me. This is what I felt when I created this painting.It brings so much more meaning into the painting rather than coming from a head space. These paintings are a commission to go into a 'posh' lounge room as the English family call it! 2 canvas's with drawings, ink, acrylic paint and crocheted shells. I enjoyed search the beach for these shells and tried to spot ones that already had holes in them.

All the collected shells that I picked up made their way into a lovely bowl...and went along with the paintings.

I delivered this creative bundle last weekend to Toowoomba and whilst we were there we went to our nieces 1st birthday. As a gift I decided to do an event painting and got everyone at the party to contribute to Ava's painting. Everyone painted a heart. I had a ball, the kids really got into it...some where a little disappointed they couldn't paint more, some adults where a little reluctant but it all came together in the end.

Some of the hearts have love coming out of them, others reminders of juicy strawberries...lots of special energy in this painting. A special keepsake for a darling girl.

touched by dragonflies

Mothers Day was a couple of weekends past, but I wanted to share these beautiful images with you. My darling fisherman husband took us out to Lenthalls dam for a picnic and time on the water. It was a great way to spend mothers day, really peaceful, no distractions and we were all together. Being on a boat means we all have to get along, there is no jumping ship!


We saw lots of these beautiful, tiny dragonflies. The kids discovered that if they put there hands out over the boat, the dragonflies would come and sit on them...for ages. At one stage there was about 7 of them. It was truly amazing and the colours were rich and luminescent.

This is the road we travelled to get to the dam.

Through a Pine tree plantation.

Lillies on the water.

I had a very special relaxing day....a great family day. I loved being amongst nature. Thank you guys.

Today I am celebrating not going to Paris!

image from allposters.com.....beautiful

Yes it sounds bizarre and just a little weird, but I am doing just that. Some time ago a girlfriend asked me to go to France with her, to stay with a friend of hers in the South of France, yes, yes. Free accommodation for 3 weeks....and we had talked about sightseeing and going to the vintage markets. But every time I thought of going I felt nothing, no excitement or exhilaration. And I knew it didn't feel right. My logic kept playing on my mind, that it is such a great opportunity, perhaps once in a life time. But I still wasn't feeling it.

My challenge was plucking up the courage to let her know. I had to be true to myself ...and her. I picked up the phone and after some conversation I told her I wasn't 'feeling France'.Her reply.....she wasn't feeling it either and didn't know how to tell me. What a relief! We both laughed and shared how we imagined waving each other off at the airport. The truth we shared can only make our friendship stronger.

Who knows why the feeling wasn't there, maybe we will find out down the track, perhaps we will never know and I'm ok with that. What I do know is how important it is to be true to my own heart. And that is worth celebrating!