Our deepest Fear is not that we are inadequate,

Our deepest fear is that we are all powerful beyond measure

It is our light not our darkness that most frightens us

Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous

Actually, who are we not to be

You are a child of God
Your playing small does not serve the world

There is nothing enlightening about shrinking

So that other people won’t feel insecure around you

We are all meant to shine as children do

We were born to make manifest the glory of God,

what is within us

It’s in everyone and as we let our own light shine we

Unconsciously give other people permission to do the same,

As we are liberated from our own fear,

Our presence automatically liberates others

Marianne Williamson

understanding the bigger picture

today I have come into understanding. seeing the bigger picture. knowing why, on the larger scale of things. and my role in it. it doesn't take the pain away. but I know in my heart of hearts this is how it is meant to be. and that it is time for me to let go. gently, gently, softly, softly.

thank you to all my true, dear friends. sending love and light. its one of those life challenges that I shall get through and that I am learning for my Higher Good. Thanks Universe, this was a good one.

Universe, are you listening?

Yesterday I had received some news that made me question all that I believe in. the kind of news that takes time to process. to understand. the kind of news that made question if I did enough. was I on the right track? did I do the 'right' thing passing on the messages I received? was I too optimistic? why has this happened the way it did?



today I am getting a glimpse of the bigger picture. a little more understanding. knowing the best thing I can do right now is offer a soft falling place and to send love. this one is for me too. to understand the strength of faith I have in myself and the Universe. that there is indeed a bigger picture, no matter who painful that is for all involved.



Universe, if you are listening, I am placing all my trust in you. let this be ok.

trust and faith

This week I've been teaching some Journaling Workshops by special request. And its been wonderful to be so immersed in journaling and sharing information over the last few days. These are my class demos. "Flourish" is from yesterdays full day workshop were I loved working with a family group. A special time for these family members to be creating together...and at such an auspicious time with New Moon in Cancer and the Solar Eclipse to boot!

This page is from Mondays workshop...lots of basic methods covered and was a great foundation to learn about journaling. A bit like Journaling 101.

Huge thanks to my darling students who travelled some distance to participate in these workshops. And for having trust and faith.

And then I'm lining up again on Sunday to teach some more...love it, love it!

Island Retreat

I am on the train of spontaneity once more.......I was asked a little time ago by one of my darling students if I could ever see myself doing more than a one day workshop. From that conversation, the ideas and inspiration has grown into a weekend Island Art Retreat on Fraser Island....at Kingfisher Resort. 21st -24th August 2009. Staying 3 nights with 2 full day workshops, one 3 hour and a morning experience on the beach the day we leave.

Fraser Island is special. It is the largest sand island in the world and has a peacefulness and tranquility about it that is almost intangible. Have a look at their You Tube

The workshop details are here. Friday afternoon, after arrival via catamaran, we shall be journaling to set our intentions for the weekend. Saturday and Sunday are full day workshops, Collaged Couture Portraits and Blooms & Blossoms. Monday morning shall see us on the beach, early morning creating Alters of Gratitude...to say thank you to the Island.

Its a great chance to escape the winter weather, catching some Island sun and create art. Does it get any better?

Bookings close on the 5th August so if you would love to come please email me. I have an opportunity for 7 people to enjoy this experience. I would love to see you there.

tear jerking Masterchef

what a series.what a finale. what a tear jerker. I enjoyed watching both Julie and Poh. A homely cook and an artist turn chef. each in their own light, shining and cooking from their hearts.

How wonderful it was to hear Julie describe her vision of her cook book "The Family Table". She described her book and its purpose, chapters about her family and the recipes they love, chapters about other families and a blank chapter at the back to enter your own family recipe...it touched my heart and I connected with the soul of her book immediately. And it reminded me how important it is to have a vision and to keep it alive and to imagine and mind sculpt it often. to nurture the vision and dream to allow it grow and flourish, until it is so tangible that words paint such a vivid picture that it is touchable. this is how I felt when Julie described her recipe book.

And Pohs reason to be there seemed to be only revealed in the last few moments of the show.off to the US with Curtis Stone towards the direction of food design on plates.(is that what its called?) for me another testament to always follow our heart as it may not be clear as to why until the 11 hour.

And now that I have been completely immersed in Masterchef, my nightly escape out of my own kitchen into another, a feeling of void? Or maybe an opportunity to dive into journaling on the lounge.

Masterchef I will miss you, I've enjoyed having you around and felt gently touched watching others cook from their heart. Thank you.

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.

** Another spontaneous thing to share....I'm in the midst of planning an Island art retreat weekend on the 21-24th August,2009. More details soon!

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.