Moments in Time

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Mother Nature is a scribbly Artist

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Her colour palette knows no bounds.

Since returning from Fraser Island I have felt positively different. in the sense of my own reality being in the process of change. past beliefs dissolving, challenges falling to the side and my heart feels so open. a loving that has no limits and a connection with my creative spirit and artistic energy like I have not felt before. its strengthed and I've gained courage. I feel it radiating from my heart....and it is simply delicious. I want it to last and last.

I have no doubt that this has come from our experience on Fraser Island. Our playfulness, our conversations, our Journaling, our Alters of Gratitude...it is having a lasting effect. and I'm loving it.

Island Girls have Returned.

Brenda, Ashana and Myself

Yes the 3 of us have returned from an amazing time away.It was a time of much sharing, learning, laughing with joy, teaching and touching each others hearts in a way that only kindred spirits know how. I feel we all gained a richness of spirit, a deeper knowing of our creativity and our selves. Many creative blocks were dissolved, longings embraced and worlds opened up.....ahhh.

Here we are about to leave port with our creative juju beating in our hearts, awaiting the adventure before us.

Pulling out of the Habour.

As the boat approached Fraser Island, I caught a glimpse of a dolphin gliding through the water. A wonderful welcome by Mother Nature to the Island. Over the next few days we settled in and found our creative rhythm. The 3 of us easily filled the table with a wonderful array of artistic supplies, with much sharing of resources. Love that!

Brenda

Brenda and Ashana were wonderful creative companions, delightfully going to task with all that I asked of them. With many finished projects in hand. We found we all had many things in common.Making for open and enlightening conversation the whole weekend through. Truly a hearts connection.

Brenda's Artwork on Paper
(from Collaged Couture Portraits Workshop)

Brenda's canvas

(from Blooms and Blossoms workshop)

Ashana

It was a rare treat to be able to give such one on one teaching and encouragement, which was a benefit for all of us. It allowed the freedom to take a walk when the creative spirit was calling out for some time out, or to rest a weary head on a soft nurturing pillow, knowing that there was plenty of opportunity to finish off what was started.

Ashana's canvas "Inspiration"

(from Blooms and Blossoms Workshop)

A huge thanks to both of these special ladies. My experience has definitely been an enriching one. I thoroughly enjoyed my creative time with you. And my heart is filled with joy when I look at what you created. xoxo

Island Girl

Well tomorrow is the big day. Two special ladies and myself are settting sail for a weekend of art and adventure on Fraser Island. There has been a whole lot of prep here is week, lesson planning, gathering materials and 'tools' and getting the pantry stocked up for my family so they will survive while I'm away.No doubt they will have agreat time too! I am looking forward to my little island getaway.

Shall take lots of photos to share with you. I'm sure there will be lots of laughter, creating and good times.


* To celebrate the beginning of Spring I shall have some mixed media collages/artworks available on etsy. More on that when I get home next week. Happy weekend!

open mind to creativity

This week is the week. if you ever thought about having an open your mind to a different perceptive on creativity now is the time. this month is the month of Leo, he is the sign of creativity. and this week sees a New Moon and the Sun in Leo. wow....that is potent creative energy.

if you really want to get into the swing of things , the New Moon is the best time to do it. its the time the Universe is open to you setting your intentions, getting clear on what you truly want from your heart and your soul. Because we are such visual creative creatures planting your new seeds of intention in your journal or what ever form you feel inspired to create is going to have an impact on your creativity.

its important to get quiet within and ask 'what do I most need to express at the moment?" and "how can I affirm that in a positive light?"

The New Moon is at its most potent form on Thursday 20th 8.02am (Australian time). So if you can get your new seeds of creative intention on paper (it can be as simple as writing a few lines down) that is the best time to do it! If you are wanting to dig a little deeper or find out more Ashtara has many words of wisdom. The result of your intention is then illuminated during Full Moon. ( two weeks after the New Moon)

This is our own backyard, creativity is the stuff we artists use every day. not just in our art, but creativity is in our blood and it beats in our hearts.its worth finding out more about how creativity ticks through us.

clearing out the old, creating with the new

Over the last few weeks I have felt a strong sense of clearing, getting rid of stuff that no longer services it purpose, tidying up files, flicking off the dust, realigning things that have been out of kilter. and I sat with that for a number of days. almost like a blank canvas. that gave me time to really feel into what I wanted to create in the space were I hang out a lot. my office and my creative space.

flowers always make me feel so good and with spring just around the corner, they were a perfect choice. reds and pinks have become important, i need a bit of motivation to get 'out there' so these felt good.

gerbras in a bottle of strawberry fizz ( a champagne I'm enjoying lately), a glass dish filled with delicious red beads, a candle that reads 'Love Your Creative Flame' and a print of my original collage work stating "Action is the Art of Doing". And this original painting.

this is the centre piece at our dining table.

and whilst this isn't part of my creative space, I love this old chair. It is the best beside table. It has a crosspiece under the seat where I stack my books. I have lots of pieces that I love here, two red hearts from a dear friend, a pink quartz (it was gifted to my son by a special sunshine lady), a glittery butterfly from another friends birthday party, and a glorious red bracelet that a friend gave me when she travelled to Africa. Its sitting around the base of the lamp and has the scrolling words of Love written on it, and last but not least my paper friends... my journals.a heart shape journal holds my daily affirmations and was also a perfect gift from a darling friend.

I have been clearing up, revamping and making use of my flickr albums, there are many more journal pages there for you to browse through. I've also reopened my etsy shop with a few goodies. its feeling good, this process.its setting the scene for what ever stage is next. I'll be ready to go.

creating daily

Today I am organizing a collecting of paintings to go into the Kingfisher Lake Display Homes. This is the second batch to go on to the walls....with a new display home opening this weekend. Modern homes that back onto the lake. having always lived in homes that were on a huge amounts of land (i grew up on farmland in Victoria) its strange seeing water almost at the back door. although i'm sure it doesn't take much to get used to!

I've also been at my kids school a bit over the last few weeks. helping my daughters class with their art projects on Australian artists Pro Hart, Ken Done, Mambo, Tom Roberts and Albert Namatjira. They got to watch this on you tube...and loved it!

And my sons class has been creating with plaster, string and balloons. Oh its so much fun getting messy with the kids.

on the note of tv ads, i love this one Every Colour You Can Dream Of

Lighten Up

this has been my motto for the last few days. my mantra.

sometime life gives us lessons, experiences to see parts of ourselves that we can't see. sometimes we get a shock, a wake up call to make changes. little ones, big ones, what ever it takes. i feel i am on the outer edge of this ripple now and gaining balance. centering. reforming.giving myself lots of time to journal, nurture myself in what ever way i feel inspired by. feeling warm and comfortable.wearing tracky pants and my favourite slippers. laughing at silly things. laying on the grass with my favourite pooch. eating ice cream. sitting on the beach. watching leaves fall from the trees.

i am feeding my soul. and i know that only good can come from this. there is sunshine in the air and in my heart.

challenges + inspiration = journal pages

This page I created a couple of weeks ago.....felt like i needed to wake up to something that i wasn't clear of.i wasn't even really sure what it was. i got my wake up.

I am feeling much clearer, journaling has certainly helped cement my clarity. and direction. it feels like i have cleared some olde patterns and i'm ready to put in place the new. i just need to be sure they are for and from Highest Good. almost like redesigning my wardrobe, but from the inside out.

more about Fraser Island

In less than 3 weeks time I'm heading over to Fraser Island for a magical weekend away in the company of some amazing women. It seemed like the perfect place to create and for some time now I have been hearing special things about Fraser Island that has sparked my curiosity.... with aboriginal legends and heritage listings, I was drawn to find out a little more about the largest sand island in the world.

The original name of the island is 'K'gari' in the Badtjala people's language. It means paradise. According to Aboriginal legend, when humans were created and needed a place to live, the mighty god Beiral sent his messenger Yendingie with the goddess K’gari down from heaven to create the land and mountains, rivers and sea. K’gari fell in love with the earth’s beauty and did not want to leave it. So Yendingie changed her into a heavenly island – Fraser Island.

Oh... so she is like a Goddess Island.

Its not just about the legends, but the amazing nature that lives around it and within it. Lake MacKenzie is a 'perched' lake, which means it contains only rainwater, no groundwater, is not fed by streams and does not flow to the ocean. The sand there is pure, white silica . The sand works like a filter, giving the water its clarity and helping to make the water so pure.

Oh..I'd so love to swim in that!


Fraser Island is home to thousands of species of birds and its warm water attracts dugong, dolphins and turtles. The humpback whales and their young, pass on the western side of the island from August to November.

Yep, I've seen these amazing marine creatures in the Bay. Awe inspiring.


I'm beginning to feel that Fraser island picked me for this Retreat, not the other way around.To have the opportunity to go to a place with spiritual significance and be part of the Island and all its glory, and to intuitively create is....well, it is as it is. magical

And as a gentle reminder I do have space available if you would love to be part of this experience. There is still time. Email me.

today

today i am taking life as it comes. today I'm ok with letting go. today I'm seeing this challenge is an opportunity. today I am feeling grateful. today I'm practicing self love. today I appreciating a warm cup of tea. today I am loving myself for who I am and what I do.today I am enough.