live the dream

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Journal page I created as a demo at this retreat

My 12yr old son is incredibly patrotic. Recently its been the soccer, setting his alarm to get up at 11.00pm or 4.00am to see the Aussie Socceroos play. I witnessed his passion one night in awe. I went to check on him after hearing his alarm had gone off. I'd been painting and was one my way to bed. Within minutes he'd woken, changed his pj shirt to his Australian green and gold shirt, plopped into the bean bag with his doona, whistle, hand clacker thingy and laid his Australian flag over the top. I'm not sure that he had fully woken but he was there for his Aussie team .

Thats how I feel about Australian mixed media creativity.Through Kelly Raes e-course I've realised that I'm passionate about cultivating connections and creativity here in our home land. There are a number of Aussies in the class and we have 'found' each other which has been totally awesome. Don't get me wrong, my world has opened up to many other creative souls across the globe too!

I have to admit for a while I've had the poor cousin mentality. We don't always have access to the many wonderful things we hear or read about on US blogs/magazines.Yes we pay more for art books, magazines and materials.Yes we have fewer retreats to attend. Yes we have limited access to US tutors. But its time to turn that thinking around and focus on what we do have, what we do well, connect with each other, be poineers, whilst also being part of the bigger picture in the US.

What we do do well is being resourceful. We have to. Its been developed out of creating from whats at hand. For me, that is part of the joy of creating. Its pushed me to create unique and amazing tools and techniques for everyday studio things. And I truly value every art book I have on my book shelf. Every magazine. Every drop of Golden paint I'm grateful for....

And we have amazing talent here, simmering, waiting for the opportunites to teach, write, be published....it feels like this energy is gaining momentum.

So watch this space, Aussie artist are on their way!

Can you Feel the Love?

The Beauty of Today 30cm x30cm

available for purchase

I have a bundle full of creative goodies to share with you...I have 3 paintings in my Sweet Opportunity range ready to find new homes. All of them true to my recyling, repurposing ways. I've given these unwanted linen's new life, painted into them and embellished with treasures. Now they are delightfully beautiful.....they are available here and you can see more of the collection in my gallery.

A new space on my website is home to my 'just out of the sudio' paintings. LimeLight shall be featuring one painting, with the story of its 'conception' and evolution. Shall keep you updated!

There are mountains of positive goodness in my esty shop. Thready Fabric Tags, my signature Winged Hearts, Valued Rosettes and Bubu Boutique cards sets.

Enjoy all of this goodness....can you Feel the Love?

take no prisoners, make no apologies!

" The Whole Truth"
600mm x 500mm on canvas

I paint my way through challenges. Sometimes its in my journal, other times its on canvas. Its how I get it out, work it through. But I'm able to do it by turning the challenge around, affirming it in a positive light and how I see things changing. These personal struggles have made my art richer. They are the fuel for my inspiration. There is depth + meaning, shadow + light, strength + weakness. Its what makes my art real.

The painting becomes part of the solution. Affirming a new state of being.

This is part of how I communicate. with myself and the outer world. And this is how I am in the artsy world.I'm stepping into who I truly am. As a person and as an artsit. No apologies.

Take no prisoners, make No apologies for what I create.

After being told a couple of years ago, by an art critic who writes for the local paper to stop painting 'those silly girl faces' its been a been a challenge to flick that off and put them out there again. But its time for me to stand firm in the truth of who I am.

self validation + self promotion

Journal page (oh frustration! I can't get it in the middle or get rid of the link!)

Today a whole bunch of anger has come up. Angry at myself. Angry that I've been painting for 8yrs and feel like I'm not where I want to be. Frustrated that Ive been blogging for 5yrs and at times feel like I haven't connected in a way I'd been hoping to. Angry at myself for hiding under a rock and not being able to speak up about who I am, what I do and what I create.

Angry for not being true to myself.

I've had a few wake up moments.I was shocked yesterday when I discovered I had been blogging for 5 yrs, has it been that long?...shocked this morning when my 9yr old asked me why I was getting out of my house clothes into my 'day' clothes.

"Why are you getting changed mum, your already dressed?" 5 minutes before school drop off. "I'm going to work" was my reply.
"Where do you work?" she asked with a puzzled look on her face, fully aware that I am an artist and I do that from home.
"I work at home and I sell my art from my shop".
"Do people come here to buy your art?" was the quick question....
"I sell on line and people can my buy art from their home".
"oh." happy with that off she went.

Frustration! Why doesn't anybody know what I do?

Aha!

Because I haven't truly owned it.

All of this emotion and restating who I am and what I do has made me realise how I have been hiding under a rock. How it is only me that can shout to the world about what I do.To validate myself rather than looking at others for it.

No More Hiding!

So you shall hear me talk about my new creative goodies more often and what I'm doing in the artsy world. You'll have more opportunities to buy my luscious wares. you are here because you want to know what I'm doing, I shall happily share. And I'm going to be ok with this, knowing that this is a challenge for me that at times brings up my fear and insecurities.

all is as its meant to be...huge thanks to Olive + Hope for her inspiring post on authentic, loving self promotion.

Allowing growth

ornate virtuoso 950mm x750mm

Here's another painting that's in the stages of transformation. I created it for one of my solo exhibitions and it never found the right home to go to.Since then its had a couple of make overs. Its been embellished with mixed media, buttons and a rosette. And exhibited again....

Now it made its way on to my easel, which I haven't used it for some time as I've been working on smaller pieces. I've dedicated this canvas to be a work in progress. A place to go to and just let loose, not having a time frame where it has to be finished. Inspired by the time frame from Jacky's slow quilt and Swirly Girl Christine painting and peeling layers, I'm letting it evolve at its own pace.

after I pulled the rosette off

I let the brush and paint dance on the surface of the canvas,turned the canvas around, pasted on dress makers tissue, pulled off some buttons, poured paint on and wiped it off. All with a sense of purpose and timing. Building up layers, wiping them back....

Allowing it to sit in the luxury of time....

Allowing it to evolve, in a creatively organic way...and it feels good.

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On a note of sharing, I'm sending out a newsletter in the next few days with info about some new paintings, shop updates and creative connective news. Be sure to sign up here to keep in touch and hear the latest news!

And I've created a Nic Hohn Artsy page at Facebook, love for you to connect with me there. If you've be-friended me on my personal page and we don't know each other please jump on here. I'm in the motions of making my personal page, well personal and my Artsy page for the all.

Sharing Donna Heart...

I'd like to introduce you to Donna.... a Western Australian artist who paints with motivation and honesty. Donna has just launched her new website.....go and visit. This girl is going places.

Donna your inspiring me to get out there and moving with my art....

finally, a label I'm happy with!

Whilst I was visiting Liv's blog, I discovered this on her site. Curiosity got the better of me and it lead me to Elastic Mind. I found words there that sounded like music to my ears.....

".. innerpreneurs are characteristically different as we start businesses to aid in our personal growth rather than that of a company’s. We start our businesses so we can find personal fulfillment and satisfaction through our work.

We are driven by our need to realize our full potential, to make a difference and to constantly learn and evolve." Tara Joyce and more great reading here on her blog.

Often I struggle with words to describe all or even some of what I do. 'Artist' doesn't always seem to sum it all up.... Not that this label makes it any easier, but I take comfort in knowing there is such a thing.

I also take comfort in knowing the words I do need shall come to me...

worthwhile connections...

Journal page enhanced with coffee

Somethings are worth reframing, rewording and even redoing. I have to admit I am the first to put my hand up to not doing things if they don't feel right. Sometimes I get tested to see how committed I am to my decisions, other times I have to look at from a different perceptive.To see them from a different view point, to get my head around it and to help make it a better fit. Then it becomes more who I am.

At the moment I am in love with the word 'reframing'.



I have reframed my thoughts on fb fan pages. I used to think it was a daggy idea and just wasn't in my language! now I'm see it is worth considering, perhaps there is even opportunity and I have created a fb artsy fun-sharing page. So if you would like to 'be-friend' me please do....



I have always had a lot of resistance to the following gadget on blogger. I know,I know, but sometimes it IS the small things...I didn't want to follow anyone, but do I want followers? I want to inspire others, but there isn't a button for that. A poem came to mind when I realised I wanted to reframe my perceptive on this...

"Do not walk in front of me, for I may not follow

Do not walk behind me, for I may not lead,

But walk beside me and be my friend."

Albert Camus (thanks Donna)

Now I call it my connection gagdet.....

inspiration + action = making a difference

I'm back to my bouncy self today, nothing like a bit of Self Love to feel fulfilled again. And to add to the Love fest mix, I got to see this last night on ABC 2! 1000 Journals. Last week I put in a request at my local library and was told it was unlikely that they would get it as they don't usually purchase DVDs from the States. Sigh....

Thanks to the broad thinking ABC and my intuition to check the tv guide I had the immense delight of watching this! Masterchef, I do still love you and looking forward to tonight's episode!

For those of you who haven't seen it, it is quite a feast of inspiration... one man having an idea to send out 1000 journals into the world, to see if they would be returned, filled with visual and written journaling. Some have been returned finished, others still missing in action...

Many things I loved about this doco. There were Aussies featured in it. Always a bonus. But also the responsibility some of the passer-oners felt, mixed in with the wanting to hang on to the journals, made this a real human experience.

It all began with 'someguy' having an inspired, somewhat crazy idea that he acted on, that in itself is an inspiration.

Self Love 360 degrees.

"Self Love" Journal Page

It is true, what you ask for you shall receive...the Universe decided that it was time to give me a practical test to see if I could keep my heart open. Stay vulnerable. No matter what.

I've discovered, that when I state an aspect of myself, when I really want to implement change in who I am, the Universe provides a a situation to see if I've 'got' it. Always. Writing about vulnerability and self love is one thing, to experience it when the going gets tough, is indeed another.

I received my opportunity to practice vulnerability, where I opened my heart.... it was not well received and I felt the pain of disconnection. with an aching heart and tears in my eyes I began running the old stories in my head....... Until I remembered I had a choice.Same old game or new one? I came to my blog and read what I've been writing the last few days. And let it truly sink in.

It was time to walk my talk.

Through the hurt I acknowledged my Self Love and my connectedness.....In a heartbeat I completely turned my head space and heart space around 360 degrees. I realised that I'll be ok, no matter what, because Self Love is unconditional.

all the signs are pointing in the same direction

today all the signs seem to be leading me to read, write and acknowledge being vulnerable and how important it is to live with an open heart.Whilst doing some exploring on the web I found this great article written by Martha Beck. Sometimes words just jump out at me, like they are specially written for me in that moment..."telling your story demolishes the barriers between your heart and the outside world". My story telling is not so literal, but visual through my art....

Then these great questions popped up about vulnerability when I went to visit Brene Browns blog. and I wrote and wrote pages of inspired words that flowed out. Here's some of my reflections....

For me, being vulnerable is a conscious decision. Its been too easy for too long to keep the barriers in place.Wanting to numb the incoming pain of rejection, non-acceptance and exclusion.Perhaps even inadequacy and seeking approval. A brave conscious decision to keep my heart open, no matter what. And to be totally me. To be ok with who ever I am in that moment.

It is only though the risk of vulnerability that I truly see who I am. To know that no matter what happens I'll be ok. That I can show up again and place my heart on the line, aware that I could be walking away with pain or dancing with the joy of a full heart. And either is ok, because its better than building up the walls, where nothing can get through.

Many times I've felt the pain and the nothingness. Now its time for me to choose self love and self acceptance and I won't have to experience the hurt to learn about loving with an open heart. and that being vulnerable is a challenging yet wonderful space to be in...

ps. this pic was taken in my laundry! The painting brings me so much joy, I can only but smile when I see it. Much more heart filling than looking at the pile of clothes waiting to be washed!! and yes its finally cold enough here for me to wear that new fluffy pink coat. oh its the small pleasures.....

to keep my vulnerable heart open

Vulnerable Heart

60cm x 50cm Canvas painting

My transforming ways have been at play again. I created the painting below a couple of years ago now and its been sitting in my studio.... She was in a group of canvas paintings waiting to either be painted over or repurposed. I recongized the potential in the portrait and gave her a painterly make over. She is now enjoying her new lips, more hair and deeper skin tone, smelling her floral blooms and her background has a completely different tone.

"Thoughts" Mixed media painting

Now she holds a special message for me. Reminding me to keep my heart open. No matter what. I'm not sure if she'll be part of an exhibition or stay on my walls for a while. Guess I'll listen to my heart to hear what it has to say.

brave enough...

Today I feel brave enough to share my story about this fear….


For me, inspiration comes from many places, both inward and outward.


Inward inspiration comes to me easily and outwardly I am often inspired by other artwork and designs. I often try techniques and methods to replicate the essence of what I see in those works, always aware of giving it my own flavor, or style. And completely comfortable with my painting and drawing creations.

But with my range of card designs I have got myself into such a place of fear that I found myself being uncomfortable about sharing this work, in fear of judgment and comparison. Or worst still…that I have copied….that I am a fake and that I am not being authentic. Fear of retribution.

I have kept this part of my creative business hidden in the shadows. Shadows of fear.

With these hidden emotions comes the reason why they haven’t been doing as well as I had hoped. Maybe its my own mind games at play, in my heart of hearts they feel original. I use all my own artwork, paintings, drawings and inner guidance….but it is challenging to be so inspired by someone not to be influenced by their creations especially when there feels like there is such a deep connection with what they create.

Today I caught a glimpse of how things can change.I see how I can use my personal formula to push through this challenge. Love +Transformation. I haven’t been loving BuBu as I want or need to. She needs tender hearted care, some more of my inner inspiration to help her grow, time and understanding from me that all is as its meant to be.

my challenge has also become my inspiration.....

Self nurturing.

Today I'm being gentle and kind on myself. All that soul probing last week has left me a little ragged on the edges. I've treated myself to some nurturing food, candle burning, playing music, putting my hair up with a flower on the side (that always makes me feel good) and some cut fresh flowers. My life always feels more complete with flowers. Lately I've realised how much I am missing my old garden, 4 hours south of here. It was abundant in roses and many other delightful blooms. My new tropical garden, whilst practical and easy to care for is....well, tropical.

It is what it is, and I am grateful for my vase of roses. Here's to self nurturing!!

it's an inside job

my hubby spotted this sign around the corner from our home......

a penny drop + an interview with my soul

Vogue Magazine

I often hear that in life there are defining moments, or is that just in the movies they say that? No. It does happen in real life. This morning the hugest 'aha' tinkled over me, like the sound of a rain making instrument.....it was after reading these words.

"When we value what we're doing enough to promote it, then other folks will too." Kelly Rae

Although I have heard these words before, perhaps in different ways, today the penny dropped and I got it big time. When I looked at the creating I'm doing at the moment, I'm taking a piece of unwanted linen, transforming it with the tools that I have, lovingly, and creating beauty.

So if art reflects life and life reflects art, what does that say about me?

My creative contribution revolves around being resourceful and recycling, knowing that all that we need is already within. unwanted + transformation and love= unusual beauty. I can see the underlying value, the hidden potential in the discarded. Putting it into words has defined and quantified it. Like a formula for my purpose, my direction, my goals, my answers and my solutions.

I get it, I get it, I get it!

Why today? I was ready. I can see that I had to experience the unwanted, the unloved, the rejection, the valuelessness to understand that place. To see how the transformation with love works.

Now I can move on.

Emma Hack ~ Body illustrator

Wall paper Carnation-Emma Hack

Isn't this amazing? Certainly wowed me! After my body writing yesterday I recalled seeing these gorgeous images. Created by Body Illustrator Emma Hack. Shes an Australian artist (go girl!) who works with Florence Broadhurts Wallpapers and paints her models in 4-8 hrs. To me that seems like no time at all.

Her website is full of great images and videos about her art. well worth some time to enjoy this uniquely beautiful and unusual art....

Brave in the world!

my reflection

Ok, so I've painted a lot of 'things' in my time, walls, fridges, doors, decorated toilet rooms, mail boxes, cubby houses and murals in department stores. So painting on my body doesn't seem like a foreign idea to me at all. Actually it was great!

Why am I painting on my neck? of all places? Yesterday Kelly Rae talked about the f word...Fear! and whilst I work on my 'stuff' this fear was wanting to stay buried. That belief is keeping me in the starving artist role.Yes my journey has been fulfilling and I love what I'm creating at the moment, there is also so much more I want to achieve.

My fear is that my creative vision is not going to meet with reality. To begin to turn that around and start living my creative vision I'm affirming and today painted on my body that I'm worthy of success. Creative and financial. Mindy has inspired me to post this pics. It reminds me of that great scene in "What the Bleep?" (you tube start at 5.07)

from the outside looking in

It needed to be on my neck, or more specifically my throat chakra. And I needed to be able to read it when I looked in the mirror. I painted it in my mirrors reflection and knew that being brave at home was easy...I needed to go out into the real world.

I headed off to a couple of places. Too easy just to go and get petrol, I wanted to engage in conversation with people and went on a search for cushion inserts. After visiting a few decore places with customer assistants not being able to look directly at me, or just into my eyes, one lady finally asked me "What have you been up to?" I told her what it said, that I was practicing a new affirmation and that I painted it backwards so I could read it in the mirror, she told me I was clever. And I felt satisfied that I got to voice my words to the outside world.

Phew!