Renewal, Restoring+ Rewards

Renewing My Spirit ~ Inspiration Avenue

Original Drawing with fabric Collage on paper

The last few weeks for me have been all about renewing, re-doing and realigning....yep its been a huge task where I've tackled most of my online sites and gave them a make over. I still have a bit of a list to finish...but I feel on track.Updating info, pics and labels. If your reading this post from a reader, like google or bloglines I encourage you to come take a look at my new banner and buttons. I am most pleased with my new look..... but the biggest task I took on was updating my etsy.

Descriptions, banner, labels, photo's, you name it... I've followed the info from the makeover series from the Etsy Team AND I've just added some new original drawing+ collages too. So maybe you might like to pop by my shop and take a look...I am super happy with it.

so here's to renewal, re-vamping and rewards!

Sharing some Love...

'I see Love in your Heart'

it feels like I've finally had the time + inspiration to create....nothing like having a date to create to, to get the motivational juju flowing. These thready hearts are for a Love Swap.Made from wire, wrapped vintage linen, gold thread, my eye images and shells from the beac.h Jacky has a pic of her stitched hearts if you'd like a peek. can't wait to receive the swap.....truly who can resist participating in a Heart/Love Swap?

I have to say that reading many Valentine posts over the lsat few days that there is alot of Love + gratitude in this mixed media community.Visually, emotionally, in thoughts + words + energetically. Truly I felt warm + fuzzy after much reading. I hope your heart vibrated with good energy throughout Valentines day. Even if you don't celebrate the day its a good reminder about feeling the Love!

Here's some Love Links I've been enjoying. you may have already discovered them, but I'm finding loads of great reading here...biznessy + soul probing!

• Olive Bites -the Will Smith clip is a MUST see...
• Notes on Paper- Tips for Twitter Curious. What can I say other than this is amazing info if you don't know much about tweeting
• The Joy of Marketing
• Scoutie Girl

happy reading...

fall into your own heart

Fall into My Heart~ mixed media collage

Happy Valentines Day dear friends....I don't usually celebrate this day but I figured its a great time to spread some LOVE.

Hope your heart is full of Self Love Today!

some heart sharing

On the Wings of ~ Journal page

School goes back tomorrow. And I am looking forward to having my days back to myself. Don’t get me wrong, I love school holidays + having the kids around, but 7 weeks is a long time, especially when its been raining on and off. they are even looking forward to getting back to school. I figure this means they have had a good holiday and are truly ready + enthused about the year ahead. I did manage to have moments in my studio and with a new resolution in hand… its a biggy and really I had little idea on where to start other than just to start.

I began exploring some techniques that I love playing with.seemed like a good place to start..

In Search of ~ Journal page

I am most determined to find my inner creative heart. and to be comfortable in that place.love it, nurture it, believe in it.to know it is authentic to me. to watch it grow and blossom.

there has been much talk about this on blogs of late…and my thoughts are a whole other post. (I have some unusual thoughts/ideas on this one and need my brave heart on to be able share...)

Fly With Me ~ Journal page

I know in my heart that finding your own ‘authentic style’ can be mentally challenging. Its challenging because is so easy to be self critical + compare with others.

'It takes tremendous courage to follow where your innate gifts lead, as that often means venturing into unfamiliar territory, forging a path that is wholly your own and not mapped out by someone else.' Lisa Sonora Beam

Grow With Me ~ Journal page

But I’m going with my ‘warts + all’ theory. I’m not totally happy with the outcome, but I know its progress. I used to feel that I could only share well crafted finished piece, but I want you to journey with me, to see what discoveries I’m making along the way, how its all progressing, my mistakes that might just spiral off into an amazing design element or technique that I have giving birth to...i want you to be there. to be part of all of it. I want to share my creative journey with you!

Walk with me and Grow with me…

A Letter from My Soul

Dear Ego,

Thank for being the best teacher I could ever hope, wish, dream for. Truly in the last few days I have seen myself in a light that I had not been aware of before. In this moment I am feeling humble and quiet having the ability to reflect and observe without judgment. I can know see these disowned parts, the parts that were trying to make their way to the surface, wanting to let me know my inner messages.... 'you are not enough because. you don't love me because'.

You have given me a gift beyond words. A mirror for me to see my true self. I saw my vision.Of how I see things in my heart, the dream of how I would truly love to live me life.What I call my soul life, my authentic life. Life as I know it could be. And I saw the other side. My disowned traits, in all their glory. A place where I learn so much about who I am.

I saw my unloved fragments.

No better gift. Now I can acknowledge the places where I don't love myself enough. and make changes. For with awareness comes the ability to know what to change.....

Loving myself when its tough. Loving myself when it feels that no one else does.Loving myself when things dont go 'right'.Loving myself when sales are down. Loving myself enough when I've had a challenging day at work. Loving myself when a conversation goes awry. Loving myself regardless of whats going on around me. Loving myself through the lack and mis-takes.

Loving myself unconditionally.

This is the true meaning of Self Love. Practice it.Daily. There are many rewards.

with all my love

Soul.

in progress

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goddess drawings in progress

Finally I've realised that at the top of my list of creating is drawing and it feeds down from there. Its where my collage Goddess come from, portraits for my journaling, focals for my card designs. You'd think I would have caught on earlier, but hey I'm not beating myself up about it. Instead I'm cracking the whip and getting some portraits on paper.

I decided to challenge myself, lord knows why, and draw a profile image.It took me all day but I'm happy with the outcome. and I shall try more 'til they feel as comfortable as the face to front images. the more drawing I do, the better they get....just one of those things I've got to keep at.

Stemming from these couple of Goddess drawings are a new series of mixed media works that I'm creating for the Christmas Fair. Shall share those soon.

Also in the pipe line is a weekend workshop coming up for the local crew. A few more details to firm up, but I am WAY excited about whats coming together, so stay tuned. Announcement in a few days.

Hope all you Aussies have enjoyed Fathers Day. I'm feeling grateful that I can get some stuff done as the 'Dad' in this home is happily watching a fishing dvd on his own and the rest of us are doing our own thing.

digging...

Water Maiden

Anna suggested that my portraits might work better with a soft wash of colour, to help connect her to the background....so I gave it a whirl. Kym, Anna and myself have a long history of openly sharing our thoughts about each others art. What do you think?

nurturing my ugly duckling

The stretching was worthy it. I came back to seeing what was working and what I was striving for, where I wanted my art to grow and change. And relaxing into it and letting go of the impatients. It was uncomfortable stepping out of my comfort zone to try something different and then to share that with you. I thought about deleting the last post as I knew it wasn't my 'best' work.....but if there is no sharing how do we learn? My previous journal pages feel like a growth spirt. Kind of like when your growing and things are a little un-coordinated, lanky and not all together yet. Its having the courage to see it through and work through the resistance....

What did I learn? to be kind and gentle on myself when going through this growth stage, to be ok with what ever comes out as it undeniably leads to the next stage, to have patients with myself and the process and to stay with it, even when it feels like its not turning out the way I had first invisioned it.

Stay with your ugly duckling, nurture and care, be kind. As she shall surely grow and change into everything you ever imagined.

loosening up

after being in class with Jan ( Expressive Faces) at CSR I'm trying to loosen up a little in parts of my portraits. I still love the drawing element of the facial features, wanting to loosen up around them. I'm not sure if these really work for me, but I see them as progress and I'm stretching... maybe the most challenging part is letting go of wanting perfection.

working wonders

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Have been having a play around with a journal page background that I created at CSR and ideas with a collage drawn face. I've approached it a little differently to how I normally create my ladies. But I am loving the freedom in her hair....its a work in progress thats inspiring me to reach and stretch just a little further. That's what I love about creating in a journal. It can be experimental. I already have too many canvas's in my studio so trying it out on paper first and journaling around works wonders for me.....

Introducing Ms Aquarius

I'd like you to meet Ms Aqua...shes my latest drawing and loosely based on my interpretation of Aquarian themes. Let me describe her to you....shes that groovy girl you know that is unusual and brilliant in a weird sort of way. Shes the one that comes up with original and some may say 'strange' ideas that just pop out of nowhere. At times she can be a rebel and lives to be free. And definitely has her own unique 'thing going on'.

Doesn't she sound fun to be around?

Rose Petal Tea Celebration

The first day of Spring has come and gone and I seem to be more aware of flowers growing in the gardens, the warming sun and the knowing that summer is really just around the corner. I did get to celebrate the first day of Spring, in my own way with a cup of Rose Petal tea at a lovely cafe...life has been full pace this week with many 'things' needing attention other than creating.the reality of life. I have managed to make time to do some drawing.... once the house is quite and the kids are snugly tucked in bed.

I feel things maybe at this pace up for a while, so I'm mindful a scheduling some time out...Oh I hear my creative space calling....soon, soon.

today my inner critic dies!

This morning I woke from a profound and lasting dream. When I have those sort of dreams I am aware there is a deeper meaning in there somewhere, and it usually is about the coming day.......after checking my emails and doing a few quick blog reads before I took the kids to school I got a huge wake up call....and it was from my inner critic."Well you really stuffed that one up" and I started to agree, until another side of me came in with "Hang on a minute, there is a thousand reasons why this could have happened, its not always about me". That's when I realised just how much my ego self criticise....and it was in that moment I became aware that I have to stop it.Now. So with much determination I am laying my critic to rest today, burning ashes into the enthral and letting go by becoming conscious of my thoughts. And sending the negative talk back with love. Choosing more affirming ones.....I'll let you know how the funeral goes.


Aside from that I have been creating. I have been most inspired by DJ's beautiful textile books and although I didn't take this class with her I felt I could give it a go. I'm always telling my children to do that! This is work in progress. I'm kind of making it up as I go along.

I wanted to create a really special book that I can look through daily and really feel the decedent textures. I have a volume of personal affirmations that have come to me whilst mediating/visualizing, they have real significance to my core so I wanted to honour them by putting them in a special book with images and textures. Rather than a scrap of paper they are currently on.

And here is my article in the recent Cloth Paper Scissors, March /April about journaling. There are also some more pages on the online extras here to check out. The article is about taking an image and transforming it into many different identities....below is an image at the back of the magazine for your use to journal with. Use it in many different ways you can think of...and if you would like to email me with your journal page I'll post it on my blog.

If you are posting this image on your own blog in a journal page, I ask for the usually courtesy of acknowledgement. Thank you.

And finally I have 2 blank journals left, with about 60 pages in them. The front cover is a combination of print and original artwork. You can check out more details at my website.

" My inner critic can only be silenced through self love" Nic Hohn

Trusting the Process

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I've been a bit quite on the blogging front of late. I've been doing some inner work, clearing some old 'stories' attached to memories. It feels like I'm clearing out my inner closet of old stuff, getting rid of limiting belief that no longer serve me. and I guess only time will tell if I'm running the same old patterns again. and although it is challenging to do, moving myself with soul direction is one of my favourite things to do...... and there has been some art production in there too.

I drew this the other afternoon, you know, my favourite dress. It started out as a quick sketch in my journal whilst helping my daughter with her homework. I was able to draw back into it later on. I'm exhibiting in an artshow soon and want to show new work. So with a change of perspective and trust I've cut out this original image and worked it into a painting. (shall take a painting over the weekend to share with you) I was a little hesitant about about gluing on the original drawing.....I could have used a copy. But then its not really an all original painting is it?And for the art show I felt that it was important. Anyway I've worked through it and it feels good.

patients and a peaceful moment

Waiting for the energy and a quiet moment was definitely worth it. Sometimes when I feel inspired to draw I like to be on my own...and that can be a challenge if the motivation comes when my kids are around. I don't seem to be able to focus quite like I can on my own, so rather than feeling frustrated I make the most of the time when they are at school. They still have their input though....my 10 year son christened this drawing as the 'croissant hair lady'. You just got to love them for their honesty.....

journal pages to share

I'm getting close to creating some more journal pages and drawing...I can feel it, the energy, the inspiration and inclination. Over the next few days this energy can become a reality! and I'll be ready, pencil and paper in hand, ready to go! let the creativity flow.....I realized that I hadn't shared these images from my last few pages. Enjoy

today

Today my heart feels light and full of joy. Today it is easy to love. Today I feel like I'm moving forward. Today I can happily play. Today I love the world. Today I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Today I feel my dreams turning into reachable goals. Today it is easy to speak with love. Today.... I feel like I am the true me.

Be Yourself

this image seems familiar, like I know this woman. maybe an important message for myself.....

friends...

Yep, more drawing. I love it! Actually I feel quite compelled to draw. I feel excited about these two girls. printing them out and getting them into my journal. And really jazzed about how this style, my 'style' is coming along.



Style....that word brings up so many questions. my arty girlfriend Anna has always said "Your style finds you". and i'm getting a sense of what she means by that. We have had many looooong conversations about finding 'it'. It being the thing or style that is who I am, the it that I am happy to create, the it i'm comfortable to be recognized by. Up until now i've felt my style has been so diverse and with little focus.....maybe it's because i didn't want to put myself in a box and say i'm a this type of artist.

But i'm feeling focused and i'm loving the new ideas i have. i love the fact that photoshops challenges me to try new things and bring different resources to my palette.