learning to love consistency..

Being consistent is a real challenge for me. I get bored with routine and rules and just want to buck the system. You just ask my kids, I’m sure they’d say that mum makes the rules and doesn’t stick to them, or she just ‘plain old’ forgets them….. and they know they can bend me very easily. Certainly doesn’t make mothering an easy job when I’m the one wanting to break all the rules.

This relates to my biz too…I’ve been doing loads of research lately on branding. And I’m aware that I’m really drawn to biz’s that have strong identity, strong consistency. That’s where I want to be. But how do I do that if I feel challenged by being consistent? What comes across if I’m not consistent is a scattering of STUFF. Not a pretty sight. And explains why I have never wanted to settled down into one artsy medium.

I have learnt the hard way in the past that the only true freedom is freedom within the boundaries. And funny enough consistency brings with it its own freedom. It’s a different sort of freedom…one where I know how far I can push the boundaries, a safe freedom where I know that its not going to back fire in my face.

So as challenging as it is, I am learning to embrace consistency and rhythm and my own personal rules…this feels like a tough one, but I know it shall have its rewards…although I’m not sure if the kids will agree on this one!

a bright, bright day...

today has been one of those days were resolutions, rhymes and reasons why's have been popping into my head and into my being. aha's in a string full....answers to questions that I have been asking for a long time, have made themselves known. and finally getting it. on all levels.

its brought me to a place where I'm filling ok about where I've been + the amount of time its taken. I'm being ok with being in my own space. Owning it. Stepping up into it. Loving that space and what it has taught me. Being grateful...

One of the articles I read that lead me to questioning my Self was this...and this qu popped right off the page. Why am I proud of my [product] Art? I picked up a pen + logically I thought it would be a struggle, but this is what flowed out....(uncensored + a little repetitive, but hey I was in the flow!)

• its taken me years of practice, self discovery + inner searching, patients + determination
• its the truth of my Self expression
• its the thing that most express who I am
• I truly feel connected to all that is possible when I create
• it feels my heart with joy
• art is the place that is self accepting, loving + reflective. like a true friend who never questions why
• i feel so deeply that it is who I am + that I am art
• we are undeniably inseparable
• it makes my heart flutter with joy + excitement

my whole being is swelling with possibility, from the inside out. if my art inspired me to feel this way I'd love to share that with you...so you too can feel it from + in your heart.

and you know that I love to hear what makes you tick... why are you proud of what you create?

school memories

A pic of me at High School aged 12

my daughter and I have be creatively busy this week, getting her school supplies ready for the new year at school. she is definitely the organized one. possibly takes after her dad in that department....but I am getting better I must say. as we were covering books, labeling pencils and figuring out how and where to put labels on odd things that strangely needed to be labelled, I remember how much time and effort I put into covering my own folders when I was at high school.

loved the mixed media images even then!

I can remember spending days cutting out pictures from my Dolly magazines, taping them down and then covering them with contact.

I dug this one out, I think it was my Year 12 Textile folder...and maybe one of the least covered with pics. Truly I was happy when I all of the folder covered with colour and images. and I'm sure mum was pleased that I was occupied with this task for so long. then I'd be on to covering my pencil tin with pics, which was usually a rectangular bisc tin from Xmas..

my son is not the least bit interested in labeling his supplies, but he is off to high school this year and maybe its just not a priority for him. the end of 7 weeks holidays have come around quick, but the kids and I are both ready!

feeling loved

So how did I celebrate my birthday? With loads of love! and a big flower. I had a magical day with sunshine and birthday wishes from around the globe. Thank you everyone, I do feel blessed to be a part of such an amazingly caring community.

I felt spoilt with gifts, beautiful food, great company, some pink bubbles in the afternoon and heart felt conversations. What more could I want on my special day? Thank you, I know this year is going to be the best yet.....

Inspired Vintage Make Over

Cate Blanchette in a Jean Paul Gaultier Couture

silk and velvet gown. Image courtsey of Vogue

This pic of Cate Blanchette (awesome Aussie actress) has been stirring my inspiration for some time. I just love, love love the textures and soft pastel colours against the black pompoms!

Jean Paul Gaultier gown, no less.......

My favourite colour at the moment is soft pinks, beige and whites, so when I found a soft pink cardi at the Op Shop for $2.50 it was definitely coming home with me. You know when an image from your collection of pics just pops into your head, well that image of Cate on the couch in her JPG gown came to me.....with some tulle and floral braid my Op Top now has a new look.

And heres my spin on it.

I'm sure I'll find a perfect time and place to wear it....maybe I could recline on the couch tonight in my new couture!

time out

A weekend away was just what I needed. To see some familiar faces, spend time with family and just enjoy some all round happy times.


My sweet soul sister-in-law. Andrea. Always great company and great soulfilling conversations.We had such a fun laugh filled to the brim, good time at the exhibition opening.


Saw so many friends and loved all those artsy conversations. Here is one of my bestest artsy friends Anna. Thought we'd have our pic taken in front of some Norman Lindsay's, no less!

Spent time with my family....my bro and I.

Captured a beautiful sunset, in the cool crisp mountain air.

Was out early in my pj's taking this shot of ice on my windscreen.

and some resident owls at my Mum and Dads place.

Yes this time out was great to rekindle and reconnect some parts of me. Thanks to all that made this weekend special...feeling blessed and appreciative of my time out.

to my newsletter, coming soon....

Floral Embellishments of Self

My Orange Floral Self...

Whilst reading a post at Olive + Hope a question was posed about a fun fact that I'd like to share about myself...after pondering for a while I wrote...

I don't feel completely dressed unless I have a flower on me...somewhere. On my shoes, in my hair or clipped to something I'm wearing.

Its true. And in sharing I'm aware its also about me embracing the unusual truth of who I am. In future posts you get to see more of me and my floral embellishments...

inspiration + boundaries= freedom

Its been unseasonably cold here. Last year I remember winter like it was a cold Autumn. This year I've got my beanies out. My kids call this tassel beanie my Chowder Hat, after a cartoon character and they laugh everytime I put it on. And that makes all the more determined to wear it all day. I made it up from a long crotchet rectangle and hand stitched across the top and side. Maybe I increased the number of stitches at the bottom or maybe the yarn was bulkier and just got wider. Inspiration took me for a ride and this is how it turned out.

The purple and jade beanie was made around the same time. Again I allowed inspiration to guide me and I made it up as I went along, circular this time....thats great when I'm making one offs, but if I ever want to create these again I'm going to have to sit down and work out how its come together.




I'm really getting how much my inner rebel rules me.I have so much resistance to following patterns, schedules and routines...truly I cringe at the thought.Whilst creating 2 paintings this week I've been in this challenge, wanting to create paintings in a similar style to this one, but feeling awkward and resistant in working out composition, colours and why it worked so well the first time. In the past I would have flown by the seat of my paints (pants) and made it up as I went along and at the end wondered why I have so many different styles of art in my portfolio.Its a balancing act between inspiration and (dare I say it) Self discipline.



At the moment its about setting my own boundaries for myself. Crazy thing is when I do I create more freedom for myself....who would have thought it worked like that.

In honor of setting my own schedule I'm creating a regular time line for my newsletter. I'd like to align with the new moon which is the 12 July.New Moons are such a great time for anything new and wonderful 'seed planting' time for positive changes.



Heres to embracing our own boundaries!

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.....

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!

women. past present and future

Happy Mothers Day for yesterday.... we had a lovely quite day. Mothers Day has brought up some sentimental feelings for me. Where I found myself thinking of the women in my family that came before me. How they taught the women and the girls in their lives how to love and nurture...and so it gets past on with the choices that were made. And as a mother I am conscious and reminded daily of how I am teaching my children to look after themselves and others.

4 generations on my mums side, baby me.

As a woman, girlfriend, soul sister to other women, I am fully present in the fact that we are nurturing each other. And that is truly special.

Women and girls are amazing, in all that we are and in all that we do.

wow! what a ride

My adventures continued after the class room learning. Sunday was the day I chose not to take classes and take off to the outside world with Dot, Jacky and Shirley... I got to experience more of the Dandenongs and enjoyed some shops and lunch at Sassafras. It felt somewhat cosmopolitan, it had a different energy to it and coming from the Queensland coast I was intrigued to see and feel heavy winter coats. I enjoyed the chill of the mountain air and the delicious company!

Chandeliers have been popping up everywhere for me to enjoy. I would love to have one in my home studio.....This is a woolshop we all enjoyed and I felt immersed in Autumn.

After my adventures out with the girls, Dot drove Shirley and I back to the retreat. Loved my day out girls, thank you dearest Dot and Jacky for taking the time out and driving so we could meet.I caught the bus to the airport with the rest of the CSR girls , waved and hugged goodbye many special friends, both old and new.

A few of us travelled on to the designated motel. And guess who we saw there? More girls from CSR....they came via cars.Sue had just booked in and Dawn, Jen, Christine and were dropping off Kelsey.

My darling friend Gina came to pick me up to spend the night with her and her family. And I knew I would have the best Greek food ever! Lots of laughter and conversation into the night.... however the next morning saw us on the freeway ...in a traffic jam! And yes I experienced one of my greatest fears....I got left behind, missed my flight, with the only connecting flight to Hervey Bay the next morning. After the initial realisation set in that I wasn't going to get home that day I decided to make the most of it and rang Gina to book another night at the Charos resort! News was well received both by Gina and my hubby.

Whilst booking my flight for the next day, guess who I saw? Svetlana. We sat for a while and had the most wondrous talk.

Gina and I took off to Kew to Abracardbra. Had the best time, enjoying old photo albums from the 30's-40's, postcards, books....and guess who I saw there? Klya and Diana. These CSR girls were everywhere!

With rumbling bellies Gina took me to one of her favourite places, Montys. It was so beautiful and fantastic food. We got a bit carried away taking photos but loved every minute of it....

Yes he just jumped right in...

Gina had just had surgery on her nose, and didn't particularly want her photo taken. She sported a white plaster strip, a perfect blank canvas and I did offer to paint a butterfly on it for her....every time she laughed she felt the plaster was going to pop right off.

And just around the corner was this place......

I did catch my flight home the next day. I was looking around to see if I could spot any CSR girls at the airport, but no they had all flown their own ways. It was a very early morning start, but have a look at this. Sunrise as I've never seen it before. Enchanting....

My whole experience away was amazing, thank you to all my wonderful friends who made this time away more insightful than I could ever imagine. And missing my flight was the best experience. I realised that I am always taken care of. Thank you Universe.

stardust and angel wings

I'm finding these little stars everywhere through the house,on my studio floor, in the rug upstairs, on the kitchen floor and smaller silver ones too....even in the garage. I know where they came from, a box in my studio. A friend gave me an envelope full for my , dare I say, 40th party a couple of years ago.Whats puzzling and amusing is how they got on to my studio floor in the first place. Maybe my studio fairy has been playing again a.k.a my dancing 9 year old or maybe they made their own way out....anyway I love them. I vacuum and sweep around them, enjoying having them turn up in unexpected places.


had an inspired idea today....thought I'd have some fun in front of one of my paintings. You know, like the carnival paintings that you stick your head through and have your photo taken.

I'm enjoying my angel wings. May stardust and angels wishes fall gently onto your shoulders today.

almond blossoms and up styles

Ms Aqua has decided to make her own appearance at an upcoming art exhibition. I'm so glad she decided to be part of the show.The blossoms I painted to cradle her are almond blossoms. They are very similar to cherry blossoms but it is almond blossoms for me. I remember as a child a row of almond trees growing in our yard. The blossoms were incredible. Mum took my brother and I out to the trees and we picked a handful of flowers. Heading back inside Mum kindly drew an outline of a tree, on green paper and we glued our blossoms on. I recall my brother didn't quite get the same kick out of it as I did.....





Maybe this helped ignite my love for collage, texture and all things that bloom? It has certainly stuck in my memory box for a long time.






Ms Aqua and myself have been sporting our own Lyn Gardner hair style. Its been so hot and humid here lately, that wearing my hair up and curly is the only way to go.I felt the same last year, really over the heat. Then I went to Melbourne in March to Creative Soul Retreat and got my fair share of cooler weather and layering up. I wonder if March in Melbourne this year shall give me some opportunities to wear a few more layers?

fluttering lashes

photo courtesy of stand out cosmetics.com.au

my fascination with flash eye lashes was rekindled today.

my daughter and I found ourselves at a 'compulsory' make up lesson for her dance school. Tina Sparks from Stand Out Cosmetics did a make up demo and as a former dancer herself shared alot of knowledge, both about makeup and being on stage.... how important it is to connect with the audience and you can't do that if the audience can't see the dancers eyes. Tina has created her own brand of healthy cosmetics for dancers to use and travels extensively world wide consulting Royal Ballet Companies right through to dance schools. She also writes for Dance Train Magazine and has adjudicated on "So You Think You Can Dance" both US and AUS.I enjoyed my girly hour and enjoyed learning that Tina was a Hervey Bay girl.

visual memories flashed back....of the false eye lashes I found in the bathroom cupboard when I was a kid. I think they were my mums, left over from the 60's.

Dad, Mum, baby me and Taggets the dog

they always looked so delicate and I'd place them on my lids and flutter my lashes, only to have them fall on the floor...my granny had a pair in her cosmetic draw too. I'd sit and watch her put her make on and she'd tell me not to wear make up until I "had to". I never really knew what she meant when she said that......why are grandmas so criptic?



my fascination rekindled, I fear it may only be quenched by being daring and trying a pair.

new + weird = I'm ok!

Today was a bit of a weird one for me.... I dropped the kids off to school as usual, but decided to go to the beach with my journal and do some drawing. The page above is what emerged. She almost didn't make it. I started drawing her face in biro, and part of me wasn't happy with it, and for a moment I thought about pulling out the page to start again. But I resisted this message from my perfectionist, inner critic! And continued....and am pleased I did.

I then went to my hair appointment. Yes colouring those greys that seem to appear every 6 weeks or so, but a least I know my hair is indeed growing. I often let my hairdressers play after my colour and cut. Today I had my hair dried straight for the first time ever! My hair has always been curly, never felt the need to do anything else but let my hair do its own thing...today was different. I kept feeling my hair, as it had a different texture and my kids keep wanting to feel it too. just a bit bizarre. now at the end of the day I'm getting used to it.

Yes, it's good for me to do things I don't normally do. Try...see from a new or different perspective.Cos I'm going to be ok.

content in the moment

yes, i'm feeling content sitting here right now. I've got my bags packed for a weekend away, and an art show to go to.Love to catch up with my arty farty friends!(sorry guys you are not all farty!) I've got my commissions finished and whilst there has been a number of tests this week i'm feeling ok. There seems to be more clarity in my thoughts and direction and i'm feeling that for the first time in a long while i know what i want and where i want to head. Not sure how to get there, i'm leaving that bit up to the Universe...more focused.

You can see a bit of Gloria in the back ground. She has had a bath, and I've dressed her a couple of times already. One of my daughters friends asked why i had 'her'...'it's just like a big doll and i get to play dress ups with her' i told her. She smiled and ran off to play.

IT'S ARRIVED!

Well Cloth Paper Scissors is out on the new stands in the States....and I have my Soul Clothes article published in it! Hoparray! I received my copy last week and subscribers also had their copies a little earlier. Australians will have to wait sometime until it reaches the newsagents. It was certainly a step out side my comfort zone, I am feeling proud of myself. It's time for me to be ok with what I am achieving and my successes. I have always played down my achievements in the past, so I'm finding that even writing about it somewhat challenging. But I so love to share....There is 4 pages in my article, featuring 3 artworks with a 'how to article'.

When I received my package from the States, it felt like I was opening the results of an exam...I carefully opened it and sat down with a cup of tea. Oh the anticipation of seeing it in print. I read it and then danced around the room. I wanted to share with someone so I ran up the street to my new neighbour friend and flung a copy into her arms when she opened the door....

I have created some artworks on paper, with the technique I have written about . They are available for sale on my Etsy site. Here is to being brave and being rewarded!

Daisy Days

I'm excited....although I feel like a bit of a novice, as I've just uploaded my first image to my etsy site. This is the second daisy clip I've made, I have one myself and just love wearing it. Its made from denim and artists canvas. I recently bought a short denim pinafore (is that what they're called?) maybe over skirt....anyway I love wearing my denim daisy with other denims.

This is a photo of me on the farm when I was about 5....with my pet lamb, called Lambsy. What else do you call a lamb when your 5? I loved making daisy chains..so lambsy and I are both adorned with these treasures. My artwork has reflected daisy shapes and it has only been recently that I made the connection to this memory. Maybe that's why I love wearing my daisy clip.

Blue jeans are the most beautiful thing since gondolas.DIANA VREELAND