reclaiming

Reclaim your wild notions ~ mixed media on paper

Inspiration Avenue Challenge

Tropical Dreams

Tropical Dreams ~ Mixed media Collage

Inspiration Avenue

"Just living is not enough! One must have

sunshine

freedom

and a little flower!"

Hans Christian Anderson

seeing with fresh eyes

Believe in Your Journey

I’ve enjoyed my 3 days back in my art world this week. I do so love our kids but with them back at school this week I feel I can get to all the things that are vying for attention in my head.

‘Believe in your Journey’ emerged from my studio this week and I’m so thrilled to be able to offer prints of it on etsy with a couple of my other recent collage pieces.

Here’s the story… I was happily pulling things together for a photo shoot of my prints, something I love to do and reminds me of my time at Myer in the Visual Merchandising Dept. I’d actually finished taking photos and was putting everything back where it was when I saw all the ‘special stuff’ I had piled on one piece of furniture. It’s all important, special bracelet that was a gift, special necklace, a brooch passed down through family….. it was all special!

I decided that loads of special stuff doesn't make the space more special. It just becomes ‘stuff’. So I pared it down, tidied up and put away. My hubby would be so pleased. He is a minimalist, who loves clear lines and absolutely no clutter or collections. I have no doubt that living with me, the collector is a challenge…. one that we continually work on to make sure we are both happy.

So here is the after shot. And I love looking at this now. My new favourite print, my black velvet cylinder purse that I use to hold my jewelry, my special family brooch, my grandmas perfume bottle, my rings, my badge from the workshop I took with Laurie Mika ...

Now it feels clean and clear and I love that energy as I pass by it. Fresh eyes my friends, fresh eyes.

heart dance

My Heart Dance ~Inspiration Avenue

"The treasure that secretly gathers in your heart will become evident through your creative work" Albrecht Durer

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!

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!

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.....

Boutique Beauties

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Stardust Girl

I have just uploaded some mixed media collage artworks to my etsy shop. Enjoy your browsing....

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!

try

Roses for You (a commission)

In this household we have been loving "Masterchef".... personally I loved the fact that Poh was an artist and that she brought her sense of design and artistry to the plate/kitchen. I mean how often do we see artists on these reality shows? I also enjoyed that she was courageous enough to try new things with the inspiration that came to her...and I could so relate to her overwhelm, when things got a 'little hot in the kitchen'. Have you seen her paintings? Yes they are beautiful.

I realised yesterday how much of an impact the show was having on us as a family. My 8 year and I had made some food to share at a school celebration and she asked me "Mummy, can I plate up?"

People come and go in my life, I am influenced by them, learn from them, perhaps see some of myself in them and move on...I've seen and experienced this in the art world too. New techniques, new mediums, how an artists uses something in their art. I feel inspired, try it and see if it fits into how my art is created. perhaps thats about exploring creatively, perhaps its like trying on something new to see if it 'fits'. maybe its just exposure. is it greener on the otherside? Somtimes the only way i find out is to go and have a look and then try.

At the begining of Masterchef, Poh said that painting and food were her 2 passions. Now she knows whats its like to cook and paint. I think thats a great thing.

pushing it ouside the box

Sometimes I love to stretch whatever I'm doing and push it just that little bit further. I could see a single blossom on a canvas with bits running out from the flower and over the edge.The 'click' of what that was happened after a email from darling Ro and I got to creating with crocheting wire and beads. This creative vision has been with me for a while, its just taken a while for it to emerge and I'm so grateful that Ro gave me a 'prod' with a loving stick! Hey isn't that what its all about, sometimes I just need a good prod to get me out of my box and put it all together.



Then I recalled some other artworks that I created a couple of years ago that have a similar theme.

This was from a series of 4 canvas' from 2006, the flowers all different colours and different yarns entwined and crocheted with wire. The whole series sold together in an exhibition.

And these came a little later, a combination of paper flowers, crocheted wire/yarn and canvas flowers.(its current on a wall in a display home in Hervey Bay). The one below is all flowers glued to a canvas with the edges sitting up.

The realisation has just hit me that these blossoms have been within my art for a while, even transpiring into other forms. In Sept 2007 I had an article published in Belle Armoire Jewellery with this piece, based on crocheted wire, beads and buttons. Honestly I didn't see that it reached back that far and wide. Somethings are innate within our creating, a progression...and they unknowingly resurface, like a memory. sometimes I fog over what I have created before.....so a revisit is definitely worthwhile. Wonder where the blossom is off to next?

Good things.

Its not as bad as what I thought. Thank goodness. It is a little concerning when a computer turns itself off. But my new computer man assures me it just needs a good clean and some updates. Phew. Had some great conversation about Mac computers with him, I have always been fascinated with Macs and their creative capacity. Turns out there is a Mac group that gets together in the Bay area for information nights. Might see myself there next gathering.

Have a look at this new collage on fabric, on canvas board.I've used lots of goodies from my treasure trove. I have found a use for pattern papers. I love the texture and the print on it. Makes a great background layer. Some doily lace and photo print outs. It hangs by some silk ribbon and buttons.

This and some fabric tags and a couple of clutch bags shall be for sale on my website on Monday. Going to wait for Mercury to go direct so I can have clear communication and computer ease.



A gift. A doll with a paper face. I'm not one that usually does fairy creations but this little lady came together almost on her own. She came together with lovely patients, which is unusual for me. In the past I've felt myself rushing to get something finished. Lately its been different and I'm happy to take more time....like the sense of urgency has slowed down. That is a good thing. Definitely.

extra~ordinary

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Today I am consciously making my day wonderful. Seeing the ordinary as extraordinary and tapping into the wonderment I see in everyday life. Kicking off these dreary thick thoughts and replacing them with colour and light....sounds simple, but not always easy!

The last few days I've had my 11 year old son home, just not quite well enough to go to school. But he is such good company when he's at home with me. He Loves to play Monopoly...I think we have about 4 different variations. And he takes great delight in beating his mum, which seems to happen more often than not.

I have got to my art table though and put together a number of small mixed media collages on paper. I have just allowed myself to use the techniques that I love so much..monoprinting, tidbits of fabric and lace,stenciling, collaging my drawn portaits and using images from my own photo's. I'll have a collection of them to share with you soon.

May you see the extraordinary in your daily life today, its there, truly it is.... sometimes we overlook it. Today I am looking closely.

stitching and creating to my hearts content

Painting, stenciling, printing, stitching and gluing...does it get any better? I am in heaven at the moment, putting a collection of my hand drawn ladies together. And happily sewing clutch purses as well, with lace, paper, vintage fabric and other yummy goodies. I'm working towards having a few original creative goodies for sale...so I'll keep you posted when they are ready.

Hope you creative bug is biting you in all the right places!

celebrate!

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I do have reason to celebrate! And I so want to share my excitement...... This mixed media artwork was accepted for a Tea Party Challenge for CPS and published in this edition Jan/Feb 09. I haven't received my copy yet, although I have been waiting ever so patiently for the mail to arrive. (Not going to be today with a public holiday!)

In the same edition of CPS, I have an article published..... 'Action is the art of Doing'. It's about using journal pages to move forward. Hope you get something out of the articile that makes a difference to your creative journey. And a great reminder to me to continue journalling and to listen to my own words.

One more reason to celebrate! I'm off to Creative Soul Retreat in Melbourne in March .I felt a compulsion to make the decision to go. And whilst I'm so excited to be going, I am not a seasoned traveller by any means and have never taken flight on my own.. only once been on a plane, and that was for a high school trip. I know it sounds a bit lame, but there you have it. Fear and excitement all rolled into one. I know this trip is worth it. Bernie Berlin, Stephanie Lee and DJ Pettitt. Just putting all those names together in a sentence, blows me away! And I can't wait to meet all the amazing artist who are attending. It will be a wonderful stretch for me on many levels.

dare to dream

The words 'dare to dream' have a very significant place in my heart....part of that was inspired by my daughter and a song she has been learning to sing. Shaiyl is part of a signing and singing choir and whilst she doesn't have any hearing challenges (no different to any other 7 year old anyway!) she just loves the fact that she is learning another language. This particular song really stuck a chord with her, so much so that everytime she performed it tears would streaming down her face.

This song was sung at the Sydney Olympics 2000 by two Australian icons, Olivia Newton John and John Farnham....its here on youtube. And lately has been resonating within me. I read recently that the songs we sing in our head often have a message for us to take notice of...you know when you just sing a few words here and there.

This is about me daring to accept what I truly want to create...to create out of the mainstream and be ok with it. That is a challenge , but I am aware that I am the only one that needs to accept what I do, no exceptions. Relying on no one elses opinion or acceptance.... After seeing Andrew Lo's exhibition yesterday, a Sydney artist who is head of the Australian/Chinese painting society, I can happily squash any belief that paper collage artwork is not mainstream.

Some close ups of my painting.



paper I had been hanging on to for too long, not game enough to tear up....until now. it was given to me on a visit to Melbourne by Robert McLaren, whilst on a studio visit.

I'm daring myself to have the courage to accept myself and what I create....and that I am indeed flowing and reaching towards my dreams.

acceptance

wow has this week gone fast....I almost forgot to let you know that a mixed media piece I submitted to CPS has been AccEpTEd! for publication.

A Tea Party theme. Above is a snippet of my collage! (I don't know how that slipped by). Oh yes I do!! I think between being an artist, wife and mother, my brain and the rest of me gets pulled into lots of different directions. On some days it feels like it is all at the same time. Anyway my collage was accepted out of 160 entries, so I'm planning a celebration. Maybe a glass of champagne rather than tea though......