I’m a big list writer, I need them to keep me on track. My kids in particular are sensational at hijacking my day. I find if I write a list for the next day, I can hit the ground running and avoid being railroaded into doing things for my children, that the really need to be doing for themselves. It’s a bit like when I learnt how to parachute.  The instructors train you over a weekend until you are so brainwashed by the necessary positions etc. you have to adopt for the jump and landing, that you go into automatic pilot (pun intended) You don’t allow the fear and the instinctual reaction: “What the bloody hell do you think you’re doing, climbing out onto the wing of a perfectly good plane and jumping away from it?” to kick in. My lists are somewhat  the same, they act as a directive from my functional self. I obey the next thing on the list, ring here, book that, pay the other, without engaging my fears, doubts and perfectionist streak. I do what I planned to do, instead of wasting hours researching the best way to proceed, or worse still, doing a million pointless jobs around the house, that I suddenly feel have to be done!  I like to do lists as I go along through the day, as things occur to me.  It clears my head in the moment, so they don’t keep nagging at me and at the end of the day I revise and priories them.  By doing this  I can be sure that I have put the most important and pressing issues first and gotten rid of any items that are no longer a concern.

My work lists tend to be pretty dull, pen on paper lists, but being a visual person I make other list-like creations! Collages with various long term goals I want to achieve, mind maps written and drawn in different colours with arrows and various lettering sizes and shapes, all  interconnecting across a page. These prettier versions can be stuck up around the house to constantly reinforce and remind you of your priorities and desires. Remember, they don’t have to be all work related and I strongly suggest they’re not. Live spherically! Who wants to be rich, but unwell, or healthy, but lonely and joyless? Create a balanced visual goal or have different “lists” for different aspects of your life. Ha, I just had an image of a feature wall with all my schemes and dreams plastered all over it! Possibly a little full on for the family!

 

I must admit, I’ve set myself a daunting list of goals for my art practice this year! The first thing I want to do, when the kids return to school ( Yay!!!!) is break my goals down into less overwhelming chunks. I also suggest getting really specific. Nebulous goals tend to float around taunting you and confusing the universe. I’ve found repeatedly in my life, that if I take the time to really focus on what I want to achieve and define the steps, amounts and time frames, that the universe seems to supercharge the whole thing! Suddenly the perfect people, places and opportunities appear from nowhere. Serendipitous conversations, revelations and an often effortless flow occurs. Mind you, it’s not all taken care of by universal energies, you still have to put in the work and follow through, but there is something wonderful about feeling the universal energy is partnering and approving of your venture and assisting your actions. I think we’ve all had that feeling, when things just feel right and seem to happen with a lot less effort than usual. Setting goals like this is just a way to invite more of this to happen in your life. It’s definitely different from just thinking lists. You know the ones I mean, they  drive you crazy at 2am, but can’t even be recalled with any clarity as you drag yourself out of bed at 6 or 7am!  Mental lists tend to go round and round in your head, take up too much nervous energy and are rarely of any help at all. Writing, drawing, collaging it down, clears your head and makes what you want real. The dreams, schemes and ideas suddenly have a form and begin to take on a life of their own.

My suggestion to you is give it a go. I know it works for me and I love to share things that work for me with other people. It’s not a new concept, I hardly invented this idea, but like lots of good ideas, we tend to forget about them.  Consider this a timely reminder, a nudge from a friend to pick a goal, big or small. Break it down into do-able steps and make sure that you are really specific. Create a list, collage, mind map or all three! Then start working toward your goal, little steps at a time, 20 minutes a day, if that’s all you have. It’s amazing what can be achieved one thing at a time. 20 minutes writing a day, can write a book in a year! 20 minutes creating something you love each day will fill an exhibition, a market stall, your home with beautiful handmade one offs. I’d love to hear  if you have any breakthroughs, or if you been using these techniques for years and what you have achieved with their help.

Till next time,

Share the Love!

Hi everyone! It’s been really difficult to find time to blog. It’s school holidays here, six weeks of joy and bonding ( I’m being sarcastic) I love my kids to bits, but we’ve got 2 weeks to go and I’ve run out of fun ways to entertain them and if I hear: “This Sucks” or “I’m bored” or “Why can’t we just stay home?” I may spontaneously combust!

Anyway, I thought I would post some of the things that I have been finding inspirational over this last six weeks. We’ve travelled South to Melbourne for Christmas get togethers with family and friends, then North to Nelson Bay for a wonderful beach house holiday, courtesy of my dear friend Leanne and her husband. These adventures have brought out the iphone photographer in me. I tend to avoid taking photos, I like to be immersed in what is actually happening, not distanced by some apparatus, but I have to say, I have really enjoyed sharing how I see the world with others. It goes some way to explaining why I feel so grateful most of the time and why I think this world is constantly amazing and full of everyday gifts.

I could keep posting images forever, but I thought I’d just give a little glimpse. I don’t use filters or editing. These pictures are as I took them from my iphone 4. I love how the time of day and the light impacts our world, the way we see things and these pictures.

                                                                                Sorento Victoria

                                                      Flowering Artichokes at Red Hill, Victoria 

                                                                   Sunflowers in Leichhardt, NSW

                                                                   Sea Trees at Malabar Beach

                                                                        Nelson Bay Marina NSW

                                                                          “Dutchies”  Nelson Bay

                                     Old termite mounds repurposed by birds to nest in.

                                                                   Water and Stone

It’s the first day of 2015. I’m still in bed, not from late night revelling, but just because I can be; school holidays and all. It’s been a big year for me and I thought, before embracing 2015 with gusto, I would thank 2014 for all her gifts.

In 2014 I started a new business with my dear friend and talented counsellor/ Mindfullness advocate, Leanne Collins. We named the business ‘Art Journey’s’ , a name that perfectly encapsulates the inward and outward journey creatively expressing ourselves ignites. We’ve run with opportunities, facilitating creative workshops, developing ideas for new ones and now need to focus on playing catch-up with a website, finalising brochure designs and business cards. We already have work booked for 2015 and tentative plans for a book!!!!! So it’s all systems go on the ‘Art Journey’s ‘ front.

The last 3 months of 2014 were particularly affirming for me. I made a commitment to my art practice, building a studio in my yard in November. I love my little creative haven, it’s somewhere I’ve wanted from the moment we bought this home, many years ago. I think of all 2014’s gifts, this creative space is by far it’s best! I’ve got 3 words for all the creatives out there, toiling away on kitchen tables, boiling sunrooms and freezing garages, ‘Cabin Kits Galore’! Check them out, they put this little baby up in A DAY!

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In this last 3 months I’ve been creatively prolific, painting and drawing daily. I’ve introduced myself to social media, becoming active on Facebook, Instagram and created my website. I’ve amassed followers! Wow, was that a revelation! People actually like and sometimes even love my work! Social media has linked me with a world of amazing creative people who understand the compulsion to create. People who struggle with the same insecurities and vulnerabilities inherent in dragging something from the core of your being and placing it out in the world for public scrutiny. It has been such a blessing to connect with these gifted and amazing souls. They understand we create because we have to, because life is dull and pointless if we do not. After a life of being driven by my creative urges, but always feeling out of place, I have finally found a place to belong in the virtual world, which has helped me thrive in my creative practice in the real world.

The last amazing revelation of this year has been people purchasing the paintings and drawings I create! I’ve not made it easy for people to buy from me and yet they have. I plan to create prints, add PayPal and maybe some other products in 2015. I’d like to have an exhibition of my paintings or participate in a group show or two, if I can find some artistic buddies in Sydney. I have a book cover to create for my talented nephew and… Well you get the idea.
So, armed with my new kettle, my cool retro radio (bought for me by my lovely man) and a head full of schemes, I farewell dear 2014 and thank you for all your gifts. I now turn to embrace you 2015. Bring it on baby, I’m ready for an awesome year and wish you all the same!

Till next time,

Share the Love!

I wish you all a joyful Christmas! I hope it is spent surrounded by the love of friends and family and that everyone has some much need down time. Thank you for supporting my new website and my creative endeavours. I really appreciate every like and comment and have big creative plans for 2015!

Til next time,

Merry Christmas and

Share the Love!

Hi Everyone, Just wanted you to know, I’ve been painting and drawing constantly, but we are having a spot of bother with our computer. First our computer crashed and wouldn’t reboot. We sent it off for surgery and fortunately we were able to retrieve the contents, but the patient was beyond help. Our temporary fix, proved to be very temporary, so we bit the bullet and purchased a shiny new, sexy as a computer can get, replacement…… And it’s screen went demented, like a technicolor snow storm! So now, poor Ben is in an endless round of communications with Dell Computers and we wait for the “parts” which will apparently fix this problem. Don’t know why they don’t just replace the bloody thing, like most businesses do!

So, long story long, I can’t download and edit images, can’t start creating prints of my work and can only post poor quality images on instagram from my ipad. Boo hoo,……….snap out of it girl! Plan B is focusing on creating lots of work and not getting sucked into the internet vortex. In the light of recent events here and abroad, this is very small stuff. Trust that as soon as the computer is operational I will be posting lots and lots of drawings and quite a few paintings as well AND getting PayPal attached to my account for safe purchases!

Have a wonderful day,! I’m off to find out how my son did in his HSC, it’s very quiet in his room……….

Till next time,

Share the Love!

I’m sitting here trying to work on a commission, but all my brain can do is think of the terrible acts perpetrated against innocent people and my city in the early hours of this morning. Around 2am local time, 2 people who had entered a cafe hours earlier for their morning coffee lost their lives. Details are unclear, but the basics are that for 17hrs approximately 17 people were held hostage at gun point by a man who alleged to be a Muslim linked to a terrorist group in the Middle East. A young mum with three small children and an even younger man were shot and killed. The gunman too is dead. Their deaths have made an easy going city, preparing for a busy, family and food filled Christmas halt in it’s tracks.

I’m unsure what this means, if anything, yet. What I do know more clearly is what it doesn’t mean. It doesn’t mean I will change my behaviour, It doesn’t mean I will move from where I live, which is home to one of the biggest Muslim communities in Sydney. I feel no hate toward religion or Muslims. I just feel immense sadness, for the people killed, their families, the other hostages, the Muslim community and us all.

I believe this act had as much to do with spiritual belief as rape does to love. I certainly don’t believe religion is the cause of all war and violence, as some on social media have suggested. It’s naive in the extreme to think if there was no religion we would all be sitting round holding hands and singing chirpy tunes together. The real problem is much less attractive than some “other” being removed, so the rest of us can live happily together.The real problem is US! We humans are the cause of violence, hatred, war, child abuse, racism, nastiness, bitching, gossip, thoughtlessness, bigotry and unkindness, not religion, not God, not some “other”. That’s the real challenge, to look within our own hearts, review our own actions! None of the atrocities in the world happen in isolation. How are terrorist cells able to recruit young men and women to their ranks? Because they gravitate toward the vulnerable and disenfranchised. They would not have this supply of disaffected individuals if we created a society that was supportive and inclusive, where people in great pain found kindness, mental health assistance, a place to belong.

I’m not stupid, I know this doesn’t fix everything and everyone and I’m not trying to make readers feel guilty. I just think that at times like this, we want to “DO” something. It’s too easy and frankly moronic, to point the finger at an individual, a faith or all faiths and say; “if they weren’t here everything would be OK” The problem with finger pointing is we all have have them, so if you adopt this tactic you may just find the finger is pointed at you! On the big question of why humanity is capable of such horror, I’m as clueless as everyone else, but in writing this I’ve worked out what this particular ugly violent act means to me and what I’m going to do. I’m going to be more diligent, I will take even more opportunities to be recklessly kind, wantonly grateful and conspicuously happy! I’ll smile at more people as they pass my house and say something kind about their child, or the fact they’re out and about despite the rain or heat. I’ll keep doing my little bit, I’m not responsible for anyone else’s bit and I invite you to do the same. That’ll really piss the terrorists off and make the world a better place one little act at a time. (I hope)

Till next time,

Share the Love!

I believe that creativity is healing and that using our creativity provides a direct connection to our vulnerability, our innocence, our true selves. Engaging people creatively, is a powerful way to educate and free people from emotional and sometimes even physical pain. It’s not a magic wand, but it is profound. In my work life, I’ve witnessed hundreds of children, youth and adults blossom through playing with colour, paint, clay, collage or anything else we could think of to throw into the mix. With creative tools and a supportive environment, masks slips off and the freedom to relax and to be good enough is revealed. In group situation, people begin to listen to each other and themselves, they make friends and share their experiences and creations. Most importantly, they start to glimpse their true value and realise they’re not alone, that their stories have meaning and their personal journeys are important both to them and others. An incredible transformation occurs! Some people actually look different, brighter, lighter. Their energy changes and they see possibilities in their lives that they couldnt see before.

Being creative isn’t being “arty farty”, it’s not a waste of time, and it’s not being self indulgent. Being creative is an important way of communicating with ourselves and expressing thoughts and emotions that may not yet have words. Creativity allows us to step out of our structured , “these are the facts”, left brain and allow the potential of the creative right brain to hold the reins for a while. Group work is fun and incredibly rewarding and yes, it can be challenging and exhausting. It takes focus and a willingness to be present to keep everyone on track and feeling safe while this blossoming occurs. Being able to care and support people to heal in this way, while sharing the joy of their creative discoveries is an incredible honour and has been one of the great gifts of my life. I want to encourage everyone to create in a way that is meaningful to them. So choose your creative medium folks! Draw, paint, cook, garden, write or rearrange the lounge room, because it is within this creative activity that each of us can express our own unique gift of ourselves to the world.

Till next time,

Share the love

Just a short post, I’ve been so busy fixing up the studio and yard I’ve had no time to write, or do much creating. Guess I’m creating a space to create, but I really miss making art. Keeping my hand in with drawings that you can Check out on my instagram account.
I thought I would give everyone an update on the progress of my studio. Let me tell you, I have so much respect for people who paint houses for a living, It’s soooooo time consuming and fiddly and progress is so slow. The inside walls just kept soaking up all the paint, so I had to get a special primer and that seems to be doing the trick. It’s made to cover stains, it’s awesome, one coat of it was like three coats of the British Paints stuff I bought.
I also scored some cheap Dulux paint from a hardware store that’s closing down near me, reduced from $96 to $20!!!!! Very happy about that, sad though to see the hardware go, so many DIY’s, so many memories.
Any way, the outside is looking great! I still have to wait for the deck wood to “season” ( whatever that means) before I can stain it, but already it feels like I have my own little alfresco cafe in the backyard. It’s so nice to sit there and have a cuppa and a chat with whoever is around.
The inside still needs the cheap Dulux on the walls and I think I’ll leave the ceiling raw, (cause I’m too lazy to paint it). I’ve painted the shelves that were thrown out down the road and they look perfect and I’ve got an old desk that has travelled everywhere with me for years. My son was using it, but he’s happy to swap it for a modern one I have. I’m going to give it a lick of paint today, with my magic, stain covering paint. Hopefully, I’ll be finished painting this week and I’ll be able to move in and get to work on some more art. Wish I could just wave a magic wand!

The pictures are of the front of the cabin, obviously, the view from the verandah, complete with trench for the cables to give me power and internet access and the beautiful view framed by the window on the side of the cabin. I’ll post the inside when I get it all set up.

Till next time,

Share the love.

I’m sure like me, you have overheard people talk about how the world has changed, how people don’t care about each other, can’t be trusted any more and are just out for themselves. How children and teenagers have no respect, are lazy, selfish etc, etc. These sorts of comments both amuse and annoy me. They amuse me because people have been saying these things for endless generations, some attributing similar comments to Plato and Socrates back in Ancient Greece before the birth of Christ. They annoy me because they imply an inevitable moral decline that we are all victim to.

I don’t know about you, but I refuse to use my precious life to play the role of victim in anyone’s abusive power play. I do not believe that human behaviour has changed that much in all recorded time. There are billions of good people in our world, doing ordinary, unremarkable, loving things every day, in devotion to family, friends and their own communities. Unfortunately, as we all know, this is not news worthy and the ugly behaviour of a minority gets a disproportionate amount of air time, duping people into believing that the world is becoming more dangerous, violent and frightening. I want to challenge this negative mindset by inviting everyone to act in simple, yet profound ways. We are not victims, we are powerful creative architects of the communities we live in! Each of us can make a difference to our own little part of the world and by doing so create a chain reaction, a beautiful ripple effect of kindness, patience, respect and joy.

I ask you to consider adopting a generosity of spirit, to behave in your daily life with grace and kindness. Examples of this generosity of spirit are ridiculously simple. Give a real smile with eye contact to shop assistants who serve you, acknowledging the service they spend their life providing to you and others. Try acknowledging people as you pass them in the street with a simple smile, good morning, or beautiful day! It’s really not that scary and they may even smile back! Early morning walks are always good for this one, a little more difficult at rush hour, but hey if you’re up for the challenge. 😀

Another personal favourite of mine is being kind to older people. They’re the amazing, ordinary heroes in our community. They’ve survived multiple wars, The Depression, loss of friends and family, illness and pain, not to mention all the other tricky ups and downs that a life lasting 70 or more years can dish out. They’re still standing, they’ve earned a little consideration! You may be the only person who acknowledges them that day and even if you’re not, they deserve a moments attention, they deserve to feel valued and acknowledged. You can be the gift of human contact, a simple beautiful moment of acknowledgement that will lift your spirit as it lifts theirs.

I can assure you that once you get started an amazing world of opportunities to connect, laugh and care for others, in tiny, easy ways, that only take seconds, opens up. The great thing is that I don’t know who ends up feeling better, you or them. By giving a little, you receive so much back. Not only do you feel great, you start to feel part of a community, people remember you in shops, they smile and chat, you share small pleasantries. The examples I’ve given may seem obvious, even trite, but very soon you realise that in doing this you become present to your own life. You begin to look for opportunities to share kindness and in doing so your life and others lives are enhanced and made more joyful. You start to realise in a very practical way, the power we all have to create our own lives and to be powerful agents of positive change in our world.

I do acknowledge that chatting with strangers is not everyones cup of tea, but there are small things all of us can do, just start with what feels comfortable for you. A great option is to commit to being a respectful driver. If someone does something stupid in traffic, try just letting it go. Practice remembering we always have a choice in how we respond, we don’t have to overreact, shout, or even honk. Just smile and remember we all have bad days, laugh and know we all make mistakes, anger doesn’t have to be our ‘go to’ emotion. Try letting drivers in front of you in traffic with a smile and a wave and remember to give a wave if someone lets you in. All of these acts become little kindness ripples flowing out into our world.

What I’m suggesting is well within all of our capabilities. What I’m asking is to think more about our responsibilities than our rights, to be responsible for our own impact on the world. Rather than being a victim to some sort of moral decay, make the world a better place because you’re in it. Embrace opportunities to be kind and watch the ripple effect of your own behaviour.
Our lives are made up of millions of tiny unconscious moments, these moments are precious, strung together they create our life, our personal legacy to the world. These moments are full of opportunities to weave a legacy of love, joy and respect, or of anger, hate and pain, that will continue to radiate out in ever widening ripples long after we have left this world.
What will your legacy be?

Till next time,
Share the love

I have wanted to build a place to create in my backyard for as long as I can remember. There was always something else that needed any money I had. School fees, renovations to house our growing family, general costs of living in a big city, and even a family holiday all took precedence. Finally I thought, if I don’t do this, it will NEVER HAPPEN! There will always be something else to save for, or spend any money we have on, or worse still I’ll just decide there is no point. So with that in mind, I found a great company, Cabin Kits Galore (free plug), payed the deposit and waited for the big build day to arrive. I counted the days down like a kid waiting for Christmas and finally, yesterday, they came and built this wonderful space in a single day.

Today I’ve been cleaning stickers and some impossibly stubborn sticky stuff off the windows, handles and the gorgeous French doors. I’ve vacuumed up sawdust, swept it’s little verandah, worked out what paint I need to buy and am still mulling over options for what will go where. Someone up the road chucked out the perfect storage shelf that I snaffled. I’ve cleaned it up and will probably paint it. The universe provides again! Ben and I laid Lino on the floor( best option for spills and mess) and now I’m so pooped I could sleep for a week! I wish it wasn’t so stinking hot. I want to start painting!

Can you believe how perfect these shelves are?Thank you universe!

Till next time, Share the love.