Getting Comfortable

We have been busy here at the villa, making ourselves comfortable.  We have installed some roman blinds to various windows and french doors .... all looking really good!  We're awaiting a fence to be put up out the front, to keep Jess the border collie safe and sound.  I'm trying to be patient, although the fence is taking forever!  We found a new rug - deep red!  ... then added a couple of jewel red and orange cushions... and now we have a warm, rich and inviting living room.

Our quest to get our garage liveable is ongoing and there are still a couple of things to move on, before we can put a car in there....  And we have bought a new one!  A shiny, silver Hyundai i20 hatch, eco car of the year in 2010, NRMA small car of the year 2011!  It will be delivered in a couple of weeks, and we're very excited! It's been more than 20 years since we've had a brand new car and I feel very spoiled!

The above trees were made with oil pastels in my journal.

Saturday Sessions

I have begun holding Satrurday journal sessions at the villa and yesterday was our first day.

Jo and Christine, both lovely ladies, really enjoyed the afternoon, epecially the collaging!  They sketched each other's faces and using that sketch as a reference, then went on to make a collage with some beautiful papers and newsprint.  We later added oil pastels, ink and watercolour pencils. 

There was lots of fun to be had and we will re-group next month for more...

It was the hottest day of summer in Sydney today and it was good to stay in my studio and play in my journal.  We have Air Con here at the Villa, but try not to use it too much, to conserve energy (for the planet) and keep costs down (for us).  So it was me and an electric fan, staying very comfortable thankyou!

This face is a collage applied with gel medium.  The lips are kitchen paper towel with water colour added.  I didn't wait for it to dry properly so the lips have bled a little.  I'm sorry she isn't smiling!

The above is a journal page all prepared ready for writing.  Water colour over gesso

 and a little collage and ink.

These are the geraniums in big pots outside my studio window.  I will get some more, as the geraniums just love the heat that comes from the west and it is retained by the cement paving all day.  I love them!

An emerald green pot behind madder rose bars.

In Distress



Buddha & The Water Dragon



This little water dragon decided to sit on the Buddha's lap today - and the Buddha didn't even flinch!  This is the baby, his mother is much larger of course, and is understandably very protective.  They love this spot in the afternoons when the summer sun beats down on this part of the garden.

I have been very busy in my new studio lately, having pulled out old children's stories I've been writing from the drawer and re-visiting them.  New illustrations to be done and I've been adding to old words.  It keeps me absorbed for hours and I love it!  It's all coming together!



Messy Studio Desk



I listen to ABC Radio while I'm creating and it has all been news of flooding in South Eastern Queensland and how people are coping with this disaster.  A major tragedy for Australia.  If you get the chance to give to a relief fund, please consider doing so.  Our people are in distress as I write.

Pizza Nite

Here's some more water colour, acrylic  & ink artplay ....  We are still getting our garage sorted out this weekend, the last room in the villa to be done.  It is a great lesson in ridding ourselves of clutter & unwanted things.  It really feels good to keep only the things that nourish you in some way and that fit into your current lifestyle.  Also, we keep finding things that we thought we'd lost!  The joys of moving house!

Tonight we are having make your own pizza night.  We chop up all sorts of things into little bowls and make our own specialty pizza from the selection.  Mine tonight ... on a wholemeal pita bread base - basil pesto, red capsicum, shallots, kalamata olives, mushroom, fresh parsley & shaved parmesan.  Easy peasy & yummo!

Just For Fun




Big, Old Red Armchair - Watercolour, Acrylic & Ink

 

I painted this just for fun.  I have always wanted a big, old red armchair and one day I will find one and buy it, even though it doesn't fit in my house!  This painting highlighted for me that although I do a lot of water colour, there is still a lot that I don't know. So I will be signing up for a watercolour class as soon as the term starts.  Find out what it is that I don't know!

Water Colour & a Lizard

Do you feel pressure to be creative?  I read some blog comments lately suggesting that there is sometimes a pressure to create.  I feel compelled, but not pressured and I approach my art from a perspective of play, not work.  I just like to play!  Lots!

The above is a water colour that came to me in a dream.  Has that ever happened to you?  Anyway, the next day I sat down and painted it, and so it became a reality.

This here is a pic of one of the water dragons that live in our front yard.  We  live at the bottom of a mountain and the flora & fauna is plentiful!  I took this from inside the house, (he was on our front porch) frightened that he would run up my leg or worse! (They're actually quite tame!)