bliss fruit

Balancing Act

2012-01-22T13:54:00.000+11:00

January has flown past me at great speed and the year is shaping up to be a busy one. This month is also the busiest time in the shoe store and I've been working extra as a result, with not much time to put my feet up! When I do finally fall into bed, my dreams all feature feet and shoes!!

So I'm planning a couple of small breaks - one to attend a family wedding in March and another one purely for R & R, also with family. Then a bigger holiday in the second half of the year, if all works out.

Keeping the balance is tricky sometimes, though it is possible!

Unfolding

2012-01-01T08:39:00.000+11:00

I bought these liliums on New Year's Eve when they were all in bud. Overnight they burst open just like fireworks on the Sydney Harbour Bridge!

I woke to a beautiful blue sky day, so Jess the Border Collie and I took off for an early morning walk with the bellbirds tinkling all around us. A great way to start the year!

I haven't chosen a word for 2012. I'm thinking I will just let things unfold. Though this will be the year of increased fitness and well being, taking care of myself with a little yoga, continuing to enjoy the work that I do and to try and squeeze a little more art back into my life, I miss it! And a holiday............... exciting!

Happy Yuletide!

2011-12-23T10:48:00.000+11:00

I have a week to relax and enjoy being with family this Christmas. I'm looking forward to decorating the table for our Christmas lunch that my foodie daughter will cook for us and exchanging gifts.

I wish all who visit me here a joyful Christmas, whatever shape it takes for you, and a safe and happy start to 2012!

Summer Pics

2011-12-12T12:09:00.001+11:00

water dragon at the villa

I thought I'd share a pic of one of the water dragons that visit us here each summer. They are quite comical to watch as they skitter along and they can even climb up walls! This guy jumped up into a tub where my tahitian lime tree is planted and sat there for a while surveying the scene. We have to make sure we keep the doors shut or they may come inside!

the chill chair

This pic is my amazing Op Shop find in a corner of my sunroom. I had the cushions re-upholstered and we now call it the 'chill chair'. It's a peaceful place to sit and read, or just relax with a cup of tea, even when it's raining. The flowering plant is a begonia and the greenery, a parlour palm.

Hoping to get back to some art this rainy summer afternoon, it's been a while!

Paris, sadness & happiness!

2011-12-08T18:40:00.001+11:00

Phoebe in the Herb Garden at Rembrae

I spent the afternoon in Paris today....... 'Midnight in Paris', actually! A movie I enjoyed, particularly because it took me back to that beautiful city I enjoyed visiting years ago! Loved the double era theme too!

I am sad, since Phoebe, the difficult cat died last week. Old age, nothing horrible, but sad still. She entertained us enormously with her strong character. She loved water and would knock me over to get in the shower in the mornings. And she went crazy over the scent of rockmelon! Rest in Peace Phoebe... we loved you lots!

Happy, because I have finished buying christmas gifts and can't wait to give them out! Looking forward now to a relaxing Christmas break!

The Vineyards

2011-11-20T19:40:00.001+11:00

Today my family and friends went on a bus tour of the Hunter Valley, a wine producing region in New South Wales. We were celebrating my sister Helen's 60th birthday and re-connecting with each other. There were views to die for............

Lambloch Vinyard

Lambloch Winery

Wine tasting with sisters, in-laws, niece, nephew, my daughter and son, friends.............

Grapevines

Grapevines galore....... then a stopover at a cheese tasting......

Lunch at Bluetongue

A delicious lunch.......... then another stopover at a chocolate shop......

Blueberry Hill Winery

Lastly, more wine tasting at this small boutique winery on Blueberry Hill ............

Blueberry Hill Winery

Then home again on the bus....

Out and About

2011-11-14T19:36:00.001+11:00

I went to the Hen's Nite of a friend on Saturday at The Arabian Lounge overlooking The Entrance, a seaside location near where I live. By candlelight, we sat on ornate poufs, ate Lebanse food and watched a Belly Dancer perform. Some of us visited a fortune teller! We danced the night away and smoked from an apple flavoured Hookah finishing off the night with coffee & Baklava. It was heaps of fun!

Back here on earth, I have joined a Yogalates class since the gym didn't work out for me, my hours being so variable. We take over the top floor of the Surf Club with million dollar views of the beach, lay out our mats and spend 90 mins stretching and strengthening. Today, a very hot day, a sea mist rolled in, totally blocking out the horizon and any view of the beach. Amazingly, it disappeared as fast as it arrived. I love doing this class!

......and a little bit me.

2011-11-06T18:26:00.000+11:00

This journal page is a little bit 'Klee' and a little bit me!

Today was hot and humid so I headed down to the beach for a little R & R and to drop in on a craft market being held there. However everyone else had the same idea and I couldn't find parking anywhere! Not to be discouraged, I drove to another waterfront location and enjoyed morning tea, while watching the bobbing boats, seagulls and other picnickers playing cricket on the grass. I read the Sunday papers and attempted a sketch or two. A totally relaxing morning!

Patchwork Fish

2011-11-01T17:41:00.001+11:00

A patchwork fish design....

I have been enjoying my days off and today I watched the Melbourne Cup . It is such an important race day for most Australians, we reckon it should be a public holiday! A French horse "Dunaden" won today by a whisker!

Interesting fact: Did you know that Australian racehorses receive chiropractic care, because it makes them run faster?

Changeable

2011-10-30T21:25:00.000+11:00

I haven't made a piece of art for the longest time, so I enjoyed my evening ...

playing with watercolour and ink....

While outside the weather kept changing from sunny to rainy, humid to cool.... best described as changeable. I think Spring has lost its way!

Sunday

2011-10-23T21:13:00.001+11:00

I nearly discarded this twilight pic of my studio, since it's a little blurry. But the glow of light at the centre of my table seemed to represent what it is like when I'm in creative mode. All the energy concentrated in the one place....

Speaking of energy, I had a mad burst of it today and went for two walks, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Then I spent the rest of the day clearing out cupboards and generally de-cluttering and cleaning. It must be Spring!

Then a quiet evening journaling, listening to my son play guitar in his bedroom. My front doors are open and you can hear the night creatures and feel the cool air floating about the room. The Sunday papers are still lying about from this mornings read. Wishing you a relaxing Sunday too!

Off and Racing!

2011-10-16T19:32:00.000+11:00

It was a beautiful Spring day today and I joined my work buddies for Ladies Day at the Races for our (slightly early) end of year function. We all dressed up in our hats, high heels and fascinators, sipped bubbly and placed 'huge' bets of $2 a race! We had the benefit of a corporate box and were waited on hand and foot. We had enormous fun!

One of our team and his girlfriend entered the fashion competition but didn't get a place unfortunately!

The horses, the stars of the show, all looked to be in beautiful condition. We left tired, happy and a little tipsy as the sun sank low in the late afternoon sky.

Everyday Things

2011-10-11T14:56:00.000+11:00

A couple of journal pages ...made in the evenings after dinner. TV is mostly uninspiring and distracts me from being creative anyway, so listening to music or ABC radio keeps me amused and productive at the same time.

Daylight saving hours have arrived at last with Spring lagging far behind, bringing us lots of rain and cooler weather. I think it's going to be a wet summer somehow!

Looking back over old journals I see it's been 12 months since we sold our old house and began packing to move. My journal was a godsend during those stressful months and I filled up pages and pages with writing. I can't believe time has moved so fast!

I enjoyed a journal class with my regular ladies last week and we explored decorative borders and lettering, achieving great results by following a simple idea!

Filling my days off work with busy everyday things - washing the dog, shopping, weeding, planting, watering, sweeping, washing windows..... happy times!

Labor Day

2011-10-02T18:34:00.000+11:00

This weekend is the Labor Day Long Weekend here in Australia. My son thinks it's funny that he was born on Labor Day. "Ha, Ha, Ha" said I! "If you only knew!". Tomorrow it is his 18th birthday and I have toasted him with a long, cold glass of sparkling shiraz...

My first child, a daughter, was a strenuous labor. Hard, because I resisted the urge to push. Nerves and uncertainty were present. Yet I went into hospital at 10pm one evening and delivered a bouncing baby girl at 8am the next morning! A relatively short labour. I remember sitting up in bed eating bacon and eggs, (I was starving!) prior to breast feeding my also very hungry, new daughter.

My second, a son, was easier. I had done pre-natal yoga and learned how to breathe and learned to lean my elbows on a chair and wiggle my backside during the contractions. (funny to watch, I'm sure!) I coped really well and although the cord was wrapped around his neck, which meant that I had to stop pushing at one stage, it was a much easier and quicker labour. Arriving at hospital at 10pm in the evening and delivering a healthy baby boy at 15 mins past midnight.

I am glad that they both came into the world drama free and that they are there for each other as sister and brother. Happy 18th Birthday Phil!

Spring Things

2011-09-25T19:26:00.000+10:00

~ This week I spotted my first water dragon of the spring/summer season , it's been really warm and sunny, perfect weather for them!

~ We sat in our sunroom over a beer and planned a holiday for next year. Thinking about it is almost as good as the real thing!

~ Went to our son's High School graduation ceremony, now he has to knuckle down for the Higher School Certificate exam coming up soon. Then school is out!

~ Listening to Spring rain falling heavily on our rooftop tonight, such changeable weather!

~ Iv'e been busy in the shoe shop with lots of people coming in for their summer sandals. Love the buzz....

A Fish Story!

2011-09-13T18:12:00.000+10:00

For some time now I have been in the midst of writing and illustrating a small children's story. I have progressed much further than this pic shows, I am only sharing the very early birth process here..... They are absorbing illustrations and I love the challenge!

Illustrate, then mask, then wash, then paint, then decorate... lots of concentration required! I am happy with how she has turned out so far and only have two more pages yet to go.

The story is very simple verse and the illustrations fun and colourful. I am posting this to give myself a shove in the direction of finishing what I have started. Onward to the finish line....!

Seeing the Changes

2011-09-04T18:37:00.000+10:00

I've been looking back over old posts and I can see a change in me. Olivia, ever intuitive, has pointed it out on a couple of occasions. We change all the time and sometimes it's easy to see, often it creeps up on us.

My life is so full these days - work is wonderful and I just love the people that come into the shop. They all have their stories/problems/joys and share these pieces of themselves willingly with me. I feel as though I am a sales assistant slash psychiatrist more often than not!

Life at the villa is happy and relaxed....... we are enjoying gradually making improvements to it. I bought a large cane chair recently at the Salvo's Op shop for our sunroom and I am having the cushion re-upholstered. This is a simple pleasure for me and I can't wait to see the result!

Days at the gym are lots of fun. Who would have thought I'd be saying that about repetitious exercise!

I am back on facebook too, after a long break and I'm loving seeing what everyone is up to!

Mind body and soul all doing well!!

The pic of the boat I took a couple of years ago down at a local waterfront. There is a pair of ducks on the deck of the boat and I posted it just because I love it!

A Herd of Elephants

2011-08-31T12:24:00.000+10:00

A herd of elephants! I began collecting these quite by accident and now have quite a few of them. It's funny how collections grow and grow.... what you focus on becomes larger!

I'm enjoying going to the gym these days and meeting up with other ladies also ~~getting sweaty~~ wishing to develop some fitness, as well as walking Jess the border collie. I'm feeling like a million dollars as a result! Busy with work, household things and school things, all of them jostling with each other....my son received an award for excellence in music... the ceremony was today and he played a guitar piece called 'Ocean' by John Butler. It was an awesome performance and always makes me cry!

As a consequence of being busy my art journaling has been sparse and a little rough and ready. The urge to create ebbs and flows.....

Spring at the Villa

2011-08-25T13:53:00.000+10:00

These are the flowers showing themselves off in my sunny garden today. This red one is a grevillea - native to Australia.

Not sure what this pretty yellow one is - another native Australian plant....

A pink diosma, very pretty at this time of year. The feathery leaves smell beautiful when crushed...

Jasmine hanging over our back fence, filling the air with a heady perfume.... Max cut it back, but it is a very determined plant!

And brightening the shadows, a snowball plant...

Paper Dreams

2011-08-18T19:44:00.000+10:00

I love decorating paper and find it very meditative. I have lots of ideas for more and I am thinking now about the quality of the paper I choose to decorate. I know many people make their own, but don't know if I'm ready for that yet. Though I dream of fragile rice-papers and rough & rustic papers, lots of deep colour.

However right now, I just like making the designs. Stamps. How do you make them? I need to get to work in my studio but won't be back in it until Sunday. Hold those thoughts!

Pieces of Me

2011-08-16T21:00:00.001+10:00

My dining room table - I light candles every single night, I just love them! The winter berries in the vase are picked from a nandina plant growing in my garden. This vignette changes with the seasons.....

This plant is so elegant, with sparse leaves that always float beautifully in the air with little support.

This is a New Guinea artefact my family inherited from my mother depicting a woman (meri). Set against one of my paintings it looks at home I think. The triptych painting was supposed to be a buddha, but ended up being some sad and soulful looking character!

This cat is a woooden sculpture bought at a local craft fair. Whimsey at it's best! A beautiful teacup given to me by my daughter sits in the dresser cupboard.

Plants, I love them so much and would have more if I was a little more crazy! This is a tiny philodendron. It will grow huge and climb up any support I give it.... one of life's metaphors I think!

Where are the Lorikeets?

2011-08-14T18:42:00.000+10:00

While Phoebe the black cat is sleeping, the lorikeets come to play.................

They love these native Australian spring flowering plants.....................

Can you spot them all?.............................

Another Week

2011-08-13T19:27:00.000+10:00

This journal page was half an old painting of a fish and half a flower cut out of a magazine and embellished. I've been spending lots of time in the garden and made another trip to the nursery to get some large saucers to put under the pots I bought last weekend. While I was there I picked up a couple of gardenias for my sunroom....looking forward to the scent they produce, I just love them! Ahh... Spring!!

Life is happy and I am setting off for the gym for the first time in my life next week for a trial period. I'll let you know how it works out! If it doesn't, I'll be back to yoga and walking the dog! I hope your weekend is a good one too!

Brunfelsia Undulata

2011-08-06T16:19:00.000+10:00

Today, a sunny and warm Saturday, I went to the plant nursery to buy some pots and plants for the front verandah of the villa. It was lovely being amongst all the plants, smelling all the flowers. And there were so many pots, large and small to choose from, in so many beautiful colours with shiny glazes.

However, to tone in with the brickwork I chose four soft, smoky terracotta pots and then after wandering around the nursery for a while longer, picked out brunfelsia undulata with its exotic looking, creamy coloured, fragrant flowers and glossy leaves. The pots actually match my garden buddha that you can see reflected in the window glass. They look great and I'm very happy with my choice!

Days Off

2011-07-28T21:52:00.001+10:00

A couple of journal pages ... first a design and secondly a page mentioning Margaret Olley, the Australian painter, philanthropist and National Treasure, who died this week.

Days drift by so quickly and this week I've been enjoying five days off in a row. This means catching up on household chores, and since we are being treated to some springlike weather, getting out into the garden... and it looks like a wilderness! Weeding and mulching are on the to-do list and a little basking in the sun to top up on Vitamin D. Looking forward to a trip to the Plant Nursery too, to pick out some plants to put in some large tubs for the verandah. I promise I'll post some pics when it's all done ....

Collage Paper

2011-07-22T19:45:00.000+10:00

I decided to decorate my own collage paper, with great results! I'm glad I decided to do this, it is so rewarding! I hope you can see the apple against the three papers I created and pasted in my journal.

First, make a wash of your favorite colour, then add a pattern in a darker colour, then add more pattern in a darker colour still, then highlight it with white. Repetition is the key here!

I cut this sheet of painted orange/yellow paper and pasted it in stripes, then added some decoration in blue ...

Worlds apart from collage papers you can buy and so easy to do!

Layers

2011-07-20T15:20:00.000+10:00

I played with the idea of layers in my journal today, over a two-page spread. Like the layers of sediment when you see a cross section of the earth, I applied gesso, acrylic, ink, watercolour, pencils and collage papers, allowing myself to just go with the flow...

This meditation took an hour and a half while it poured with rain outside and I felt very peaceful at the end of it.

Overcast & Rainy

2011-07-16T18:44:00.001+10:00

I got my wish! Today was cold, overcast and rainy... easy then, to put aside things you do on a fine day and devote time to finishing these two little paintings in watercolour, acrylic and ink... I do love those mediums!!

I have a little heater in my studio that keeps me toasty and warm, and I have a nice strong light to see by. Phoebe the cat and Jess the Border Collie often join me for art sessions and love curling up on the sheepskin rug beside me. Now it's time to heat up some soup for dinner....

All Good!

2011-07-14T20:02:00.000+10:00

This is a watercolour painting about one quarter underway. Lots to do yet!

This is a journal page, also partially completed. Saturday I will be able to get back into it all and I'm hoping for a rainy day so I can head into my studio and forget everything! I'm not complaining though, my life is rich and happy right now and although balancing is like standing at the centre of a see saw, it's all good!

Journal Play

2011-07-09T19:49:00.000+10:00

A little journal play to show. This collage was made up of an Asian newspaper, some designs of mine, red ribbon and silver material over brown paper, with a little red ink & red acrylic.

This face was loosely, a self-portrait. More the feel of who I am rather than what I actually look like. (as Suki said recently about a self portrait) Lots of impasto gel on this one, not that you can see it here. Rough and shiny at the same time.

Slowly getting back into the studio. It feels like an age since I've been here, I've almost forgotten what to do! ....Nah, that would never happen! :)

Winter Snapshot

2011-07-05T17:07:00.000+10:00

Reading... The Crafter's Devotional by Barbara R. Call - I'm loving this book (a birthday gift) designed to unlock your creative spirit!

Listening... to my eclectic playlist, it's like the proverbial box of chocolates - you never know what you're going to get!

Watching... the sun go down on a clear & windy wintery day, casting long, wild tree shadows...

Smelling... The sweetness of a punnet of plump and perfect strawberries...

Feeling... warm and cosy in my stripey slipper socks!

Thinking... that I need to get back into my studio after a few weeks break....

Time Floats

2011-07-02T15:51:00.000+10:00

Lauren & Bri

Time has floated along, as it does, and here we are in July already!

Shared a lunch with family at a local pub this afternoon, accompanied by very warm winter sunshine & blue skies as well as a laughing kookaburra! You'll notice we are wearing t-shirts...in July!! We ate tempura prawns, fish & chips, calamari, and deluxe burgers. Very tasty!

Moo & Miki

Enjoying birthday presents from near & afar. Lots to be happy about!

Thinking about my to do list and wondering what I should organise first...install a new dishwasher or frame some artworks....? My son votes for the dishwasher since he's chief dishwasher at the moment!Thinking how lucky I am to only have these things to worry about!

Weaving It All Together

2011-06-17T20:45:00.001+10:00

For a while now I have had a great balance in my life and it has felt so good to know that all the corners of life's bread have been buttered. This week I accepted the offer of extra work to cover sick and annual leave.

I have enjoyed working the extra, but have been amazed at the tilt in balance. Clothes, sheets and towels are being washed, thanks to my hubby, but there is a pile up in washing baskets waiting to be ironed. Shopping needs to be done late at night, animals need cleaning up after and this must wait till I get to it. My son talks ten to the dozen when I get home, catching up on lost time. My studio gathers dust!

I will have a healthy pay packet which will pay for some framing of artworks, so I am really happy with this. Still, the balance thing is important to me. This week has been a reminder of this.

Glimpses

2011-06-07T12:56:00.000+10:00

Some glimpses of paintings I've been playing with..... letting my imagination go wild...

Work has been busy, since it's mid-year sale time in the store. So I will return to the studio again once I get back to my normal hours.

Tonight we are going to watch my son perform a guitar piece at a local music-restaurant venue. Lots of excitement here!

Not much else to report, life has been chugging along nicely here at the villa. A little cold in the mornings and evenings with pale sunshine during the day. Taking my vitamins and keeping warm...

In the Store

2011-05-29T19:29:00.001+10:00

Meeting and greeting people in the shoe store is often done with mixed feelings. You never know who you are going to get - a wonderful, average or difficult customer. I have learned to shift into neutral gear and deal with whoever it may be.

One day I served an elderly lady, who after trying on a couple of pairs of shoes, decided that she only wanted shoelaces after all. It was clear to me that perhaps she couldn't afford the shoes I had offered her, on an aged pension (a common occurence). So I began unlacing her old shoes and re-lacing them with the new laces. When I picked up the shoe, a jigsaw puzzle piece fell out and I held it up to her - "were you looking for this?"

She was instantly delighted with me for finding it and gave me a friendly shove. She had looked everywhere for it! She asked me my name and I told her. She laughed and said her name was Pat! She left the store as happy as can be, with me also smiling!

It's these little connections made with people that make the job so worthwhile...

A Sunny Nook

2011-05-27T10:54:00.000+10:00

After much looking around, I found a new wooden table and a couple of director's chairs for our sunroom. They need oiling with furniture oil to protect them, so that's my job this afternoon. It is a lovely sunny nook now, perfect for reading the morning papers with a cup of coffee!

We also had the flyscreen replaced yesterday on the sunroom so it is all new again after Jess the Border Collie put her doggie claws through it one day, when we left her on her own. Separation anxiety! I have enjoyed ticking these things off my to do list!

In the studio I have been creating more story boards - a girl with a big red balloon, a mermaid in love with a sailor and next, a magic carpet ride! If these work out I will try and sell them in a gift store or two. Wish me luck!

Story Boards

2011-05-19T19:04:00.000+10:00

I have begun writing little stories again - very short prose, then painting the story on a 18" x 18" canvas. These little stories I absoloutely love and are about angels, mermaids and dragons. I tap directly into my childhood when I used to read all sorts of books with these magical themes.

One of my fondest childhood memories is of my mother loading me and my brother and sisters into the old Ford Station Wagon and driving us up to the local library. We would be bathed and dressed in our pyjamas and then spend the evening reading and selecting books from the library shelves. I loved going out at night and being cosy and warm inside the library. And all those books!

So I write the story onto the canvas creating a little story board. I need to improve my lettering before I can consider them a success, still, I'm having a ball creating them!

This and That

2011-05-17T14:38:00.001+10:00

Autumn Berries

The garden at the villa is small and planted mostly with native Australian plants, like bottlebrush and tea tree. There is not too much that you would pick to put in a vase inside, so I was happy to see these berries appear on a nandina plant in a corner of the garden. I love the Autumn colour!

I bought a new pair of trainers today so I can get back into a more regular walking routine. Being busy means I have to squeeze in exercise where I can, and Jess the Border Collie has been missing out on her walks too. As soon as I reach for my shoes, she heads for the door, all excited. I'm grateful for her enthusiasm or I might not be quite so motivated!

I also picked up a couple of canvases, so when I get back from my walk I'll have an afternoon of painting to look forward to.....

Time Out

2011-05-12T18:15:00.000+10:00

These photos were taken today at Terrigal, one of our favourite local beaches. The day was cold & clear with just a wisp of cloud. There were lots of people out enjoying the day, a group of learner surfers the only brave ones in the water. I was taking some time out for myself, no rushing today!

To answer your questions, yes, I am still selling shoes. It keeps me very busy a few days a week, leaving me a little time free to squeeze in art school once a week.

I'm loving the people-contact in the shop. Bad customers are few and far between and I've learned not to let them spoil my day. There are also many eccentric people who make things interesting and plenty of lovely customers who make it all worthwhile.

I'm busier than ever, but life is good!

Skull

2011-05-11T18:52:00.000+10:00

Today at Art School I finished off the Ancient Roman bust I began last class and started on a skull - some man with a seriously lopsided face! He needs a bit of work, but alas, it's too late for him!

Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House

It was very cold today, so I needed to rug up with socks, a scarf and quilted vest for my trip down to Sydney. I love the seagulls scattered all over Circular Quay in the mornings and the ferries plunging through the water at peak hour. So many people rushing off to work, I wonder if they still notice how beautiful it all is!

An Old School

2011-05-04T15:27:00.001+10:00

I have enrolled at an Art School - the oldest (c1890) continuously running School of Art in Australia.

Arthur Streeton, William Dobell and Brett Whiteley, all famous Australian painters, attended this school. Once a week I ride the train down to The Rocks in Sydney Harbour and learn how to draw and paint. I was excited & nervous on my first day and humbled by the talent at the school. I'm an absolute beginner when I look around and have a lot to learn! Yikes!!

Life Drawing was going on in the same large classroom when we first arrived, so we did some quick sketching exercises of the model to warm up. We only had a minute before the pose was changed, so had to work quickly. I was too slow!

Then we had to choose a bust from a selection and draw it.

This is a glimpse of my first effort, without any instruction....

And my second effort, with some instruction.... this was some ancient Roman I think!

I took a while on the nose and the mouth is not quite right, but I ran out of time so it is unfinished. Next term I'll take the afternoon class as well, so It'll be less rushed.

The students are very friendly (if serious) and the teacher is helpful and keen for us to perfect our drawing, giving us loads of technical tips. I loved spending the day in Sydney too, always a pleasure! I'll post more next week...

Soaking Up Sunshine

2011-05-01T17:04:00.000+10:00

This 'mother's day' orchid flowers every year around this time and I was tempted to bring it inside, but because I can see it from my studio window, decided to leave it there.

Today the weather turned out to be absolutely beautiful, so we left the housework behind us and headed down to the waterfront with Jess the border collie, a thermos of coffee and the Sunday papers. We did some celebrity spotting (an ex Sydney TV newsreader) and soaked up the sunshine while watching the boats bob up and down. So relaxing after a busy week.

The Sunday papers were full of 'The Wedding'. Kate Middleton's dress was roughly the same design as mine was 30 years ago. I thought it looked really beautiful! Will and Harry, also gorgeous! Kate's sister's dress - stunning! What did you think?

Colour Burst

2011-04-25T14:20:00.001+10:00

I hope everyone is enjoying the Easter break, also Anzac Day for us here in Australia. Raining again, although we did have a beautiful day on Good Friday and picnicked in the park with family. We have eaten our share of chocolate and other easter treats and I will be glad to get back to normal again! Too much of a good thing!

The above painting is just a small one - acrylic on canvas. I'm thinking of making a matching pair of large paintings based on this small design for my lounge area - a big burst of colour!

Page 64

2011-04-20T16:33:00.001+10:00

You may have already heard of 'What I wish For You' by Patti Digh. Happily I received a copy of it in the mail today, since my artwork (page 64) has been included alongside an essay by Michelle Drabik (page 65). Woo Hoo!

Really exciting to see something of mine published with this lovely group of writers and artists. The essays in the book are full of gentle wisdom, accompanied by some beautiful artwork, I'll be treasuring my copy!

Thank you Patti for the opportunity to contribute to your book!

Now to settle in with a cup of peppermint tea to read it from cover to cover!

Just Married!

2011-04-17T12:01:00.000+10:00

Another painting in the naive style I enjoy so much, this one called 'Just Married'. I loved painting all the little flowers floating down like confetti on the happy couple. It was completed in just over a day, since Saturday was a consistent downpouring of rain, and there was nothing else left to do but paint!

Busy

2011-04-15T15:28:00.001+10:00

This fish is a lot like me lately, diving into the car in the mornings for the drive to the station, then hopping on the train for a 40 min ride down to work. Days at home I dive into the housework so I can have some free time left over for art and other things. In a word, busy!

We have been sitting on our veranda in the shade for our morning coffee during the summer months. Now that it's cooler we've moved the table out onto our front patio where it gets the sun all day. A lovely peaceful spot amongst the herbs, the lime tree and tomato plant.

My son has just passed his Learner Driver test with 100% accuracy, so we are now officially in driver training mode. I think I'm more nervous than he is :) We will organise some proper driving lessons as well, so he'll be up and motoring soon.

I have also been happily road testing some handmade soaps from Martie. They look and smell just gorgeous and leave your skin beautifully moisturised. You can buy them in her Etsy shop if you would like to try them too.

Tomorrow is Saturday and I am going to tackle another big painting. I'll let you know how it turns out...

Banksia Pods

2011-04-06T18:10:00.001+10:00

This is a drawing and sketch I made of a banksia pod , some ten years ago, now pasted in my journal. The first a semi-abstract drawing, the second a realistic sketch.

Banksias are character filled trees native to Australia, with quite ugly seed pods that are wonderful to draw. During a bushfire, the intense heat makes the pods crack open and drop their seeds into the earth. When the first rain comes, up pop the banksia's with their olive green, often serrated leaves amongst the green fuzz of the other native plants also regenerating. And so the cycle continues.

Snapshot

2011-03-31T08:54:00.001+11:00

I've been.....

Drinking coffee out of my new mugs, found at the Salvation Army Op Shop. I love the orangeyness of them...

Wearing my new red work shoes. Sensible, yet stylish! :)

Walking Jess the border collie down at my favourite waterfront spot. Always beautiful...

Planning my next art journaling class...

And... Birdwatching on my back fence...

Riot of Flowers

2011-03-28T13:00:00.000+11:00

This was a decorative meditation where I just didn't know when to stop!

I just kept going and ....

going and going......

Words

2011-03-26T20:40:00.000+11:00

Back in the studio again after a break while getting into the working girl thing. Had fun this afternoon allowing words to be my inspiration for these little paintings. Dream ... I am actually dreaming of papier mache.... plans are evolving in my head to make some sculptures, painted brightly, of course!

I think this hillside needs some flowers...

This one was inspired by 'swim', however I left no room to include the actual word on this little painting.

Cool and rainy weather is predicted for tomorrow, so I will settle in for more word painting tomorrow.

Life Goes On

2011-03-16T20:58:00.000+11:00

Processing all manner of stuff in my journal... earthquakes, tsunami's, floods, fires, war ..... feeling overwhelmed by all the disasters. I can only give money and say prayers. This will have to be enough.

Life goes on at the villa in spite of the rest of the world's troubles. Working life is suiting me well. I am really enjoying the challenges of selling. It's fun and quite a buzz when you match up the customer with their perfect shoe. Everybody's happy!

I have added a plant to my studio and in the background you can see the sad looking patio waiting for more plants and a new table & chairs to inject some life into it.

This is a Tahitian Lime tree I bought at the Nursery last week, along with a big fat pot of basil. It needs to be potted up into its tub and I'm looking forward to having limes for my stir fry's and to slice up and splash into drinks. Lovely!

Plans for the Patio

2011-03-09T11:28:00.000+11:00

Beautiful autumn days have arrived and it's the start of the soccer season - back to Sunday afternoons on the sideline watching Phil's team play. I am enjoying my well earned days off and yesterday afternoon, sat out on our patio reading and listening to the radio, making plans for its makeover. We have decided we will shop for a new outdoor table and chairs - I think a wooden one with colourful cushions. And we'll need to plant something in a few big tubs to screen the not so pretty clothesline . I'm looking forward to a trip to the plant nursery this afternoon to see what will grow on a hot, west facing patio. It will need to be tough, tall and pretty....

On My Feet

2011-03-02T15:38:00.000+11:00

My first week learning about all the shoes in the large store I work for has been challenging, but in a good way. I've been re-learning how to fit shoes, especially for people who need to wear orthotics or who have difficult-to-fit feet and also for growing children. The stock reaches high to the ceiling and there are multiple storerooms. And speaking of feet, I am on mine all day, tumbling into bed well and truly ready for sleep each night.

The bonus of working in this particular town is the vintage cafe called the Beez Kneez just around the corner. There are very comfy lounge chairs to sink into, ambient music, great food, coffee and service with lovely old vintage wares everywhere. So I begin my day here and pop in for lunch too. Very relaxing!

The bromeliad in the pic above I yanked out of the garden a couple of weeks ago and threw into an old pot sans soil. It has responded by flowering beautifully!

Hi Ho, Hi Ho....

2011-02-19T16:59:00.000+11:00

Lucky me...I've accepted an offer of a part-time job selling/fitting shoes and will be off to work in a couple of weeks - no longer a lady of leisure! I'm so looking forward to it! It will be good to get out into the working world again after a few years break. I'll still have time for making art so it's a good balance, important for wellbeing.

I hope Spring and Sunshine is emerging up there in the Northern Hemisphere. Here Down Under, I'm sipping iced water in front of an electric fan and longing for some cool autumn days! It's a topsy turvy world!

We are Australian

2011-02-15T19:48:00.000+11:00

The Floods in Australia have been devastating and viewing this 'flashmob' raises money for flood victims. The song they sing makes Australians everywhere go all wobbly.

http://www.youtube.com/storytellermedia

From Yin to Yang

2011-02-13T14:45:00.000+11:00

Living Room

Our living room, once a fairly 'yin' nook has now become a cosy and colourful 'yang' space. I painted this canvas inspired by our new red rug. The other wall above the other sofa needs another painting of mine for balance.... back to the easel I go!

I am searching for some new lamps and maybe a standard lamp to read by and will be re-staining the old coffee table as soon as I can muster some of that kind of painting energy. Then onto the sunroom!

A Ferry Trip

2011-02-10T18:52:00.002+11:00

Ettalong Wharf

Today I went on a ferry trip across the water from where I live on the Central Coast to the Barrenjoey

Headland and Palm Beach. The day started off rainy, then blue sky took over. Beautiful!

The Bay

A friend lives over that way and we met up to have lunch at a cafe at the beach, then we sat outside on her balcony overlooking the Pacific Ocean to have afternoon tea and blueberry cake. Really magical!

Seagulls

While I waited for the ferry, I walked along the beach, shooed some seagulls and watched the boats.

The Palm Beach Wharf

The ferry came at 4pm and I was home again by 5. Tired but happy!

The Ferry

Lately

2011-02-08T09:15:00.000+11:00

The past week was a mega heatwave, not good for doing anything much except staying cool. By contrast, this week has been lovely temps and it's a pleasure to be out walking, doing a little yoga and pottering in the garden. Autumn is my favourite season and I am really looking forward to more of it.

Today I'm off to buy a canvas for a big painting, I haven't done one for at least six months and I'm feeling the urge again. My living area needs a painting with some lovely reds and oranges, so this one will be for me.

The above journal page was not intended to be a haiku, yet almost was one!

Here is a proper haiku;

heatwave wore us down

rainfall and humidity

cool change came at last

Wellbeing

2011-02-01T15:11:00.000+11:00

Holidays are over and I've reined myself in - back to mostly vegetarian foods, plenty of protein, dropping as much sugar as possible and drinking lots of water. Snacks like carrots with homemade hummous or berries with natural yoghurt are delicious! Saturday is treat day and I'm allowed to eat whatever I like and maybe have a glass of wine as well. I find this is a good balance.

I'm back to morning walks along the waterfront, then along my favorite street - Florence Street, around the block and back to sit for a while under the trees. Today was just perfect out there - a lovely high tide, magpies chortling, seagulls swooping and boats bobbing in the water... making the most of it!

Getting Comfortable

2011-01-30T17:56:00.000+11:00

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

2011-01-23T15:04:00.000+11:00

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...

2011-01-17T18:54:00.000+11:00

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

2011-01-13T19:54:00.000+11:00

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

2011-01-08T19:50:00.000+11:00

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

2011-01-07T19:58:00.002+11:00

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

2011-01-05T18:29:00.000+11:00

Artist's Tools

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!)

Fresh Start

2010-12-31T17:14:00.000+11:00

Red Fish

Happy New Year! A time when a large part of the world hits the re-set button and off we all go again! Wishing everyone a fresh start in 2011... I hope it's a good one for you!

The above painting is water colour, acrylic and ink..

The Wildlife

2010-12-30T18:30:00.000+11:00

Black Prince

This is a once highly prized, Black Prince Cicada that we used to try desperately to collect when we were kids. There are hundreds of them around now, this one on my front doorstep. Max tells me a Water Dragon ate him soon after this pic. The law of the jungle!

Speaking of the law of the jungle, my cat Phoebe caught a foot long water dragon (lizard) this morning and brought it inside the house between her jaws. I rescued it and set it free across the street, hopefully it is okay! No pics of this little drama!

Lorikeets

This pic was taken at around 5.30 pm in the afternoon, feeding time for these lorikeets. His friends & family were in our neighbour's backyard and he was the only one feeding on bottlebrush. We keep the cat in when the birds are around!

Simple Pleasures

2010-12-28T17:47:00.003+11:00

I've been playing in my studio, as you can see!

Life is happy here at the Villa Alecia. Colourful lorikeets fly past my kitchen window at daybreak and dusk. They chirrup constantly, so we know when they've arrived, often as many as a dozen at a time!

Tonight it's an omelette for dinner, already chopped - fresh, vine ripened tomatoes, basil and chives, a little parmesan - smells heavenly! Simple pleasures!

Christmas Table

2010-12-23T15:03:00.000+11:00

The table is set and ready for Christmas Eve celebrations when my daughter arrives. The first family celebration in our new place. The candles are sandalwood and the scent is heavenly!

My studio is all set up now, thanks to my husband's efforts putting together a trestle table from Ikea and moving in some shelves for me. A few of my paintings on the wall, a rug and voila! The best present I could ever dream of! All I need to do is chase Phoebe off the chair and I'm back in business....

I hope your celebrations are happy ones and that your holidays are nice and relaxing, whatever you choose to do.

Flow

2010-12-18T08:52:00.000+11:00

It's word of the year time again so visit Christine Kane for some reflection on 2010 words and inspiration for 2011.

I'm thinking my word will be Flow. Not pushing the river. The last word I chose was Change and I certainly have had plenty of that this past year and it's time to ease up a little! Lots of plans for the new year, so with a little direction from me, we'll see where they take me.

I'm off to the pet grooming salon today to give Jess the border collie a much needed shampoo and clip for Christmas. She's going to be (even more) gorgeous!

We're In!

2010-12-14T20:47:00.000+11:00

We're in our new villa at last and it feels good! Living here is like being on holiday! This is the front porch where we spend a lot of time talking and breathing in the view over a glass of wine, while Jess the border collie sits at our feet. Although we live in suburbia, this vacant land across the street is full of gum trees. We have water dragons (foot long lizards) skittering around our sunny patios. They are quite comical and I will get a photo if I can catch one!

This family of lorikeets arrive on our fence every morning and evening to feed on the grevillea's and bottlebrush flowers. They are noisy, playful and very affectionate with each other. I have put out a bird bath for them but they don't seem to want to use it yet.

The move went very smoothly and we have unpacked everything except my studio, which is on hold while we work out some shelving. The desk I chose to use will not fit in the room so I have to re-think that also.

Anyhow, we are all very happy in our relaxing new home. And life goes on....

Sketchbook Challenge

2010-12-09T07:09:00.000+11:00

I will be following....

.... just as soon as I land in my new place and get settled. The blog is up and you can get yourself a badge there. Some wonderful artists will be participating, following monthly themes and I can't wait to see what other artists do in their sketchbooks.

Thank you for wishing us luck with our move. Will let you know how it goes!

Zentangling

2010-12-07T09:00:00.001+11:00

I've been doing a little zentangling (if there is such a word!)

Christmas is on its way here in my neighbourhood. Twinkling christmas lights are up on houses and the street christmas party was held last weekend. We have been head down and tail up getting ready for our move so it's been good to see festivities going on around us, even though we can't join in yet. I have not set foot in a mall this season either and I'm not missing that experience one bit!

Lots of unseasonal rain about this summer, in fact a good chunk of our state has been declared a disaster area due to floods and we're expecting rain on moving day. If so we go to Plan B!

Please send some healing vibes to Suki who is facing the possibility of an operation next week. May all be well there.

Counting Down

2010-12-02T20:35:00.000+11:00

I am counting the days down on the calendar till we move with big yellow highlighter pen X's. Eight days to go.... My endless lists are merging into one final list and after that, it's all in the hands of the gods!

In the meantime, I am enjoying....

reading home decor books from the library.
freshly picked, fragrant gardenias sprinkled with summer rain
summer salmon and pasta salad
zero housework (it's way too messy for anyone to care!)
my pets Jessa and Phoebe - constant companions!
cicadas chirruping in the evening

Deep Breaths!

2010-11-30T19:00:00.000+11:00

I'd love a nice ordered room like this one right about now! Living with everything packed in boxes is not much fun! I'm missing things. Such as my paints. They're well and truly out of reach and I'm starting to pout! Our bathrooms are in disarray, thanks to some repair work that's being done and I am keen for a bit of zen...... We have less than two weeks before we move and I can't wait!

On the bright side, we have lots of potted plants to move and luckily we are able to do this early, saving us time on moving day. Breathing deeply......

Some Journal Pages

2010-11-25T18:45:00.003+11:00

This is what I have been doing lately in the journal. We had a journal session at my place yesterday and decided to explore the Bagua Map. We used affirmation cards to help map each of the nine 'treasures'. My main card was 'harmony' and it was a good fit!

Then we applied the Bagua Map to my new place and identified areas that were 'missing'. These are patio areas and I will enhance with lush potted plants and decorative items.

Is this how it is in the northern hemisphere? All cosy scarves, red cheeks and leaves gone from the trees?

Here in the south, it is more mermaid weather....

Wearing Your Passion

2010-11-22T11:27:00.000+11:00

I found this wonderful piece of wisdom here I love the bit about turning off the tv! It also made me realise how little travel I have done lately, so next year some plans to go exploring. A road trip maybe!

I believe I wear my passion for a creative life and wonder what your passion might be?

This journal page will become a painting on canvas once I settle in to my new studio space. It is kind of rough, but I had to get the idea down fast once it found itself in my head.

A Piece of Calm

2010-11-16T16:52:00.000+11:00

Garden Buddha

This is a sketch of a foot-high buddha that usually sits in my garden. Lately he has been sitting in the centre of my dining room table for safe keeping while we dismantle the house. A piece of calm amid the storm! He has a slightly green patina from living outside, but I like it that way, it makes him look ancient, even though he was only bought a few years ago at Eumundi Markets in Queensland for a sweet $15!

The Villa

2010-11-14T17:35:00.000+11:00

Here are some purple pages in the journal... I weakened and unpacked a box with paints in it! No staying power!

Our new home will be a Villa ...no photos yet! It is three bedrooms with french doors off the main bedroom, an open plan living/dining space and a nice spacious kitchen. A bathroom and laundry too, of course! We will have a screened-in north facing sunroom (the best aspect when you're down under), a few patio areas, a garage and a utility area out the back for the clothes line etc.

There is a garden out the front that will be mostly maintenance free. After having such a big house and garden here, we are looking forward to spending our time doing other things, so this is a good thing.
Our garden will now be in tubs ... herbs & vegetables, geraniums, fig trees and a couple of clivea's.

The property is on one level, so goodbye stairs too! There is a large, vacant tract of land opposite us, so at the moment, it is a pleasant outlook. . Just a few more weeks to go!

Mango Season

2010-11-12T20:08:00.000+11:00

All that I have left unpacked from my studio are colored pencils, texta pens and a couple of fine tip markers, so I combined them to make this page. Half a woman's face with snake-like hair...

I really love the idea of fearless painting - fearless anything really! Connie from Dirty Footprints Studio and Kim, Queen of Arts have led the way with great results. Can't wait to get my paints back, I'm feeling fearless! :)

We had a glorious, hot, blue sky, spring day today and I ate my first mango of the season - juicy and beautiful! Here's hoping your weather is beautiful, wherever you are!

Star

2010-11-09T19:15:00.000+11:00

This is not as sparkly and silvery as it is in the flesh, but you get the idea!

We have practically finished packing with the exception of some clothes, basic kitchen essentials and a couple of lamps. We are up to week two of a six week deadline, so we're doing very well!

There is a heap of stuff to go to the council tip, more still to be handed onto the Salvation Army. I feel blessed that we have so much and burdened by it all at the same time. It feels good to pass it all on. We are moving on to a simpler lifestyle at our new place, that's for sure!

Journaling Among the Boxes

2010-11-04T08:34:00.000+11:00

Yesterday I held another journal class in my home surrounded by semi-packed boxes and naturally, it was a lot of fun! Our theme was to create a map and we each went off in different directions with this idea. I decided to follow my heart....

This is Marisa and Jen who both took to art journaling like ducks to water!

Then we went on to draw self-portraits and because I had a happy accident where I closed the journal and imprinted on the other page, this one became a 'reflection in the mirror'!

Happy, happy, happy!

2010-10-30T11:02:00.002+11:00

Journal Page

I sit here surrounded by 'stuff' pulled out from wardrobes and cupboards. We're moving house and taking stock of everything ready for packing. Organised chaos! Downsizing is the catch phrase around here and we have to let go of as much as possible. We hope to be settled in by Christmas. Big deep breaths......

Some wonderful news arrived this morning.... my artwork has been selected to be included in Patti Digh's new book to be published in 2011 - 'What I Wish For You' . This news has lifted me up on a day when I am stressing about furniture and where it's going to go! Happy, happy, happy!!

Rainy Day Painting

2010-10-24T13:34:00.000+11:00

Today I pulled out my paints, since it is raining steadily and definitely a stay-in kind of Sunday. I found a little round camembert cheese box saved from last Christmas, that was crying out for a little folk art. I hunted around for some inspiration on YouTube and settled in for some fun!

Then on to the letter P. My nephews gave me this for my birthday and today I finally decorated it. The aim was to be seriously cheerful!

Sun

2010-10-20T19:11:00.000+11:00

This is a bit of journal play. I'm still craving sculpture, put on hold till we find a place to live. The edges of the journal page have been cut with fancy scissors to give a lovely tactile edge, which satisfies my need to feel the physical right now.

We are having some beautiful Spring days, a little rain, a little cloud, not too cold.... feeling in limbo and anxious to get moving...!

Chilling Out!

2010-10-14T20:22:00.001+11:00

This is a sketch I made of our cat Phoebe lying by the old gas heater last winter. She is eleven years old now, and despite appearances, is still playful. She is part Burmese and part Persian, and very vocal when she wants to be, especially in the mornings at breakfast time! She wakes me up without fail at 6.30am!

We are still going through the real estate process and I have no art to share. I miss it lots, although I have plenty with which to keep my mind occupied. No time to scratch really! People looking at my house, me looking at other people's houses, a possible buyer.....it's all been more gruelling than I thought it would be.... So tonight I will chill out with my journal for company and process the day away!

Creative Itch

2010-10-07T08:57:00.000+11:00

I found some time yesterday to sit and paint, just a small one. It helped relieve the creative itch I am feeling right now. I am loving alizarene pigment (madder rose) at the moment and making the most of it since I only have a small tube. It's on the shopping list.

I'm also itching to try some papier mache sculpture, get my hands all messy! There's some amazing creations out there and I want to make one of my own, then paint it in the brightest colours I can find..... and do some outside scenery painting down by the waterfront - a picnic with paints. If only the weather would settle!

Today, I am....

2010-10-03T20:28:00.002+11:00

We are selling our house and there has been lots of tidying, cleaning, mending, sweeping, weeding, styling and general peparation for selling. We had our first open house yesterday, so we'll see what happens! It's tough making a living, breathing ~~messy~~ home, behave like a tidy, sparkling show home! I feel a little antsy, so settling to make art has been not so much, and packing it all away again to keep things tidy is no way to run a studio! Still, I'm journaling, but mostly writing.

In spite of it all, I had some ladies over for a journal session last week and we messed around, getting to know ourselves and where we were at. We followed the prompt 'Today, I am...." and went from there.... We had some great results and will follow a different, deeper train of thought next session, when more ladies will join us. Fun!

This is a long weekend for us and has been very wet and un-Springlike. However, the grass is rich and green, so who could ask for more?

Getting Warmer

2010-09-27T13:38:00.000+10:00

You can tell it's getting warmer down in this hemisphere when I start thinking about the beach, shells, surfboards, waves... I painted these shells a while ago in a scrappy old sketchbook, then decided to cut them out and paste them into a nicer neighbourhood!

The surfboard is a photo I took a couple of summers ago. A surfer threw down the board, flippers and towel while he showered off the salt water and sand & headed for the shop. A classic beach shot, printed out on my printer and pasted in the journal.

September Pages

2010-09-23T08:54:00.001+10:00

I thought I'd share a couple of journal pages with you. I've been incredibly busy lately, but have still managed to get some journaling in, in the evenings after dinner - my favourite time for being creative.

I have been using a small A5 sized journal, so it's easy to fill up in a short time. I use a caddy to keep all my creative tools in and carry it to wherever I choose to be. Sometimes it's the dining room table, sometimes I sit on the lounge while watching tv and other times at my studio table while listening to my I-Pod. Whatever works on the night!

Thursday Notes

2010-09-16T20:32:00.002+10:00

It's been great to find out that there are those of you out there interested in doing an online journaling course if I offer one. I will seriously look at doing one, so hang in there and I'll get back to you!

And thanks Suki for suggesting that Myla and I meet. We are hoping to organise something, since Myla lives only an hour and a half away from me (If you're reading this Myla, contact me by email: blissfruitstudio at gmail dot com) I know we're always saying it, but isn't the blog world amazing!

The above page was made by smooshing paint between the pages to get a mirror image effect. Simple and fun! The colours (maroon & gold) are the same as my son's soccer team - and yes, they did get into the Grand Final! Wish them luck!!

Moving Forward

2010-09-09T13:07:00.001+10:00

I'm all excited about conducting a series of three art journaling sessions, starting at the end of the month. If any of my local readers are interested, please let me know and I'll forward the details. Lots of fun to be had!

I have felt lately as though I'm floating in liminal space, waiting for things to happen, so it's been great to get these classes up and running at last.

Also, we have settled in downstairs, making the area into a relaxing room to watch tv, read or listen to music - a parent's retreat, as my sister suggested. It is a lovely light-filled room, with a sunny patio outside, so bring on Summer!

I hope things are 'moving forward' (quoting our Prime Minister!) for you too. Happy Thursday!

Satisfying Endings

2010-09-04T16:42:00.001+10:00

It seems to be all about satisfying endings around here lately!

This zentangle with a splash of colour I made on the last page of my journal, on the last day of the month. A tidy ending to August and the journal!

There's been plenty of Spring rain the past couple of days, so it's been easy to stay indoors and get some studio time in. I'm on to the last stages of a big painting...nearly there Helen!

Tomorrow we're off to my son's soccer final - will they get into the Grand Final?? Fingers crossed!

I spent time with a friend yesterday and delivered a couple of paintings to their new home. It's always a good feeling to see them hanging in someone elses house. Totally satisfying!

On a Roll

2010-08-31T08:28:00.000+10:00

Painting downstairs has been finished, though I decided to do a couple of other spots in the house that need it, while I'm on a roll. The more you do, the easier it gets! The rooms are looking fresh and bright again and soon we will move furniture back in.

Art has been on hold for a while, just a little journal play every day while I attend to the house. I can't believe we're at the end of August already, the past month has flown for me. Lots of highlights - a new computer, new living space and a new hairdresser!

Do-It-Yourself

2010-08-23T13:40:00.001+10:00

With my daughter moving out of home, there has been lots of decluttering going on. We have identified piles of stuff and old furniture to go to charity, other piles of stuff to go to the council tip... it's been keeping me pretty busy and the new energy bouncing about feels so good!

Yesterday I began preparing the walls of the vacated downstairs area ready for painting. Any bits of furniture remaining has been moved to the centre of the loungeroom and today, I washed the walls with sugar soap. A great workout!!

Then soon, on to painting the lounge area, bedroom, bathroom, stairwell and hall. Lots to do, so we'll plug away at it and hopefully be completed in a couple of weeks. We're quite excited about having this new found space, so we're well and truly motivated. Now I must get back to work....

Good As New

2010-08-16T20:31:00.000+10:00

After a couple of weeks where Mercury must have been retrograde (?), (or perhaps we travelled through the equivalent of the Bermuda Triangle), we are back in working order again! First the computer gave up on us, then the brakes on the car, the ignition on the gas cooktop, the vacuum cleaner motor, the lawn mower cable and lastly my saucepan drawer collapsed!

All is good as new now, but phew, I'll never take them for granted again!

The above painting is named 'Time Traveller' If only it was that easy to move through time, or perhaps it really is that easy?!

A Half Empty Nest

2010-08-14T22:32:00.000+10:00

As I mentioned before, my daughter is moving out of home. This is not her first step out into the world, however this time she is making the move completely on her own and I am really proud of her. It will be great for us to have more space and freedom here, and we will be taking advantage of it. But I will miss having her around. So mixed feelings, happy though, that she will be able to express herself in her own space and live in such a beautiful neighbourhood. It will be just me and the boys here now - a different family dynamic!

Above is a journal page - an ink drawing of one of my particularly happy pot plants.

Lilly Pilly & the Bats

2010-08-11T18:33:00.000+10:00

These berries are from our Lilly Pilly tree (an evergreen rainforest plant) I planted some years ago. It is huge now and at this time of year, the bats come out in the evening and eat the berries. If we happen to disturb them there is a great flapping of bat wings and off they go into the dark, mysterious creatures that they are. They make quite a mess, but I am happy to be feeding the wildlife, it must seem like a banquet to them! If I can get my act together, I will make some Lilly Pilly Jam mmm...

Tuesday's Thoughts

2010-08-10T09:13:00.000+10:00

It is Tuesday and a pink magnolia tree is in full bloom outside one window and out of another I can see a flock of bossy white cockatoos bickering with each other and swooping from tree to tree. The day is wet, but there is a gentleness about it.

I'm having trouble uploading current photos to my new computer (don't ask!), so this old one is our Golden Robinia tree in full leaf. I am looking forward to summer when it will look like this again.

My daughter moves out of home soon and it means our downstairs area will be available for us to use for ourselves. The walls need painting first and a few other minor repairs need to be done before we do. So I sit here on this rainy day, contemplating what furniture will go down there, whether we will use the bedroom as a guest room or for ourselves. I'm itching to get started!