Barefoot Wanderings

Final Wishes

This month's crusade at Michelle's GPP Street Team is to think and write about what our personal wishes are for when our time is up.

I have to admit that I have been giving this some thought. Perhaps due to my fortieth creeping up, my aging parents, news of an incurable illness of a close family member, all of these things and so much more.

For whatever reason I had not really thought about writing them down or creating a journal page so this crusade was a great idea.

I have written a letter and created a page in my journal.
Here is the journal page I created......

I had created most of the left page for another crusade and just created a similar page opposite.

On the back of each butterfly tag I have written some wishes.

Perserverance

Today the training wheels came off.

As expected, it really was really hard and he wanted to give up.

He had a break, a play with sticks, a basket ball.
Encouraging words. Support. Another difficult try and still wanting to give up.
Another break - sticks, ball, climb a tree......
More Encouragment, support and positive words........
One more try before the promise of home for a swim and an ice-cream......

'I can do It!'
The look on his face says it all.
Pride all round.

My daughter is now wanting to do the same so I better warm up my arms and running legs again ready for the netball courts next week end!

In other exciting news my beautiful girl had her first of three school orientations on Friday in preparation for starting school next year. Whilst she is familiar with the school and knows children that will start with her she was very quiet, she stayed close and enjoyed a snuggle as we waited. The sudden realisation that this was happening so soon had hit her. She was overwhelmed.
Some encouraging words, knowledge I was just in the hall, settled down at a table with friends, paper and coloured pencils, and a quick kiss and see you soon. After 75mins I saw her beautiful face and her answer to how was it -
"I was sad at first but then I was OK." ...... and the chatter of what she did started, my girl was back to her usual self!

With positive encouragment anything is possible.
With support of family and friends we are all able to face the world and what life has in store for us.

This Month's Listening Pleasure.....

.....and probably for the next few months as I bought TWO great CDs this month that have had continuous play in my Car and home.

From the first time I heard I'm Yours by Jason Mraz I loved it.

I checked out the other snippets on iTunes before going and purchasing the CD We sing. We Dance. We Steal Things. and I have not been disappointed - it is truly amazing.

Upbeat, feel good, great in the background too but be warned your body will start to move.

Whilst looking up this CD I came across the fact Plain White T's had realeased a new album.

Whenever I listen to Plain White T's part of me gets transported back to my teens (which is good and bad).

It has a modern day sixties feel to it.
Catchy tunes, clever lyrics, great voice, wonderful harmonies.
My fav song at the moment is Rainy Day and That Girl (reminds me of The Monkees). 1,2,3,4 is cute and clever.
My least fav is Natural Disaster - which I think is their first single from the album.

I think Tom Higgenson is a truly talented singer songwriter. If he has got the stamina to ride the ups and downs I think he will be around for a long time..... like good wine he'll get better with age.

and yes, the kids love both these CDs too.

The song that started it all: .........warning - may be addictive.....

Detours

What happens in an afternoon where the kids are out, the hubby is occupied and I am free to paint.......

I decided to take a background piece of art I had previously created and try to finish it off.

I sketched part of a bare tree and traced over it onto tissue paper to make a pattern, I was running with the idea to either do this tree out of material or paper and attach it to the background - why just paint a tree when you can layer.

 

I found a couple of FAB pieces of fabric in a bag of off-cuts that a wonderful friend gave me (she does soft furnishings).

I cut the tree from the fabric, zig-zaged the edges and then stitched it to a plainer background. I was thinking that I would cut a border around the tree in this lighter colour to give contrast before attaching it to the background.

Once completed I had second thoughts as I thought it was too busy on the painted background. I have zig-zagged the cream edges and will leave it as is for now and do a different background to attach this piece to.

This measures: 25 x 38 cm (10 x 15 inches)

So, what did an afternoon of painting turn into.....sewing! Just proving once again that art is all about detours.

It's Arting Time again

It's School Holidays again which means Arting Time with my son.

                  Acrylic Paint & Conte Pencil  10 x 8 inches

Using the same Art Gallery Guide as last holidays he created the piece above. The image to the left is the piece that gave him the inspiration... Martmin (Rain falling down like legs) by Linsay Harris

The Power of Positive Thinking

About 2 months ago due to the ever increasing interest rates and other expenses my husband thought it best that, after almost a year off, it was time I returned to the workforce. This was not something that I really wanted to do, and actually looking for a job was even less inviting.

I prepared my resume and short of actually writing in big red letters that my kids come first I sent it off to a part-time Accounts/Reception job that was about half an hour from my sons school. The interview went well, they understood the importance of family. They wanted 3 to 4 days a week. With two days sitting on reception. The days were longer than school hours.

I thought it would be so much better to find a job closer to home (a suburb or two away) working 2-3 days a week during school hours, with more flexibility, in particular not being tied to having to be there set days and times to cover reception. Yes, a bit of a dream job.

I was offered the job but after further discussions it was mutually agreed that it wasn't the best fit.

The second job I applied for was for a part-time Bookkeeper with some general office duties. Again I got an interview and it seemed ideal, flexible with what days and hours I worked as long as I made a commitment to those days. They too understood the importance of family. The office was 5 minutes from my sons school. Yes, it was the job I had hoped for.... and yes, I did get it!

What is even better is that I am working in a small Architects office - not many places where coloured pencils are found in the stationary cupboard. I am at home with these creative people.

I have been working there for the past 5 weeks and couldn't have asked for a better job.

I no longer have any days, or time in fact, where I am at home without the kids....which hasn't happened for about six years. Next year will be different when my daughter will start school but in the meantime I am trying to get myself organised/settled into a new way. In the meantime I have decided to make no commitments to creating, emailing, blogging etc..... and to just do what I can.

How can I be any other way when the power of my positive thoughts has landed me more than what I was hoping for.

Chocolates and Flowers

There has been much going on for me lately. Some horrible news, some great news and many other little and big things on the go. Sadly, I have not had much time to visit blogs and I have not really done much art either. This is pretty much it for the last two weeks, this journal page.... it does include drawing up and cutting the stencil for the 'x's.

Gluing of a different kind

On Wednesday evening my son had a collision with a chair in which the chair came off the victor. His cry alerted me that something was not right. On inspection there was a cut, not too big but it did look deep so a trip up to Emergency was happening.

As it was a clean (straight) cut they asked if we would rather it be glued than stitched. I had never heard of gluing and asked what the difference was, gluing was quicker and more comfortable...well, was there really a decision to be made! He wanted to see what his cut looked like, as there was no mirror I pulled out my mobile phone (it is times like these that I really appreciate technology).... I won't show the 'before' shot taken but here is a picture after the glue was applied.... it's purple!
A steri strip was put over the top and I was told to leave it on and keep it dry for 7-10days.

It was quick, easy, and not too painful (they had applied an anaesthetic patch on it earlier, it was just that it was bruised).

My daughter was such a great help and remained calm and curious (she wanted to see!).

So did the monkey learn anything from his jumping around.......not back long from the hospital and the monkeying around was back and still continues! Isn't their resilience great ....not so good so soon after for the mother ....but that's life!

By the way, the chair is fine, not even a scratch or drop of blood on it.

Arting Time

Today is the first day back at school, the house is quiet and I miss my little munchkins.
I have been fortunate enough to spend a little time with my son, just the two of us, these holidays and one of the things he wanted to do was some Arting in my studio.... bliss!

The previous day we had gone to our local art shop as I needed some new brushes and he was given an old Art Gallery Guide book for free.... to give inspiration. I flicked through the book with him and showed him lots of things that I thought he could easily do. Here is the result....

He used Acrylic paint and a charcoal pencil, and it measures 8 x 10 inches.

The image on the right is the piece that inspired his creation by Angony, Did we forget something?

After completing his picture he declared that he thought his was better! How wonderful, I hope this confidence and certainty remains with him. And yes, of course, I too thought his was better and now have to decided where to hang it!

Whilst he was creating his work of art, I was putting the finishing touches on my second entry to the Artistic Journey Monthly Mixed Media Challenge. I have included another little snippet.
This face is smaller than any I have done to date, and it is also the first time I have done my backgound first and painted the image on top.

Some Reading

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Last night I finished reading this book. It was such a beautifully written book, telling a very moving story. In a backdrop of ugliness and sorrow there is love, strength, hope and goodness. It shows that when there is nothing, how much there is to give. It is a story about the power of words, told with such beautiful words. Even though this book is 584 pages long I read it slowly, over time as I wanted to spend as much time within this story, with these characters, as I could. A book I would highly recommend.

In between reading this book and Brida there have been others, I seem to be on a bit of a reading frenzy!

Any book I finish I will always say is a good book because any that aren't I don't finish. Obviously some are better than others.

Addition by Toni Jordan is a wonderfully witty and well written book. There is one part in this book that seemed 'sluggish' but then I realised that it was just as the character was...amazing! I absolutely LOVED this book. It is a light and easy read but a book that has substance. Another I would highly recommend.

Breath is another fabulous story by Tim Winton. I found this a good story and easy to read. I really like the way he writes. His books are all different yet similar, I could understand someone either loving all his work or liking one and not another.

Tuvalu by Andrew O'Connor was an interesting read. I did enjoy reading this book but every time I think about it I want to add a 'but' at the end, my problem is is that I can't define what the but is. Perhaps it is just that I didn't connect with it like I have with other books.

The Pilgrimage and The Valkyries by Paulo Coelho - are nothing like The Alchemist but I did enjoy reading them. I know there are people who would like to debate as to whether or not the events actually took place or could in fact ever be real but I don't get caught up in that. I think they are great stories, and can fit into what ever you believe in as long as you remain open. I liked reading these one after the other.

And on the Seventh Day by Paulo Coelho contains By The River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept, Veronika Decides to Die and The Devil and Miss Prim. Each story happens over one week, which is what the Author believes is all you need to change your life. I would have to say that The River Piedra.. has been my least favourite Coelho book but I did finish it! I did really enjoy the other two though.

The Long and Winding Road

We returned last night from a week down south spent with my parents.
I wanted to see what images would look like taken from the car (and no, I wasn't driving at the time!).

My parents live a couple of hours from the snowfields so we took the kids for the day.

Five

I have had quite a busy couple of weeks and have once again neglected my blog, well pretty much the internet in general!
One of the biggest events was that my youngest turned 5!
There are times where I feel all that time that has passed, and other moments when I wonder where has the time gone, but each day I love her a little more and am amazed by her.
Just cupcakes on the day as the Ninja Turtle Chocolate Mud Cake was to be had at her Ten Pin Bowling party (just like her brother had). It was only a small group of friends but a big lot of fun was had! Soon after my Hubby celebrated the 20th anniversary of his 21st birthday. And we are now in School Holidays.

I have been doing some art, mostly in some books for an Artist Book Round Robin I am in. I have also been doing some more faces.
This little snippet / sneak peak is for the Artistic Journey  Monthly Mixed Media Challenge, (entries close at the end of the month).

This was my first attempted at a mouth opened, OK it is only slightly opened but it is a start and I am rather pleased with it.
Little steps forward, certainly better than going backwards!

More Textures

Above are some of the interesting textures I have captured lately whilst out with the kids walking or bike riding, the latter giving little time to think just point and snap as I run along to catch up!
Having a theme certainly helps to focus and actually take photos. In getting down to detail, in just this short amount of time, I am already seeing more.

Resist - GPP Crusade 21

Thismonths crusade is all about Resist, that is doing wax rubbings and then applying a wash of acrylic paint over the top. For great instructions (as always) visit GPP Street Team.

My results were hit and miss. I think the lighter crayon with dark wash worked best. Here is a journal page I started using the papers I created:

Sorry about the poor image but it was the best one I could get.

An update on GPP Crusade 17 - Pandora's Box, which was all about putting together a Travelling Journal Kit.
After this crusade I received a copy of Art Escapes by Dory Canter as a gift. Whilst I have not ventured far into the book the first chapter is all about assembling your supplies in seperate kits so they are ready to grab at any time - the same message Michelle was conveying. What I liked was that it suggested to have three tool kits, one each for drawing, watercolour and collage. That way you could take one, two or all three depending on what your needs were at the time. Add to this a sketchbook/journal and packet of collage papers.

So after I collected my kits together (she does suggest what to put in them) I thought it would be great to put them altogether in this 'Bag/Box' my sister had given me. Once I had put in the 3 kits, a journal, and a packet of collage papers, I still had quite a bit of room left, so I filled it with extra bits and pieces (such as small acrylic paints, stamps,) and made my collage kit a little bigger, after all I can always take things out!

This is all still fairly contained as the Travel Kit Box/Bag measures 28cm x 23cm (11inches x 9inches) and is 15cm (6inches) high.

Now I am ready....I just need to organise somewhere to travel too!!

Another Step Forward

 

Acrylic on watercolour paper 297mm x 210mm

I made another attempt at painting the portratit of my daughter.

This is the photo I used:

Textures

Proof that I am keeping to my goal of taking my camera with me and taking photos. These were a couple of interesting textures I took when we went out to lunch for my sister's birthday.

.....and I did this layout in photoshop....another goal I am trying to obtain!

Second Attempt

Still a way to go but I see improvement which is a step in the right direction.

Putting into Practice

Since returning from the retreat I have not really had a chance to put anything I learnt into practice. One of the things in my ife that I am grateful for is that I am involved in an Artist Book Round Robin with a group of fabulous and talented women. Most of the art I have done in the past year has been in these treasured books (which is one reason not much art has appeared on this blog!). The theme of the book that I currently have is 'Faces'. So I thought that now was a good opportunity to have a play and try out what I learnt in Misty's class.

Of course, it is so much easier in class with a tutor on hand! Remembering how things were done didn't come easy, if at all, and the notes I took didn't always make sense but I decided to muddle on... I thought that it would certainly be more 'my style'  that way.

I wasn't going to post this piece but one of the reasons I started a blog was to keep a record of how my skills and art progress. So keeping true to that here is what I did.

This is far from perfect. I could do a long list of all the things I see that are wrong need improving. Instead, I choose to be pleased that I have taken my first steps and that I finished the piece. I will definately keep at this as there is a long way I need to go. As for the book, I will definately stick with my original ideas that I have already started!
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Just thought I'd share a little tip/trick.
This is great if you like to press textured paper into paint. Provo Craft make Cuttlebug embossing folders. Of course they have a machine you could buy to use these in but they work fine in a Sizzix machine with the converter in place. I actually read on another blog (sorry I can't remember who's but it was on a GPP Crusaders) that they use these just fine with a rolling pin! Anyway, they have some great designs.

I used the Textile design on the piece above.

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Here is a close up, you can make out the texture in the paint (it is not the darker stamping).

Streets of Sydney

Yesterday, after a very last minute decision, a friend and I decided to go to the Museum of Contemporary Art at Circular Quay in Sydney, to see the Fiona Hall: Force Field exhibition.

It was truly amazing.
It featured photography, etchings, installations, sculptures, videos, and more, all by this one talented artists. Most of her work used everyday / found objects.
Truly inspiring.
Well worth visiting.

On our way to and from the museum we put one of our goals into action. Armed with our cameras we took photos of all sorts of interesting things. The advice we received from Misty & Nina was to take lots of photos, and that we would get used to it and not feel so self conscious. So, putting it all in to practice here are a few of the photos I took.

I know that this is just the start, the more photos I take the more I will see.

I have not done anything to these photos (except add my name), my next big step is to start to play in photoshop!

GPP Crusade No 20 - Casting Call

This is a short and quick entry for this months GPP Crusade as I have been a bit tight for time this month but I thought something was better than nothing.

I took a class once a while ago with Joy Bathie and she taught me this technique. You need a rubber stamp, loo paper or tissues, brush and a container holding water mixed with a little gel medium (the gel medium binds it together).

I like to work on top of a non-porous surface (such as a cutting mat).
Place the stamp image face up and put the paper/tissue on top.
Dip the brush in the water mixture and dab on top of the tissue pushing it into the crevices of the design but not too hard that the tissue will tear.
Keep adding layers of tissue and dabbing with the wet brush.

This is something I have added to Joy's technique.
Once enough layers have been added, I then very gently turn the rubber stamp and tissue over whilst it is still wet.
I then take my wet brush and dab around the edges of the stamp - this is to take away the harsh ridge that would form.
I also wet the excess paper that is not on the rubber so that this also bonds together. Once the tissue is dry the excess tissue can be gently torn and worked more easily into the piece of art that it will be added too.

The image on the left is the one I have just done (it is still quite wet).

The image below is the piece I completed in Joy's Class.