Barefoot Wanderings

Fragile beauty

'Fragile Beauty'

Acrylic

3 Panals each 6" x 6"

Gifts and a Whole lot of Gratitude

It is hard to believe that this time last week I was sitting in a class room with Bernie Berlin, filled with the wonderful thought of DJ Pettitt and Stephanie Lee to come. This was at the Creative Soul Retreat 2009 in Melbourne. I will post about the classes and retreat soon but here I want to express my gratitude for so many gifts........

To these wonderful tutors who's gifts were sharing their time, talent, techniques as well as themselves. They are all wonderful, warm, giving people as well as talented artists.

To Bevlea for the gift of her time and effort into organising such a mammoth event and to all her helpers, especially Eva & Lucy.

To my dear roomy, always the gift of support, love, friendship, good laughs and grounding.

To new friends and acquaintances, their gift of conversation, time, friendship and some very hearty laughs.

As with any large gathering there will always be people there that you may not like but they too give gifts, the gift of reminding me patience, understanding, tolerance and of how I want to be in the world.

To old friends the gift of friendship, sharing and of being themselves.

To Jan and Ro for their beautiful handmade gifts of thanks. I am deeply touched and humbled to receive hand made gifts. It is really hard to put into words just how much it moves me and how it makes me feel when I receive them. I am lost for words and just hope that what I lack in words can simply be felt, then and now. 

I would also like to take this opportunity to give a bit of background on these gifts as I also have gratitude for the journey and reason behind them. About two years ago I met some wonderful people at the first art retreat I ever attended. The seed of an idea for an Artist Book Round Robin was planted and from there it grew, and grew...and GREW! to become Volumes of Expression. It was a great journey and a great gift, giving glimpses into other artists, peoples, lives. I was blessed by the experience and have grown because of it. One of the rewards, and relief, was when everyone's book was returned safely to them just before Christmas. This was incredible as it went for 18 months and involved 15 artists who lived across two continents. The range of skill level, experience and artistic style was as diverse as the artists and places they lived. Whilst I organised it, and yes it was a lot of work, it was also because of everyone who was part of this group that made it the success that it was. I am grateful and thankful to all involved.

There were gifts along the way. Of course the obvious joy of receiving a new package each month, seeing the wonderful art already created, but more so the gift of sharing - stories, trials, triumphs, sadness, support, friendship, and more, so much more. The personal journey of growth and change. I am also appreciative of and thankful for these. I did also receive other handmade treasures throughout this journey that I would like to publicly acknowledge, and express my thanks and joy in their thoughtfulness.

Jan's gift, a little altered book, is a reminder to me of all those who were involved. She has included everyone and created a small page in this precious book for each artist (above are just some of the pages). She would want me to tell you that she lacked enough time to give it the full attention that she wanted to, but I love it the way it is. I will treasure it along with the experience and all that I gained.

Desire

'Desire'
Acrylic
Canvas approx 30cm x 40cm (12 x 16 inches)

I'm not as happy with this as much as the last one but I have reworked it enough times now.

Perseverance

'Perserverance'
Acrylic
Canvas approx 30cm x 40cm (12 x 16 inches)

Big Steps

Last Thursday was my daughters first day at school.
Look how beautiful my babies are.
She looks so 'grown up' and yet so little in her new uniform. She was a little apprehensive about starting but she was also excited, and her big brother was excited to have her start. She was quite happy to go back the next day, which is always a good sign.

Both my children took delight in the fact that they didn't have homework but Mummy did - having to cover their books!

We have had quite a busy time, but that business has included being busy having fun and relaxing. My family came and stayed for Christmas, and then we had my in-laws come out from the UK. (They are currently in NZ and will return for another couple of weeks).
I never thought I would enjoy the school holidays as much as I do.

A Sea of Christmas Cards

 

....90 in total. All hand made. With help from the kids embossing and sanding.

Sting and Lute

Last night I was amoung the privileged few to see Sting at the Sydney Opera House.
This was no ordinary Sting concert. He sang and read from letters from a famous 17th century Elizabethan composer and Lutenist John Dowland, and he himself played the Lute.

Accompanying him was a phenomenal Lutenist Edin Karamazov, so consumed and passionate in his delicate playing of the instrument.
At times he was also accompanied by a group he affectionately referred to as 'the children', an eight piece vocal group from London - Stile Antico - Heavenly voices.

Stings' voice was wonderful to listen to, and well suited this style. His talent as a singer truly shone as times it was just his voice filling the hall. The lute is an amazing instrument to hear. The intimate setting certainly added to the magic.

He ended with a few modern songs, including one of my favourites Fields of Gold, all adapted to the Lute of course.

It was truly wonderful, a once in a lifetime experience that I am grateful to have experienced, and it was made even more magical because I shared it with a very dear friend - thank you for the invite.
... and a very Happy Birthday for Wednesday.

Here is a video I found on youtube for a little taste of what it was like......

A Finished Canvas

Mixed Media: Acrylic, Paper, Fabric.   Measurement: 45 x 60 cm

The photo does not really capture the depth and richness of the background which is made up of many layers.... papers (tissue, serviettes, various text) with glazes of Golden Quin Crimson between and then some stamping. The tree I showed in an earlier post has had extra timmings attached before being attached to the canvas. Finished with some artificial leaves I sprayed with Adirondak Cranberry and a little Espresso.
Close ups of the background...

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!