To experience the NSW Art Gallery at any time is wonderful, but it can get so busy and sharing the moment with kids can be tricky. However Art After Hours at the gallery is a wonderful opportunity to experience all it has to offer with maybe a few less people and with a magical night vibe. Coming to an end is the Corroboree at the Gallery Celebration, my two boys and I had the amazing joy to watch Adam Goodes interviewed last night in the halls of the Art Gallery surrounded by art and art lovers alike. It was a pleasure to listen to his honesty and openness but most of all his belief in forgiveness and compassion. We then spent the evening visiting our old favourite permanent residents and finished with the amazing Pop to Popism exhibition.  The Gallery staff were so welcoming and encouraging of the children's art experience, they played Marilyn Monroe twister with other art lovers, they were sent on a Pop art trail to discover all the different types of mediums in the art works and they were encouraged to be completely engaged in the moment. It is fun to see all the Andy Warhol's and Lichtenstein's and we are lucky to have this exhibition until March next year, if you wanted to share art with your children this is such a great exhibition to show them, you may even find they know more about Pop art than you do!

This weeks Christmas Bauble workshop had us all in the the Festive Spirit, we were relaxed and chatty with hot coffees and Christmas music cheering us through, only one more workshop left to go! I have seen patterns made by my favourite tree and put together a new altar table. The kids (plus a couple of supportive ring ins) joined me for the end of my 6 week Modern Yogi Project, we grooved the night away and sweated it out in celebration of 6 amazing weeks of yoga, meditation and self study. I am also really loving Redbubble's new mugs, I have just ordered a couple from my shop to check out the quality, I'll let you know how I find them.

All three art works were sold at our school auction last night, I hope their new owners are happy with their purchases. It is nice to know that there are lovely people enjoying my creative work. Big thank you!

So much fun was had by 9 creative tribe members. Getting their creative on with glue, fabric and candy canes! Thank you so much for attending, it feeds my soul so much and your creative baubles where all so beautiful! Here are some pics.....

I found a "Wishing Wall" in my beautiful Manly today, it is the best place for little discoveries. I took some time to read what others had wished for, some funny, some moving, a lot were generous and some shared their own personal wishes. Funny enough I spotted a wish that resonated with me "To be an ARTIST". My first response was that I wanted to tell that person that they were already an artist and probably didn't know it. All my life I wanted to be an artist and I just didn't believe I was good enough. Through a very long process of self discovery/study I came to realise that my perception of what an artist meant didn't serve me or my need and desire to live a creative life. This quote (Thank you Redbubble) came across my desk today (all such auspicious timing). It kinda sums it up nicely, wraps a bow around it and lands in your lap as gift. This is what I would love to be able to let that person know who wished their wish at the Manly Wishing Wall.

"If there’s one piece of advice I wish someone had told me years ago, it would be to create with the assumption that you’re allowed to be an artist. I wish someone had said, “it’s okay, you can do this, you can be an artist and nobody’s going to try and take it away from you.”

It's quite an amazing feeling "finding" yourself or being back in touch with yourself. In so many ways it brings a clarity to all parts of life. I'm getting ready to start a new canvas and I will be taking this theme along for the ride.

I have been away having a break and collecting "Moments".  Fishing, walking, swimming, exploring and celebrating my birthday, now it is back to more fun times, of creating and painting, Christmas bauble workshops and preparing for Christmas. More Christmas shopping inspiration coming soon! Redbubble SHOP