A person known to myself, was giving me advice the other day (on a tram) regarding artistic inspiration. They mentioned how many artist make the trip to Hill End or Dubbo to fill their cup for new ideas and inspiration. Truth be know, changing your environment is a great way to find new creativity. 
However it made me realise how lucky I am. I actually do not have enough time in the day to actualise all the things I am inspired by, there is just too many. I would never get any sleep and I would then probably not like being creative. 


My cup is pretty full, and I do know that this is a very fortunate thing. Tapping into my intuition and having my eyes wide open, trying not to miss the "every day beauty" around me is my artistic secret. Reading and writing and experimenting with new mediums also keeps things invigorated. I also think it is important to not pigeon hole yourself to one thing. I love to paint but I always get pulled back to paper and collage....so I run with it as opposed to thinking it will diminish my painting. Eyes forward and eyes opened!


"Inspiration doesn't owe you anything. Once you've found a balance between fear and creativity, you still have to do the work." Elizabeth Gilbert 

On Saturday I was so grateful to be a part of a Parent Wellbeing workshop at my children's school. The workshop was a way for parents to explore different tools in how best to care for themselves, both spiritually and physically. I ran a creativity workshop centred around collage. Collage art is a well known process to improve and enhance the physical, mental and emotional wellbeing of individuals of all ages. It has been found to reduce stress, as we move our hands it activates the frontal cortex, which provides contentment and joy. 


There was no structure to my workshop, the ethos was to let go and use your intuition. To tear, rip and cut whatever images appealed intuitively and to glue them to a large piece of paper. The process of ripping the paper was a very satisfying fine motor skill and reviewing all the "hidden" messages in the end result was very telling. By working intuitively, the collage couldn't be constructed by any ideals. The end lesson was to put the collage away at home and once a month pull it out and action something off it. So I am hoping there will be lots of walks on the beach, reading a good book in a cosy corner or even creatively cooking up a storm in the kitchen.......all wonderful tools to have in our tool box for our WELLBEING.

Good morning, I did a yoga class yesterday that touched on the concept that the grass isn't greener on the other side if we just water our own grass. Watering our own grass means nurturing and growing our souls. It's important to not just show gratitude for what we have but to also give back to ourselves, wether that be a yoga class, time reading a book or maybe being creative..........what gift will you give yourself today?

I am not sure if it is meant to take a painter over 12 months to finish a painting. Spiritual Warrior has been a journey, as with most of my art, I really do not know where she came from. The painting started on it's path with my beautiful friend Kiera. Kiera wanted to paint and so with I as her teacher we started on our sessions which covered so many things. The beauty of creativity is not just the paint and materials but also the therapy it provides, the ability to let go and show your vulnerability on the canvas, to be non - judgmental. It can help you to tap into your intuition not just on the canvas but expanding into everyday life. In my teachings I also coaxed how to detach from what is happening with the painting and let it evolve. So as Kiera painted so did I, side by side - connection was what we found, not only together but with our materials and within ourselves. Spiritual Warrior is a 12 month story of - grief and loss, sadness Motherhood, nature, joy, yoga, love and Dharma - Life Purposes. The paining was aptly completed while I was on Power Yoga's, Modern Day Yogi Project an amazing 6 weeks of self study, yoga and health. Spiritual Warrior is not around for long but you can see her soon at the beautiful Sam's shop, Late September in Glenbrook. 

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.

This week apparently brought World Rhino Day, and I just so happen to have a Rhino design on a tee, my new iPhone Pineapple case arrived, we got our creative on with 6 wonderful students for a workshop. There were some school holiday shenanigans, a 9th birthday and my lovely photographer friend came to visit (Kylie Carson).

Yesterday's Mixed Media Workshop was lots of fun, full of colour and smiles. We had elephants, hearts and anchors all being framed by the end of the day. Creative abandon was had by all! Thank you to the very talented Kylie Carson for the lovely captures.