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 

We've certainly covered a lot of ground over school holidays, all Sydney local fun. Lots of exploring our history at North Head, my new painting went out into the big wide world to Late September in Glenbrook. I channelled my inner cow girl at the new and beautiful shop Bella Boheme in Springwood and of course my students and I explored some "Heart Art". Thank you to young Isabel who sent me a shot of her gorgeous work on her art wall at home. 

Today in my workshop we explored collage and stencilling with canvas and acrylics. The room was the quietest I have ever heard, with 5 little creative souls concentrating very hard on their works of art. Thank you to everyone who came today, I am so lucky to get to share this with you.

I had a successful workshop today, it got me thinking, what makes a successful art workshop? I guess it starts with, what is your definition of success? I realised that today my definition of success involves a lot more than recognition and wealth. Success to me, sounds like the squeal of delight as a young student stamps her art work with a beautiful palm tree, or the kindness of the students sharing and helping each other and saying what they like about each others art work. Success is a Mum (who has brought 4 little girls to the art workshop) tell me how "relaxing" it is as she sits painting & gluing away encircled by her troops. Success, is being surrounded by happy and creative individuals who are in complete joy, living in the moment. 

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.