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. 

So much to do and explore around this neck of the woods. A clean out happened but it hasn't opened up any extra space at all, some writing and playing with elephants. A walk along a new undiscovered (to us) headland, I taught one of my beautiful boys how to make a Mandala and I am in love with the sultry tones of Sam Smith (and my coffee). Have a great weekend.

One thing our new generation does really well (and maybe a little too much) is "put themselves out there". With the selfie, Face Book, Tinder, Snapchat, and other platforms these guys manage to express themselves so easily. This is not about the repercussions of the next generation, but rather why do we, as artists find it so hard? 

We all dabble, I have a Web Page, Face Book ART page and Instagram but I am not as candid as many younger people are. I like to share, but really not too much.  I discovered today why. It's about being brave enough to withstand the recourse. No matter what people say on social media you can't "unread" it, you can go back and delete it but the conversation has already gone "out there".  It's great to put yourself out there but you have to be ok with the "feed back", it takes a strong person not to take things and comments too personally. 

Whether you are an artist sharing your work with the world or a teenager posting a selfie, just remember why it is you are doing it? Then, know that you don't need validation from the masses, validate yourself. 

I have been dabbling with imagery of elephants, I like to entrust my art with everyone because I believe the world can only be a better place when creativity and art are shared. 

Thank you to all the lovely people who send me their found hearts. Please keep them coming as i keep them all and think it is wonderful that you take the time to share them with me. Happy days.

Around here lately, there has been painting, beach walks, wall paper discoveries in Bondi, found hearts and home time. Small moments make special memories, even without realising. 

Around here lately, there has been a messy studio, walks on the headland, crazy cockatoos in Manly. I found a pineapple in my bag after our Fiesta night and we had some much needed rain! Happy weekend.

Here are some more "Found" Hearts that have tripped me up along the way and made me stop and smile.

A friend of mine recently called me this, "The Finder of Hearts". I remember the day it started, it was many years ago. Since then it has been a family discovery, I now have many "Found Hearts",  documented. Once you start you will see them everywhere. And the best thing of all? My wonderful friends and followers send me pictures of the hearts they find. Do you see hearts?

 Letting go is hard but done kindly can be valuable, work with what is working and not was isn't. be Brave to transform and change what you know isn't right.

The above pictures show two paintings at three different stages. A blossoming of the paintings took over once I could detached myself from trying to control the outcome.