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.

Any form of success is not complete unless it is followed with gratitude. Gratefulness, to the support of friends and family and gratitude for those who are part of your definition of success, which in my case are the people who love my paintings so much that they part with their hard earned money to own one.  Thank you to the beautiful Sam from Late September for her ongoing and unwavering support of my art work. I am back at the easel enjoying being busy after she has sold all my pieces. Love and light to all.

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. 

Today I got to share the process of making collage hearts with a fabulous group. I have to say all the creativity going on around my table was so great to watch and everyone's hearts were so individual. I am most grateful that I get to share the properties of art making! I think everyone left feeling, satisfied, relaxed and happy.

I love working with paper, it is maluable, colourful and tactile. Angel wings are one of my most favourite things (as well as hearts) to create with paper, they are never the same and each wing is so unique. To me it is a process of metamorphosis (a physical development and change), after the initial hatching of my idea. They organically grow and develop before my eyes. Metamorphosis is a word used for scientific purposes but I do love the idea that we, humanity, all have the potential to develop, hatch and change in so many ways. 

My husband doesn't believe in Valentines Day......nah, nope, not at all. He does have an issue around the commercialism of it, but he also believes that everyday should be a day of love - "Everyday is Valentine's Day" he says, and then I will get flowers on random days throughout the year. In spite of this I will leave him a card on his pillow every 14th February. 

I am not adverse the commercialism of St Valentines Day, or to the joy of people buying something for their loved ones, any day of the year! I love designing and creating hearts and decorative art. I also love making it affordable so it is easier for all to own and give. I just ordered a batch of cards from my Redbubble shop and the quality is lovely, they start at $2.86 and there are lots of hearts to choose from. There are also original hearts to be found in my shop here, mixed media hearts on canvas.  So enjoy your Valentines Day, no matter how you celebrate it and to quote The UK Prime Minister (Hugh Grant) "If you look for it, I've got a sneaky feeling that you will find that love actually is all around" - The Prime Minister, Love Actually

This is my first completed creative project for 2015, and is called "Love Canvases". I hope to create more as they bring me such joy and the combination of paper and paint is limitless. I love working with paper and paint and I seem to be on an endless journey to discover the best ways these two mediums work together. I hope you like them, they are for purchase here and local delivery is free.