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.

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.

The lead up to Christmas has been wonderful, the tree has been decorated, Christmas craft has been coming home from school and I made a big decision not to send Christmas cards. Sending cards is something I have done forever, and somewhere along the line I realised I felt obligated to do it rather than something I enjoyed  doing, effectively it had become another task to tick off the Christmas list.  So I made LOVE cards instead, with a 2015 wish on the back, they are a little pice of art  that I can add to Christmas gifts and give as "Thank you's". Oh and the beautiful Sam from Late September sold one of my paintings and there is one last mixed media workshop for 2014! 

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.

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.....

A successful book week at school, all the plans for the next Christmas Bauble workshop are complete, Christmas on line shopping arrived, birthday art celebrations and a 5 day cleanse. What a great week!