As many of you know, one of my favourite things to create are wings. They represent so many different things to me. I was inspired to make these after visiting  Bella Boheme, I left with 3 sheets of the most amazing paper (it was a gift from the beautiful Emma, who owns the store). I knew they would make the perfect set of feathers. They are called "Open Wings". 

No bird can fly
without opening its wings,
and no one can love
without exposing their heart.

Mark Nepo

I spend a lot of time working through programs for my creative workshops. It is important for me that students

1. Learn a new technique
2. Feel success
3. Produce an individual art piece (that doesn't look like everyone else's
4. Relax and find enjoyment in the process.

This holidays I introduced a new class "Garden Painting With Impasto". It was a multi layered painintg that was involved, however very creative and fun. All the students produced gorgeous works, while maintaining their individual personality. Take a look.

(Vierges Noires, otherwise know as "Black Virgin" is something I have recently taken an interest in. My latest "Tribe Member" painting is nearly finished (blog post with photos to come soon) and my sister commented to me that her dark face reminded her of these Religious symbolic icons. I love and adore icon paintings, I was lucky enough to do a workshop years ago where I got to create one (the bottom image) and the ancient process fascinates me. I decided to do some reading on the "Black Virgins" as I slowly and gently finish my latest lady, who is sporting a dark mysterious face.

The Black Madonna is generally found in Catholic and Orthodox countries and are mainly of medieval origin ( 12th - 15th centuries). There are over 180 Black Madonnas in France and the images can be put into three categories: (1) dark brown or black Madonnas with skin pigmentation matching that of the indigenous population; (2) various art forms that have turned black as a result of physical factors such as deterioration of pigments, accumulated smoke from the use of votive candles, and accumulation of grime over the ages, and (3) no ready explanation. I am especially taken with Theotokos (Greek title for Mary), one of three surviving icons in Turkey. I love being inspired but I also love that my painting has inspired me to learn more about these beautiful Vierges Noires.

We had an adventure down to the South Coast last year and fell in love with new parts of Australia that we had yet to  discover. My children got to explore their first waterfall and the rugged beauty of some of our National Parks. When we came back I was so inspired by our experience that I painted my interpretation of palms, waterfalls and coastal bush. So in 2016 we have decide to "Chase Waterfalls".......let the adventure begin!  

Chasing Waterfalls is acrylic on canvas 120cm x 120cm and can be found at the beautiful new Homeware store for sale at  North Steyne Emporio in Manly.

Intuition is something I have wanted to write about for a long time. It is used a lot in spiritual courses, yoga platforms, art teachers refer to it a lot, and artists are expected to be very in-tuned to their intuition. I have always put a lot faith in my intuition, I sensed that my radar for certain situations was quite strong. So if this really was the case why did I find myself making wrong decisions, why was making a "choices" so painstakingly hard? Why did I feel like my intuition had failed me?

My answer to these questions came when I had a conversation with one of my students, it is was clear to me that "intuition" was a very esoteric concept, it was not something that they felt they could tap into very well. It was frustrating for them every time I said "Be intuitive".

We put a lot of pressure and expectation onto our intuition, leaving it clouded and often flailing. It ends up being this mystical, magic power that just slips through our fingers like fairy dust. But what if we could look at it through a different perspective, a different lens? What, if we could learn to use it differently and we took the pressure and expectations away?

One of my yoga teachers recently introduced the idea that intuition was really our "inner knowing". It is built from all our raw experiences, our life journey and our true non judgemental spirit. For this to work in our favour, we must believe in ourselves and our inner knowing. We must try to practise faith, trust and love for ourselves, this is essential for us to be able to listen and tap into our inner wisdom. 

I belive inner knowing is more tangible, it is more trustful and beautiful than having to rely on our fickle and esoteric intuition.  If you could call your intuition "inner knowing" how will this change your ability to go forward in your creative journey?

Summer has been busy and lots of fun, and I have been lucky enough to get my hands dirty with paint. Ive been thinking about my painting style for a while and feel like I need to inject something fresh into my creations. I'm not good with change (in life and art) in fact I'm really bad at it and can get very anxious. But today I worked out that if I take baby steps into the change rather than feel like I am being railroaded I may just be able to become more accepting. So with curiosity in tow I got to the drawing board and took a step into the world of lighter tones and shade.....progress.

As another year comes to a festive close I would like to think we have made the most of each moment and day of 2015. We have met some inspiring people,  have had new babies join our extended family, we have painted, studied, travelled to Melbourne to see loved ones and travelled to Byron to be inspired. I got to share my 45th birthday with some amazing women, run art workshops with wonderful creative people. One of my favourite shops opened Bella Boheme (by my niece who I am so proud of). We've enjoyed the beauty of our city. We have all worked hard (thanks to Late September!!), been stressed and cried, picked ourselves back up and got back in touch with what we love and did it all over again. A year of santosha. Thank you for joining me on my art journey/blog and I hope Christmas is wonderful for you all. That's a wrap! 

I love wings and what they represent to me, lightness, treading softly, mysterious and spiritual. As we tread (or fly) through this life it is hard to maintain a "lightness of being". Things get heavy and weigh us down, decision making and life get hard but we have a choice. How do you tread?  Making wings, is one of many things I do to keep my spirit light.

​These can be found at Late September in Glenbrook. 

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