Saturday 31 January 2015

Yahoooooo I made it to 31 - I came screeching in one day late!!! Eeccck.


I would like to say I 100% showed up every single day but some days I just couldn't.  But I'm chuffed to say that mostly... I did.

Life isn't always on my side especially with that little thing called {time}.  And I'm doing a lot of different things this year.... like writing again, training, working and obviously 2 girls in high school.  And January seemed to move so fast... too fast.

But I'm working tight and hectically with my diary to help me manage each day best I can.

Wow but what a journey this month was with this project - I'm learning much, trying new and different things to keep it interesting and to keep myself growing.  Trying to keep it simple, uncomplicated and free.  And if nothing else - I have walked away with 31 new pieces... big and small.



Evolution of a Scratchboard - Face #31


Wrapping up January... #1FaceADay


Still working on the sweetest little tags.
I plan to use these as gift tags to accompany letters, gifts and paintings.
I'm finding the smaller I paint... I manage to capture something different.
In myself, in the way that I paint and what I feel.
And I'm not 100% sure why... but I'm kind of enjoying it.


When I was moving my studio around I found a whole bunch of different things to work on.
Like textured wallpaper that was stashed away...
I love love love working on textured wallpaper!  Can't wait to finish this piece.
I really like her.  She needs a lot more layers.

Smallish stretch canvas - I love working on stretch canvas.
With my art studio being all over the place - I was just paying with stabilo ink pencil and titan buff.  But then I added some color - thoroughly enjoyed!
She's pretty sweet, size and all.


And a scratchboard...

I got this scratchboard when I was taking Misty's FacetoFace Workshop.

I didn't have the courage to use it on the course - so I hid it away.  That was 2 years ago.  Yikes!

But I have to say it was so enjoyable and challenging at the same time... Working in negative definitely is a gear shift and really "deep training"...  to train your mind to work the other way around.... well that and the fact that once the scratches are down - there is no going back.

You have to embrace whatever comes.

Sunday 25 January 2015

News and going on's...

It was back to school and back to reality last week... 

There was such great excitement in the house with Kitty going to high school.
I loved seeing the girls in the same uniform - it has been a long time since we have seen that.  But as exciting as last week was... being back at school has already changed the pace at home... and I'm trying to keep things on the down low.

A little #TeaBagGirl
#45 of #100faces and
#23 of #1FaceaDay

And keeping it simple.
I still haven't had proper studio time yet since about November last year.
I needed a break and rest but I'm needing to get back and finish some big pieces.

I'm not enjoying my new studio space that much.
It's just so hot in there and it's also messing up my paints.
The heat is causing the paint to get sticky, stoggy and dry instantly.
I'm trying not to get frustrated or upset.
So for now I'm just sticking to my 10mins to 30mins on my 1faceaday.  I'm going to see what I can do during the week to make things a bit better for me.

Beautiful MistyMawnArt

In the last week my international post has started trickling in.... I'm so excited.
Now I am just waiting for my beautiful Renee Plains paintings to arrive and one other small post item to come through.  I love nothing more than receiving beautiful parcels.
Happy dance... that being said - I have a few of my own to send out now that our postal service is back up and running (well almost).

This weekend was jam packed - I don't cope well with that level of busyness.
On Saturday I literally left the house by 9am and got back home at midnight.
And Sunday was 9am to 6.30pm... being a true blue introvert - that's a tough weekend for me.  The other thing that I've been making an effort with is exercise.
I'm being intentional about getting some hours in.  I'm terribly unfit.  It will be a slow recovery to get fit again.  I was in a bad state of stiffness last week.  But I am hoping I will start seeing some results soon.

Let's hope the new week will be gentler on me.

Monday 19 January 2015

Plaster sheets - such fun!


It's the first time I've ever painted on Plaster and I really loved it

I've been working in the beautiful little loose page art journal that Lorraine gave me in Italy.  The front and back cover are plaster sheets.  I'm soooo enjoying my journals these past few weeks.

As well as working in my journals I'm also working a lot in monochromatic and I'm also loving that too.  It's creating drama and tonal values and depth and I'm just having so much fun with it.

Sunday 18 January 2015

Sunday Selfie....

Love is the Substance of all life.  Everything is connected in love...
Absolutely everything


Journal work... loving this place...

I'm working daily in a few different little journals.
And I have to tell you I'm really loving it so much!
I'm particularly fond of this girl and the mixed media elements.... 
I'm loving discovering who shows up each day.
I didn't expect to be having so much fun!

Saturday 17 January 2015

Some of my Christmas gifts have started to arrive...

At last some of my internet orders are trickling in.  I bought these last year and they finally arrived.  I think they went for a walk about just before christmas because when I went into customs on Saturday to pick these up - I could see someone had already signed for it.... hmmmmm I'm just so grateful that arrived safely back in my hands.

Oh my goodness - these prints are just gorgeous.... Beautiful Misty Mawn Prints.

Merry Christmas to me.... at long last.

I'm still waiting for other things to arrive.  But I'm being patient... 

Early morning rides...

stolen moments before the world wakes up...
Watching the sun come up over The City.
What a wonderful way to start their holiday days!

Friday 16 January 2015

Beautiful Creative play...

Oh my goodness!  I loved doing this... 
I haven't done a mixed media collage for sooo long!
Over a year!  And I don't know why...
Because it's such beautiful creative play!
I was so very nervous to do one and I had to remind myself of my lessons from Face to Face Workshop and from Italy!

But I can't wait to finish her.
There is something mature and hauntingly beautiful about her.
I hope I can do right by her!

Saying farewell to the Secret Keeper...

The Secret Keeper - A guardian of Truth - goes home

People often ask me if I struggle to let go of my pieces of art and I must say I don't.
It's a joy being able to create and send them out into the world.
But saying goodbye to this painting was the first time I struggled.
She's definitely been one of my favorite paintings to date.
I think because she symbolized such a shift for me in my work.
It was the first full painting I did after returning from Italy and she just came from such a deep place.  And she came out so different... And she captivated me.

She wasn't a "good girl" or "safe" - but she was rich in wisdom and maturity.
Each time I looked at her - I realized my trip had not only impacted me deeply in my mind and heart - but also on my canvas.

I am absolutely thrilled about where she's going to live... I couldn't have asked for a better home for her... but it was a pull on the ol' heartstrings.
I had actually decided if she hadn't sold by the end of December,
she was staying home...
But she snuck out the door just before Christmas.

Don't get me wrong - I'm thrilled I am able to sell pieces, gift pieces and share my art - it's a huge love for me.  I'm completely honored and exceptionally grateful!
Always grateful!!!!

Thank you from the bottom of my heart that you love what I do enough to put money to it.  It's humbling and something I hold precious in my heart!

Wednesday 14 January 2015

#1FaceaDay.... week 2

 So I've still managed to stick to #1FaceaDay for the second week and I must say I'm thoroughly enjoying it.  Because we were on holiday and doing things together as a family - I haven't had studio time but stealing these moments to create these faces has been awesome for me.  I'm allowing myself to try different things.  I'm working in art journals - something I never really do.  I am using reference books for inspiration, something I haven't done for a while too... but most of all... I'm having fun!  Which is always good for the soul.  But I'm looking forward to setting out a chunk of studio time... these little faces are definitely inspiring me.

I am still loving how different they all are.

I've been pouring through Misty's beautiful Unfurling art book and it's been such a source of inspiration to me (yet again).  It's good going back to basics.  I started this one on the left, while we were camping and I used my stabilo allmarks and a wetwipe on a little canvas board.  When I got home - I added some black and white gesso.  I love her.
I am loving working in Stabilo and Gesso.

Considering I'm not a huge ArtJournal fan - I have 3 books filling up and I'm falling in love with them.

Monday 12 January 2015

What's happening with my TeaBagGirls... #100faces

In case you are wondering if I have abandoned this project... 
I haven't...



I was really disappointed in myself that I didn't make my deadline even though I knew it was a tall order.  Perhaps a pretty unrealistic one.  But I'm glad I gave it a good shot.  I'm almost half way and I'm so stoked about that... I don't like to abandon anything - so will definitely finish this journey.  I will continue to do TeaBagGirls through the week and incorporate them into my #1FaceaDay.  That way killing 2 birds with one stone.  Really can't wait to finish this project and dying to see all 100 TeaBagGirls together.

Sunday 11 January 2015

Last moments of leave...


Spending last moments of my leave on the beach... perfect days!
Perfect calm!  I love spending time in the water.


We went camping on our last weekend of leave in the mountains - but it was too hot to do anything other than swim in this beautiful rock pool and catch beautiful sun rays.
I can't remember when last I swam so much - but it was incredible!

We will definitely go back.

So it's back to reality as we know it...
During my leave, I worked hard at decluttering, sorting out for the new year so as to make my re-entry gentler.  Which has really helped.
Taking an extra week off really helped too which I really needed.

Wednesday 7 January 2015

Being intentional.... 1FaceaDay for 365 days...

I've been wanting to focus on living intentionally this year.
Working on purpose and with a plan.
When we were in Italy some of us discussed doing 1FaceaDay for 365 days.
Overwhelming, just a tad!!!
But the closer we got to the 1st of January - the more everyone said no.
I was feeling so 'meh' around the end of the year - I was feeling like whatever.

Then Annie messaged me on the 1st saying - let's do it.
And I felt a little leap in my belly and said OK!
I didn't realize that perhaps I did actually want to do it, maybe subconsciously.
And believe it or not, we are already on day 7.
Showing up every day - even if it's for 10 minutes - wow!!!
 I'm loving that!!!





I'm painting on whatever is lying around on my studio desk... 
from lovely old clothing tags, scraps of canvas'', to pieces of un-glazed pottery to my journal pages.  Sometimes I'm using a reference book to paint from and other times not.
Sometimes using a pencil and gesso, or just one color and gesso or just graphite.
I want it to be as free and as loose as possible.

They all feel so different!  And I just love that!

Sunday 4 January 2015

Finding Rest... in play

taking time out in and around our beautiful town...

First real beach day and it was perfect - it's all I have wanted to do...
 is sit in this stunning place.
Llandudno beach...





amazing skies

Vida coffee breaks mandatory



Had an one of my best body boarding sessions ever with this beauty.

Because my aim this year is to live intentionally - I counted every wave I caught!  It was truly incredible.  Each wave mattered.  

#9 was the best wave I've ever caught and #11 was hilarious cos Kitty and I were on the same wave and somehow I landed on her back.  #13 was awesome because we held hands while riding our wave.

I will remember this day for a very long time.


After our surf play - we headed up to the Tiger Milk Bar and Restaurant for lunch.
When last have you seen a Kudu on the wall... I loved the deco of this place.
So many aspects of it reminded me of my childhood.

How epic is this wall and Corks long hair... wowser.
which automatically prompted a photoshoot with us girls.
Fun times... have loved these days.

Friday 2 January 2015

One Word for 2015... {resonate}

My word for last year was {quiet} and I have to say that as much as I needed it and craved it - I didn't live that out as intentionally, as I had hoped...  I had stolen moments of it but  I know that I need {quiet} in order to operate at my best and to be strong and considering I know that, I surprised myself by not being more intentional about it. In fact, I had completely forgotten that I had even chosen a word at all.

I know I don't want to make the same mistake as last year so it's definitely got me thinking and the word that seems to be calling me strongly is {resonance}.

I want my life this year to {resonate}.
I want everything I do to ring true and be long lasting,
full of intention and completely on purpose.
I want to love this year!  
I want my actions to leave an echo that is hauntingly beautiful, 
completely captivating and that I will be left thinking
about this year for some time to come,
even if it's just to myself... I want it to matter - to me.

Yes - I couldn't have said it better.
Love it Forward - Jeff Brown

Thursday 1 January 2015

Starting my year off beautifully Creative...







What a beautiful way to start my year off!!
This is becoming a yearly tradition!

One I'm rather fond of.

Check out Misty Mawn's new course details...


Holding my breath until February!

Eeeeckkkk!