Monday 29 February 2016

Studio cuddles...

So January and February have been rather admin intensive.

I'm feeling like March might be a little bit more humane... well we live in hope.

Studio happenings...

When everyone moves right in and makes themselves at home.
I love it.  I wouldn't have it any other way.  Hahaha - look at Riley!
Nothing makes my heart happier than everyone moving right in to hang with me here while I'm working.
Also love it when Corks comes to do art in this space.

I'm planning on setting up one of the studio walls with a massive canvas, 
for creative play and perhaps something for her and I to work on together.

It's a fully functioning studio - yay!
#happyheart

Sunday 28 February 2016

Beautiful connections...





This piece is completely inspired by my dear friend Renee Plains.

I quite simply love her to the moon and back.  We have been chatting and sharing all week and weekend long.  It was truly the highlight to my week.  Thank you my friend.

I've called this piece Renee, of course.

She's honestly one of the most kind and generous souls I know.  I can't even tell you how much I value her friendship, her knowledge and her gifting.

I am nuts about her art too.  She's incredible and I love how she pushes herself to keep on learning and keep on trying new things.


I'm keeping this piece #inmystudio as a small reminder of her.

{Mind you - I actually have lots of reminders of her and my other fav artists, in and around my house and studio}.

It really is quite simply in the small things - that make my heart so happy!

FebruaryRoses... it was love for sure.


I loved these FebruaryRoses TeaBagGirls...
This month's girls made me so happy, all February long.

What a wall...


How awesome is Phyllis' collection?

I'm sooo humbled to be in the mix with these incredible artist's artworks.
And completely blown away, truly.

It's been so touching journeying through with Phyllis' growing collection and her wall arranging.
It's been so wonderful!  Thank you Phyllis.

Saturday 27 February 2016

Little parcels of love...


I spent this week putting together this package for my dear friend, Jackie.
I took a bit time because I painted some extra pieces. 
I love putting packages together and I really loved this package.

So grateful - thank you my friend.
Sending these pieces with so much love.

Sunday 21 February 2016

#InMyStudio... she found Grace in the Roses.

I don't know if you remember this piece I started last year when I went to visit Annie in her studio for the weekend.  After supper we decided to head back into Misty's class for inspiration - it was a self portrait intuitive piece.  I didn't finish her at the time and I'm rather glad I didn't.

  I love how time and progress changes us, what we were doing and where we were going.
I know if I had tried to finish her then - I would have had a completely different outcome...  I've been playing a lot with red and greens, at the moment and this new beautiful neutral grey and I'm loving it so much.  And I'm loving where these colors led me this weekend.

She always felt so Gracious to me and her long neck so elegant.
And she just felt a little found and so at peace - so I called this piece... 
"She found Grace in the Roses..."

It actually reminded me of myself when I was in Orvieto, Italy - I woke up early every morning and headed into the Monastery gardens for quiet and stillness and one morning our nun, Giovanni was clipping Roses... it was the sweetest sacred sound and moment, I will never forget it...  Maybe her holding her beads in this piece, even feels a little like rosary prayer beads too.

#happyheart

Saturday 20 February 2016

Creative play time...

I got to do this again this week and at first we started off pretty grumpy with each other.
Dale, my teacher had so smooth out my clay a few times and eventually - we found our way.
I guess I was way more uptight than I realised and it was good to have this therapy time.
I obviously needed it.  Always good to get lost here.


After class on Thursday, Dale said she needed token students for her Studio Open Day.
And I promptly volunteered Kitty and myself, my friend and her daughter did the same.
So the two of us had some creative play together.

It was such a treat to create with this beautiful girl of mine.
It's usually Corks and I who create together so when I get to chance to do this with Kitty, I grab it with both hands.  And she was beautiful and created the most beautiful clay plate.  I started her off with a small plate as I didn't want to overwhelm her.  And she's already asking when she can come back.
Luckily I had booked her into a class in April, a while back already.
Her completed plate, with the sun in the middle.  I'm so proud of her.


My new finished platter.
Kitty asked me to put an Elli in the middle because it's so part of my childhood history and it's my most favourite animal of all.  I loved having her part of my creative process this time.
This platter was a little different because I had an audience for the better part of the day.
I am glad to say I wasn't completely overwhelmed.

I seriously can't wait for these to come home in beautiful colors.

Thursday 18 February 2016

FawnGirl


Playing with this piece again.

In case you were wondering.... I am absolutely besotted with Antlers.
I started this piece last year and I loved her then and her simplicity.  But she has been calling me to go a little deeper for some time now.  And at last, I started to journey with her again last night.

I'm still not sure where we are going together yet but so far just enjoying the process and journey.
I'm totally in love with green at the moment.  But for now I'm calling it a work in progress.

Monday 15 February 2016

Seriously.... I can't look!!!


This was Corks at her race last weekend.
It looks like a professional photo for an ad campaign, right?
Someone asked me what did they pay her to do that ad.  I just had a little giggle to myself.
But it's such a cool action capture.

I'm glad I wasn't there to watch her this weekend because I'm not sure my nerves would have handled it.  It was ultra technical and just hearing how hard it was for her, made me a little emotional.  The drop offs were insane and can I just say, I will never find that easy to watch.  Seeing her struggle through her own demons, kind of broke my heart a little.

There is no doubt about it - she's my Braveheart.
And I can't even tell you what her courage and grit did for my heart this weekend.

Sunday 14 February 2016

Birthday weekend and then some...


In case you have been wondering what I've been up to.  I've been playing here a little bit.
With my TeaBagGirls 2016 Journey.  I spent a lot of time last week sourcing someone to frame up my little pieces and when I settle that - 60 are about to go in.   So exciting.

I'm actually waiting for some pieces to be returned from my framers this week, two tiny little prints from Orvieto, Italy.  And my very first and last pieces from my 1FaceaDay journey last year.  And a few block mounted pieces that will hopefully head into my little Etsy Shop.


This week I spent time packaging up some parcels... from the {love} auction, Annie and my piece that we painted together last year, amongst other send offs.  I love putting packages together and I love sending off happy mail.  Hope your parcels arrive soon.


On Saturday morning while Digz and Corks were at the Cross Country Meet.
I got a spot of studio time with the Birthday Girl.
I've been rescuing old pieces / canvases from last year and breathing new life into them.
I'm in love with this color combo at the moment.

How gorgeous are these flowrs?
They bloomed all week long and every time I came into my Studio they made me so happy.  Definitely inspired me to keep more flowrs in the home more regularly.   My Studio is finally finished.  Everything is unpacked and in a place and it feels organised.  So I'm soooo ready to get going.  Have some pieces in mind and I can't wait to start.

~~~~

We celebrated this beauty this weekend.
It was her birthday and it was an incredibly precious weekend!
I got to have some lovely one on one time with her on Saturday, always a favourite thing for both of us to do.  We really had a stunning time together with some swimming, a health bar pop in, buying flowrs, just some of her favourite thing at the moment... including deep chats, much laughter and fun.   I love her like crazy.  It is weekends like this that make my heart sing.

We got together with Digz family for Digz' Mom and Kitty's birthday, amongst other celebrations going on within the family.  We decided to book the sunset cruise on the Red Bus.  It was pretty cold on the open bus but thank goodness I came prepared with jackets and blankets.  I love exploring the City and especially at sunset and at night.  There is something so special about The City.
I've always loved the City at night - there is just something about it for me.

The Mother City in all her Glory - it never gets tired.

Breathtakingly beautiful views.

Sunset on Signal Hill - always stunning.

 My mom arrived tonight for a few days visit and it's always such a treat.
My fridge is full of Goats Cheese and Yoghurt from the farm... so I am one happy girl.

It was a busy whirlwind of a weekend but it was so lovely!
Definitely one of the books.

Thursday 11 February 2016

This happened...

Omgoodness yes!

We didn't want to delay in the slightest!
We knew the minute she turned 17 we were booking for her temporary licence!  There's always a bit of a wait to get a class booking... But today she wrote her theory and passed!!! She came out with the biggest smile on her face.  Now let the driving lessons begin...

To be honest it was touch and go because our schedule has been so maxed and getting a gap for her to study has been no easy thing! But today we are chuffed because it's one less thing checked off our "to do" list for this year! And one step closer to freedom... (For her :-))

Like she said..: she's been waiting for this! 

A spot of beautiful studio play...


While I am busy moving back into my studio - I'm sorting as I go. Which got me started with my #1faceaday box from last year.  The ones that didn't sell.  Looking back at some of them now, has made me cringe a bit.  I know it's not a bad thing - I guess it's called progress.

I made three piles - 1 pile for the pieces I can still use, 1 pile for pieces I could rescue and the last pile for rejects! It felt rather liberating getting rid of unwanted pieces and always rather wonderful to sort and declutter.

This canvas was a rescue! She was inspired by my #TeaBagGirls - FebruaryRoses.  All I can say is she's a delightful improvement. Feeling so excited and encouraged to get moving and playing in my new studio space.

Monday 8 February 2016

New Studio Space...

I think I must have said this a 100 times... "I'm moving to a new studio space."

And I literally have, in the past 4 years been trying to claim spaces that will work for me in this house and now I finally have my own proper place and I'm thrilled. 

I've been working on this idea and plan since the end of last year and like all things, some ideas take time to come together.  Our little single garage was a dead zone and becoming a dumping ground, and I can't bear clutter.  I knew if we fixed it up - the space would just become an extension of our home and I have to say - opening it up has made it rather inviting and cozy.

The minute I started "moving in" the girls moved in, right along side me... they pulled up their chairs and the homework and books and took over my studio desks.... can you see why I needed the bigger space.  Usually I'm stepping over bodies and bags etc.  But I seriously wouldn't have it any other way.

Welcome
It still has a kind of warehouse feel - the walls are rough.
But I'm really enjoying the rustic, tumblr vibe it has.
I'm not going to change that.

In order for us to move in here, I knew it was going require a lot of work.
From new ceilings to new flooring and much sorting and clearing, I'm happy to say that last week they came in to install the new ceilings, as well as in other areas of the house.  It was a massive job because this is a 100 year old house and well, lets just say - things are complicated.  But my new ceilings are in and it's really lovely.  This weekend, we installed the new flooring and it's clean and gorgeous... my desks are back in place and my shelves are full of my art supplies and art books.

I'm not sure who is more happier, me or the girls.  Even Digz is happy.

Still unpacking but getting there.
I love my roses too and my new desk lamp...
It's all come together so nicely.  And now I can start creating.

A tiny glimpse of my TeaBagGirls Station

This space has already become such a place to hang for us - I am hoping to put a nice big couch in here soon - so it can be comfortable for anyone to sleep, read or just be comfortable and to be close to us while we are working on pieces and projects.

I was up early on Saturday morning packaging pieces and painting and I can honestly say I've never had a space make more sense to me before.  My big desk could handle the packaging and I had beautiful space to move and work... all I can say is I'm one happy girl in my space... so we still have some things to do but for now - it's perfect.

On that note - it's 23:30 and it's time for bed but I will be back in my sweet space early tomorrow morning.
Sleep tight folks.

Post Auction thoughts...

So this was my first commercial auction for me.

I have part-taken in 2 other auctions - one for our Sweet Lorraine - which I just loved so much.  And another one at the end of last year for children in Africa.

Anyway, I was way more nervous.  My biggest fear was that no one would bid on my piece.  I guess that's all of our fears on some level.

Once the Auction opened on Friday evening and my first bid was through - I knew I could take the pressure off myself and I could breathe, what I didn't know was how incredibly exciting the whole weekend would be with the biddings going on.

I was part of some incredible artists in this group and all did sooo beautifully.  And I have to say it was such a delight to see how they all did.  I was so thrilled for them all.

So in the next day or two - my FlowrGirl goes home to Kristine, who also bought one of my TeaBagGirls in December.

Thank you for your incredible love and support, Kristine and Phyllis and for everyone else who popped over to bid.  A percentage of our proceeds go to an Animal Shelter, so thank you for everything!

Sunday 7 February 2016

Birthday Love...

Hello 43...

I'm documenting this... this is me at 43.  I don't want to forget anything of this year.

I didn't want to do too much today.  I just wanted it to be slow, gentle and kind.
And it was all of that.  I'm sure that's become evident - that it's my fav thing in the world.

I got a very special breakfast in bed, with all the foods I can eat (according to my program)
which of course makes me so happy!  Love that they just get it.

I received such special treats from my favourite peeps.
Nothing over the top - But just perfect.  

Kitty gifted me this - I have been wanting a Tree of Life for ages.
Thank you beautiful!


Seriously - this is the absolute best gift I could ever ask for.
To walk through and see this and have this.
Every Momma's truest heart's desire.  Long may they be forever this close.

The other thing I really wanted for my birthday, was to get outside.
Nothing manic - just a beautiful walk in my Forest.
I love walking and I love this place.

We had planned Sushi on the beach but the weather wasn't playing nice today.
But actually after the crazy week we had and with the new ceilings going in and me moving into my new Studio space...  actually staying home - made my heart much happier.
So we will claim another night next week for sushi on the beach, weather permitting.

I received such incredible messages all day long.
I can't believe the kindness I received... thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the love.
Plus the {Love} Auction is almost finished and I'm so blown away.
What a stunning way to see my birthday in.  Thank you for all the bids.

It was a beautifully gracious day.
Thank you!

Friday 5 February 2016

This happened...

Can you believe this...
My beautifully gifted friend, Kelly Berkey did this of Kitty.
I am more than blown away by this incredible gesture.
There is something so beautiful when someone chooses to paint your darling and then execute it so perfectly.
This was such a beautiful highlight to my week.
Thank you Kelly.  Totally made my week.

Thursday 4 February 2016

Eeeyah....


The Grade 12's are having so much fun!
A firm tradition that has been going on forever - is their annual Barn Dance.
Thanks to friends and sisters helping out with the outfit - Corks looked so gorgeous.

Best part - she had such good fun!
Learnt new moves and got to hang with her buddies.
She's having the time of her life.

And I love that!

Lubitel 166... take two.

It's hard to explain... but as you look through the square viewfinder - 
you know it when you see it - that you have captured something special.
And you hope and pray that the shot will develop.

I'm blown away by this capture.
She was dancing in the water and as she came down to my level,
I clicked.  And I love it.

I can't even find the words for this piece.
But I'm totally besotted - accidental double exposure.

I focused on the sand.
And totally got what I was after.

I waited patiently for this shot.  So happy!

Love the story here.

Leaving...

I am not sure if you an see this shot clearly but again it was a happy mistake,
It's the girls sitting on the beach swing at Moonshine.

If I don't wind on my film immediately, I can't remember if I've done it or not.
When I got home I waited for my beautiful tree to blossom,
and then took what I thought was my final shot on the spool.

What I didn't know was that this double exposure too.

Best of all - Corks thinks I'm amazing.
So I'm pretty happy!

I love these two shots.  Capturing moments in our garden.
Sometimes it's just so sweet - I love it.

This is my second spool with this incredible little camera... my verdict...

It's absolutely wonderful.  I love the filming process.
I love the negative and film stock.  I love how it slows me right down.
I love finding the shot.  I love the anticipation for the expected shot.
But most of all - I love achieving the beautiful shot.

I can't wait to play with my next spool.