The Thinking Soul...

Someone is sitting by the fire

I shot out of bed on Friday morning before 5am with this little armature on my mind.

I don't fully know what's going on with me but I'm feeling a little obsessed.

But because I don't really have an agenda - I'm kind of just going with it.

And I'm loving it... I had to leave her here and head to the office.

But I really wanted to stay and play all day.

After work and the school pick up - I headed home to my studio...

She turned out a bit different to the image I woke up with but I'm loving the process of intuitive play... 

I love how each one leads on to tell their own story.

Madre della Città

MotherCity - SoulBearers from JeanneMarieArt on Vimeo.

Mother of her Beautiful City...

She turned out better than I could have hoped for.

I knew her skin would be dark so I could put stars on her and I had a kind of idea how I wanted the buildings to go... and that went way better than I could have hoped for.  I kind of love her little birdie too.  I'm really besotted with these little characters.

I went to sleep last night with a content heart.

But I got woken up at 5am this morning with another armature in mind. I don't know what's going on with me... I quickly sketched her in Procreate then climbed out of bed and went to make her...

I have at times been woken up with ideas, but nothing like this!

Kind of enjoying the process.

On my way home from work today - I picked up some more clay.

It was a Formal Family Affair...

We don't often get to do this...

I am thrilled that my girls got to tag along and share in this incredible evening.

To dress up, eat fancy food and look and feel beautiful.

But more so to be there for my folks, was truly something we will always hold dear.

What we didn't know... was my Mom was getting a special award.

For my girls to witness her being honored for hard work, commitment and remarkable contribution...

Wow - what a teachable moment.

And I for one, couldn't have been prouder of both my parents.

Always demonstrating how true grit pays off.

Thrilled with this..

It has finally arrived.

My Momma asked me a few months ago if I was interested in my GrandFather's old Kodak Retina iiiS.

I asked her if she was kidding, was that even a question???

There is such an incredible story attached to this camera.... 

And it has totally captivated my whole heart and mind.

It is a 1957 camera and just after my parents got married, my GrandFather gave it to them as a gift.  Apparently he only used it for his Black and White photography.  I'm considering using it in the same way.  I've downloaded the user manual and I'm looking for a cover for it.

What I'm loving... is finding out that my family was into photography.

They were picture storytellers... and quite frankly I can't wait to continue telling stories with this.

It is heavy to hold but in a good way.  I can already see my girls fighting to use her.

When we opened it to see where the spool goes - we found a spool in there... we exposed the negative but I"m going to get it developed this weekend - who knows what we will find.

But otherwise this weekend will be a weekend of play and learning.

I am definitely going to need Corks help.

#Delighted

2 Survived the fires....

I'm thrilled to say these two beautiful ones survived the fires.

My last one split down, like someone took a thin sliver of cake.

I've filled the gap and I'm going to use it as a bird bath.

This large platter on the right, is a gift to my mom.

I have an incredible variety of birds in our garden due to the number of trees we have.

So I know they will enjoy this little addition.

Kind of thrilled about it.

I stepped out the shower with this on my heart and mind....

I knew I had to do this!!!  And I'm so thrilled I did!

Can't wait for her to dry so I can paint her.

She's inspired by my Painting I did earlier this year...

Madre Della Citta 

366 have arrived...

366 Tiny Frames for 366 Tiny TeaBagGirls

They arrived a week early.

I'm just a tad bit overwhelmed.

Yikes.

TenderHeartedJoy

She's more lovely in person.

It's hard to capture on film in a way that captures her beautiful tenderness.  But she's really wonderful.

{Hope} is on her back.  {Love} is on her chest.  {Forever} is down her side.  And of course {Joy} is on her head.

I can't tell you what a joy these have been for me.  The creative play so good for my soul.  They fill in the gaps when I can't get to paint.  Learning and understanding new mediums is priceless to me and I'm loving learning here.  I have a few ideas for some new ones in different positions.  I'm dying to expand my ideas here.  But for now - I'm off to collect my girls... 

Chat soon!

General news...

Driving Lessons                               Homework Fun                                        HairCuts

 What a Big Weekend!!!

It was the UCT Open Day, but we did go to that last year, so this year we decided to go to the Creative School/University Expo - displaying all the art schools and universities and what each one has on offer.  We went with our long time buddies Gilly and Kayleigh.  It was so exciting and all of us (including us Moms) were inspired to the max and excited by the time we left.  After the expo we headed for a sushi lunch and spoke all afternoon about the future, art and Europe.

It was such a brilliant day.  But then again dreaming out loud is always kind of special!

I woke up on Monday morning to a lovely message from Dale.

My test plate has survived the fires and I think it's beautiful

She's already sold and will be going home next weekend.

I love the quiet simpleness of this one.

At last, I am able to say that I'm 100% caught up with my TeaBagGirlsArt!

Yay - 110 TeaBags are sooo ready for framing.  I should get my frames next week.

And then starts the steady job of framing by hand... my own hand.  Eeeck.

Almost a third of the way through.  The year is flying by!

My sweet studio is getting crowded.

I'm nuts about them and I have had so much fun making them.

It's been such a delightful time and I can feel a real sense of relief of being more caught up with life.  My tax returns are all filed and my admin is up to date.  My work schedule has calmed down.  The girls are back in routine with life and school and my studio schedule is clear and I'm ready to get back into my studio regime for some new and exciting ideas.

I didn't expect the last 3 or 4 months to be so full on, on all fronts.

But I'm feeling sooo excited for what's coming - I really am having so much fun!

These two on their weekly date.

I really love them to bits.

MakeDoArtWorkshop...

Take two...

I found this much easier this time and was able to do amendments to my armature as I went. I loved that very much.  Getting to know and understand what you working with means you can evolve with your piece and it's way more organic and intuitive way to work.

Which totally appeals to my process.

I did real eyelids this time and I love the placement of her hands. They make her feel so tenderhearted.

I also removed her legs and she looks much better.

I'm sooo in love with this creative play!

Making time...

Making time this weekend to catch up with my TeaBagGirls.

This time tomorrow I'll be right as rain and I can't tell you how good that feels.

So stoked about that.  Getting behind isn't an option because it looms over me like a dark cloud.

I'm not going to do that to myself.  The principal is to #PaintEveryDay.

Happy girl back on track.

Gentle Friday...

Blue Suede Shoes

3 of my favorite things... Blue, suede and wool.

All make my heart so happy!

Choosing quiet today to recover from a full on week.

It has been lovely!

Choosing creativity everyday...

I loved making my new brushes....from pine needles from my forest.

Omgoodness - I just love that...  I'm learning from MakeDoWorkshop that there is so much around us that we can use in our creative process.  I love making things with my own hands.

And this was such a joy to make something so functional and so beautifully organic.

The past while I'm trying to do at least one thing creatively everyday.

Even on the insane days and I'm loving it.

#dailychoices

Couldn't resist....

I had so much fun playing with my PaperClay last week, I couldn't resist starting another one.  I also have an opened large clay packet and I don't want it to dry out.

Not that I need an excuse, mind you!

I'm working with the same template in mind to see who shows up this time.

A few years ago Heather, Annie and myself signed up for the Santos Doll class on Jeanne Oliver's platform and did the class together. When we were there - Heather kindly made us torso's with stuffed fabric that she had beautifully sewn up.  This is what I used here, together with chopsticks for the legs and the rest is wax paper and tinfoil and a lot of masking tape.

But I had to stop here though because I ran out of masking tape.

But I can't wait to get back to her... this time it went much easier and I didn't feel as clumsy.  After this sweet girl, I would like to consider trying some other positions.  I would also really like my girls to do some armature and clay work with me..,, for Corks because she has an aversion to sculpture in general and Kitty because I think the therapeutic elements of working with clay, will be sooo wonderful for her.

One Huge Step...

For over 3 months I have been trying to find a framing solution for my TeaBagGirls.

 I was getting anxious because I'm now sitting with around 100 TeaBagGirls, making the initial framing obligation huge.

But last week I found my solution and today I placed my order for 366 frames.

And my order will arrive in two weeks time.

On my way to place my order this afternoon - the doubt was creeping in.

Like... what was I thinking or more like, what the hell was I doing?

Anne messaged me on the way - talk about perfect timing.
I guess it was a silent accountability to follow through even though I could have just passed on by.
I placed the order and let her know immediately.  Thanks Anne.

I took one giant step closer to having that exhibition today.
I know it's just the start - but now I can't back out.

Monday bliss....

I can't tell you how awesome it was to start my week like this...

My beautiful friend Amina joined me and we had coffee and beautiful heart to heart chats while we creatively played.

What a sacred time.

These stolen moments from life, finding the quiet and stillness and being creative... 

Gives me such an inner joy.

#SoGrateful

Finishing abandoned projects....

I started this little character about a year ago - a tutorial from Misty's book.

I didn't paint her - painting the few figurines I've done always seemed to scare me a little.

But after doing my last one this week - I felt confident to finish this piece.

She had a very broken arm - I had to cut out the broken section and re-sculpture it.

Left her to dry and in the morning her arm was perfect... she was ready for painting.

I love the little deer on her back... an idea I got from my Folk Art book.

I kept her design and lines simple because her cuteness was enough.

She's so cute... 

Corks loves her and every time I look around, she's gone and someone has her.

A little tribute, a touchstone, a reminder...

A hundred years I slept beneath a thorn,

Until the tree was root and branches of my thought.

Until white petals blossomed in my crown...

The Traveller... Kathleen Raine

Lyn sent me these words on FaceBook today for this sweet girl.

Together with a folk story about trees and their roots...  "Wise Ones of the Oakwood".

How beautiful and so appropriate for this girl.

I so loved this assignment from MakeDoArtWorkshop.

And I can't remember doing something that made me feel absolutely happy... like a child.

I wasn't sure what I was going to call her and if I was going to keep her.

But Galia suggested I call her {Flowrsinherhair} as a little tribute, a touchstone, a reminder.

Of my journey this month of releasing Flowrsinherhair.

Once again, thank you Galia!  Thank you for just getting it.

I love that.

So I've decided to keep her for just that. 

She's on my studio table. 

What's in a name...

Like all seasons, the winds of change are blowing and I'm finding myself in this place...

After FaceBook forced me to change my name, a change I wasn't sure I felt ready for, I felt like I've been in the midst of an identity crisis ever since.  I didn't realise so much of my identity was tied up in my name.  The past month I've been going backwards and forwards on my identity, profile and website name. It hasn't been easy facing the idea of letting go of #Flowrsinherhair.

It's been such a beautifully safe, gracious and healing space for me and I can't thank YOU enough for journeying with me through these special creative years.  I do know this, accepting change is never easy but I do understand, it's so important for growth and being brave.  

Flowrs will always be a part of me and my creative journey and I will always honor that.  Thank you for continuing to journey with me... as Jeanne-Marie.  Perhaps I've been hiding behind the Flowrs and although thats what was required for that season... Maybe without the push from FaceBook I would never have thought I could or would take this step forward.

At last my #AntlerGirl is finished - I wanted to fill her hair, her antlers and her heart with Flowrs.

You can continue to find me on Instagram, just now as JeanneMarieArt

and obviously here www.JeanneMarieArt.com

my TeaBagGirls journey www.TeaBagGirlsArt.com

I wanted to say a huge thank you to Galia who really helped me transition and helped me come up with my new name and handle and totally helped process the emotions around this week.  And Anne who allowed me to express my vulnerability in the changes.

Appreciate you both so much!

I'm back #InMyStudio...

All is right with the world again...

March was insane!!!

I thought it would be easier than February -  but I was wrong.

Life dealt some stuff, long on issues and administratively challenging to solve.

Plus my working hours were intense and exhausting.

I won't go into all the details because March is officially behind me and today I am back to my usual Studio and work hours and that makes my heart sooo happy!

Today I was home and finding my way... sorting and tidying and just so beautifully present in my space.  It just felt like the balance was restored just like that.  It was good for my heart.  I took it slow, regrouped and for a moment, it felt like I slowed down time a little.

And that's always a good thing.

I have sooo much coming up #InMyStudio in the next few months and I'm beyond excited.

Hope to share more with you soon.

Clay Play...

It was Thursday ClayPlay and Kitty joined me again today.

She did two items, a side plate and a pasta bowl and I can't wait for them to arrive.

These are two I did on my last visit.  I'm totally in love with them.

My platter tonight was nothing new... just a reproduction for my first commission piece.

I had a beautiful evening of therapy and play with some pretty amazing ladies.

It was good to slow it right down.