Have you ever heard of The Brave Girls Club?  Well if not, then perhaps it’s time you did.  I came across the heart behind the club Melody Ross through the Hello Soul Hello Business course and I’m completely loving that space right now.  Each day there are these lovely tasty morsels of encouragement for big girls, small girls and inbetween girls – everyone! 

Here’s one of those tasty truth morsels from last week which really resonated with me.  I love that whole idea of having your little cry but then getting brave and getting over it to show the world you’re not beaten.  As Kallie puts it “it’s time to put our brave-girl boots on, pull them all the way up, do a little dance in them and then get back to work”  Actually, on brave girl boots – have you got a pair?  I reckon I could be ultra brave in these…

or very comfortably warm and  brave in these!

Actually I do have a pair of these brave girl boots and they are full of Aussie brave! 

Love that gutsy girl power!  Thanks Brave Girls Club and thanks Kallie!

XDH

I always get really nervous and anxious when painting a commission.  So much so I possibly should’nt accept them!  But deep inside I know it will work out in the end.  Well I always hope it will…

In taking on commissioned work, I’m learning to be brave and step out and push beyond my comfort zones, stretch to my perimeter and see what I’m made of!  I do enjoy a personal challenge!  Today was confirmation of that when a customer came to collect her painting.  I’m always accutely aware of that moment when they first lay eyes on it – I can see whether or not they genuinely love it or not, and I can tell you, she LOVED it!    *phew* !  I’m so relieved and happy that another one of my paintings go out into the world to be proudly placed in a new home, thus completing the circle from blank canvas, to home on the wall… Joy!

This painting is acrylic and glass beads on canvas.  I haven’t even really got a name for it yet!  When you stand in front of it, you feel as though you are under water – a sense of calm and cool.  But then, there’s also a sense of looking down at the earth from above, almost as though it’s a topographic map of an estuary or lake…  Have you any ideas?  I’d love to hear!

XDH

ps – another 43 degree day today – did you know that’s 109.4 F ???? 

Last post I shared with you a little bit about the painting that was accepted into the Mid West Art Prize Exhibition.  Today – I just wanted to show you the one that didn’t make the cut!  I really love this one just as much because as i mentioned before, I am just starting out to have a play with pattern and design in paint.  I don’t feel bad that it didn’t get accepted, because I really love it.  i understand that not everyone will love my work, that’s ok.  And the good thing is that I can now say that I have one painting for my exhibition!!!

Anthropophily Heterophyllous Jensonii

“Peacock Plant”

105 x 105 cm

Acrylic on canvas

A curious plant with showy growth habit, dense foliage and interesting peacock-like flowers mimicking both crown and tail feathers.  Height to 2m. Drought tolerant, easy in cultivation.  Prefers coastal sandy conditions, full sun to part shade.

This is a painting I also finished a few weeks ago for a local business called Us&Them titled Run Little Dog.  I did post it to Facebook, but have since had it professionally photographed and wanted to share   I’m really excited about the possibilities that are whirring around in my brain to explore more of this new style I see emerging in my work, and also the direct intention to start to incorporate pattern and design as well. 

I’m so glad that three years ago I shook off some dusty old fears which told me I’d never be able to paint anything ‘good’ .  I’m so glad that from somewhere inside I started listening to my brave voice, because the journey has been so exciting so far, and it’s only just begun…

XDH

Earlier today a letter arrived,  one I have been waiting for anxiously for seven. long. days. 

Last week I submitted two of my paintings into the Mid West Art Prize, and guess what?  One of them was accepted!  Woohoo, very big happy dances over here!  Although I must say it was a bitter sweet experience as one of my dear friends did not get accepted.  This is hot on the heels of some discussions I’ve been having with friends lately about the subjectiveness of art and wether it is deemed to be ‘good’ or ‘liked’ in the art world.  It’s tough isn’t it?  One person may love a piece that another one dislikes.   It can be a rocky road at times…  Something I’m learning more about in the Hello Soul, Hello Business course is that authenticity is key.   Being accutely aware of why we do what we do, and making sure that our internal compass is set to our true north to direct us on our soul path is the most important part of being in a creative biz.    If we are swayed by what other people think, and paint what we think may be liked, or accepted then in the end it will all come undone.  I know that my friend has painted her true authentic beautiful self, and her pieces although not accepted, were amazing.  So i take my hat off to her for being such a great example of being steadfast and focused on the big picture.  

 Defining my creative language, my accent, my true style.  These have been key for me in the past year.  And the reason why I’m particularly happy about this piece, is because I believe it’s my best work so far. 

“See ‘Im Dog Tree Miss?” Acrylic on canvas 1.2 m x 1.2m

It was inspired by a few different ideas and experiences.  For starters, you may recall that I’m doing an on-line course in surface pattern and design.  This is something I’m new to, and absolutely love and want to develop further.  So I knew that with this piece, I wanted to incorporate a repeat pattern of some description, and have a play with pattern in paint.

Secondly, I have a very distinct memory from a time when I was teaching in a remote Aboriginal community in the Kimberley.  Each friday, we (linguist, female elders, children and myself) would pile into the troopies and head off to a pre-determined place where we’d hear dreaming stories, make billy tea or cook damper or gather bush tucker.  It was a time rich in culture and it was my absolute favourite part of the week.  I remember travelling those dusty gravel roads and loving the banter of the children, the dry wind in my face and the beautiful desert scenery.  There was one point along the road which followed a plateau with trees silhouetted on top.  Each time we passed there, the kids would get excited and exclaim “see ‘im dog tree miss?  See im, see im???!!!”  and get really excited when I could make out the distinct shape of a dog’s head for a brief moment when the angle was just right!  Can you see the dog tree?

I also wanted to paint the background with intention rather than let it just unfurl on its own.  I wanted it to resemble the colours of the sunset as that too is a resonating image from my time spent ‘up north’.

This memory reminded me of the times I would lye on my back as a young girl and make pictures from the clouds.  I loved that.  And so there you have it, that is the story behind this piece. 

And d’you know what?  If I dont win any prizes, then I’m completely ok with that.  I’m just so honoured to know that one of my paintings will be  hanging on the wall in the regional art gallery – completely and utterly chuffed!

XDH

This week in the Hello Soul Hello Business sessions we have been searching our hearts and souls to unearth the reason for doing what we love.  As a creative/artist, we often say that we do what we do ,( ie paint or sculpt etc) because we love it.  But there’s something greater than that which drives us isn’t there?  Why do we love painting?  Why do love ceramics, or craft or being a life coach?  Why do we love doing what we do?  The big banana question this week is WHY?  And let me tell you, it’s no mean thing to come up with an answer! 

Doing what I do, that is paint, is something I do on the one hand because I love it and I can.  I’ve always been creative, it’s been in my blood and I just really enjoy flexing my creative muscles.  But, I haven’t always painted, and not three years ago I would have laughed at the thought of me even having a solo art exhibition!  So then,  I go deeper than that… I have started to realise that throughout my working life there has been a deep underlying reason for all my work choices.  It’s intricately tied up in my belief that:

• all people are beautiful
• all people are wonderfully unique amazing creatures capable of doing more/being more than we think we can be
• all people have a special story that weaves it’s tale through current history
• all people have a huge potential to be the person/people we were made to be
• not all people believe the abovementioned points about themselves
• many of us dont reach our potential because of fear or deception (either by ourselves or others)
• our communities, families, relationships and the world NEED us (a requirement of  a beautiful world) to strive to become all that we can be.
• Somehow, in recognising these things about my own life  and journey, I hope to reflect that and encourage others to do the same – to start believing in their own unique possibilities and stretch beyond what we all think we are capable of.  I want to be part of a liberation revolution!

Well anyway, there’s a few thoughts as direct from my biz journal tonight.  How about you?  Do you think you’ve reached your potential, or do you have more amazingness that’s yet to be set loose?!!! Pray tell…

X D

I’m at the very beginning of a journey.  A creative biz journey which is a fusion of creativity and soul.  It’s early days, but I’m loving it.  I’ve been pondering the answer to the question “why”…  Why do I want to create art?  Why do I want to sell it?  When all else is peeled away, what lies beneath my passion for creating?  Why do I paint? Well I’m honing in on the answer folks, but it’s still quite a whorl of thoughts.  Suffice to say, this quote (above) from Marianne Williamson comes pretty close to explaining my why.  I believe that life is short.  I know it’s not a dress rehearsal.  I believe we are all created with a beautiful uniqueness which needs to shine out into the world.  I believe the world needs to see each of us push against our boundaries and find our potential.  I believe that is a scary thing – something many of us fear ( I mean, life is comfortable right?)  That when we do that  – when we do give ourselves permission to seek our potential, we may just find something beyond our imagining – and that folks, is a scary thing.

But I’m up for it.  The gauntlet has been layed down and I for one am keen to know.  How far can I grow?

I know I know…  It’s been a while. In fact it’s been so long that if I hadn’t chosen the ‘remember me’ option under my login window, then I’d have forgotten how to get into my own web site!  The crazy thing is that I’ve actually had so many things to blog about over Christmas and the New Year, so many thoughts racing round my brain, reflections on the year past, great photos to show, inspiring sites, people and images…  So much in fact, that I’ve done the complete opposite and kept well away.  Sounds crazy, but sometimes when I feel that sense of overwhelm, I just do that…  Anyway,  somehow I’ve managed to, like I said, make my way into my own site and start typing – and that’s all I actually needed to do!  I’ll keep this short as I just wanted to start off the new year by saying hello first.  Thankyou for stopping by my ‘kitchen table’ and I hope you’ll call in often throughout the year.  Please join me in the conversations by leaving messages as I’d really love to connect with you and get to know you. 

Today I have started a ten week on-line course which is going to completely re-direct the way I think, feel and act about my creative biz.  It’s going to fire me up and help me to really get this thing moving.  Already I can sense my internal compass re-orienting and finding its ’true north’, and it’s only day one!  The course is Hello Soul Hello Business and after only day one, I can tell this is going to be exactly what I need to make my business soar.  So stay tuned as I regularly (there you go I’ve put that in writing) post about how it all goes over the next ten weeks. 

Run Little Dog – acrylic on canvas (a recent commission)

The other big news for me is that I have my second solo exhibition coming up ever so quickly in June this year.  That’s only 5 and a half months away!  Eeek!  It seems so close when I say that!  So guess what I’ll be doing lots of in that time!  I’ve also just completed two paintings for a local Art Competition called the Mid West Art Prize.  Last year was the innaugural year.  There were somewhere in order of 400 pieces submitted I believe, and around 70 ish were accepted into the exhibition for judging.  So I’m very excited to be submitting two pieces this year and I’ll let you know how I go.  I’d really be completely honoured just to have them accepted and see them hanging on the gallery walls – that would be awesome!  But the prizes are pretty grand too – the main one being $20,000!  I know,  wouldn’t that pay a few bills!  There are about three or four $5,000 prizes and also a People’s Choice Award of $1,500.  I really love both my pieces and have high hopes for them!  BUT, if I’m unsuccessful, then I feel really good about starting off my own exhibition with two really strong pieces.  I can’t show them here just yet, but what I can say is that they’ve both been inspired by the course I’m studying on surface pattern design at the moment as well.  It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a while now and an avenue you will hopefully see flourish more as time goes on within my creative biz.

So  it’s all go go go around here! 

Catch you soon – promise X d

PS – if you’re wondering why the Combi?  It’s a dream of mine to own one that is fitted out for camping.  We had one when I was little and I remember being able to stand up inside it – I really loved our combi – that was, until dad ran into an emu in it…  For so long I’ve wanted one but never acted on it because it’s ‘not practical’ but heck, life’s too short!  I’m wanting to make my dreams a reality – and here’s one to kick start the year!!!

A couple of weeks ago I had a quick trip south to my home town of Perth.  I had the lucky break of being able to travel without the kids which meant playing my music very loudly the entire trip, singing at the top of my lungs and being able to stop as many times as I liked at a moment’s notice.  The big surprise for me on the journey was seeing so many wild flowers still in bloom, being that it’s now summer I wasn’t expecting it. 

So I stopped quite a few times to take some snaps.  You may remember this post back here when I was talking about why we Aussies draw flowers in a way that is hardly representational of our native blooms at all!  I’m the worst offender.  Well I was, I’m trying hard to break that old habit.  Anyway, I’m still in love with the crazy beautiful shapes that are our wildflowers and am constantly inspired by them.  I thought I’d show you what’s on offer even in the summer months – so beautiful.  The photo of the  stunning pink grevillea (third from top) was taken at my mum’s house – I’d have to say it’s got to be one of my top three faves as far as native flowers go…  All these were taken on my iphone and I’m kicking myself for not takong the Canon, but who would’ve known? (Maybe I should have…)

Anyhoo,  I hope these help to bring a little inspiration your way…

X Me

Yup.  Sometime’s it’s a romantic adventure, this creative life, but alot of the time it can just feel like sheer hard work.  But!  Knowing about this ‘gap’ now, relieves alot of the worry – this is normal!!!  I will get better.  I will start to close the gap, and you will too

And on a slightly different note, just wanted to leave you with this little DIY project for Christmas.  Don’t think it needs any instructions.  I’d use a zip lock bag.  Wish I could credit the creative ones who made these images – if it’s you, let me know.  Anyway, it wasn’t me !

The countdown is on!  Merry Christmas everyone!

My colour journey continues… Today I learnt how to make these colour palettes using Illustrator – and oh mi!  I think this will come in very very handy!  I know what I like when it comes to colour combinations, what works and what doesn’t – when I’m looking at palettes.  But oftentimes whn it comes to painting I tend to rely on my intuition and it keeps me set in a restricted colourway.  I am curious to know (self I ask you…) why it is that if I love muted so much, why all my paintings are bright and bold and filled with strong colour?! 

Angie Lewin is just one of (many of) my favourite artists.  I am ever so close to becoming a printer rather than a painter when I dare look at any of her works I love them all so much.  And there are others too, many more artists who use these beautiful muted tones in their work.  I am always drawn to them.  The trouble is, I’m drawn to bright and rich and bold as well!  I’m sure I’m a candidate for split personality or something!

The long and the short of it is, I’m going to experiment using a whole new palette I think!  And this one below is just the beginning! 

Stay tuned!

D X