Art Felt

The weekend that was

So slow off the mark, that much has been said by many others about the Creative Soul Art Retreat.What a treat it was on so many levels.

The freedom to make art without the usual routine interfering,  the opportunity to connect with other like minded souls, and of course the chance to learn from some amazing teachers.

DJ was such a wonderful and generous teacher, she was gracious and a real lady. I did both her journal and painting faces class. - loved it, even if it was somewhat challenging spending a whole day painting a 6x6inch canvas! (I don't usually do small!)

 Loved meeting the wonderful Stephanie Lee - If I thought painting a face was going to be a challenge, for this virgin solderer the butane torch held a little fear. BUT, I have to say that by the end of the day and having my precious little book almost complete, I was a convert and am keen to explore the soldering world in a little more depth.

I was thrilled to see both old and new faces. It is a real treat to put faces to names of those blogs frequented at last. A major highlight was connecting with some other Sydney art souls. They are out there! The wonderful Martina has done what it will take me some time (the wheels move excrutiatingly slow where technology is involved)

Martine has added all the retreat participants blogs on her sidebar. This is one organised lady. I think it is a case of "if you want something done, ask a busy person! Nice to meet the prolific guerilla gal Dneese  and fellow sydneysiders   Margaret and Ruth , of course wonderful to catch up with familiar faces, the talented  Ro ,(Happy Birthday Ro),  and gorgeous Jan and dear  Julie  I had the pleasure of participating in an amazing round robin that went all around our country and the USA with Jan Ro and Julie. My art buddy, roomate constant support,  soul sister  and organiser of the amazing altered book round robin who, by chance just celebrated a special birthday Ursula  once again put up with me and my no doubt annoying habits. I always have a ton of laughs with Ursula as well as plenty of deep and meaningfuls, I am so lucky to know such a wise one.   It is always a privilege to connect in person with those I have visited regularly via blogs. I was able  to catch up briefly with the giver of the  real person blog award Julia who managed to make it to the vendor night. I had the good fortune to sit next to Julia at an art retreat last year. I belatedly acknowledge the real person blog award Julia - which I will share with all those wonderful women I got to meet having only read about before. The trouble with mentioning names is that all those I connected with were special and without exception talented, so I urge you to go and check them out on the art retreat sidebar of  Martina. Well done Bevlea for a fantastic retreat and I can only imagine the hard work that went into making it run so smoothly. I look forward to the next one.       

New Starts

Every day I begin with a mental list.

A list of all I want to achieve for the day.

It begins as a blank canvas waiting to be filled, where anything and everything is possible.

As the day progresses, and life does it thing, It begins to dawn on me that I may not get even some of the things on my mental list achieved.

It's right about that moment that I start to get a little frustrated, I start to resent all the obsticles that lie in my way of achieving that ever so busy and  important to do list.

When pick up time for the children arrives, my daughter asks, "What did you do today?"

I pause - trying to see what I can tick off from my mental list. I know I was busy, but what did I do?

"Just stuff" I say," just stuff". 

Latter that night when dinner is done, lunches are made, uniforms are ironed, I walk past the clock and look at the late hour. I walk past the studio door and look longingly in. "Too late to start anything now" I think.   "Tomorrow I'll get in there" - tomorrow is filled with possibilities, because today I am busy being busy.

Imagine

Right now I am imagining what it will be like when we have moved. When there are no more loads to carry  there is not a box in sight! But for now I just have to imagine as I sit surrounded by the debris of packing and moving. Change is always unsettling for me, a time of constant mental lists, of vowing never to accumulate so much "stuff."  For now, a time to keep the end in mind and move forward. It is much Harder to pick up a box having rested for a while.  

Magical

I had the privilege of seeing an amazing exhibition last week called the Lost Buddhas

. In 1996 whilst leveling a sportsfield in Shefan Primary school, construction workers dicovered a pit filled to the brim with over 400 stone Buddhist sculptures. They were created in the 6th Century, they had been wrapped and buried during the 12th Century. No one knows why, but they were all broken and incomplete at the time of their burial and lay undisturbed for the next 900 years. 35 of these amazing scultures are in  Sydney at the Art Gallery of New South Wales at the moment. It was a beautiful exhibition with thes equistite sculptures. What an amazing find. you could see traces of paint and gold leaf on many of the pieces. I can't imagine how it must have been to unearth these, and what a mystery they have surrounding them. If you are in these fair city check it out. They are very special.

Fleeting

Do you ever have those moments, the ones that remind you of the fragility of the moment, I guess of life?
I am not sure if it is the appearance of spring, the pace of life, the fact my children grow more self sufficient each day, or what. Last night my daughter asked both my husband and I (no offence intended!), if we ever thought about the fact that we were growing old (offence taken!).  Whilst I was thinking about the best response, her father answered "Everyday sweetie, everyday!" I guess it got me thinking, that same old lesson that keeps presenting itself. This moment is all there is, this moment is where we should be. I don't want to live each day wishing for the next, only to wish that one away. This morning when I turned the page of Buddhist Offerings 365 Days, todays offering was "Most of us have spent our lives caught up in plans, expectations, ambitions for the future, in regrets, guilt or shame about the past. To come to the present is to stop the war." Jack Kornfield  So, whats the secret of that life lived to the fullest without regrets? I guess, I am still learning that lesson - I do remember some very sound advice from my great Aunt who lived to the ripe old age of 105 spanning across three centuries, she was born at the end of the 1800's, lived throughout the 1900's and died in the 2000's. She had seen some changes for sure and was on the Ocean bound for Australia when the Titanic went down. About growing old she used to say "Darling, it's no fun getting old, but the alternative isn't great!"  I do know that you should do what you love and love what you do though, look for the good in situations and see the best in others. Ain't life a huge lesson?

Resolve

Today I resolve to......... ?
Today I resolve to..........appreciate my family more. After no contact with my soul mate whilst he was trecking the Kokoda Track, I had time to realize how amazing he is, and how much I perhaps take him for granted. Well Done on your incredible journey. Many of us know not much of the incredible story of

Kokoda , which is such a significant part of the history of Australia. I must confess I was guilty of this. Through my husbands preparation for his trip to walk the track I have learnt a little more of a bloody battle fought and won against all odds that saw 6000 Australian casualties and out of a force of 20000 Japanese, 13000 lost their lives. The tack is walked by many today as the history of what took place there is remembered and honored. The track for the most part is in jungle and vertical. which only reinforces the determination of those that fought there, and of the amazing fuzzy wuzzy angels .

Some Adjustments

To use the words of a iconic Australian poem, "there was movement at the" blog........ And about time too. I have the most patient friend in the world   who spent the best part of one of her precious child free days, with me and my children who were already on holidays ( how does that work? the higher the school fees the more holidays!) helping her technology challenged, blonde, getting more senior by the moment friend! There was some overdue tweaking to be done, and it wouldn't have been possible with out her. Thank you my dear friend, you continue to take the inspiration out of the studio and into technology. Not once through the process did I hear so much as a sigh as she added the blog banner she whipped up without access to any of my photos other than those on past posts, no eye rolls did I see as I tried not one or two, but many different colour combinations before settling on the current ones. I am indeed lucky. Thank you Ursula.
I can even leave you now with photos that look centred! Who would have thought that by unticking the "wrap text" box one of my greatest frustrations would be solved! I am a reluctant learner of technology, but understand that if I don't get on the bus I will be left wayyyyyyyy behind. I feel constantly frustrated and limited by my knowledge and can't believe the speed with which my children move around this technology, but as my wise husband says " they are natives to the technology, we are immigrants" - I guess I have a little more of the local lingo to pick up yet!

On an enjoyment note this is a must see film moving and though provoking with some  wonderful acting.

OK, so maybe I haven't got the centering perfect yet, but it is a start. This amazing box of colour comes all the way from France. They are the most wonderfully flavoured sweets . They taste like the smell of flowers. I just think they are divine. They were a gift to my daughter from some friends who have just returned from Paris. They said the whole shop was lined with boxes of different colours. They taste as good as they look.

Sunshine of My Life

On a cold Winters day 15 years ago a ray of sunshine came into our lives. I don't think either my husband or me knew just what that meant and how wonderful our already blessed lives were to become.
Everyday our daughter gives us such joy, love, laughter, happiness and gratitude by simply being herself. She makes such a difference to so many and manages to light up even the dullest day. We are truly blessed you chose us. Keep on shining  and making a difference. xoxox we love you , Happy Birthday!

Part Two Retreat

As hard as I try the details start to blur, but the big picture remains. Thats why the camera is handy to capture the frenzy that builds when taking a class at a retreat. I tried to take time amidst the  slapping on of paint, the mono printing, the layering, the looking and the listening, so here are a few views of work in progress and artists in the throws of from Misty and Traci's classes.

The Retreat That Was Part One

 It always with mixed feelings that I both go to and return from an art retreat. It is always a busy time getting ready to exit the house and to leave the family - it is sad to be away from them, but enriching and fulfilling to immerse myself in the creative world I feel so passionate about for a time. Then, there is the return home, which although brings joy in being reunited with the ones I love brings perhaps a smidgen of resentment as I am catapulted back to reality and removed from the peace and timelessness being totally focused on creating brings  over three short days.
All that said, I wouldn't have missed the artistic journey retreat for the world. This year it was in my second most favourite city Melbourne. The Cathedral had a wonderful Neon sign up that said "Imagine Me and You I Do"  As my roomie and  dear friend Ursula and I headed off from the city to Swinburne it was visible as the sun rose and as we wearily returned at dusk it still shone.

Jo and Jacky did a mega job and provided a wonderful group of inspiring and  talented artists.   Misty Mawn Nina Bagley Traci Bautista, and our own home grown Ro Brun   strutted there stuff over the weekend.
What a treat it was to finally meet Misty. Misty's was the very first blog I ever discovered, I fell in love with her work and her gentle soul . Misty "s class was an absolute pleasure to be in. I felt so blessed to have the opportunity to share in her generous and inspiring teaching. Misty, gives as a teacher when you think that she couldn't possibly have any more tricks or techniques up her sleeve, she does so with grace, modesty and a gentle warmth, she is a treasure. Thankyou Misty, for all you gave.   Traci is such a professional - her class was action packed as was Mistys and bursting with colour. This is a gal that knows the business and I am sure is one of the hardest working people in the business.  I didn't  get to be in a class with Nina this time - I still have an unfinished piece from Perth! I left that to the nimble fingered, but had the pleasure of sharing some of her wonderful southern humour and good company, Nina is such wonderful company and I look forward to reading more of her wonderful words as she continues her journey back to the southern hemisphere.  It was wonderful to see Ro again. This is one talented lady who knows a thing or two about time management. She is so generous and  totally oozes  colour and creativity.  (OK, so it looks like the photos are placing themselves! sorry, I'm sure you can work it out)                                       
I have so much more to share - of both the classes and the streets of Melbourne. Ursula and I managed to fit a whole lot in in a considerably short space of time. Ursula as always was wonderful company and a top room mate - she is slowly, but surely training me in the "less is more" packing method. I still have a ways to go. Fortunately my dear friend is patient as well as talented and generous, and, I must add tolerant! I leave you with her awaiting our taxi on exit from the burbs of Sydney - no prizes for guessing which bags are mine, and which are hers!