It is a painting…The weight of water. But as much as I love painting, I also love photography. And I love combining them in new ways. So, this is a photo of my painting…but not a copy of the original painting. It is something else that is new, exciting and familiar but strange and different.
December 1…the start of my favourite time of year…Christmas. And summer!
December 1 heralds in the start of the Christmas season…with the tree being decorated, the Advent Calendar being opened, the Christmas stories coming out, the sense of anticipation starting to build…
December 1 is also, for us the real start of summer. It is the end of school and exams and the time of longer warmer days, of beaches, bbq’s and outdoor fun.
DECEMBER 1…I am so happy you have arrived.
Exciting news.. our first book is published and has now arrived…
It was time for a change. My studio inspiration board had gotten very cluttered, very colourful, very chaotic…full of images, colours, words, photos, and kids art. It was busy and bright and bold. But mostly busy!
But instead of feeling inspired, I started to feel cluttered and crowded. I wanted space to think. I wanted less, not more. So I took it all down, without thinking or reviewing, or analysing any particular item. I put them in a suitcase with my other papers. Then I put back up six items. Not six on purpose, just because these six images felt right for right now.
None of the images on the board are mine. One is a beloved print brought in Wellington a few years back that had been rolled up in a drawer – a watercolour sketch of a hummingbird. Another is a postcard of Paris – both for my dreams to go there one day, and also because it was from a dear friend. Another image is a magazine advertisement image that I like. The final blue image is a photo of the sea found in yet another magazine. The blues are intoxicating beautiful and a reminder of the inherent beauty in nature and beaches.
My “Start Something” paper mantra returned to the wall (as always) and finally, I added the brochure from the “One” exhibition – held in 2013, as a reminder of my past achievements and future plans.
When I look at the wall, I feel optimistic and calm and I can hear myself think. Right now, I like that.
Sometimes inspiration boards need a little inspiration too!
Believe:
In yourself.
In the goodness and kindness of others – strangers, acquaintances, family and friends.
That things will turn out fine. Maybe not how you expect, however.
That you will achieve your dream.
It was the first time in seemingly ages – that I had some time to get out my journal/mixed media supplies/paper collections, and just open my journal and play around. I let my mind wander, and I was trying to not over-think anything and just see what developed. This photo is part of an entire page, but I especially like this little composition.
I have been thinking a lot recently – thinking about thoughts…About how our thoughts affect our feelings and then in turn how our emotions then affect our actions. I have also been thinking about how they are all linked and entwined. Each one seemingly reinforcing the others in how we think, feel and ultimately act.
Like many of us, especially those with a disposition toward creating, it seems, I can easily slip into quite negative thoughts about my creative endeavours which in turn affects my feelings about my art and ultimately my own self. This in turn then affects my actions…my thoughts and emotions sabotage my efforts to succeed…my actions can actually reinforce the negative thoughts and feelings..it can be a vicious negative cycle and hard to break out of.
These pages from my journal are a snap shot of some of my recent thoughts about this process from our thoughts to feelings through to our actions. I realised that I was in fact my own worst enemy. I realised my destructive thoughts were directly affecting my actions toward achieving my creative goals. The challenge now is to make change. Here is a snapshot of some of my thoughts expressed creatively on some of this…
Happenstance, meaning Chance: A chance circumstance or chance encounter.
Meeting someone and in an instance feeling like you have spent your whole life waiting for them, or having an unexpected experience that changes the planned trajectory of your life – that’s Happenstance and it requires being brave and open to new experiences. .
But happenstance (chance) gets a bad rap these days… “Don’t talk to strangers. Don’t take unnecessary risks. Plan everything. Be organised. Be consistent. Take the low risk option. Play it safe. Take the safe route. Be reliable, etc…”
But there comes a time for most of us when you just have to follow your heart. Sometimes you have to follow your gut instinct. Or trust a complete stranger. Or take a different path from everyone else. Or offer a stranger assistance. Or do something that really isn’t rational or sensible but somehow makes sense to you in that moment.
Sometimes life really does change direction on the strength of a comment, a glance, a missed train, while waiting at a bus stop, with a strangers smile or a kind offer. Happenstance. My latest word for my collection of words, quotes & musings.
What is individual style? I have been thinking about this and have come up with a few thoughts about it. To me personal style transcends your home, your studio, your art, your creative endeavours. They are all just manifestations of your style. Your style is you. It is what makes you a unique person on this planet. Style is a reflection of your genuine self, your expression of who you are. Style is understanding who you are and being extremely at ease with that.
Your personal style is partly what others see, it is your art and your creations, your thoughts expressed, your home, and your community. As I think about this I see images from my home, my art, my studio and my journals – all different but threads of the same things – old symbols (hearts, circles, crosses), text and use of letters and words, old patina’s and vintage finds. Trees, beaches, bridges, buildings, houses all feature in my style, as does finding old nests, collecting sea-glass, rocks and shells, quirky finds and birds, horses, growing food, and history all interest me. Writing musings, journalling and playing with mixed media, painting big abstract paintings and trying to do photography everyday are my style. Noticing things others might miss and finding beauty in everyday things are my style. My style is thinking in interconnected circles but writing in bullet points.
Your style is also how you live. Being a mum to four kids will always be my first priority. That’s my style too. Like many of us, I am juggling everyday – the divergent needs and demands of a large complicated and blended family, working to earn income, running, and try to find space in my day to create, fitting in all the other messy stuff in between, that’s my style too.
I am a mother to three boys rapidly moving into that strange place between being men and boys, and one 4 year old princess fairy. A writer and keen blogger. I am a runner. I am a photographer. I am an artist. I am creative. I dream of Italy and of visiting Europe one day. I dream of living closer to the land, but also (ironically) closer to the city centre and so I can smell and hear the sea. I dream of my three sons as babies and wonder at their journey into being young men. I love my pink, sparkly princess who has in a thousand different ways saved me from myself through this process with her enormous smiles, delicious cuddles and piles of charm, giggles and songs. All of this, is part of me.
What has running got to do with style? Running is very much apart of who I am now, after I put on my trainers one year ago exactly and ran to the first lamp post then walked the next two. I run to clear my mind, to think straight, to have my body hurt in a good way. I run so no one can see tears occasionally. I run to have a few precious moments when no-one needs me. Running gives me space to plan, dream and plot. It takes time but it also makes me more creative and more efficient. I also see things that I don’t see when driving or distracted by tasks and errands. They are all part of my style.
Is style is the only thing you have left when you strip everything back to its barest state. Or is style is an individual and original point of view delivered with confidence? Or, the culmination of all the parts of a life brought together? Or is style really just having curiosity, a sense of spirit and confidence in yourself?
Initially this mixed media image said “Don’t tempt fate”. I like it far better compositionally without the “Don’t” word – it just looks better! I also like the message itself far more without its authoritative and negative “don’t” attached.
If fate is where/who/what we are pre-destined be in the future…then I say let’s start by knowing the place where our heart feels most glad, where our bones rest best, where we are loved most and where we are most free to be ourself.
Tempt fate – mixed media piece – found papers, stamps, ephemera and a “Tempt” store brochure (very nice store in New Plymouth).
Black Box Art Studio 
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