Denise Daffara
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blog : another
​'sip of my tea'

the last post.. of 21/21

21/5/2013

 
Here we are... 21 days later... I leave in a couple of days for a retreat in Bali... packing is.. not done.. but the beginnings of it are... I have designed a commission to be painted upon my return... and I really haven't gotten much painting done in the last couple of weeks.  Oh... I did finish/repaint a couple that were included in the Immanual Art Show... so that's a 'tick off the list' of to do's.
This has seemed like a fairly uneventful 21 days if I look on it now... and that's ok.  It may sometimes seem like that on the surface.. but let me tell you.. there is LOADS going on that's not seen... and I don't even have language for yet!

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I was introduced to yet another amazingly fabulous creative successful person online this past fortnight... Leonie Dawson is her name.. she's new to me.. but the likes of Sark give their endorsement of her being wonderful.. so I've downloaded her free e-book and popped that in my kindle to take with me.  I'm treating this like a working holiday... since art is my world and work that makes lots of sense to me.. and I need some time to soak in some goodness and do some writing assignments.  
Like an Artist Statement... and words for my Vision Quest... you know ... little (big) things like that feature in my Color of Woman course.


I listened in to one of the Meditation Oasis podcasts today, as I allowed the last remnants of headacheness to seep out of my body ... and these words really struck me.. and make for a great theme for a workshop sometime...Let everthing arise in compassion. To be fully present to another or fully present to yourself is the essence of compassion, and compassion heals.  Within the intentional creativity lessons we are learning from Shiloh this is what has been happening.. we are learning to be compassionate with ourselves, and listening to the Voice of our Muse... (she's the voice inside that champions us... the opposite of the critic).

Relaxing Into Healing  
 by  Mary Maddox 

Picture


"Listening for the Divine Instruction"
painting by Shiloh Sophia McLeod

Let everthing arise in compassion
to be fully present to another
or fully present to yourself
is the essence of compassion,
and compassion heals


And as we heal
there's always a throwing off
of what isn't needed
a kind of a purification
so there can be thoughts
about, how this won't work
how the situation can't change,
there can be thoughts
of discouragement
it's all part of the healing
to have all of that come
into the light and be revealed


The essence of healing is 
that relaxation into what is.
Complete relaxation allows healing

you can find Mary Maddox podcasts here 
http://www.meditationoasis.com
& Shiloh Sophia McLeod http://www.redthreadnation.com

As I sign off from this little episode of 21/21 blogposts ... I am feeling grateful for the journey I am on, very grateful for good health, and looking forward to my adventure in Bali ... I always think of travels as an adventure, and I try my best to enjoy every minute of it... I travel with every little snippet I can think of to make myself comfortable.. sarong, pashmina, iPod, ear plugs, eye mask, homeopathic drops, pain killers, water, pens, notebook, spritzer spray, nuts and dried fruit .. you name it... and I may very well have it somewhere in my bag!
bye for now,
it's been fun.. and a bit of a challenge..
but.. I now have a small sense of achievement,
and that's not a bad thing at all.


with love,
Denise xo

Seriously cold.. and I almost forgot the blog!! 20/21

20/5/2013

 
Seriously guys... this blog thing is still not happening in a flow... I am sitting here wrapped up tight after a hot shower... it's cold here apparently 13 degrees.. feels colder.. anyhow.. I was about to go and bury myself under the covers when I remember the THE BLOG!!!  Today I've been in the weirdest of foggy brains.. day 2 or 3 of a headache.. gathering a few items for Bali.. and while I'm very excited to be going.. the head kinda took the joy joy away today.  I just had to slooooow down and do whatever I could do.. sloooowly.  Supermarket shopped in a daze this evening.. but made it home with most of what we needed.
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I'll try not to be a crazed fan.. but I'm taking my Brave IP book for Flora to sign :)... yes I am!!! and I noticed on fb today Kelly Rae Roberts has joined Flora for this week in Bali too... goodness meeeee I wonder who I'll meet this Friday night.. in Ubud at a place near the Monkey Forest.  
See that yummy quote on my notebook from my friend Lynika . . .

"Once you get over the fear, then it's a cinch," she said.
And then she leapedinto a mountainous and 
unexplored regionof her heart.

goodnight,
love Denise xo

Wild Gypsy Rose .. headache ... day 19/21

19/5/2013

 
The good news is I've had a little time painting with my wild gypsy rose lady today ... who is in a deep conversation with this Phoenix... I will make sure I sit with them very soon and see what they're saying.  Transformation comes to mind... and I'm loving the almost translucent skin she has which is reminding me of Esmeralda.. that girl on one of the disney movies.. and maybe a woman of Irish heritage.. which... I actually am... both my father's parents were born there! 
Picture
The not as good news.. I've got one of those shitty headaches that's borderline making me nauseous.. with stiff sore neck and shoulders.  I'll be heading over to Immanual Art Show to pick up my unsold paintings this afternoon and have a look at the lovely array of about 1000 pieces of artwork!!  
I'll sign off for now and maybe come back later if something strikes me that MUST be added to this post.


love Denise xo

What on earth to say today? 18/21

18/5/2013

 
Nearing the end of this self imposed challenge.. and it's really not flowing this.. writing for the blog thing... If I was to look around me right now and do a stream of consciousness word list of it... well let's try that ...
red tea pot, red thred, Color of Woman workbook, speakers, tissues, cups, candle, iphone, postitnotes, apple, orange pen, Terrain of the Heart question sheet, pink pen, painting of Gypsy and Phoenix on the easel, Lady of Alchemy on another easel.... diary, lists, rubbish, sharpener, bulldog clip... clouds in the formation of a heart on a bag, lady with an axe... 
oh gee this is going... all over the shop isn't it...
Little potatoes and sweet potatoes baking in the oven.. timer on.. I'll have to dash down there shortly.. it's really a 'no news day'... 
I tried again to complete the sewing project of making a dress or pinafore thing out of a men's denim shirt... IT. IS. NOT. WORKING. OUT. AS. I. WOULD. LIKE. IT. TO. so that's a boring story :(  the mannequin that I have borrowed (and have kept for far too long) is adjusted to my size.. but she has a flat tummy and .. I .. don't.. so the finished article looks so much better on the mannequin... of course... that's how the stores trick us on a daily basis! haha.
Watched the modern version of Hansel and Gretel - The Witch Hunters , last night... Oh My Gosh.... Gretel was a kick arse cool chick! I loved her!  She headbutted an eejit guy and I have to say.. it was very satisfying... there have been people in my past I may have liked to do that very same thing to.

THE BODY OF THE WORLD  by Eve Ensler
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On a very sobering note... I read an excerpt from a book today... you know how you follow your nose from a lead on fb.. well I did that and ended up in Amazon reading more ... somehow on my phone.. it allowed me to click through and read a large section the author had made available to be read... an amazing woman 'Eve Ensler' author of 'The Vagina Monologues' ... with stories that would blow my brains out I'm sure.  It kinda snapped me out of my day to remember how much I have to be thanful for.

That's about it for now,
love Denise xo.

Visionary ? Artist 17/21

17/5/2013

 
Main Entry: visionary  [vizh-uh-ner-ee]  Show IPA
Part of Speech: adjective Definition: idealized, romantic  Synonyms: abstracted, 
ambitious, astral, chimerical, daydreaming, delusory, dreaming, dreamy, exalted, 
fanciful, fantastic, grandiose, ideal, idealist, idealistic, illusory, imaginary, impractical, 
in the clouds, introspective, lofty, musing, noble, otherworldly, pretentious,
prophetic, quixotic, radical, speculative, starry-eyed, unreal, unrealistic, unworkable, unworldly, utopian Antonyms: practical, real, realistic, unromantic
HAH!!! I was in conversation today with two other wonderful women within my Color of Woman course.. and we discussed this idea of being a 'Visionary Artist' ... and since I am not really one to see great detailed 'visions' as pictures say in a guided visualisation where that is seemingly the POINT of doing it... and this sometimes bothers me... because if you're hearing the words.. and you see a door (nope I don't) .. so.. (imagine that door) ok.. now I have some doors coming slowing into focus in that place you 'remember things from'... so... I get my door .... and I realised it's totally ok to have other ways of seeing.... seeing with your heart, with your imagination... with some part of your understanding ... why else do I sometimes say to someone "I see what you are saying".
I think I will happily henceforth include the word visionary amongst my title of artist... because who isn't a bit thrilled to have such things as impractical, dreamy, imaginary, quixotic and utopian attached to ones identity!!!
Picture
Visionary Artist Denise with her Queen of her Own Heart wip.
My Queen agrees.


bye for now,
love Denise xo

day 16/21

16/5/2013

 
Picture
... I had a lovely lady here today creating a painting from nothing... layers, colour, a few stencils.. patience.. try a little thing... little that... brush... spray... drip.. dry... spots.. a bird... voila... a piece of art that makes one happy and took it's creator to a peaceful place along the way.  


I forgot to take photo's... we simply took the time to be.. and not photograph the being... doesn't mean it was any less happening :)  

I read something about being... and taking less photo's say on a walk so that you take it all in with your senses there and then... otherwise we simply become a collector of images... there's a time for that for sure... but it made me think how sometimes I am blissfully in the moment... and later I might see a photo of myself taken and the first thing I notice is my fugly hair!  
Oh dear... that's it for today,
spiralling into duldrums
it's cold and wet... 
dinner to make,
... over and out.
Denise xo



OH *** something fabulous that I forgot to mention... I put a friends name in to win a space in Flora Bowley's, Bloom True E-course ... and out of 600 entries.. the lady I entered has won a space!!!  She does an amazing job for the Beautiful You Cancer Charity... I can't wait to see what she creates with that wonderful opportunity.  And thanks to the amazing generosity of Flora!  
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Speak your truth &  Tree of Life Blessing 15/21

15/5/2013

 
I have a few too many things to do tonight, so... I am sharing my picture which I've called "Speak Your Truth" ... and the words of my dear Mentor, Shiloh Sophia McLeod . . .
Picture
Tree of Life Blessing

By Shiloh Sophia McCloud 


May you choose outrageous actions
that challenge who you are
and encourage who you are becoming.
May you take one step, however small,
toward that which you have always longed for.
Now is the "right time."
May you recognize the unique and powerful contribution
that you bring to the people whose lives you touch.
May you be as wonderful as you really are,
and do things because you want to, 

not just because you should.
May you celebrate your creativity 

and believe that you are an
artist with a unique vision that no one else has.
May you find peace and purpose and possibility 

amidst the chaos 

while remaining aware of the unrest in the world.
May you reach towards the Spirit 

with a longing that keeps
you awake to the miracles available all around you.
May your faith move any mountains 

that stand in your way
and bring you great teachers to awaken your understanding.
May you give up shame, guilt and self-neglect 

and replace them with qualities like freedom, 

integrity and self-nurturing.
May you offer the gifts and blessings
of your soul work 


to beings of the world 

when the time is ripe for you to release them.
May you passionately and deeply love and be loved
by someone who can see who you really are.
May your body speak to you and teach you
how to care for the temple 

that houses your bright spirit.
May you walk gently on the earth 

and honor your hearth and family
with your action and your rest.
May you find and enjoy the fruit of abundance
so that your life path can be fortified and furthered.
May you embrace the Tree of Life
and be informed by the wisdom 

she brings to those on her path.
May LOVE be at the center of all your choices
and may you, with me, 

send this blessing to all beings.
Amen.

Easy to see why I think she's amazing hah? 


With love,
Denise xo

Teapots and Oscar the Wilde 14/21

14/5/2013

 
Well... last's night talk was highly entertaining and really quite interesting... things like Chinamaniacs, porcelain, blue and white china, red clay teapots, Oscar Wilde? i think I have that right.. and many other details were covered.  The speaker is famous for his Antique Road Show tv series... and he really was a delight.  It was held in a church which was rather intriqueing to me.. being raised catholic... I can't recall ever hearing anyone but a priest welcomed to speak from the front... so someone sharing about teapots and the antics of some of the upper class Brit's of old was quite out of my ordinary realm.  I think I would have loved to meet Oscar Wilde.
Fashion is a form of ugliness so intolerable that we have to alter it every six months.
Oscar Wilde
Most modern calendars mar the sweet simplicity of our lives by reminding us that each day that passes is the anniversary of some perfectly uninteresting event.
Oscar Wilde
Picture
My little lady in pink painting "Beyond the Bounds" flew all the way back from Melbourne
and will be going to the Gold Coast soon to the home of a lovely friend who bought her.  ...
Tea Medley was one that sold at Canterbury Art Exhib.
They were inspired by some snippets from the dictionary... Transcendent ... 
Picture
Oh gosh... I am without words.
I'll give the last word to Oscar,
Most people are other people. Their thoughts are someone elses opinions, their lives a mimicry, their passions a quotation.
Oscar Wilde
love Denise xo

Living up to ones Teapot! 13/21

13/5/2013

 
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I was invited to go to a talk tonight with a lovely friend who works at the University Gallery... I am tickled by the title "The Importance of living up to one's teapot".  Considering I buy a bunch of those inexpensive ceramic ones just so I can have one morning noon and night and guests too... I don't appear to have much to 'live up to'... my elegant silver one with legs.. is filthy and in long need of a good silvo polish.. but who's got time for that??... ack... I remember that was a chore when I was young to polish the silver.
Topic: ‘The Importance of living up to one’s teapot’ Lecturer: Mr LARS THARP (UK)
On Oscar Wilde, the Aesthetic Movement and the Chinamaniacs! In the last thirty years of the 19th century, the Aesthetic Period combined with the Arts and Crafts Movement, changed the course of British, European and American art. It led directly to Art Nouveau. Like it or loathe it, the period is full of wit, invention and travesty.
Lars Tharp is well known for his appearances as a ceramics expert on the British television programme, Antiques Roadshow.

Almost missed delivery for the art show... phew.. thankfully a nice lady rang and 'no.. the message on fb saying Mon and Tue delivery was wrong' ... so dashed over there looking like the wreck of the hespice hahaha. i love that saying... no idea what the hespice is but sounds convincing.
That's it my loves, I don't have another thing I can think of before having to dry my hair, fix face, get dressed, find dinner and leave the house at 6.15.


I'll tell you how the teapot talk went on tomorrows post :)



love Denise xo

Mother's Day 12/21

12/5/2013

 
Ohhh Wow!!! I don't have many words... but I do have a pictorial view of one of the best Mother's Day's I've ever had.  Sooo relaxing and treaty... filled with yummy food and locations.. and my dear Loves, husband, daughter and dog.  One daughter lives away from home.. so she was very missed. xo
Picture
Daisy's Place for breakfast.. hollandaise and salmon on sour dough.. was a gorgeous start.. surrounded by forest, and the topped off with the cutest tea bag I have ever layed eyes on.
Picture
Picnic lunch along the Mooloolaba River at Pt Cartwright... 
the pelicans gather in several spots to be fed I found out today.
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and because we're getting our daugter's driving hours up as much as we can, we went up to Montville in the afternoon, visited the Pop Up Gallery in Maleny where I know a couple of the artist showing their works (Nancy and Sonja) I loved that.. then over to Montville for a stroll... and an Italian place that makes THE BEST pizza... and the gelati!!!! It really can't get much better than that!
and... to completely take my happy over the edge... I poured myself a lovely bath... and took tea up there with me.
Picture
That's it for tonight... back to my family on the couch,


love Denise xo
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    “There are very few human beings who receive the truth, complete and staggering, by instant illumination. Most of them acquire it fragment by fragment, on a small scale, by successive developments, cellularly, like a laborious mosaic.” 
    - Anais Nin

Please note the artwork displayed on this site is copyrighted by Denise Daffara.
​Please do not use any artwork displayed on this site without permission. Thank you.
Copyright Denise Daffara.
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