|
Hi friends, I had my very helpful daughter deliver my newest painting up to the gallery today.. and I thought I'd share a little bit more about this painting. Stand Tall . . . with those poppies
"Stand Tall" 80 x 80cm $2,250
I have taken the longest time to complete this painting because I have been back and forwarding over the colours.. the background.. the eyes.. the hair.. honestly… it's driven me a little nuts… but the reason I have sent it to the gallery now.. is that i LOVE the way she looks directly at me in a DEFIANT way.. like… STOP THIS NONENSE.. I AM COMPLETE. enough. You know that tall poppy bs right? .. it's a well known phenomena in Australia and New Zealand.. where anyone who is doing well at something.. anything.. is put down in someway by those who feel 'less that' or whateverthehellelseisgoingonintheirhead. I am also bumping right up against my own 'upper limit' in that I am learning right now how to create and launch my own little ecourse. It's FREAKING ME OUT.. and .. making me excited. So… I am trusting the second part.. and learning to live with the first part. I'm working with a word for this month.. it happened upon me the other day.. RELEASE… I even have some oil called the same from Young Living oils. It may even inform the theme for my ecourse… releasing my own limitations is an ongoing thing … you too? that's it for now, love Denise. view 'Stand Tall' in person at Tiffany Jones Fine Art Gallery, Buderim. (it will be on their site within the next day or two) 
I had a small melt down this week (in great company.. inside a mastermind group I am blessed to meet with) about this smash book teaching thing… because it seems to be counter to creating art/painting/whatever (this is very likely the voice of my inner critic.. because it’s never happy, never thinks I do enough, or am good enough, or paint enough, or sell enough *&^*%*&* the list could go ON) … but… on deeper probing… I discovered.. that for me. my Smashbook is a self created safe space.. and it is this Opportunity that I feel compelled to share (that is.. HOLD SPACE for) ... it has the potential to be a self created safe space… and that is quite intrinsic to a life of an artist. (or human BEING for that matter) As I went into my beliefs around my creative process.. my self as ‘artist’... the thought also flitted past... that I wish I had been shown this as a child.. growing up... I recall some really harsh teachers.. and how rubbish they made me feel... they didn’t realise (or care?) at the time the turmoil I had going on inside me. So, in my workshops I always hope that I can create circles in which artists, mums, friends, sisters, daughters, sons, dads, people who are grieving, people who are healing, anyone's really.. can come and through the gentle process of intentional creativitea ….. enjoy a restorative space in time. The picture above is from my art table on Sunday.. I'm creating a smashbook called 'MOTHER LOVE'.. so I am putting in anything that reminds me of my Mum… and some things that relate to me as a Mother myself… when you create your own alchemical container.. you can decide whatever you like that will go in it.. and it's perfect. Perfect for you. 
I'm having a competition? no.. I hate that word.. I currently have a delightful opportunity.. for one dear person to win an Intentional Creativitea Session with me via Skype.. and a personally created Smashbook for them. You can find out all about that here. Entries close 1 Sept 2014. And… if you want to find out more about smashbooking with me… (visit info page here) I have two workshops open for registration being held at Doonan - up near Noosa..(Qld, Australia) on Thursday 11 Sept.. and another on Saturday 13th Sept. These will be held at LuluArt .. at a gorgeous super sized art table with seating for 8… and windows overlooking a beautiful dam.. and birds singing.. and water lily's floating. It's very retreat like… and as always.. there will be plenty of tea. #smashbookdd is what I'm using on my instagram to share pics relating to this. love Denise x if you can't be bothered moving to another page to read What is a Smashbook … I'll write it here too: What is a Smash Book?  Two for the price of one very special opportunityTwo for the price of one seat at my Gypsy Retreaty Workshop …
I know that a two day, catered with materials supplied intentional creativitea painting workshop with me, is absolutely worth the $350 investment and… I am also aware that it's an interesting financial climate that has people with variations of whatevertheirstory'sarearoundmoney… I know a few of those story's myself… so… this is avaiable for 2 seats … as I would dearly like to have a full table of women to create together.. and if this is a way to gather them in.. then I am willing to sponsor these spaces. The offer is available up until close of business on Tuesday 22nd July … however it is on a first paid first booked in basis. If you're absolutely keen email me rightaway and let me know. It will be announced first to my mailing list.. then please share. The location of this workshop is Doonan (near Noosa), Qld, Australia, on Sat 26th & Sunday 27th July. love Denise xo I've been mooching around this week being kindof unproductive and getting a bit pissed off with that … a side issue that occurred to me is 'an addiction to feeling happy' is still a thing and thereby.. whenever any other less than happy emotion appears I wonder what I'm doing wrong. FFS is anyone else that way? So… I recalled my friend Matt mentioning "HOW GREAT IS THAT TIM FERRISS" when we were hanging out on the weekend.. so I jumped onto itunes and went in search of a 'make me feel better please' podcast. Yep.. true. I do this all the time… who gives a flying fig if that is avoidance of feeling like shite.. it often works for me. I don't avoid how I'm feeling really.. I just think neurotic over thinking, and anyalysis paralysis is a bit (lot) freaking self defeating annoying sometimes. Tim Ferriss is the author of the 4 hour work week… I have not read it.. because I simply did not believe it was true.. possible or anything like that… but.. so far I've found he's great to listen to.. so maybe I'll read it sometime. Anyway.. back to the podcast search ... I found this one called "Tricks for the Neurotic, Manic Depressive and Crazy (Like Me)" and I went ahead and wrote down is 8 points for productivity…
I for one would be fascinated if anyone reading this finds this possible and indeed helpful .. and if you're willing to give it a go.. let me know.. I am going to give it a red hot go… I'm already down with the getting up early and making tea and pen and paper… so I feel somewhat at a small advantage here.. so if this is all new to you.. then take your time… as much as you need.. and maybe tell me next week.. if you tried it. I'd really like that. 
I've also just this afternoon while writing this, going for a walk with man and his dog.... had a couple of ideas.. involving … 'desperate times… calling for (not desperate) but GENEROUS measures… so.. I'll go and make the necessary moves to get that happening. If you want to hear how you could receive an opportunity to come to my Gypsy Retreaty Workshop at half the valued price.. or.. you'd like to know about winning a free seat at my table for a Smash Booking Session then… join the mailing list.. as I'll be sending a note out to them first. bye for now, love Denise. *** off to take some inspired action *** 
Here I am… a day after the end of THE 30 days. Yesterday… when it was the 'finale' day.. i spent much of my day on the phone and no time at all creating … today.. not a whole lot more… except this lady here. Since the Gypsy theme is on my mind.. for the upcoming retreaty/workshop at the end of July I have been wanting to do some playing around with this theme… I wasn't quite prepared for this sorrowful gaze… so I let the pencil tell me something . . . "It's not so easy being a Gypsy you know" my pencil wrote automatically . . . "yes we can feel wild and free, and without rules but all of us feel pain, sadness and loss - there is no escaping these human feelings. But, coming back to yourself and lovingly treating yourself kindly, you'll be ok." … this challenge has been a great reminder to just keep showing up.
so… now we are in July… and another 31 days are piled up like boxes on my calender… let's just keep going.. shall we? bye for now, love Denise. Noooooo … I was away for the weekend, three of my paintings were in a show … so no creating happened.. except a few fun photo's.. so.. maybe I better put them in here.. so i don't feel like I failed the challenge! Ole was fun.. Sangria .. Phillip had a cinnamon, apple and white wine one.. mmm was lovely.. 
Paella for two 
Saturday morning markets at West End
A gorgeous leisurely lunch at the Cliff's at Kangaroo Point, overlooking Brisbane's cbd … we got to see two bridal parties and a couple of galah's too. 
fun hashtag #ddhightea
When food becomes art ... 
paella at the West End Markets!
Southbank strolling this morning.. they've been making some great changes to some of the seating.. this joined the boardwalk and the river now… obstacles in the way… nice. 
and that's about all… it's a chilly night… time for a blanket and chihuahua cuddle downstairs with some hot tea.
love Denise xo 
 Well.. felt like quiting this challenge this morning, allergies to who knows what, probably the washing powder am thinking at this point have me going mad with itchy eyes, nose and throat instead of sleeping. So I took my sorry self down to the beach for a gorgeous dose of sunshine … This is a piece I said I started yesterday.., is on water colour paper.. I put some kind of white wash over it today (in progress still) and then . . . turned my attention to a very coloured square canvas that was begging for something on it. It's not quite finished.. but my time in the studio is pretty much done til Monday … I'll take a notebook and pen or something to keep 'something' creative being done each day… gawd.. I've come this far I HAVE to complete this challenge for my own self satisfaction! 
… Just How Tall Are Those Effen Poppies? is my current working title for this one. I've had one hellova battle today getting myself out of a funk… so this freakin well saved my life with it's ENERGY that came through only after hours and hours of NOT. so.. that. is. all. for today.
love Denise x a headache free day WOOOOTT!! I had one hanging on for several days.. BLESSINGS upon my Osteopath Jessica :) This is so keeping me honest… today.. I have been playing with a water-colour paper and a figure.. it looks rather unfinished.. I'll see if I share that later… but for now.. THIS is what I painted today. 
continuing on from yesterday in my QUEST.. to bring Order to my chaos. :) Ikea will be seeing me before too long.. container heaven.
Sadly… this is also showing me that I'm not exactly in my 'flow' as in… busting to paint a new canvas every day.. and get really bold and brave and play hard without caring what happens on the canvas… no… not there… yet. love Denise. So today… something cool happened… that collage I made last night and posted for Day 23… said I DESIRE ORDER IN MY CHAOS… and very definitely I meant that to be my studio space.. it sometimes gets so out of control I can't see my way clear to fix it.. and it fogs up my head and really does not assist me to do much expansive artwork.. I get into smaller and smaller works in smaller and smaller spaces i can find on the big table… far out.. I'm sounding kindof dysfunctional and eccentric about now… yep.. sometimes true. So.. my point.. today my sister called and came to visit.. and she ended up having a couple of hours with me helping me to bring some ORDER TO MY CHAOS in my studio… I lOVE how my art.. kindof became my prayer… and it was answered the very next day. So… I only spent a few minutes making something for my 'show and tell' today. It's a stabillo type pencil sketch with a little water on a brush afterwards.. … so slack.. i don't spend hours on drawing.. it's not my favourite thing… but a drawing is better than none. 
Denise xo
out all day… but I made this collage page just now… what a delight collage is. I find it a peaceful practice. 
I Desire Order in my Chaos !goodnight,
Denise xo |
CURRENT MOON 
moo cards = cutest little business cards ever!
A Sip of my Tea - My other blog.
 
a sip of my tea
Creativitea Art Classes
click.. and go join the mailing list
  
Archives
January 2016
Categories
All
Books I Love“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.”
|
RSS Feed
