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

Safe Space - Smashbook

5/8/2014

 
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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.  
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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?
It's like an art journal.. but much more.. it's about creating a connection, connecting with your inner guidance. You will listen and create from the space within that knows your truest hopes and dreams for yourself.  Because of the SMASHING aspect… you may meet up with the perfectionist self.. who then can make way for your bold self and brave self.. your freedom seeking self … I will hold space for you.. as you create a space for yourself with these pages.. that you will take with you.  A Smashbook encourages CONNECTION, celebration, play, wonder, validation, mess, TRUTH, self healing, colour, collage, embellishment, possibility, dream tending, memory keeping, and best of all . . . FUN. 

Courage to Create

30/5/2014

 
Is this my 'poor neglected blog' .. or just been waiting til I had something artful to say.  I have another blog space I use for my 'anything-i-want-to-say-at-all' wonderings… (A Sip of My Tea . com)  but I think I've designated this one to be … just art… as it's on my 'Artist website' … allowing for a variety of personality options is also fun for me :)
So today… I am sharing something that began yesterday… and I desire to bring in through all of June… and I'm not promising anything further than that, it only creates too much angst for me. I am joining in a little collective project, thanks to one of the lovely artists I met in Christchurch New Zealand earlier this month.  Ruth Reid is instumental in the creative project called JOIN US IN JUNE FOR 30:30 that's a link to the facebook page.  The idea is to create something each day for the 30 days of June. Anything… a painting, a page, a cake, a quilt square… anything creative … I'm going to focus on painting, whether that is large or small, or in my art journal, anything so long as I paint every day in June, and try my best to complete something every day in June too.
"Create something each day for the 30 days of June"
So… why do I think it takes courage to create?
Well it's one of my primary ways of expressing myself - and thereby there has been many 'strings' I have attached to it for some years… but THIS WEEK… thanks to a dear friend I had some help, clearing some of those attachments that no longer serve me, and this allowed me a way in that was seemingly difficult / nigh impossible for me to bridge before. I can tell the truth loudly in the pages of my art journal, but to be loud and open on my canvas (when the need arises, inside of myself that is) maybe for the world to see.. feel.. judge… can take courage.  
The thing (think / thought) I have to remember :
It doesn't matter what other people think of me …
It matters what I think of me.

It matters what you think of you.

So… here's what happened yesterday… when I asked for couage to create inside just this one day 
(taking it one day at a time was also very sage wisdom from my healing session the other day) 
thanks whole heartedly to you Raelene Byrne. (Medicine for your Spirit) 
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I love the difference it made when I opened her eyes… that took courage from her too. 
We're a team.. 'my wise inner self, my artist self, inner child, muse… ' it's take a bunch.
This painting will be going to an exhibition in Brisbane in June 'Celebration of the Female Form' you can find out about tickets to that here. 
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That's it for today… I better be off, to gather the 'Courage to create inside this one day'. 


love Denise xo

a creativity manifesto

1/2/2014

 
Good morning friends,

This makes me want to write one for myself… do you have one?
I shared the link to an interview in another blog post in January, but having listened again in the car this week to Jamie's and Tami's chat I heard again his 'Creativity Manifesto' and I wanted to keep it, read if often, and share it with all & sundry. 
As I begin February, and the Year of the Wooden Horse, this realllly spoke to me, I have had a shit time this past week dealing with my hyper vigilant perfectionist, mild anxiety associated with my creativity resulting in feeling frozen and not painting, it's a new month, I'll be addressing it for sure, and this kind of truth telling (Jamie Catto's creativity manifesto shared below) goes a long way towards helping me release the crappola and move into some kind of grace, a space for self forgiveness and self love.  
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Insights at the Edge.  
From a podcast called: Breaking the Approval Addiction and Expressing Our Creative Gifts
Tami Simon: " OK, here we go. So this is from Jamie Catto’s "Creativity Manifesto:"

"We need to collectively admit that we’re not fine, we’re not confident and balanced and good. We turn up to work every day pretending we’re not neurotic and obsessed and insatiable and full of doubt, and we waste so much energy keeping up this mutual pretense for each other because we think if people saw the truth, if people really knew what was going on in our heads, all the crazy truth of our dark appetites and self-loathing, then we’d get rejected. But in fact, the opposite is true. It’s when we dare to reveal the truth that we unwittingly give everyone else permission to do the same. To stop holding their breath for a moment and actually come into the room. Be here, present, vulnerable and authentic.

"We’re on a mission to make self-reflection hip for just a moment, just long enough to save us. If we can all collectively acknowledge our insanity, shrug and roll our eyes at each other at how nuts it is being a human, let alone having to pretend every day that we’re "normal," the amount of energy we’ll inherit that has been wasted on the mask will be enough to creatively solve any global crisis."

Jamie Catto: "I’m in. I love hearing you say it."

full transcript of the interview can be found here:
http://www.soundstrue.com/podcast/transcripts/jamie-catto.php?camefromhome=camefromhome
with love,
Denise.

art from the heart

2/12/2013

 
Over the weekend I had several paintings in an exhibition "ART FROM THE HEART" for The Lady Musgrave Trust.  Even though my exhibited pieces didn't sell.  I am happy to say my donated painted sold, raising $1,000 which will go towards accommodation and support for young women in need. 
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Peace for Me by Denise Daffara
 A message from the President to those attending the auction and exhibition.
Your contribution to this weekend event will enable us to further our work in providing accommodation and support for young women who are homeless or at risk of being homeless..
The Trust has been undertaking this work since 1885 with only the support of generous members of the community such as yourselves...

I LOVE this message in the catalogue by the Arts Minister
Art has the power to transform lives and bring positive change to individuals and communities . . .
I wholeheartedly believe this to be true.   I am also donating a painting to a local Women's Shelter on the Sunshine Coast, because I believe in the power and love behind the art.  I'll share more on that in another post.

with love
Denise. xo

Mary watching from the corner . . .

3/7/2013

 
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This was the scene in the spare room of my parents home this time last year... I set this up to be like an alter right next to where I'd be art journaling for the month.. Mum had one of my prints hanging on the wall... and a picture of Mary.. or more than one in every room actually. I felt somewhat comforted by this Mary picture with her bunch of angels hanging out... so I gave her pride of place overlooking my artful adventure... little did I know... I would be joining the likes of Shiloh Sophia McCloud and Jenafer Joy, and Stella Mac and Effy Wild... and be part of a wild and wonderful bunch called the Cosmic Cowgirls ... and just over one year later I will be meeting many of them in California!
and Helllloooo... running a "Paint Mary with me" retreat/workshop this month too
... a few days before I leave!!
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Today... my Muse must have been with me.. along with my daughter.. I found this gorgeous luggage tag that has so many visual messages that have meaning for me... 
The colour 'limoncello' is a favourite of my dear mentor/teacher/inspirer Shiloh... I feel like I'm flying from a cage... that's metaphorical.. I did a mixed media piece a couple of years ago..and it's been profound the many layers of crappola I've been leaving behind sometimes daily.. but you know.. on the whole.. I'm in a much better place :)... and the crown!!! well Sovereign.. and I painted Queen of My Own Heart this year.. so that's a gorgeous little addition... this trip is an adventure... a loooong adventure.. and the crossing of the San Francisco... Golden Gate Bridge is part of it too.
That's about it..a short sweet post for tonight..  there are only 2 spaces left for the Paint Mary with Me retreat.. so if you are wanting to come... register at your earliest convenience.


bye for now,


love Denise..
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find out more about my Paint Mary with me retreat xo

Paint Mary with me in July

30/6/2013

 
Oh my goodness... I just hit send... if you're on my newsletter list you'll be the first to receive the invitation to join me on a very special one day retreat/workshop.
It's less than 2 weeks away... and I can't believe I'm offering it before I head off overseas on 18th July ... but these paintings have quite a mind of their own.. and I felt so moved by the creation of my Magdalene.. that I wanted to share that with a creativitea class as soon as I could.
Below is a picture of the flyer... but if you'd like more information visit the webpage here.
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I'm excited.. and even a little nervous.. this is leaping out in faith in a direction I've never gone before... but it feels like a warm summer day to me... perfect.


love Denise xo

Painting for our life.

11/6/2013

 
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I was inspired to write this as I was heading to sleep last night.
off to pick up the brush,

love Denise xo

Thank you! - Calender Love

26/11/2012

 
Dear friends who have bought calenders & prints, and paintings.

I am so grateful!  I've made a decision to apply for a very special course next year, and each sale of my calendar (about $5) is going into savings... and all the new artwork that I've been doing, a percentage if not all of the proceeds, and print sales will be going back into my learning.
I'll share more along the way, once I've been accepted and know it's a sure thing... but for now.. this is a little snap shot of some of my newest paintings, in varying stages of completion.
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The little ones above are on small boards, they're a totally new thing for me to try and I am LOVING them... they start off in all kinds of chaos... and I leave them to dry many times, turn them 90 degrees, add some colour or marks... and come back and add some more... and then I look into them like a 'crystal ball' and see what image is beckoning... or hint of a shape is catching my eye...  I'm looking into new print options for some of these petite pretties.  
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This beautiful lady in red tones is on my easel at the moment, not much more will be changed, I love the depth and sensuality she presents with this rich colour.  
The small one is a soft and gentle piece inspired by the gorgeous Jacaranda trees that are in bloom here in South East Queensland at the moment, they are so very beautiful. I stood beneath a tree in Buderim a few weeks ago and actually asked 'what gift do you bring, blooming with such extraordinary colour and covering the ground with your purple flowers?'  Much like the idea of eating the fruit that is in season is most beneficial and healthful for our system... what gifts do the flowers bring. I wondered to myself.


"Whispers on a Summer Breeze" is the newest print available, a friend of mine ordered one in a large size of 76 x 76cm and she has it hanging in her home and she wrote to me saying 

 "I'm sooooo in love with her! She looks amazing on my wall! James loves her too!! ; my nearly four year old said she has been here for hundreds of years!! Interesting!! Xoxoxoxox"   N.
This painting is inpired by the amazing teaching of Shiloh Sophia, I'm learning so much from her.
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Whispers on a Summer Breeze

2013 Calendar with 12 little prints of my artwork inside

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My three arrived today Denise...they're beautiful. I ordered mine on the 21st Nov. and they arrived from the US today!I (26th November) only paid $9.99 for postage!! Fantastic xx   RJ - Melbourne
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Link to the online store where calendars can be ordered, and delivered right to your door!
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That's about it for now

love
Denise xo

Inspirational - Healing - Chakra prints

22/10/2012

 
I've been making a couple of changes to my page about inspirational prints, so far there are only 3 chakra's covered... hopefully more will be added in the future... but for now some very significant ones are being represented.
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Sacral Chakra
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Peace for Me (Heart)
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Heart Chakra
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Tree of Wisdom (solar plexus)
The Sacral chakra one in particular is unique from most of my previous work 
...As I painted this I had the intention and awareness of all the healing and strength the base chakra needs in one who feels weak.  It was at a time when I myself was going through a period of deep searching and need for restorative energy.
The affirmations listed here have all been placed into the painting. 

You could say them in first person to make them your own.
You are worthy
You are perfect just as you are
Self Loving
Let your heart be your guide
Your heart knows what to do
Your birth is no accident
You are loved
Self acceptance
You are free
You are strong
You matter
You’re not broken at all
You’re beautiful
You are enough
I am
"I am worthy, 
I am perfect just as I am, 
I love myself, 
My heart is my guide, 
My heart knows what to do, 
My birth was no accident, 
I am loved, 
I accept myself,
I am free, 
I am strong, 
I matter, 
I am not broken at all, 
I am beautiful, 
I am enough."   

Prints may be ordered directly here.  Or you are welcome to email me in regard to prints etc.  With further explanation of their meaning and intention.

with 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

all images copyright Denise Daffara 2020
  • Home
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    • Little dd
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  • Free Gifts
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  • Shop
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    • Synergy Sessions
    • Teacup Cards
  • Commissions
  • Workshops
    • Painted Pages Workshop
    • Paint with Me
    • Creativitea Time for Grief
    • Creativitea Time Online >
      • Creativitea Time Online
      • Draw Like No-one is Judging
      • Buy tix Draw Like No-one is Judging