Art Felt

May I Brag?

 
My Daughter is sitting her final exams at the moment - the Higher School Certificate. The results she gains will be her entry into further study,  or university, or just new journeys.

She had to complete a Major Work for one of her subjects which is submitted and marked by the board of studies. The students have to create their own design brief and answer the brief by way of a practical piece and folio. It is a massive undertaking and not for the faint hearted. 

The brief was to design a cover piece for the relaunch of the Vanity Fair Green Issue. "I want to create a dress out of paper" my daughter told me. "Yikes" thinks I. 

Well, so she did. The result and amazing creation made entirely from pages of Thackerys book "Vanity Fair"

Congrats to her - It is indeed an artwork. It speaks for itself.

 

 

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.

A Few Of My Fav Things

One of the highlights of the children's school year finishing up, is the art work that comes home!

I have posted before of how much I love the art of children  in those years before the dreaded eye of self criticism kicks in. I have been inundated with wondrous works from my son - I absolutely adore his explanation and description of the process and what he was trying to do.

I love this precarious tea light tower - he very proudly demonstrated how it worked, albeit  daytime. He told me how he made the slabs  and joined them, how he attached the decoration. This piece is so priceless to me in so many ways.

The painting was another favorite of mine - I am amazed at the depth he has created and the detail (he is not a patient child) on the dragon. They used rock salt which gave the wonderful texture. Nice to see one of the family creating some art!

I Promised Paradise

If I had to choose where to live out the rest of my days - it would be a no brainer for me. Savusavu! This place is indeed paradise. Savusavu is a natural lush, paradise on Vanua Levu in Fiji. It has beautiful calm bays, crystal clear water, surrounded by seemingly untouched mountains and old copra plantations. It truly looks like something out of Jurassic Park (I'm talking about the green stuff, not the dinosaurs). My family and I were lucky enough to travel here for the second time recently. It is the kind of place you return from feeling quite depressed, reluctant to be back in reality no matter how good that reality may be. I think one of the things that makes it so wonderful are the Fijian people. They seem never to forget to enjoy the moment, that inner child that is so important to nurture is well and truly alive and well in all the wonderful people I have had the good fortune to meet.  They are open, happy, loving, caring, interesting, interested and content with a life so simple it makes me truly envious. It's almost as thought they have unlocked the meaning of life, or perhaps the truth is they know what is important to them. 

We will be back, and meantime I will try and remember the lessons learned  from  those with so few material possessions, but with so much to give to others.  BULA!

A Little Help From A Friend

You know the Lyrics to this song ? Well, they come to mind in particular this week and in regards to this friend , who this week spent a huge day sorting out all the stuff that goes with being an artist ( I use the term very loosley in my case!) AND, in one rainy day, set me up in my new space, known to some as "the garage" as my old studio, in our old house, will be no more. I feel very lucky to have had more than a little help from my friend. She knew how much it was stressing me out and that it was ever so overwhelming. How nice is it when someone just "gets you", (to quote this lady ). Thankyou  Ursula - you are a treasure.

Music Muse's

  OK - so it's November now - which means it must be time to write a monthly post! Pathetic I know, and yes I will improve, so yes, those that visit, please continue to bear with me!

Yes - I have a new camera (see photo!) I am loving it. I have a way to go figuring out all the bells and whistles, but I have basic operation under control and am LOVIN IT!

Since last posting I have been to paradise and will post about that next. But todays post is about some interesting music finds for me. It has been a week of music, beginning with the ARIAS on Sunday night. These are our industry music awards and I had the good fortune to attend with my husband and got to see some great Aussie artists belt out their stuff. We even had Nicole and Keith their this year which added a bit of WOW factor to the evening.

I just loved Kate Miller-Heidke - her voice is amazing, I think it is opera trained, she had a little of the Kate Bush feel to me. Another great Group that performed and took out an ARIA was Gotye It was refreshing to see an artist so passionate about what he does and actually prepared accept the award.

Last night was a bit of a contrast but an amazing show visually for Justin Timberlake (he has enough world wide fans - he doesn't need a link!) An absolutely incredible light and stage show. But I have NEVER heard such high pitched and constant screaming from fans! (wow do I sound old?) Needless to say 14 year old daughter wasn't bothered by it, unlike her mother who I am sure wore a crease in her forehead the entire night! (OK so maybe I am old). I leave you today with "learnalilgivin" by Gotye

Part Time Blogger

I recently read a blog that had a "what I hate" kinda question. One of the things the writer hated was "friends that said to mention their blog, and then only blogged once a month!"  As I read agreeing with the frustration of happening upon an interesting blog only to find that the updates were few and far between, I realized how over the last few months I had fallen into this category! So, what was my excuse - have had the move - so I guess that excuse no longer cuts it. Soooo with that in mind, no art to show, and really nothing of interest to say - I give you some memories of a trip last month to Melbourne "with the girls". Once a year we make a point to go away for a weekend. This time we felt we were up for a short interstate plane ride. It is funny in the lead up, as the emails come thick and fast - "what should I pack" " What restaurants shall we book" "what should we see" - the excitement builds as we board the taxi to the airport  with our"Leave pass" as one friend always puts it. We all met at a local playgroup when all our eldest children were born. So I guess the common thread is we all have an oldest child of 14. Apart from that, we have had some laughs, supported each other over the years through some stuff, but we are all ready to enjoy the time in a big way. Me and one other have both lived in Melbourne so we were the "tour" guides as such, and boy we covered some ground, saw some stuff, ate, danced sang, and of course laughed. I give you some highlights - the laneways of Melbourne  are just wonderful to explore, came across this fantastic group busking. Loved the colour and atmosphere of Brunswick Street and of course Acland Street St Kilda  where we managed to see a Lama! We also spent some time in some amazing community gardens, one of our gang is a horticulturist, so she particularly enjoyed this. All the plots were so lovingly tended, and the produce traded and shared  between fellow gardeners. I have to say one of the highlights for  four of the six of us was  a very late evening at a nightclub on "80" night! When the four of us entered the club we raised the average age there considerably, BUT we did know all the words! My wonderful husband had organised  entry  for us via a call or two and  we did have trouble keeping our straight and "cool" faces on when we had to say -"our names are on tthe door, we are on "Razzles" list!" A great time had by all, we were  soaked in sweat and hoarse from singing as we exited in the wee hours - THESE ARE THINGS WE MUST DO! Soooo - I leave you with one request, this week, go and so something that makes you feel good!

Bragging Time!

Life is busy - and I'm not just talking about my world here. So much time is spent planning ahead and picking up the pieces of yesterday.  I am always trying to remind myself of how quickly moments pass, and how fleeting time is, in an attempt to be more present in that moment.  Whilst being in that moment this evening I took time to enjoy moments brought to me by my family. For my son, a huge moment that sees him competing in an invitational carnival in discus - amazing considering the last time he threw a discus was a year ago! Finally the very tall genes pay off allowing some extra grip with those long fingers coupled with the focus and determination he does so well with things he is passionate about! I don't have an action shot here, because I made a decision to watch the moment rather than capture it on camera.

For my daughter, I was lucky enough to share in looking at some of the wonderful photographs she has produced for an english major work for school. She is taking photos and writing poems to create a book for submission, and is doing an amazing job. She has been working so hard on it and the shots she shared with me are amazing. Well done ! I am sharing one of the shots below with you. It has been a pleasure to have been in these moments, moments that released me from thinking about the how whys whats and wheres of everything else happening in my overwhelming world at the moment.

Lucky me.