It’s a real statement to wear red. I’ve never bought or owned a red dress until this week when I wanted to celebrate launching my online course Creative Calendars. It defies the unspoken but strongly held belief that ‘good girls’ don’t wear red.
Fires and floods and climate change
There is no escaping climate change. It is affecting us all, evident this week in Australia where we are burning up from bushfires in unprecedented numbers and ferocity. Making artwork about climate change has become my passion.
Losing, spending and saving time
Time has slipped me by and I find its time already to start thinking about next year and the calendars I have turned into a traditional Christmas present. I think about how I spent time this year, and what art I made. Then I make one calendar for myself then have multiple copies to give away. When thinking about time, its a real time saver for me.
Why Travel?
Travel broadens the mind and helps you grow personally and artistically. Why travel - why not?
Inspired by Iceland
When you are in the right place at the right time, the universe opens its arms. I was jumping with excitement when I saw the Northern Lights outside the Nes artist studio - a culmination of a fantastic month being inspired by Iceland.
Daring to be Courageous
Sometimes you have to dare to be courageous. That’s what happened this weekwhen I flew from Iceland to Zurich for a motivational business conference with my Icelandic coach, Sigrun who is on a mission to empower women to become business entrepreneurs.
A Prophetess and a Mountain
Blessed by the prophetess of Skagaströnd, this week I joined with thousands of others to wish for peace at the annual lighting of the Imagine Peace Tower.
Planting seeds, planting trees
What happens when a group of artists arrive in a small Icelandic town every month. New ideas, community projects and an influx of creative spirits converge to nourish and grow at NES, this remote artist residency in Skagastönd.
On falling, not failing
How to tackle fear. It’s a big one which we need to do especially as artists. This week I confronted fear of falling on my first ever glacier walk. It brought up this fear and others as I tackled a new environment in Iceland.
Inspiring artist friends
Getting support, inspiration and encouragement is vital for artists. We rely on our friends and mentors to help us achieve our goals. This week I was reminded of the importance for those friendships.
United Nations of Paper
I often think that papermakers are part of one big family and that together we constitute the United Nations of Paper. Here at the Paper Art Event I contemplate climate change and that perhaps paper can contribute to raising awareness of this climate crisis that affects us all as global citizens.
Powerful gestures of hope
Great art moves us. The simplicity of powerful hand gestures is common in both the works of Rembrandt and street artist Banksy.
No answers, just questions
How do you interpret your life through art? I use collage as a way to bring the often chaotic parts of my life together to create stories of where I stand and what I stand for.
Personal Creations
Hanging out with a group of women who want to be inspired and uplifted is a real joy. This week I got to do just that at Carol’s Place in Murwillumbah.
A Book About Death
Projects can take you places you never dreamed of. The A Book About Death project celebrates its tenth anniversary this September and my artworks have been in both the first (and possibly) the last of this projects exhibitions, as well as many in-between.
Everything old (is new again)
When you haven’t got any new work made, try looking at your old work with new eyes. Recycle, reconfigure, renew.
Why make paper?
Making paper is a very labour intensive process. So why make paper? Handmade paper can be used to embed concepts into your project, especially when it comes to environmental projects.
One thing leads to another
When one thing leads to another, experimentation can become a springboard to creating new works. Trusting in the process and listening to your materials is an intuitive process I use when making art.
Creative Offerings
Sometimes different ways of seeing can create something new by just engaging in material play. When you get out of your head and into your hands, the materials ‘talk’ to you and find new ways of being.
Learning
You never stop learning. When the learnings seem insurmountable it’s good to be able to get support and encouragement, to do it in a group wherever possible. My first online 4 week course launched and I’m pumped!