In the 1980’s there was a global alternative living movement. We believed we could create so we started with whatever materials were to hand. Leaps of faith are bold. They move us forward into creating our dream life. As Goethe says boldness has genius, power and magic in it.
I am preparing my Dare to Create course, gathering inspiration, hunting and gathering from life experience as ideas turn into actions. Being creative is a little like being a weird little beast. You are inspired by seemingly random things which later turn into works of art. Its about follow small intuitive steps steps and trusting the creative process.
Some people say you need a lot of space to create in. That’s great if you have that. I have a lovely studio bench at home, but what I love the best is my portable studio. It’s my constant travel companion.
This Australia Day I reflect on how art and artists can change people’s thinking. That small ideas, small gestures of hope contribute to the greater collective consciousness. Like The Vigil, which as artistic director of the Sydney Festival, Wesley Enoch says is an event “to reflect on the state of our nation in a way that’s not divisive or argumentative.”
I’ve never really had new year’s resolutions. However this year I am making an effort to eliminate the word ‘just’ from my sentences. This one little word ‘just’ is yelling at me! Stop using me, it says. Don’t be afraid to be bold. Stand in your power.
I believe that all change starts with one person. When we become happier within ourselves, more creative, more grateful for our lives, we are able to share this joy and happiness with others. So the ripples spread and we might touch one person, in turn they touch another and so change spreads, one person at a time.
Lives lost, houses destroyed it has been a week of extreme temperatures and catastrophic fires in Australia. Driving through smoke in Nowra, our car covered in sooty ash, we escaped the bushfires in southern NSW. We were lucky but thousands were not. There is no escape from climate change.
What an amazing transformation year. Travel, exhibitions, learning to trust in myself and take daring steps. These are the hallmarks of a year that has changed my life and given me a clear vision for 2020.
So this is (nearly) Christmas)and everywhere we look there is chaos and disaster. How to hang onto hope in the these tumultuous times? Make art like there’s no tomorrow.
My grandmother said think of all the things you’ve achieved, not what you lack. It’s a great sentiment to kickoff my decade review. What has happened in the past 10 years - a new identity for one thing…
