Arty Wisdom

I always try to be upbeat and positive and wise and inspiring when I blog... with a little bit of try to be funny thrown in : ) But lets face it... life isn't always like that is it? Noooooo. Some days suck and we've just gotta suck it up and keep going. I'm having one of those days/weeks. Ironically it's my goddamn stupid wisdom tooth that's the culprit (which idiotic fool called them 'wisdom' teeth anyway?)... it had to come out last friday and I've been in agony ever since. Grrrrr.. so annoying... I'm really not good with shit getting in the way of my plans. Thankfully I'm feeling a little better today and atleast it's given me some time to blog however I'm afraid you'll just have to take me as I am for this one...  I do promise not to swear too much : )

So here's all the paintings I've completed which you can purchase on-line or in person at my gallery.

WILD AT HEART

SIBLINGS

This one is my fave I think... just because it really does remind me so much of me. See all that crazy busy scribbly mess underneath?... that's what goes on inside my head ALL THE TIME!!! But see the lovely vase and the perfectly arranged pops of blue.. even the cool calm tablecloth... that's me on the outside... that's what everyone else sees. What I like most about it tho is how it all comes together to create a beautiful unique one of a kind work of art. How good is that? I've finally learnt to see myself that way.... embrace my scribbly bits and love my uniqueness. We are all one of a kind works of art that's for sure.

CRAZY BEAUTIFUL

GROW WHERE YOU ARE

LIVE OUT LOUD

DREAMLAND

SIMPLY BLESSED

This one is kinda special too. I'm trying to loosen up, be way less calculated and way more messy. I tried really hard not to stop and think (and re-think) this one, I just did whatever popped into my mind next... literally, then tweaked it with some white rings and shading. Nice!

What's really nice tho is how I felt while painting this one. It was right after my Mitch's accident (see more below).. he was back home at long last and I was back in my studio. Things could have been so different. I have never felt so blessed and grateful to paint... it really was one of those luckiest person in the world moments that I will remember every time I see this piece. 

And then there's this gorgeous thing... honestly sometimes I blow my mind. I know that sounds super cocky but it's hard not to be when you just love to paint and so you make a start, try this colour here, that stencil there, oh that looks like a tree, add some flowers and then somehow you end up with this and you look at it and go... well how the hell did that happen? I guess it's really not that simple and I have learnt alot but I still am in awe of what evolves sometimes, and this is one of those times.

I also love trees, all trees are amazing but some are just beyond amazing. So this one is a blooming bright and beautiful tribute to every single tree that ever has and ever will grace this planet... we would be nothing without them!

TREE LOVE

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I mentioned my Mitch's accident so let's get that out of the way. You may recall back in May last year I blogged about my worst nightmare when Mitch had a motocross crash and was flown to hospital... luckily he was ok. Well can you believe he did it again... yep my worst nightmare take two! Only this time he wasn't so lucky... a broken femur, surgery and a rod inserted from hip to knee which will stay there forever, a week in hospital and months of recovery. What can I say! There's nothing to say really.. he will be fine. It could have been sooo much worse.. don't even want to think about that. Oh and another huuuuge shout out to all the amazing ambulance, emergency and medical staff.. the Dr's and nurses.. so many wonderful people who cared for Mitch. He is walking again this week without crutches which he's over the moon about. 

With all that behind us I can see my next hurdle will be dealing with the people who are quite adamant and vocal about whether I should allow Mitch to ride again. I guess their heart is in the right place when they say "there's no way I'd let him back on a bike", but it's really not that simple. He is determined to ride again, he cannot wait to get back on his bike and follow his dream. It's all he talks about, it's what pushes him to get better. And as hard as its going to be for me (and it will be absolute torture) it's gotta be more important that I don't let my fears get in the way of his passions, his dream, his will to (in his words) not let all the bad shit get in the way of the good stuff. Don't you think? It's a tricky one I know. I'm trying not to think about it too much just yet.. we've still got a few months of healing to get through... both of us :)

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I also mentioned I've been trying to loosen up with my art. It's the hardest thing for me.. I'm such a bloody perfectionist I can't seem to just leave things alone. So I decided to do a course by the loosest artist I know. I have always loved the art of Mindy Lacefield.. her work is like a big beautiful childlike mess that somehow looks amazing. I figure if I take a giant leap into loose and messyville I might just land back in between that and where I'm at now.. if that makes sense. 

Her course "Let The Paint Speak" was excellent.. I was mesmerized just watching her paint and play.. nothing is sacred or special, it's all just a playful journey, and the way she brings her characters to life is truly unbelievable to watch.. well it was for me :)

It was also a chance for me to take a leap into the big scary world of the human form... yes painting people! Flowers are much more forgiving : )

Here's a snippet from the course....​

And here's my first piece from the course...

... a little more practice needed perhaps : ) But I do love my effort and just from that I've been asked to do two commissions so that's very cool.

 It's all fun and learning and I cannot wait to let loose and let the paint speak again.

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I read this book... The DARE concept is pretty much the same approach I've developed over many years of battling my own anxiety but takes it one step further which I'm super excited about and am hoping will make all the difference. It's also full of really good common sense logical information, most of which I had never been told. While it's not a cure it may well be very close and is definitely the most promising help I've ever received in the 30 years I've been dealing with anxiety and panic disorder. I won't go into detail.. you really need to read it for yourself.. infact if you suffer from anxiety you really should read this book. 

​I got the hard copy version from Booktopia.com

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And... I've been planning a make over of my gallery. I'm perhaps the luckiest artist in the whole world... to have such an amazing space to hang and sell my work is so amazing, I have to pinch myself often. So I've decided it's time I made the most of it, I also wanted to give back to the lovely Rebecca at Gemelli Estate who has been so kind and supportive of me and my art. It's been quite a huge task bringing it all together but with the help of my nearest and dearest (thank you Dad and Bill) last Sunday we put in the hard yards and......

WOW... not even in my wildest dreams....
Thank you thank you Rebecca and the art gods.

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Well that's about it from me... I hope you find something in there to inspire and brighten your day. Writing it has raised my spirits and reminded me that I am achieving. It's been a huge and difficult few months in even more ways than I've mentioned here... maybe my wisdom tooth knew I needed a rest : )

Stay well everyone, and don't forget to floss : )