Expect Amazing!

Yes... another Christmas has come and gone since my last update. They just seem to do that now... come and go without too much hooplah which is really nice for a grin and bear it type person like me. Perhaps it's an age thing, or a now my boys are older thing, or maybe even a society is changing thing... I'm not sure but I hope it's the latter. I hope we're somehow magically evolving into a race with a much calmer (much less costly) Christmas spirit. You know, one where everyone just gets together and gives thanks for what we already have.... that would do me. And now... here we are again heading into another year. What will it bring? I won't bore you with my hopes for good health, world peace and a happy home... but that would do me too : )

Having said that.... oh I am soooo excited about my arty plans for 2018. There's a fire that burns inide me, a passion to paint and create fulltime doing what I love, sharing my own brand of arty wisdom with the world. And right there is a whole nother mountain to climb... oh I have no idea where to start! But then neither did Kelly Rae or Flora... yet they found a way to reach across the world and touch my heART with their amazingness. If they can do it maybe I can too. I just know I have to try and I've said it now so it's out of my hands : ) ....

Speak your dreams into existence and the universe will attract the right circumstances for it to be realised. Marcus Thomas

For now tho lets wind up 2017...

Another day another commission : ) and what a pleasure this one was. The brief wasn't super specific which can be helpful, or not. Jenny and Geoff visited my Gemelli Estate Gallery for inspiration before we met for coffee where I was shown a pic of their favourite gallery pieces both of which were very different. Their teal kitchen and a plain background were mentioned then Jen sent me the approx size plus a pic of the flower in their kitchen tile and a video clip of the room it would hang in. All I could do was keep aaaall that in mind, trust the art gods then go for it!

Jenny is so lovely I knew she would be pleased with whatever I delivered but I think it's safe to say that I nailed it. Both Jen and Geoff absolutely love it. And it looks so amazing in the space.. a lovely open kitchen, dining, lounge with loads of light and bright and love. Oh and the orange roses... I was a little nervous about them as they're quite dominant and weren't in the brief at all, but despite my constant questioning of their existence they stood firm and stayed... I had to trust. And sure enough, Jenny was so pleased... from the many that once lined their driveway just a single orange rose bush remains, lovingly transplanted and cared for. Orange roses have been a staple in their home... who knew : ) Thank you Jenny and Geoff... I feel honoured and priveleged to have my art hanging in your lovely home xxx

This was also my first attempt at a clear glass vase, another arty hurdle I've been determined to overcome. Think I nailed it too... eventually. As always there's layers of how not to paint a glass vase underneath. Luckily I work in a florist shop so I have loads ofinspiration pics... it's so fascinating how the colours of the flowers dances in the water and change with the water line and how the light reflects on the vase. Lots of trial and error but I'm learning and as you'll see I've been getting loads of practice and am having soooo much fun finding my glass vase groove....

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I celebrated my 53rd Birthday... the 25th October. I took this selfie the morning of... just because I can : ) I'm enjoying my hair a little longer. It does make me feel younger... the pony tales and up do's off-set my mood swings and hot flushes... ha ha.

I also wanted to share an amazing little snippet of trivia I learned just last week. Pablo Picasso was also born on the 25th October. Wow how awesome is that... very cool!

Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist. Pablo Picasso

In the background of my selfie is a very special painting. It's one of my very early works, back when I was just becoming brave enough to 'go big'. This one was waaaay bigger than any I'd attempted before. It was also not long after my marriage breakdown. I was broken as were my boys. We were all just trying to be strong and survive. After I'd finished this piece I stood back and realised I'd painted us... the three of us with those tiny stems, so fragile but still standing, so sad but determined, me on the left standing guard over my relaxed and easy going eldest son and my never a dull moment youngest on the right. I named it 'Good Things Grow in Three's', it hangs above my bed and reminds me that I am stronger than I look (and often feel) and also just how far we've come my boys, my art and I : )

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This one was next I think. I called it 'Endless Possibilities' because I'm loving these mixed bunches that are appearing on my canvas of late. As I mentioned I work in a florist shop, the most amazing florist shop amongst the most stunning array of blooms. Almost weekly there's a new flower or  variety or colour I haven't seen before. And every day the lovely florists I work with make the most beautiful bunches, no two are ever the same. Endless Possibilities.... can't wait to see what blooms on my canvas next.

This one sold almost before the paint dried which was nice : )

Then these two little lovelies appeared. You can see all the details and purchase on-line or in real life at my Gemelli Estate Gallery if you like : )

SIMPLE PLEASURES

WITH LOVE xxx

Oh I struggled so much with this one. It took me forever to love those hydrangeas, I could not get them right at all. After many hours of getting it wrong I literally swiped my brush across the canvas in frustration. See that white smear across the top blue flower, to the right of the red one... oh it was love at first sight. So I just kept swiping, layering the different shades, then added some scribbly white bits... perfect! The background has a quiet misty calm that I just love too. Another all time favourite I think and a (not so) subtle reminder to loosen up and colour outside the lines a little Phillipa : )

COOL, CALM AND A LITTLE BIT CRAZY

I'm still learning so much. Each painting gives me another tricky little technique to keep and carry with me adding dimension and character to the next one. I feel that lately my art has turned another corner, evolved again... I'm loving where I'm at at the moment and can't wait to see what shows up on my canvas in 2018.

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I read these books....

Re-read this one actually. Honestly no other book has ever impacted me the way this one has... it has saved me from myself twice now. What can I say in a sentence? Author Melody Beattie speaks of the moment she herself truly came to understand her own co-dependency and the rescuer, persecutor, victim pattern saying... "A light went on inside my head. I saw. I understood. And I felt like I had discovered fire." to which I can totally relate. ​If you have lost yourself in someone else's crap and are calling it love and support, READ THIS BOOK!!!

This one was quick and easy and very Aussie which was nice. It gave me loads of great practical everyday step-by-step financial inspiration and advice in a light and easy going but inspiring way. And it explained the power of compound interest in a chart so simple that even my 15yo Mitch now wants to save for his future. Absolutely priceless!!! ​
"This book will help you protect the people you love" Melissa Doyle

And then this one. Brilliant! It's about vulnerability. Getting down in the trenches where we feel afraid and exposed, and then owning it!!! To quote... Dr. Brene Brown challenges everything we think we know about vulnerability, and dispels the widely accepted myth that it's a weakness. She argues that, in truth, vulnerability is strength. Daring Greatly is the culmination of 12 years of groundbreaking social research, across every area of our lives including home, relationships, work, and parenting. It is an invitation to be courageous; to show up and let ourselves be seen, even when there are no guarantees. This is vulnerability. This is daring greatly.
A brilliant brilliant book.

Oh and I found this 30 Day Yoga course with the lovely Adriene and am enjoying my morning journey back to me.

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And my latest painting... a final blast to see out what has been a huge year of amazing ups and difficult downs, always striving and learning and growing. I named it Think Big! because if feels like a big bright bold and beautiful taste of whats to come....

And it is a biggen at 1200x1000mm (48"x40"). Available on-line here or in real life here.

THINK BIG!

So that's about it from me for now. This little verse found me this morning. Oh I love this so much... it sums up perfectly exactly where I'm at right now. There is so much inside me, so much amazing life and art stuff I've learned and want to share and give back to the universe. In my own time, in my own way, in my own cute shoes : ) Love love love it!
Ps. I painted the shoe yeaaars ago, just for fun. It hangs in my studio : )

And fittingly my very first sale for 2018 came yesterday... titled EXPECT AMAZING. So awesome!!!

Thank you art Gods... I shall do my very best to let it be :)
Big love and luck for 2018 everyone!!!