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After much thought I recently decided to reduce the cost of all of my art, some by almost half. I've had a very successful 2015. My art has been selling and I get so many lovely comments and compliments.. it's very nice. And so with that I've been gradually increasing my pricing... why wouldn't I? That's what artists do isn't it? That's what logic is telling me to do after all I'm a single working mum with 2 teenage boys and a mortgage... every single extra cent helps. Thing is though... that's not what my heart is saying. My heart is saying keep it affordable for everyone Phillipa. Don't give it away but keep it reasonable so hopefully, hopefully... every single person who sees it and loves it has the opportunity to have it. Honestly, I don't want my art hanging around waiting for those who can afford it to decide they have a spot for it. I want my art in homes being loved and enjoyed and appreciated.. brightening a wall, a room, a space.. a life. That's what my heart tells me. That's what feels right. And really... I don’t need the money, I have everything I need, my boys, family and friends, our health, home, faith, love, my paints… what more could I want? Mind you this wasn't an easy decision.. I've been deliberating for weeks. But if I've learnt anything in the past 5 years it's to follow my instincts, listen to my heart when it speaks, let it speak, shut up and listen! Trust and believe that deep inside I know what's best for me. In the end it was easy... I woke one morning without a doubt. Decision made... I would reduce my current prices... look at each piece I have for sale and price them according to what feels right. More heart less head. And that's how I'll price my art from now on. Yaaaay!!! I'm so excited.. I know it's the right thing to do. Now I have to share this little foot note... That same morning I began the day with my usual workout to my usual fave exercise tunes but somehow the wrong playlist came on, wierd as no one had touched my ipod since yesterdays workout. Still... from the 267 songs in that playlist the song that came on first was Jessie J's "Price Tag".. it's not about the money money money. Ha ha... co-incidence maybe?
I have sold these too... all to lovely lovely homes of course : ).. A few old friends, a wedding gift, a lovely lady from the USA, a daughters birthday....
These are my latest few....  UNITED WE STAND  CUPPA LOVE (SOLD) Aaaaand... Drum roll... you may recall the the sneak peak I gave in my last post of the largest painting I've ever attempted. Measuring in at 1000x1200mm... wait for it....
 THE POWER OF ONE
Embrace your weird. Love that! Might be my mission for March I think :) Ok.. thats enough blogging. I have a whole Sunday at home and my paints are calling me! Love to all.  Happy not so New Year everyone :) how was your Christmas? Mine was quite nice... relatively stress free which is just wonderful really compared to previous years atleast. Things are definitely looking up... hopefully by next Christmas I'll be filled to overflowing with merry and cheer :) Firstly.. my apologies for the length of this post but it's taken me 6 weeks of serious soul searching and 4 almost complete, scrapped at the last minute drafts to write it so I reckon it deserves some air time. I've been trying desparately to figure out my thing for the year ahead. I love to have a word for the year. The last few years I've chosen BEGIN and BELIEVE... these words have helped me so so much. For me they are like a huuuuge hit of inspiration, an instant reminder of what's most important to keep me on track. I also love that the process of chosing my word makes me dig deep. It unearths exactly where I'm at, where I most want to be and what I need to do NOW to get there. Priceless! Anyway, it wasn't easy this year. Actually it's been mega difficult. Only that I can't stand letting things beat me I would have given up weeks ago. I got frustrated because I'm really quite happy and content but I'm also well aware there are so many things I need and want to work on... balance, courage, health, my finances, etc, etc. But nothing really rocked me like my words have in previous years. None of them felt big enough or inspired me to move mountains and I really really want my word to move mountains. To be honest I feel like I've survived the storm and all is calm and bright and lovely and sunny now which is very nice... I've been lapping it up for a while now :) But everything has been tossed about and left in a big mess. There's remnants of the much more organised and in control me scattered everwhere. I need to get stuck in and do a big tidy up before I can happily sail off into the sunset. I need to get all those annoying little (some not so little :) bits and pieces of my life in order again, all those things I let slide, all the balls I had to drop. I need to regroup, tidy up the periferals, regain some focus and control. Regroup! That's exactly how I feel. That's it!!! That's my word.....  Not an earth shattering word I know but it feels so right and I'm so excited! As soon as I began to see all the mess as one big chunk I can get my teeth into I instantly felt a huge surge of motivation.. that's just how I roll.. that's a mountain I can move :) So I have my REGROUP LIST (my mountain) and I can't wait to tick everything off by the end of the year (ok so it may take a little longer but that's ok :) First on the list is my health and fitness... I've started my morning workouts again :) and I can't wait to be the healthiest me ever. Maybe I'll tackle the whole balance thing next. Or my finances.. budget, set some goals, save for a holiday maybe.. yay!!! And courage.. now that's a whole mountain on it's own but I can't wait to start climbing! Hmmmm... maybe I should look at my time management skills first :) Oh and of course there's my art but it's always there.. ticking over. My boys and my art and my genie are my constant, my base. Thats just a given. Anyway that's enough on that.. far out I'm so glad it's done, what a marathon. Can't believe its half way through Feb already :) Ok.. so here's what's been happening of late... Prior to Christmas my genie had been hinting like a sledge hammer for me to do a painting for him. He was quite specific... he's had a lifelong love of all things motocross and so the brief was: ktm orange, yamaha blue, suzuki yellow, honda red, the numbers 65, 64 & 47 and some or all of the words attitude, confidence, balance, belief, commit. He also gave me some sprockets and other motorbike bits to use if I wanted, then said go for it gorgeous! I'm so loving the outcome and he was blown away when I gifted it to him on Christmas Day which was very special... so nice that I could give back to such a wonderful, kind and giving man.  COMMIT - 1000x750mm Acrylic on stretched canvas (Not for sale)
I have painted these...
 AN AIR OF CONFIDENCE
And sold these...
Got down and dirty with my new Dyllusions Paints...
And most recently I've had the pleasure of hanging some of my art in one of my most fave spaces. Worn Out Wares is a wonderful little eclectic homewares/gift shop, courtyard cafe and the most amazing floristry here in Singleton... it's a very cool place! It's also my day job so be sure to drop in and say hi if you're nearby or travelling through.  And/or you could pop over to Gemelli Estate for some Wine, Art & Inspiration. Most of my work is there, all available for sale. Browse while you taste... nice!!  So that's about it from me for now. I'm a little excited... I've just thrown the first few layers on the largest canvas I'v ever attempted to work with. Here's a sneak peak of a small section of it so far. Who knows where it will lead :) ....  And who knows where 2016 will lead.. I have a good feeling about this one. Yes.. things are most definitely looking up :)  In the months since my last update I've gifted myself some space. After years of not having a home to call my own I gave myself permission to get lost in the joy and comfort of my new home. I allowed myself to neglect almost everything else to make room in my mind and heart and soul, to breath in and lap up every wonderful moment of it. I think I deserve that. Actually, I think I owe it to myself, and to my faithful friend the universe.... a precious gift to us for doing what it took to find and own my own beautiful amazing perfect home. For persevering and doing the hard yards, taking the knock-backs then getting back up and knocking again and again and again. For believing in myself despite my ever present doubts and fears and for trusting the universe to somehow somehow find a way. For working so hard and saving so much and not settling for anything less than I knew in my heart I deserved and was capable of achieving. And we did it! OMG we did it! I sit on my beautiful back deck often and look at my beautiful back yard and pinch myself : ) How ever did I make this happen? So proud of me! Just saying : )
I just have to add here for the benefit of anyone reading this who needs to hear it... nothing is impossible. And miracles do happen. Believe me! 3 years ago there was no foreseeable chance of me ever having the finances to purchase a home of my own at all let alone a nice one... but here I am. I won't go into detail... that is a whole nother story for a whole nother day, briefly though it involves a huge downturn in the mining industry, house prices plummeting, interest rates dropping to an all time low, the perfect house in the perfect spot at the perfect time, a last chance loan approval after 14 rejections, $30,000 unpreserved super (the exact amount I was short which was not available last time I checked!), and... just so I didn't freak out and bale at the final hurdle... an angel in the shape of a beautiful white husky dog. Wow! See what can happen when you believe, when you don't give up or settle for less, when you just get up and do whatever it takes and then get the hell out of the way... mountains can move and dreams can come true. I am truly blessed and I thank the universe every single day for being on my side x And my boys for being my reason xx Oh and my magic genie for everything else : ) xxx
These lovelies you will find hanging at my Grow & Believe Exhibition at Gemelli Estate. Wine, art and inspiration... nice! Note you will find detailed info on all my art in my On-line Gallery
 BURSTING WITH HAPPY
 WHITE HOT These you will find at That Little Art Place here in Singleton where I am the featured artist for the month of December...
 THE SECRET GARDEN These cute little 8"x10"s are very affordable at just $48 each. Available at That Little Art Place
 Not a bad effort considering : ) Of course just contact me if you see anything you'd like or need more info. I'm also very proud and excited to share with you the creative efforts of my Mitch who I might add is just 13 years old. We've set up our garage as a workshop and he's started a little business making and selling furniture and stuff made from old pallets... its called "Rustic Stuff" This is his first piece... my coffee table. Love love love it!!!  Obviously feeling a little more confident he then created this piece. Another coffee table which he calls his Swirl Design. It's for sale, a bargain at just $150.. it has so much character. Head over to Rustic Stuff if you like.  And yesterday he threw this little Christmas Tree together... how cool is that. Made to order you can have one if you like at just $45... contact Mitch at Rustic Stuff.  So that's us for now. I will attempt to stay sane enough through the coming Silly Season to post again before Christmas... no promises though (see my post last Christmas post : ) Merry Christmas everyone : )  |
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