Another biggie for me. It's not easy being a perfectionist.. actually it can be crippling. It has been my biggest hurdle as an artist to date. It is the single biggest thing that will stop me from living my dreams... if I let it. I don't intend to let it any more!

In my last post I mentioned another on-line course I'm doing. It's called Hello Soul Hello Mixed Media Mantras by another of my absolute fave artists, Kelly Rae Roberts. I'm hoping neither Flora  nor Kelly Rae will mind me cross-promoting their courses... they are both just the most awesome inspiring creative women on the planet and I am learning so much from them both not only in an artistic sense but mostly in a personal life journey sense. They say art reflects life and it's true... for me anyway.

Coincidentally I'm having to do some pretty deep soul searching stuff for the Hello Soul course, lots of letting go of the outcome, being fearless, staying unattached and trusting the wisdom of my heart... no matter what. And so  I'm going to share that little (big for me) journey with you and walk you through the painting I created today for that course.....

But how do I? Should I really risk what I have created hoping for something better? What if everything ends up a big mess? What if I really regret it? Do I really want to take the risk? Do I have what it takes? Am I good enough? Obviously this little hurdle right here runs way way deeper with me than my art. I so so so want to overcome my "stuckness" in all areas of my life. Ditch my comfort zone(s) so I can live fearlessly and free, chase my dreams and go for the things I deserve... happiness, success, love. I knew I had to push through.. I had to keep going. It was excruciatingly difficult.

I can't help but have total gratefulness for the fact that I didn't stop at that first layer, or the second or third. Look at what would never have been. Look at what I'm capable of... I'm a little bit excited at the thought of what else I have in me. My mind is boggling big time.. again :)

So I hope I can take this arty lesson and apply it to the rest of my life. I will certainly try.

Thank you Flora... it was you that lead me to Kelly Rae actually. As they say when the student is ready. I am ready and I'm so so grateful that you both appeared. Flora your Bloom True E-course will be next.. I can't wait :)

Trust and believe... no matter what!

PS. Thought I'd share my finished piece.

Until this week... no excuses (except maybe school hols, extra workload at work, a website to build and the flu). So again, in the interest of not dropping the boot camp ball all together.. or my own marbles, I decided to dig deep and create a painting using the last three days prompts. Oh, and I've also started another amazing on-line art course (which I'll blog about next week) in which I'm learning lots of textured background techniques.. I might throw those in too.

Soooo... for Flora's boot camp we need CONTRAST. And I think I'll SIMPLIFY my approach by focusing on 2 things... a monotone palette (I chose pink) plus white & black, and my theme which is of course SPREADING LOVE.

For my other course I need to LET GO, EMBRACE THE CHAOS and practice my DRIPPIES, BRAYERING, SMOOSHIES, WATER BUBBLE DISTRESS, PAPER TOWEL RESIST, TEXTURE TOOL TECHNIQUES, STENCILING and lastly, STAMPING.... phew!

So what would we get if we threw all that together I wonder ???..... 

Yep, total chaos... lol. 
Far out it was fun though!!!
And I'm totally amazed at how much drama you can create with just one colour tone.
And the textures are just amazing, check out the close-ups below...

Thank you once again Flora (and Kelly Rae), tonight was a blast :)

PS. I have tomorrow off... just saying :)

What I soon learnt was, it's not about choosing a style, it's about DOING THE WORK, being in the arena and letting your own unique style emerge. Once I learnt to relax about the whole process, stop seeing it as a race with a finish line, I've come to truly truly love and enjoy every second of it. 

In Flora's words... "DO THE WORK. When we show up to our creative pursuits again and again, with dedication and heart, we simply can’t help but find our own style…eventually." She has given us these questions today to help us think about who we are and how that might help us develop our artistic style...

Q1. What makes you stand out from a crowd?
I'm feeling a little disheartened already... I don't know. Maybe my creative flair and my gentle quiet nature.

Q2. How do your friends describe you?
Nice, kind, gentle, strong, loving, fun, creative, a stay at home, unreliable, never calls.

Q3. What are your favourite colour combinations?
The space between pink and orange with aqua blue/green and pure white.

Q4. What type of art makes your heart beat faster? Why?
Bright, bold, colourful abstract with an inspiring spirit.

Q5. What brings you the most peace?
Seeing my boys confident and truly happy with who they are and at ease with their world.
And of course painting.

Q6. Where do you love to travel?
I don't really. I know weird but true... go figure! At least I have the guts to say it now and not care what you think. Take me an hour and a half north east with a beach umbrella and a good book and I'm good. I guess I'd like to love to travel one day... if that happens it would be The Caribbean. Or Scottland maybe.

Q7. What art mediums do you love to paint with?
Just acrylics at the moment, and acrylic inks. I'm doing a course which includes collage which I'm excited about.

Q8. What's your idea of fun?
Dinner with friends.
Having the house to myself for a whole night.
Painting in the country with my fave music pumping.
A day lazing at the beach

Q9. What objects would you put on your personal alter?
Although I'm spiritual I haven't had an alter so I don't know. I guess a Lemongrass candle, my little silver praying lady statue thing which I adore. And other items to represent who I am and want to give thanks for.

Q10. What makes you feel most alive?
Music
Passionate love
Painting
My boys laughter
The ocean
A beautiful sunset

Sorry no time for pics today... gotta dash xx

Letting go of the rules and particularly my need for each painting (and my life) to work out perfectly has been/is one of my biggest struggles. Letting go and simply allowing my art (and my life) to flow, trusting that at the end of the painting (day) everything will work out ok... well lets just say I'm learning :) I'm learning to embrace the mystery and enjoy my artistic (life) journey. Who knows where it will lead.

Todays prompt is quite simple.... 
1. Take a deep breath and let go of any need to know the outcome.
2. Paint for 2 minutes
3. Take a look at your painting, notice your fave parts
4. Paint for a further 2 minutes covering up your least fave half
6. Repeat 4 times

Here's mine...

How about that! Maybe I can let go, trust, embrace the mystery and maybe everything will work out just beautifully in the end.

Have to say.... that was the most fun I've ever had in 12 minutes... well almost ;)

Thank you Flora for showing me that I can let go... and that even great big chaotic messes can work out beautifully in the end.

Off to work now... have a beautifully messy day.

I just love the Art Abandonment concept which is "designed to encourage random acts of art. The idea is that folks can make something and leave it for a lucky unsuspecting person to find". You can follow along and post your own random acts of art on the Art Abandoment facebook page where founder Michael DeMung posts monthly challenges. How cool is that!.. keep an eye out Singleton :)

Might have to postpone my Digital Detox... just no time to bloom true yesterday.

However I am one hundred percent present for today's Self Care Sunday and intend to make it aaaall about me.... feet up in the spring sunshine with a good book, my fave music, maybe a little painting later on, just chillaxing really.

Thank you Flora... for throwing in a Self Care Sunday when I need it most :)

And this.... gets me every time! Love Love Love!!! I even sourced the soundtrack and have it on my ipod. Happy to share that too.. just ask in a comment below.

You can find more inspiring little movies just like this one here.

Ok. Ripples of love to all :) Gotta go. Thank you again Flora xx

Thank you Flora... again you have pushed me to a creative place I've never been before and I reckon I did ok.

Our aim today is to create using all different materials, techniques and styles than what we are used to. I decided, in the very limited time I had this evening, to just go for it. My disruptive brief for myself was...

• Use only 3 colours (I chose blue, red & yellow) plus black and white
• No paint brushes
• No thinking, no stopping, just doing
• Must use black in final layer 
• NO flowers

Gotta be happy with that! 
Now off to deal with the disruption caused by me painting when there's a thousand other things to be done!

Thank you Flora for pushing me to paint outside my comfort zone.. it's kinda cool out here :)

I was oblivious to this fact but after today I don't think I'll ever forget it or to make time for my regular Artist Date. I had sooooo much fun!!! A few months ago I blogged about a Liquitex workshop I did where I fell in love with their Pouring Medium product. I purchased some and couldn't wait to get home to play. Of course that didn't happen... until today. Check this out....

1. Gather my supplies... canvas panel (I used an old one), acrylic inks, pouring medium, container, alfoil. I made 8 little alfoil cups to go in the container, one for each colour ink.

2. Mix some pouring medium with about 10 drops of ink and begin pouring one colour at a time over the canvas until the surface is covered.

3. Sit back and watch the magic unfold as the medium takes on a life of it's own, slowly moving and spilling over the edge before settling into place. This can take hours.

This is an hour later...

How good is that!!! You can't really tell but the medium is super glossy.. its just beautiful! I will post the finished masterpiece when it's done :)

Thank you a gazillion Flora and Julia for taking me on my very first Artist Date... I had fun  xx

I remember reading that when two like minds get together for a cause it more than doubles the potential between them. Infact it is multiplied enormously and creative ideas begin flowing freely... we've all been a part of that experience, whether it's with hubby deciding how to renovate the kitchen, colleagues at work, a P&C fundraiser, or friends chatting about how to help another. Two minds are definitely way way way better than one.

So anyways... I really want to collaborate. I want to find like minded people and create something big. Something amazing that will make a difference. It's on my to do list and I plan to make it happen one day. 

And thank you Flora for reminding me of the importance of and encouraging me to collaborate and share my gifts with others.