Merry Christmas Everyone xxx

​Sharing time again… I wanted to get a quick update in before Christmas and of course wish everyone a Very Merry one. Firstly though I wanted to share my view atm... how amazing is that!

Yes I am one of those crazy cricket mums who loves nothing more than to while away an entire afternoon watching my boys play. Well when I say while away... so long as I have my laptop and can be doing while I'm whiling :) I’m in happy multi-tasking mum heaven. Today.. right now.. as I type my thoughts I am watching my Albie bowl. I am right there with his every ball... willing a wicket or two as us mums do. He’s a spin bowler and…. oh yay! A wicket. Oh my heart is doing high fives : ) A stumping. Well done Alb! Yes! Now where was I? Oh yes… he’s a spin bowler bowling to the top order atm which means (for those not so cricket crazy mums) if he doesn’t get it right he’s gonna get smashed all over the park… oh dear like that one! Oh woohoo… very next ball another wicket!! Oh I’m so happy for him. Caught at mid-off. That’s my boy : ) Well done Alb!!! Anyway… drinks now so I’ll try to stay focused. Here’s what’s been happening on the crazy artist front…

I’ve been pumping out the prints and they’ve been selling well which is nice. All are custom designed from my original artworks, printed on quality matt artboard to standard 8"x10" or 11”x14” sizes and mounted on 5mm foam backing board for easy framing, individually signed with love : ) and posted to your door. 

​And I’ve had fun creating some prints with my favourite words of inspiration. I’m a bit of font fanatic, and a quote addict… I often jump on Instagram or Pinterest knowing that the universe will throw me the perfect words at the perfect time to point me in the right direction … amazing! 

All of my new prints will be available soon in my on-line shop.
(Note all prints sold on-line are unframed)

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In my studio I’ve been trying different techniques, playing with the paint. I still never tire of seeing what emerges in the end and can never wait to get started on my next piece. Again… you can find all of my available art in my on-line shop. Or if you would like to get up close and personal pop out to my gallery at the lovely Gemelli Estate in the beautiful Hunter Valley Wine Country. It houses all of my art and prints not to mention some very delicious wine : )

Plentiful

Belief In A Blue Striped Vase

Delightfully Funky

Lilly Love

Lollipops

Garden Party (SOLD)

Fun In The Sun

​I’ve also taken another giant leap with my art recently accepting the challenge of two commissions. You have no idea how daunting this has been. I’ve always painted intuitively, simply playing with the paint until something evolves, then all I have to do is bring it to life. The thought of having special requests and rules and expectations and deadlines.… scary stuff! But there comes a time. I’ve either turned down or procrastinated over so many commission requests to date I seriously just needed to suck it up, face my fears and do it. And so I did...

I was asked by a local pre-school to paint a farewell gift for Amy who along with her lovely family is moving to the coast.

The brief... blues and teals, a beachy vibe, the pre-school star, plus we decided to incorporate a very special jacaranda branch and first bloom from "Poppy's Tree", all in my usual bright happy fun style of course.

Yep scary stuff! All I could do was trust and believe and begin and hope that the art gods would come to my rescue. They did of course :) Everyone loved it especially Amy which is just so amazing and special.

And my lovely cousin Linda contacted me after seeing the piece I created for the Singleton Vet Hospital Beyond Blue fundraiser back in July...

The brief: "I love, love this painting Phillipa! Can you do another one for me?"

Now you'd think I'd be cool with that..  just do the same again. Nope! Aaaah.. exactly how did I create those roses and get that background gradient just right? I remember I painted the roses and vase first then added in the background last leaving a white hightlight around each flower. Hmmmm... hopefully I can do it again! Yep... thank you again art gods and thank you Linda :)

Soooo…. looks like I'm accepting commisions now! Contact me if you'd like a special piece to brighten a space in your home or to give as a special unique gift. I will put my heART into creating something amazing just for you :)

Ok so what's been happening on the crazy home front...
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​My Albie suited up for his Year12 Formal. He then spent 10 days creating the most awesome priceless memories while cruising the Pacific Islands with 9 of his mates for Schoolies… what an amazing experience that was for him. I survived it too which was excellent. So proud of us :)

I read this book. Hmmmm. What can I say. How do I sum this one up in a paragraph? My mind has a mind of it's own.. it is forever off somewhere other than where I am NOW... planning, striving, doing. I have been lost in my thoughts of a better future for so long that I didn't even know I was missing. Until I tried to love again... it seems love can only exist in the here and now, that amazing lose yourself in the moment love... it demands we be present. But how ever do I switch off my mind? How do I just be, relax and enjoy today. I couldn't. Of course this book found me when I needed it, it's not an easy read, very deep and spiritual but it's basic priniciples are simple... I am not my thoughts. I (the real true authentic me at the core of my being me) exists underneath my thoughts. Therefore I can choose to be me or I can choose to be the thinker. I can choose to be me here now in this moment. I can even switch from one to the other whenever I want. It takes practice, for me lots and lots of practice, but I'm learning. I'm learning The Power of Now. I'm learning to live for today, and to love again... it's very nice! I know.. you're probably thnking I've lost my mind entirely but I'm learning not to care about that :)

"Be the silent watcher of your thoughts. You are beneath the thinker. You are the stillness beneath the mental noise. You are the love and joy beneath the pain." Eckhart Tolle

And so for homework... I took three days off work a week before christmas for a very well deserved and much needed few days away with my Mitch and my man. Life, love, sunshine and sea air… no adequate words to describe how amazingly awesome that was : ) !!!

Oh wow! Speaking of being in the present... Albie just got another wicket, another stumping!!! Woohoo :) Love this game/life!

Merry Christmas everyone! I truly hope it delivers you a wicket or two (or three :) Have fun, play hard but fair and try not to get smashed all over the park :) Mostly tho... be kind to yourself, remember your needs matter too.  Catch ya next year.