the X facta

Permission slip

2012-01-25T04:00:00.000+11:00

original art from my Book of Days art journal

what are you holding onto that no longer serves you
an old story, grievance, belief or possession

here is your permission slip to let it go

for when you empty your grip

that thing also loses its grip on you

making time for what we value

2012-01-22T21:28:00.000+11:00

scotch finger biscuits and a pot of tea nourish me

24 hours.
That's all any of us get in one day.

By the time you fit in job, sleep, shop, cook, eat, clean . . . you add your own to do list . . . it can be hard to find time for the things which nourish us.

You know, those things which feed your soul and add a little touch of smile, sparkle, shine to your life. It might be something as simple as making a pot of tea, instead of using those paper bag things with a string on one end! Using a teacup with matching saucer also invites space for something yummy to go with it.

This year I've joined an online group who are creating personal "Book of Days" under the guidance, encouragment and support of Effy Wild. Something which has repeatedly appeared on the discussion wall is the issue of time. As in, not having enough of it. We wonder "how we will find the time" . . . to work on our book of days, take the dog for a walk, phone our mother, [add the thing you can never find time for]. The truth is, we don't find time, we make it. We make time for the things we value the most.

I value creativity, community and connections. So this is how I'm going to make time for it this year:

Commit cautiously
Sometimes, because we value something, we commit to multiple variants of it. We sign up for a bunch of courses, register with a gazillion online groups and then wonder why we start feeling stressed . . . trying to keep up with all of it. I know about this, because I've fallen in that trap myself. But this year things are different.

I've spent the past several years creating a life of 'spaciousness', and here is another way to continue the practice. I will only commit to what I know I can do, while still maintaining a sense of spaciousness. By having one main year-long creative practice (creating my book of days) and a few short-term things, I will reduce a sense of overwhelm. Of course, some short-term projects might overlap....and funnily enough, the first couple of weeks in January saw me starting my BOD, finishing my Sketchbook Project and writing small stones for the River of Stones. That gave me an incentive to really start honing my 'time' useage.

Block book / batch process
When I worked in practice management, the golden rule for a practice to run efficiently and cost effectively, was the concept of block booking. The day was broken into blocks; part of the day was for seeing patients, another part was for administration, and another part was for training and staff meetings. If the patients got booked in all over the day, we would get behind in training, administration and staff communication. Which in turn affected the quality of care and service patients would actually receive when they were there.

A similar approach in the studio works well when things are busy. For instance, the photos you see here are a 'batch processing' session I had this weekend.

laying down the base for a tea-themed page

The concept of creating journal backgrounds with coffee and tea as 'paint' had appealed for awhile. So I laid out several large sheets of thick paper, and using actual tea and coffee liquid. I dripped, splatted, and put cup rings down on the paper.
While that was drying, I made a fresh pot of tea (for me!), sifted through some stuff till I found paper serviettes with teapot/cups on them, started prepping a page that will theme on 'tea', popped some of the serviettes into a few 'happy mail' envelopes I'm posting to fellow BOD'ers, and took some process photos.

drinking tea while pasting in coffee pages

All that in just 30 minutes.

My soul time in the studio is an absolute priority.

I don't find time for it

I make time for it

Then I make the most of that time with batch processing by 'theme', 'task' or 'project'.

What do you value?
And how can you make time for it in your life this year?

small stone #21

2012-01-21T17:38:00.001+11:00

whoever or whatever

you spend time with

rubs off on you

that includes

glitter

glitter girl comes out to play in her Book of Days

kindling versus kindles

2012-01-19T21:05:00.001+11:00

I've had a kindle for about a month. It was not something I even wanted, but my dad, who lives in America, rang to say he'd grabbed me a bargain at the Black Friday Sales. Slowly, the process of becoming a kindle fan is growing on me.

I can read blogs on it, with wireless (in Australia, it costs extra for 'international' 3G)
There are free word games on it
And plenty of free kindle books to start the ball rolling
and you can buy a book cheaper than the paper version and have it instantly, no delivery fees

Yesterday I bought two books online.

One was a hard copy book. By the time I pay for the book and international postage, there isn't much change out of $30. And I will probably have to wait three weeks for it to arrive.

The other was a kindle book. It cost $12. Within 10 seconds of me ordering it, the title was showing on my kindle screen and I could start reading straight away.

I've always been a reader and thought there was nothing like holding a paper book in your hands.
Of course, it's still a nice way to read, and for some books a hard copy is the only way to go.
But after buying that hardcopy book this week, and then the kindle book, I think reading on the kindle is beginning to look better every day.

Do you have an e-reader device. Kindle, Nobo, Nook ... Do you find you are spending less on books, but reading more?

Or are you a traditional paper reader who is happy to pay full price plus postage for hard copy books?

Night navigation

2012-01-15T23:30:00.000+11:00

When the night comes, and you don't know which way to go
Through the shadowlands, and forgotten paths, you will find a road
Like an owl you must fly in moonlight with an open eye,
And use your instinct as your guide, to navigate the way that lays before you . . .

lyrics from "White Owl" by Josh Garrels

When something keeps popping up, I pay attention. Lately I've been seeing owls.

As an answer to a clue in a crossword puzzle.
Blinking up at me from a shelf in a craft shop.
Last night while driving home, one flew right in front of the car, hovered in the headlights, staring big eyes through the windscreen, before disappearing into the dark night again.
Then this morning, while looking at something totally unrelated, I saw a link to this, so of course, I just had to go and listen.

I love the animation this guy put to the other guy's music. The combination packs a punch.

small stone #14

2012-01-14T09:08:00.003+11:00

there is a heart
on my coffee art
~ a mindful moment ~
grateful for he who loves me

the Loreal effect

2012-01-12T02:00:00.000+11:00

This year I'm creating my very own 'Book of Days' as an altered book. I really enjoyed creating my own random journal collages in an altered book last year, so when I saw BOD2012 over at Wild Precious Studio, I jumped in with great glee.

Because it's an art journal version of a diary, this will be a year-long project, so there's plenty of time for it to unfold.

When I saw this book in the local opshop (thrift store) I thought it was perfect to cover up!

Sorry guys . . .

;-)

I'm so not a textiles gal - having failed sewing dismally in highschool - so it was a surprise when the zip and tapestry pattern begged me to put them on the new cover.

I've since discovered that sewing with a hot glue-gun is way more fun than using needle and thread.

Anyhoo, this post is called "the Loreal effect" and I bet you're curious how that fits into the picture . . .

the Loreal effect, mosaic page created by cutting up a photo of tin cans squashed into a 'bale' at a recycling plant.

Well that's the name of this double spread above. Effy, the fearless leader at Wild Precious, invited us to create a mosaic page. Like me, she's into process art, so I'm loving that I get to make meaning with the journal pages, rather than just make pretty pictures.

I didn't have any fancy scrapbooking paper like she used in the demo, so instead I found an intriguing photo full of colour and texture and started cutting it up into 'mosaic' pieces.The idea was to journal about something we're being challenged with at the moment. So there I was cutting up pictures of rubbish, while having an inner dialogue about why I keep getting stuck in jobs or situations where people want to pay me small potatoes, but want me to deliver fully seasoned, freshly-fried hashbrowns!?!

It was not till I'd finished sticking down the first page of mosaics, that I realised the image I was chopping up perfectly represented how they were treating me (rubbish) and how I felt about it (squashed). So while framing the 2nd page, I continued the inner dialogue about expecting fair remuneration for skills and services rendered. The phrase "because you're worth it" rose up, followed by "others won't believe it unless you do". So that's how this Book of Days entry got its title; "the Loreal effect".

If you like process art too, why not try turning trash into treasure by creating your own altered book. Old books come cheap at the opshop (thrift store), library sales, or you might even have one you'd like to re-purpose. Recycling is a brilliant creative exercise.

celebrate

2012-01-11T09:10:00.001+11:00


diary entry in my Book of Days

today I'm celebrating a sense of achievement for completing a creative project that was challenging

mission accomplished?

sketchbook project completed and in the mail to NY, USA

what are you celebrating today?

small stone # 8

2012-01-08T12:18:00.002+11:00

spirit breath, original art by Kel

inhale

exhale

life : 101
~ Kel © 2012

Art Attack : create your WildSelf

2012-01-07T03:30:00.000+11:00

click to see larger image

It's been a long time between 'art attacks' - creativity prompts to get your brain right side up - brought to you by the X facta. How much fun is this? Look, I'm a Lun-ho-aka-zeb-iger-peacock. What are you?

Create your own WildSelf here, post it on your blog and leave a comment here to say you've just had an art attack.

sketchbook progress

2012-01-05T02:00:00.000+11:00

Only a few weeks now until I have to post my sketchbook project to New York.

work in progress on the 'treehouse' tale

My Treehouse tale is a rhyming story I've written! Its been fun, but stressful, trying to come up with different ways to illustrate it. Of course I had to include my signature black gesso style :-)

While working concurrently on the small stones project, I've come to the realisation that I probably paint pictures better with words, than with paint. But being willing to jump in and give something a go, has given me many more opportunities than standing on the sidelines wondering if I'm good enough.

a starring role : my 2012 word

2012-01-03T09:16:00.000+11:00

Rather than make new year's resolutions, I prefer the practice of choosing a word for the year, or as Christine at Abbey of the Arts says, letting a word choose you.

A couple of years ago it took creating a sculpture in the studio for my word, sanctuary, to float to the surface. This time last year I was living my word while on a dream trip for a first white xmas.

This year I was still waiting for a word to put it's hand up and say "pick me!". A word had started to shimmer, but I was resisting it. Later during a session in the studio, the word emerged again. Then an email from Magpie Girl Rachelle offered a Flock taster session with an exercise for reaching out and receiving a word as your guiding star. Oh my . . . in the collage spread I had just created was a star with a word in it.

So it looks like my word for 2012 is:

Nourish
1. To provide with food or other resources necessary for life.
2. To foster the development of or promote growth.
3. To keep alive, maintain, nourish a hope: to keep a feeling or belief in one's mind.

Do you have a word for the year?
Christine or Rachelle offer some ways to incorporate the practice into your life.

small stone : 1

2012-01-01T12:40:00.000+11:00

I'm taking part in the River of Stones project Jan 2012. An exercise in waking up to the world by writing about a mindfully observed moment once a day for one month.My 'small stones' will be handwritten in a journal then posted in various places online, to become part of the worldwide River of Stones.

the washing machine swirls and whirls
humming a merry tune as it swooshes away the dirt
and delivers a load of fresh new beginnings.

where are you?

2011-12-28T15:45:00.000+11:00

collaged altered book journal entry by Kel

its a curious thing
others wondering
how I got from
where I was
to where I am
not because they
seek to understand
or even wish to take
a similar journey
not asking the meaningful questions
just the ones which allow them
to make a judgement call

its a continuation of the facebook phenomena
at least, that's what I blame it on
people want to surf into your space
then with the click of a mouse
move onto the next face
little commitment
no personal cost or investment

just click, look, leave

right here right now
I'm trying to connect
face to face
ask thoughtful questions
engage with their hopes and dreams

it scares some, I think
the feeling of intimacy
much easier to have a hundred friends
skimming the surface on facebook
than to have one friend
engaging deeply

so when they chastise me
for dropping my namesake profile
because they can't keep in touch with me anymore
i simply smile and say
"my email address hasn't changed in 12 years"

where are you?
I am here

have a cool yule

2011-12-25T02:43:00.000+11:00

white xmas, montreal, canada, 2010

This time last year I was revelling in the experience of my first ever white xmas.

This year it's back to our usual stinking hot summer xmas.

I know which one I prefer.

For my blog buddies in the northern hemisphere, I hope you get the snow so it 'feels like xmas'.

For my blog buddies in the southern hemisphere, I hope you have a cool yule, despite the heat.

My words of wisdom for how to survive the silly season....
don't take yourself, or the stress of it all too seriously
and just to prove I practice what I preach....
the above shot shows a xmas display in the street in Montreal
I clambered up into the garden bed to become part of the scene

and on the way back down to street level . . .

a family favourite memory making moment

kel's face plant in the knee-deep snow

:-)

may the festive season hold many memory making moments for you and yours

don't stop believing

2011-12-22T04:00:00.000+11:00

if you feel you don't belong

where you have been planted

the winds are blowing strong

and your growth is being slanted

perhaps the trick might be

to go back to your roots

for then you may just see

you have produced some fruit

it might not be what they think

is suitable for serving

but theirs is not the cup to drink

its for others more deserving

so put your face up to the sun

and try to keep believing

where you are is perfect

for what you'll be achieving

fig-uring out navigable waters

2011-12-19T13:55:00.000+11:00

big sky dreaming

2011-12-16T05:00:00.000+11:00

this is a sooc shot : meaning straight out of camera, no adjustments : yes, it really looked just like this!

when the silly season crowds in

and blocks the big blue sky

may you manage to find beauty

as the clouds go rolling by

for if you look real carefully

there's something worth redeeming

even if its just the fact

that you are still breathing

so take a moment and look up

focus on those clouds

you never know what gift they bring

if only we allow.

this is my creative contribution to skywatch

this week's music

2011-12-14T18:38:00.000+11:00

I'm holding on to white balloons up against a sky of doom
Tell me you see them
Cause what's inside of me is invisible to most
Even in clear view
. . .
The changes in me are likely to be like the weather
Stormy and clear strength in to fear bound together

But I’ll break my silence
If I believe that you and me
Could ever be more than just
What’s been behind us

White Balloons, from Unplugged / Polar Opposite by The Sick Puppies [Aussie artists]

personal archaeology

2011-12-13T19:30:00.000+11:00

After creating art for sometime, one begins to have a collection of works around the place. Large works on paper under the spare bed, experimental canvases piled against the wall in the shed, finished works hanging in the house, visual journals in various stages of completeness tucked away in drawers, 3D works scattered on shelves.

Or perhaps you're a writer, with a growing collection of typed pages, backup discs, handwritten journals, favourite pens, hand-crafted zines and books, published pieces of prose.

If you suddenly ceased to be, and someone came to clear out your studio or study, what might the work you left behind tell them?

You're not an artist? Okay, what would the books on your shelves, the photos on your walls and the bills on your credit card statement say about you?

Your personal archaeology speaks volumes. Would you be happy for people to unearth it when you're gone? What do you think it would tell them about you?

on staying grounded

2011-12-11T08:20:00.001+11:00

how to stay grounded while being an angel

While creating my altered book journal entry for the day a pair of boho earrings in a magazine caught my eye. I cut them out and started playing with how they wanted to sit on the page. Straight away an angel appeared :-)

That's two angels in as many weeks. While the first angel was very ethereal and way up there in the sky, this angel is very grounded. It seemed very important while sketching it, to add strong feet and solid ground under them. While it might appear there is strong contrast between the two, the title for the first journal entry swiftly bought the ethereal image back to terra-firma.

I have a box of words, sentences, qoutes pre-cut from magazines that I rummage through when I create each page. If nothing there wants to be included, I start flipping through magazines until a word or phrase jumps out. Very often it makes no sense at all (my rational brain tells me) but when pasted on the page with the image it tends to take on it's own life and present an unexpected message.

When complete, I sit with it a moment to see if the page suggests it's own title, other than the pasted words. Sometimes a title pops straight into mind, like the DIY wing kit from the first angel. Interestingly, that one sentence turned the whole image on its head and brought it back to earth. Then this boho angel wanted to have feet firmly planted on the ground. So I'm getting the message that its important to keep grounded in the silly season and one way of doing that is to maintain a sense of humour.

This is a process post. Where I share some of the process behind the image you see on the screen, I hope it also encourages you to consider process as a very important part of your own creative play. Technique is all well and good, and there's plenty of blogs where you'll find that kind of information. How you too can create something that looks just like that person's work. You won't find that here... cos I want you to disover the joy of being authentically you. Creating from your own soulspace. For that is where you'll find the magic.

up up & away

2011-12-09T07:38:00.000+11:00

A ballooning adventure in the Yarra Valley

this week's creativity challenge

create a clever caption

for the photo above

my creative contribution to skywatch

Tea Card swap

2011-12-08T17:52:00.001+11:00

All the way from Hawaii, the swap made for me by Fran.

where all the missing socks go

This month I took part in a Tea Swap organised by the lovely Fran in Hawaii. The concept is to create a card, and enclose two teabags for the person you swap with. I'm into tea, and all things creativity, so thought I'd give it a spin.

Jumped right in without doing my homework. Looks like they're all die-hard paper crafters with much experience making cards. I found my swap partner was Fran herself. Phew. That put the pressure on. She teaches cardmaking at a craft store and has her own crafting business selling through art fairs. Look at the clever creations up the top which she made for me, they look very professional, like they come from a shop. Poor Fran probably didn't realise I have no card-making experience.

handmade christmas card by Kel

Anyhow, I went down the path of 'use what you have', folding up some cardboard, re-using a gift ribbon and string, and drawing, painting and cutting out my own stocking 'embellishments'. Lined the inside of the card with black cardboard and another stocking peeping out from inside.

And there you have it. My very own handmade card. A fun way to stretch the creative wings and try something new.

So now I'm off to try something else new.

A brew of Mango Maui black tea from Hawaii.

Mmmmmmm.

Thanks Fran.

kangaroos coming through

2011-12-06T20:48:00.001+11:00

Who needs garden gnomes

when you have these hopping around on the front lawn

Sketchbook Project : cover

2011-12-04T17:42:00.001+11:00

My contribution to the Sketchbook Project 2012 is underway. It's a combo of rhyming story and illustrations using various techniques. My first step was to write the story. Now that's done, I've started illustrating. Mucho fearo. But facing the fear and doodling, sketching, painting, anyway! Here's a sneak peek at the cover.

book of secret treasures

2011-12-03T18:13:00.001+11:00

altered book, art journal by Kel

Whenever someone visits me at home for the first time, they are always curious to see inside my "studio". What is it about that word which turns two bays of a shed into some magical mysterious place!?!

I have all sorts of things going on in there, canvases, bead creations, art journals, giant wall doodles . . . plus, Mr X has his own table for model building. So it always interests me to see what catches people's attention when they step into the studio.

Nine times out of ten, the thing which everyone gravitates toward is my altered book journal. Amazing! What amounts to a strange jumble of collaged images, text and doodles fascinates them. I suspect its the outward appearance of the book which draws them in first. Kind of like a book of secret treasures. "...what might be hidden in there?"

This was today's entry . . .

I bought my wings at Bunnings,
altered book journal entry by Kel © 2011

at your wits' end?

2011-12-02T07:16:00.001+11:00

view from the breakfast table this morning

even rainbows

have days

when they lose

their ends

in the clouds

blog birthday

2011-11-30T21:23:00.001+11:00

The silly season seems to start earlier every year. Perhaps that's why I keep missing my blog birthday. Last week the Xfacta turned seven!! I began blogging when it was still a relatively new platform. Back then when I said I was a blogger, most people looked at me like I'd said I was an alien. Now of course, blogging is almost old school. It's all facebook, twitter, tumblr, etc etc etc.

One thing I love about the blog is it's time capsule nature. For example, this is what I posted one year ago to the day. With several years under the belt, it's really interesting to see what's happened here, the hot trending topics, the quiet lull times, the revolving door of blog buddies, the die-hard loyal blog buds who've been here from the early days.

So, how long have you been blogging?
And why do you continue to blog?

this week's music therapy

2011-11-29T19:06:00.001+11:00

Found this little cushion in the opshop (thrift store) the other day.

When you press his hand he sings "Don't Worry Be Happy"
aka the Bobby McFerrin song.

Here's another take on the same theme,
just released by our Guy....

a bit more upbeat dontcha think?

think dancing shoes & happy endorphins

Rx for recovery

2011-11-27T01:15:00.000+11:00

medicine bottle
photo by kel ©2011

remember there is medicine

not in pill or potion

that only you prescribe

to get your soul in motion

so if you came to see me

and perched upon my couch

this is what I'd offer

to try and help you out

close your eyes and recall

a time when you were well

how you felt and walked and spoke

its all held in your cells

tap into that memory

hold it in your mind

breathe it in and exhale

what it is that binds

awake those sleeping cells

in muscles, blood and bone

they remember being well

call the memories home

see your shoulders lifting

the glimmer in your eye

its time to pack up illness

and wave it off - goodbye!

accepting clouds

2011-11-24T18:55:00.001+11:00

Looking east from our front deck.

They say "every cloud has a silver lining . . ."

Why can't we just accept a cloud for a cloud?

They are simply part of the cycle of life.

Sometimes life is blue sky sunny, sometimes it's low cloud grey.

my creative contribution to skywatch

sing a silly song

2011-11-22T19:02:00.001+11:00

When your head is full of cobwebs, and life is weaving too tight, sometimes you just need to sing a silly song. If that's you today, perhaps you'll enjoy this one. Not only does it have a catchy tune, the visuals are fascinating.

let the crazy creations emerge

2011-11-20T19:31:00.000+11:00

Mr X walked past and asked why I was painting Sponge Bob? Obviously he needs to get his eyes checked. Anyone can see it's the love child of Mr Potato Head and Flacco! And as for 'why' - there is no rhyme or reason. You just put pen and paint to paper and let what emerges make a full appearance.

When we only allow images to appear that make sense, when we edit our writing so much we lose our 'voice' in the process, when we only want to show our professional work to the world so people will take us seriously . . . no wonder we get creative block!

Dreaming of our white xmas

2011-11-18T10:06:00.001+11:00

Ice Fishing 'village', Quebec, Canada.

The heat is on here. Summer has arrived early, we've already had a couple of days over 30 and it's 33 C today. So I'm reminiscing fondly on our white xmas trip to USA and Canada. This little ice fishing village was one of our favourite off-the-standard-tourist-path finds we explored. So far off the beaten path, they thought tourists were a novelty. We found one person who spoke a little English. She invited us to have a look inside their little hut. We ate our picnic lunch sitting in the car looking out at this foreign landscape. Brilliant blue sky, shiny white ice. What's not to love!

machine powered ice cutter

they use these paddles to stop the ice freezing over the top

full seasonal trimmings on ice

boys and their toys can be found in every country

rustic ice hut

all photos by Kel © 2010

my creative contribution to skywatch

flight of imagination

2011-11-16T07:00:00.000+11:00

where would you go

if you could travel at the speed of thought

think it and you're there

would you even dare

defining your style

2011-11-13T11:14:00.000+11:00

During a recent long weekend, I checked out a couple of artshows. Both were in the regional area I live, and showcased entries from manylocal artists. However, each show attracted a different kind of artist. One show had many works in the traditionalstyle of landscapes, still life and portraiture.While the other show also held some of that, it featured morecontemporary, abstract, quirky work.

What I found really interesting, was my ability to pick whichwork belonged to which artist. Working at the regional gallery for the past twoyears has exposed me to the work of many local artists. While attending thosetwo art shows, I suddenly realised I’ve learnt to identify a particular artist’swork without seeing a signature or catalogue listing. Mr Xwas amazed. I’d see a piece and say who I thought created it. He was holdingthe catalogue and couldn’t believe it - I was picking them correctly each time.I explained to him that each artist usually has a distinct ‘style’ of work. Andwhen you’ve seen their work many times, it becomes easy to identify.

Looking at my own collection of creations, I often feel Ihaven’t developed a ‘style’ of my own yet. I’m not a specialist in any area, but adabbler in many. Pastels, acrylics, journals, altered books, sculpture,assemblage, installations.

Then I finished this piece. Something about it felt different. Hmm, so what’s my usual style? Looking back atvarious work, I see it often contains textural elements, or curved elements, ora touch of cheeky whimsy. This one contains all three. So perhaps the point of difference is that I'm beginning to define my own style.

What about you? Do you have your own “style” of painting,writing, living? Can you see it yourself, or have the observations of othershelped you take a step back and see it more clearly?

We all live from the viewpoint of inside out.

But others seeus from the viewpoint of outside in.

Combining both viewpoints might give us aclearer picture of who we are in our own skin.

the cone of silence

2011-11-11T04:03:00.000+11:00

when the world has left you weary

feeling heavy in your bones

lay your burdens on the ground

and spend some time alone

taking in some beauty

from the skies above

absorb the cone of silence

be enveloped in love

this week's music

2011-11-08T20:21:00.000+11:00

So, they're playing christmas carols in the stores already! It can get a bit ho-hum. But for something a bit more ho-ho-ho, check this out . . .

. . . the first and last song are my favourites!

sandwalking

2011-11-06T15:59:00.001+11:00

some days feel like we're walking uphill in soft sand

with the sun glaring in our face

but we keep putting one foot in front of the other

because we hope

on the other side of the hill

will be an expansive sea

and a horizon which suggests the possibility

there might be better worlds out there

we have yet to walk in

boys & their toys

2011-11-02T02:30:00.000+11:00

Being the last day of a long weekend

Mr X decided it was time to launch the new boat

He built her himself, but it took about 12 years!

So this was quite an occasion to see her finally launched.

Other projects took priority, like renovating our city house to sell,

then moving here and building our current home from the ground up.

Did you notice that the crew were missing in the above photos?

Mr X built this as a scale model of an old classic boat (thumbnail plans below). This is the second scale-model yacht he's built. The first one is much bigger and ended up not being practical for hauling to the water, so it now decorates our loungeroom. This little beauty is a 1:12 scale, 2-channel radio-controlled, gaff head ketch-rigged cutter.

Don't be fooled, it's no plastic 'kit box' from the store for him. He built them plank by plank, fibreglassed the hull, created the cabins, sewed the sails and rigged them up. Many hours of labour, all for his passion of classic yachts.

Now that he has a real boat, I'm not sure how much this one will get used.

But what a sense of achievement to have finally finished this project.

I wonder what the next project will be . . .

A new challenge

2011-10-31T11:06:00.003+11:00

Once upon awhile ago I decided it was time to do something stretchy. You know the deal, stretch yourself to do something outside the comfort zone.

So I selected myself to participate in the Art House Co-op's Sketchbook Journal Project 2012. Don't you just love inclusive community art projects, where anyone who is brave enough can jump in and have a go. I can't even remember how I found out about this, but having recently joined twitter, I'm gonna' say a little bird told me! You'll see a familiar icon image over here. Of course I had to choose the theme "treehouse".

All the sketchbooks will be exhibited throughout US and Canada. Then the books from Australia will be shown in Melbourne, Nov 2012. After the tour, all sketchbooks will enter into the permanent collection of "The Brooklyn Art Library", where they will be barcoded and available for the public to view.

I just received my barcoded journal in the post today. If you like the idea and wanna play, entries close Oct 31 (that's today in Australia! but tomorrow in the US, so I'd hedge my bets you might still get in on Cup Day).

If you wish you'd heard about it earlier, then you should follow me on twitter. That's where I shared the idea as soon as I found out about it.

Never before has a blank journal seemed so scary. It's not even that big. Think the best thing to do is stop looking at all the amazing work everybody else is posting online, and just go play in my treehouse!

do my knees look too big in this?

2011-10-29T18:24:00.001+11:00

Weeping warrior

2011-10-27T14:18:00.000+11:00

There must be those among whom we can sit down and weep

and still be counted as warriors.

~ Adrienne Rich

My name means 'warrior woman' but lately I've lost any ability to fight the good fight. In fact every day feels like a monstrous battle, just to get up, get out the door and get home in one piece. Most of the time I manage to put on the armour, get out there and do what needs to be done. But today is not one of those days.

koala capers

2011-10-25T17:48:00.000+11:00

This little fella' mistakenly thought one of our house poles was a gumtree. He climbed as high as the roof and finally realised there were no eucalyptus leaves up there for his dinner. We have 6 of these poles outside our house, and two inside. Wonder if he'll try them all . . . (click on thumbnails above for a closer look)

beat creative block

2011-10-23T08:30:00.000+11:00

Got creative block? This is how you bust it.

inspired by my childhood favourite,
Mr Squiggle, creating pics from doodle lines

is a great way to exercise creativity

and get yourself unstuck

grab a big piece of paper

start doodling on the page

no plans or try hards

just doodle shapes, colours, patterns

then take a look to see what you can see

the trick with doodle art is to look at it

sideways or upside down

my brain said, "looks like a clown hat"

so with the paper still facing that way

i continued to turn the doodle into a clown

then when done, turn the paper right side up

As you can see below, this is quite a big piece of paper.

Working large means you have to move your whole body as you paint/draw.
This helps you become unstuck literally and energetically.

This might appear to be a creative block busting tool for artists or illustrators. But it will help beat blocks of any kind. Writer's block, chef's block, business block. In fact any part of your life that's feeling stuck will benefit from stimulating your right brain. And that's what this doodling exercise will do.

Remember it works best if you go big on some butchers paper or newsprint, rather than small in a notebook. Give it a go. See what happens. At the very least, you'll have had some fun and forgotten the stress of being blocked for at least half an hour.

Weather watching windsock

2011-10-21T07:33:00.000+11:00

Whirly windsock, photo by Kel

Mr X is a sailor and keen weather watcher. He installed a flagpole and windsock on our property for an instant visual on wind direction and speed.

The one above was the first version. A pretty little number, but not quite up to the strength of wind that sometimes whips across our island. So we now have a real one, an airport windsock!

If you look closely, you'll see it in the foreground above.

It certainly helps us keep our eyes on the skies.

my contribution to Skywatch

Scratch art

2011-10-16T19:55:00.000+11:00

I don't think I'll ever become a fine artist; someone who hones their techniques and skills to become an expert at one or two particular techniques or mediums. Dabbling is my favourite sport in the studio. It's all good homework for being a creative coach at workshops and retreats. So I'm always trying something new.

Not that this is new. We all did 'scratch art' back in primary school. Of course, now that we're older and think we have to be arty-farty, we call it sgraffito. While I use a version of sgraffito in some of my textured acrylic paintings, I haven't done any simple scratch art for a long time. It was fun. I'm gonna do some more. Of course the thing I love about it is I get to use one of my trademark styles, a black background.

Big skies

2011-10-14T08:00:00.000+11:00

Living on an island with plenty of space around our house, we get many 'big sky' moments. The trick is taking the time to notice. To stop, look up and absorb it all. This 'moment of noticing' is looking to the west from the rear of our house, across to the studio. Late afternoon sun sending some stripes along the paddock below, with moody skies above.

What scenes do you have in your surroundings that need noticing?

this is my creative contribution to skywatch

Sing your story

2011-10-11T17:56:00.001+11:00

La La La : Singing my Story

(detail of collaged element)

If you sang your story onto paper with paint, what would it look like?

Work with what you resist the most

2011-10-09T10:27:00.001+11:00

Ten journals, travelling hand-to-hand, throughout a regional area for two years.

My contribution to a travelling journal project.

Some of you may recall this face. I created it as part of an online course last year. It was a bit softer then, but I cut it from the original background, sharpened it up with some strong black edges and reworked it into a new journal spread. I have a real love/hate relationship with this image. But when the journal landed in my hands, I knew straight away that I had to somehow use it - this image that holds so much energy.

But oh the pain. I resisted it for awhile. My ego didn't want that style of imagery to be seen as what I do. It couldn't be more opposite than the intention, style, purpose of what I think art journalling is, at it's best. The misconception by many people that art journals are supposed to be pretty, light and fluffly - full of doe-eyed beauties, hearts and flowers, with embellishments vomited all over the page . . .(yep, I guess that pretty much sums up how I feel about that!)

So in an effort to work with what I resisted the most, I jumped in the deep end. Looking at this image I created, which I hate for all it represents to me . . . I asked it a question.

What do you have to tell me? It's more than skin deep.

Mr X happened to walk through the studio just then. "I need some skin!" I exclaimed. He looked at me like I was a madwoman. "Somehow I have to put a layer of skin over the image." I explained. A thought whizzed through my head that I wish it were mid-summer and Mr X had got himself a nice sunburn. I could harvest the peelings off him and put them on the page. Ewww! Gross!

Excuse me, didn't you just say you hate it when people think art journals have to be sweet and pretty?

Realising I was in the art zone, Mr X dissolved out of the room just as quickly as he came in. Scanning the studio for inspiration on 'skin-like' material, I threw some waxed paper over the image. No, not that. Some thin recycled paper. No. Then I saw the box of disposable gloves on the end of the bench. Aha! I cut the fingers off a glove, then cut the hand part open. Nah, it didn't look right. But it 'felt' right, the texture of thin skin. I grabbed another glove and started ripping the fingers off it. This shredded the latex into interesting shapes and left edges like peeled skin. Yes!

So there you have it. The latest weird and wonderful processes from Kel's island studio.

floating finery

2011-10-07T08:08:00.000+11:00

The summer sailing season officially starts at the local yacht club this weekend.

Mr X has been on holidays for the past two weeks (lucky him!).

So he had a head start on the season, sailing his old classic couta boat.

Here she is with her fancy flags on.

my creative contribution to skywatch

Pep talk to self in the studio

2011-10-04T21:24:00.001+11:00

When you understand the power of transpersonal art-making, it's easy to get cold feet every now & then.

What are you afraid of?

It's not like your art can

jump off the page

and attack you!

no words - just some art

2011-10-02T20:24:00.001+11:00

skywatch shot

2011-09-30T10:20:00.000+10:00

The night walked down the sky with the moon in her hand.

Frederic Lawrence Knowles

Wonderstruck : review

2011-09-28T01:45:00.000+10:00

What seems a simple pencil illustration is powerful visual narrative in the hands of Brian Selznick.

I read a lot. Magazines, newspapers, books, websites, blogs. Having worked as a magazine editor, involved in both editing and layout, it's not only the words I pay attention to. The design can carry just as much weight in the reader's overall ability to enjoy the experience. In all my reading, sometimes an article or book is weak in the word department but stunning in the illustration. Other times the words are better than the illustration. It's usually a see-saw game of trying to balance the two. It's not often that both elements are combined so perfectly, you feel what you're holding in your hands is a masterpiece.

Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick, is gobsmackingly gorgeous.Two stories - set 50 years apart - are woven throughout the book, one in words, the other in pictures. This master storyteller beckons readers into a world of wonder. Weaving back and forward through time, it is easy to lose all sense of time. In fact, I read this in one sitting. Simply could not put it down.

Selznick's "Cabinet of Wonders" beckons like a time travelling portal.

This review doesn't give many details of the story, because I don't want to ruin it for you. But I will say this; If you're feeling overwhelmed by mainstream media purveying gloom-doom pessisimism and the cacophony of self-help gurus and online pedlars, I encourage you to dive into this book. Perhaps, like me, you may find yourself re-enchanted with the world again.

I have not been paid by the book's author or publishing company, or any other publication, to produce this review. I purchased the book myself, took photos of two of my favourite illustrations in the book for the purpose of this review, and am sharing them online as my contribution to creativity and finding the X facta everywhere and anywhere.

the art of living

2011-09-25T21:11:00.000+10:00

The walls between art & engineering, exist only in our minds . . . and few have the imagination to see beyond them. ~ Theo Jansen

the walls between art and anything

exist only in our minds

art is not something that

only hangs on a wall,

sits in a gallery,

or is collected

for financial investment

when we approach life

in its entirety

as art

and have learned to

live creatively

in even the smallest,

most mundane of moments

that is when we truly

create a masters piece

~ Kel

My celestial calendar says "equinox"

2011-09-23T06:22:00.000+10:00

September Equinox marker - spring in the southern hemisphere.

LogHenge - the circular celestial calendar we created on our property.

Soular Man - one of the log sculptures marking the cardinal and solstice points.

For many years I've dabbled in ephemeral / environmental / eco art.
This is the largest completed work to date.

my creative contribution to skywatch

Soba noodle salad

2011-09-21T20:14:00.000+10:00

Want something different for dinner? This is what we had, and think it's a new favourite.

soba noodle salad

270g driedorganic soba noodles

2 cupsshredded vegetables

2 tbsptoasted sesame seeds

1 cuptoasted shredded coconut

1 avocadosliced

Dressing

4 tbsp limejuice

2 tbsp mirin

2 tsp oliveoil

2 tsp maplesyrup

Cook noodlesand vegetables in boiling water for 5 mins.

Drain welland rinse under cold water.

Mix toastedseeds & coconut through.

Add avocado. Pour dressing over salad. Toss lightly.

Serves 8-10 as a side dish or 4 as a light meal.

the butterfly effect : 2

2011-09-18T18:43:00.000+10:00

I usually have a few projects on the go in the studio at any one time. When something else is drying, or I simply want a change of pace, it's nice to have a variety of things to choose from. Interestingly, I started creating my "Little Book of Rorschach Creatures" a few weeks ago, but it took mulitiple sessions to complete the different stages.

One night last week, after a stressful day at work, I just wanted to do a quick journal page and this other creature appeared in a totally separate journal/book.

Believe it or not, until I'd taken photos of the two finished pieces and put them on the computer together, I did not realise a 'theme' had emerged!

Interesting isn't it. How something can be right in front of our face, but we just can't see it. Until a bit of time or space allows us to take a second look from a distance. Then we slap ourselves on the forehead - right where our wisdom eye supposedly resides - and exclaim "But of course!"

What can you do today to create some time and space to "see things clearly"?

Memory making moment

2011-09-16T10:02:00.000+10:00

I've seen heaps of photos of "The Bean" sculpture, but they all had crowds of people in the reflection. We arrived in Chicago on the last plane allowed to land due to a huge mid-December snowstorm. The first day was spent finding winter clothing bargains and art gallery inspiration. The next day we explored Millenium Park. We had the entire park and waterfront to ourselves. When walking down to the harbor, and crossing the road, people in their cars were looking at us like we were 'mad' to be out there. But it was a brilliant sunny day and the concept of snow in a city was a novelty for us Aussies.

Millenium Park, Chicago

this my contribution to skywatch

Journalling life

2011-09-13T20:21:00.000+10:00

I kept a diary for many years. For a writer, it seemed the natural thing to do.When I wasn't writing in a diary, I was writing letters. A package of them were given to me when my nanna died. She kept every letter I wrote her while Mr X and I were stationed in PNG for two years. This was pre-internet. Snail mail was the only method of communication at my disposal. That package of letters is a fascinating little time capsule.

Nine years ago I started visual journalling (combining diary style writing with imagery), which then developed into art journalling (focusing more on the visual). Creating art - doodles, paintings, collages - in the pages of a visual journal, or altered book. Despite minimal words, these journals speak volumes.

Do you keep a diary or journal? A daily, weekly, monthly written record of your life stuff.
Do you keep a visual diary or art journal? A daily, weekly, monthly record of your visual language.

Song for an Aussie icon

2011-09-11T10:17:00.000+10:00

.ship song

The Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House are two of Australia's iconic attractions. The Opera House is a fascinating piece of architecture surrounded by the most beautiful natural harbour in the world. Biased? Who me! Well, I was born in Sydney, but actually prefer Melbourne for liveability. But that said, the Yarra river just can't compete with the Sydney Harbour, especially on New Year's Eve!

This recently released video features Aussie artists including Neil Finn, Sarah Blasko, Paul Kelly, Angus and Julia Stone, Katie Noonan and Daniel Johns. But the real star is the graceful dame herself, with full sails billowing harbourside. She makes an appearance near the end of the video. Enjoy a behind the scenes tour first ...

blessing for the dark hours

2011-09-09T07:38:00.000+10:00

when it seems as if

the sun is sinking

and something good

is about to end

let yourself absorb

the last rays of light

through skin and eyes

let your body be

a storage unit

of solar energy

let the heat and light

simmer inside

your heart

so when darkness envelopes

and cold seeps in

being soul-ar powered

will hold you through the night

this is my creative contribution to skywatch

this week's art

2011-09-06T19:07:00.000+10:00

When life is getting you down, when people let you down, when everything seems to be spiralling down into ever smaller circles, its time to paint big. Life might be trying to squash you into a small box, but don't let that stop you rolling out a large canvas, and splashing some paint around. Live large on canvas - cos life has a way of imitating art. Go on, give it a go. I know you really want to. And when you do, watch and see what manifests off the canvas.

No cash to splash on a big canvas?

Easy, go to your local opshop/thrift store and buy a 2nd-hand roller-blind.

creating balance

2011-09-04T13:39:00.000+10:00

On a beach walk yesterday I noticed some thin smooth stones sitting in the sand.

Dropping several in my pocket I continued to walk along. But my jacket started hanging down heavily on one side, banging on my leg each time I walked. So I gathered some more smooth stones and dropped them in the other pocket. It was easier to walk when the weight in the jacket was balanced.

With the weather blowing in, making outdoor activities unadvisable for the rest of the weekend, it gave me an opportunity to set up a mini photographic-studio.Creating different piles of pebbles and photographing them was quite a meditative creative outlet. Time to immerse myself in nature and play in the studio are key for me to feel balanced. How about you?

Boring beauty?

2011-09-01T16:35:00.002+10:00

how can something as simple as socks

hanging on the line

against a backdrop of thin blue sky

be seen as beautiful

seeking something special
amid the mundane, boring, every-day-life stuff

can become an obsession
just like matching peg pairs

:-)

this is my creative contribution to skywatch

Imagine

2011-08-30T17:55:00.000+10:00

Considering my blog is called the X facta, I have to share this story with you from the latest series of The X Factor TV show. It simply puts a lot of things into perspective.

Strange stuff surfacing

2011-08-28T09:09:00.001+10:00

A coastal storm left deep-sea debris strewn across the sand.

Some strange stuff surfaced . . . not sure what this is.

We also found a couple of shark eggs. Empty.

So there's two more sharks in the sea.

It's funny the things that grab your attention. That turn you into a kid, rushing around with joy and wonder, picking things up for a closer inspection. Documenting finds with photographic evidence.

The day we discovered deep sea secrets strewn along the beach shines in my memory. A little portal into another world full of mystery and wonder.

Have you experienced a time like this, of re-enchantment with the world?

the view from here

2011-08-25T18:03:00.003+10:00

whether we
like it or not

our worldview

is always shaped

by 'home'

the country of our birth

the people we call family

or the location we live in

right here and now

'home' always

frames our view

~Kel

this is my contribution to skywatch

When the universe doesn't deliver

2011-08-21T19:37:00.000+10:00

Today I jokingly said to someone that I don't believe in God or Karma anymore . . . and now I've got nobody or nothing to get angry with, when I don't get what I think I deserve! ~ Kel

Clamouring voices

2011-08-20T17:24:00.003+10:00

There's a stanza in the Sarah Blasko song I posted awhile back, which talks about "the season being lost" when we start listening to everyone else.

Listening to other voices can be a fine tool, kind of like a tuning fork, if by hearing other's experience or ideas, it helps you decide what is right for you at the time. Discerning which voices are actually speaking to what is best for us, rather than what is best for them, takes a lifetime of learning. Mostly the clamouring voices are speaking of their own needs.

People will start to give you advice as soon as you disturb the status quo. That advice will likely be bad - because they are seeking, not to understand and further your calling, but to preserve the world as they know it. ~Roger Housden

Who are you letting speak into your life? Are they seeking to understand and further your calling, or are they trying to maintain the status quo?

Moon Dancing

2011-08-18T17:48:00.011+10:00

.
Painting with light, also known as light graffiti, is a photographic technique in which long exposure shots are made at night or in a darkened room by moving a hand-held light source or by moving the camera while focused on a still light source. Running with my current celestial theme, I decided to play with the light of the full moon and see what emerged.

Lunar Dancers

by Kel © 2011

The host of skywatch, Klaus Peter, passed away this week. But what a legacy he's left us. A worldwide community of photo enthusiasts sharing shots of nature and the world around them. The torch has been passed onto the rest of the skywatch team, Wren, Sylvia and Sandy. We hope, like the full moon, it continues to shine brightly. my creative contribution to skywatch

Supernova : when stars sing

2011-08-14T14:21:00.008+10:00

According to a National Geographic article, astronomical researchers may have figured out what triggers the final cataclysm of an exploding star. The missing element may be unimaginably powerful reverberations—the sound of a star singing its own swan song. For someone brave enough to come within hearing distance, the waves would be audible, roughly the F note above middle C.

Supernova, acrylic on canvas

Kind of gives another meaning to, "it's written in the stars". Instead of being star gazers, perhaps we should become star listeners. I wonder what celestial symphony we might hear? Perhaps something like this...

looking up : looking down

2011-08-13T12:54:00.008+10:00

What is the appropriate behavior for a man or a woman in the midst of this world,

where each person is clinging to his piece of debris? What's the proper salutation

between people as they pass each other in this flood? ~ Buddha

my contribution to skywatch

It never rains but it pours

2011-08-09T07:25:00.003+10:00

or how to spend money fast on un-fun things

update: well this post's title and summary line at the end was purely metaphorical. How was I to know that today it would all become literal! With the main river in our area now under major flood! Thankfully got home safely from hospital today. But doubt we'll be getting that delivery of our new washing machine tomorrow...unless they plan to float it down the river!

~ ~ ~

Our 20-year-old fridge had to be replaced recently. We're wondering what they put in the electronics to send off 'break-down' signals to all the other things in our household...

1. The day a guy came to replace the door on the new fridge (which had been damaged in shipping) my washing machine stopped working. "You don't happen to do washing machine repairs?" He did, and spent half an hour trying to sort it out. No go. So he and I manhandled it out to his van (no mean feat with all the concrete they put in those frontloader machines) and it disappeared to the repair shop for full diagnostic tests. They called me yesterday to announce it would cost $40 less to repair it than to buy the equivalent machine brand new. Well, at least that wasn't a hard decision!

2. The boat had not stopped leaking since being put back in the water after an anti-foul and repaint. So it was taken out again, the problem discovered and repaired. Unfortunately, this was not DIY job, even though Mr X tried during his holiday break, but we needed the assistance of a boat builder and marine engineer.

3. My windscreen got a chip, which on our potholed road quickly turned into a big crack across the driver's side. It's being replaced this week.

4. To top it all off, I'm going into hospital later this week. Seems my body needs some repair and maintenance too!

You know how experts advise us to keep money saved for a rainy day? Well, we've had a rainy month!

Supernova in progress

2011-08-07T14:47:00.005+10:00

The practice of creativity teaches us so much more

than the how-to's in the studio

but only if we're willing to also learn the how-not-to's

...because until we integrate our knowledge of both

through a personally learned experience

as opposed to a textbook rendering

we will only ever produce theoretical proficiency

or technically correct art

instead of something which lets us sing and dance

Snow-capped sunset

2011-08-05T10:18:00.002+10:00

The view across the straits from Vancouver Island, Canada, to Mt Baker, USA.

Two Aussies enjoying spectacular sea and sky views aboard a BC Ferry.

my contribution to skywatch

census 2011

2011-08-03T17:42:00.002+10:00

i'm

not

sure

what

i believe

fits

any
box

any

MONA : a pot of gold

2011-07-29T15:13:00.013+10:00

As you may have gathered from previous posts, I love art which is more than something pretty hanging on a wall. Pretty art is okay if all you want is decoration to match the sofa. But visceral art 'gets you in the guts' and often involves more of your senses than just sight...say, touch, taste, sound, smell, kinesthetics, interactivity. All of which appeals to me. I might not actually 'like' the work, but I appreciate that it challenges me, makes me think, creates or provokes a response of some kind. So a recent birthday trip to Hobart specifically to visit the MONA [Museum of Old and New Art] was like heaven on a stick.

A half-hour ferry trip from Hobart docks (where the famous Sydney-to-Hobart yacht race ends), this intriguing structure rises up from the river's edge. MONA is a world-class experience for lovers of fine architecture, antiquities, and contemporary art. At the moment, anyone can experience this art extravaganza for free, thanks to the generosity of David Walsh, owner of the private $100-million art collection and $75-million complex. That's right, there's no entry fee (the ferry is $15 return but there's road access for those wanting to drive). update Oct 2011, there's now a $20 entry fee - but so worth it

This place might be single-handedly boosting Tassie tourism year-round. We were there mid-winter and the Mona ferry was full. The gallery spaces were busy, but not overly so. Unlike the Louvre or the Getty, we were able to enjoy a lot of it without feeling like an ipod (...shuffle).

Speaking of ipods, the tech heads are kept happy with the navigational device provided on entry. Called the "O" it tracks where you are in the building and allows you to read the 'arty farty' take on a piece (called the artwank), a tongue in cheek interpretation (called the Gonzo) and audio files. You can recall your live visit anytime by logging onto your own "O tour" showing what you looked at, what you 'liked' and what you 'hated'. We also found it handy to see what we didn't see in person. Seriously, there is so much stuff there, and such a random curation, a labyrinthine journey of discovery....which I loved. No maps, wall signs, didactic boards or instructions. Just enter a parallel universe and see what you discover along the way.

Having visited art museums in Paris, London, Los Angeles, and Chicago I can honestly say this one tops the list. It was a totally immersive experience. Considering a large part of it is underground, the word immersive suits on that level too. Walking up from water level to the entry foyer, then descending down a shaft of sandstone in a glass lift, it was like entering into the Batcave!

To start off we tried to take photos, but quickly decided to put the camera away and succumb to the experience.If you're curious, there's photos on some of the links, but you really need to experience it for yourself. Describing a visit to Mona, to someone who hasn't been there, is kinda like trying to describe sex to a virgin. Which is an apt analogy really, considering the overarching theme of the current exhibition is 'sex and death'.

Highlights were many, but there's an underground tunnel; an art library you could spend all day in, if there wasn't so much else to see; interactive art, egyptian mummies, paintings, sculpture, video art; a cafe, restaurant, bar, and if you decide you need more time, there's accomodation on the other side of the property.

Anselm Kiefer's Sternenfall / Shevirath ha Kelim, [falling stars / the breaking of the vessels] is the largest artist book I've ever seen. Housed in its own pavilion at the far end of MONA, massive 'books' made from lead are "interspersed by jagged glass and seemingly rained down upon by countless shards, many bearing the astronomical number of a heavenly body (the numbers given to stars by NASA scientists)". Apart from the sheer granduer of a sculpture with its own pavilion, we were lucky enough to walk in when a small choir (participating in Festival of Voices in Hobart that weekend) decided to try out the acoustics. We stood spellbound as they broke into spontaneous song in the space ... probably a lot closer to the true meaning of a flashmob ... and create a memory making moment of a lifetime.

While waiting for our return ferry at the end of a full 5-hours, Mr Walsh himself came into the cafe. I wanted to rush up and give him a big hug and say 'thankyou for sharing all this with us.' But I suddenly got all shy and became glued to my seat. So David, if you read this, may I just say . . . "onya' mate!" What a legacy for making art accessible.

We made the trip to Hobart specifically to visit MONA. It was absolutely worth it. We definitely found treasure at the end of the rainbow!

my contribution to Skywatch and That's My World

Time to change?

2011-07-27T02:00:00.005+10:00

This week's power song is by another Aussie band, Sick Puppies. Yeah, I know you think I'm biased, but this land downunder sure produces some great musicians!

So what's your dream? What's been holding you back? Is there something you need to leave behind? Maybe it's time to change...

love is . . .

2011-07-25T09:15:00.000+10:00

Many couples have their song; their restuarant, cafe or favourite shared dish; their special getaway place . . .

but we also have our comic, the Love is characters, created by NZ-born artist Kim Grove.

I own many of the "Love Is" books and have used them to create notes, cards and mirror messages for Mr X over the past couple of decades.

This is a mini flip-book I created for Mr X's lunchbox last year. A visual appetiser for our upcoming first-ever White Xmas trip. I finally got to use all those 'snow-themed' cartoons - yeah! But that was six months ago.

It's winter here now, but we haven't been to the snow this season. Our snowshoes are sad.

Do you have an "our______" something that's a little offbeat?

Chasing rainbows

2011-07-22T19:52:00.000+10:00

Old steamboat in Hobart, Tasmania

my contribution to Skywatch

Creating Confidence as an Artist

2011-07-20T15:52:00.004+10:00

or anything else for that matter

Recently I shared a few ideas with someone on how to get their artwork out there. I offered a few hints and tips based on my experience working in an art gallery, and being an art therapist and creative coach.

An emerging artist usually spends a lot of time developing their creative skills in the studio. A personal skill that should also be cultivated is learning to 'create' an aura of confidence.

A lot of the time, it's about using the right words. This is where I utilise my experience in publishing, writing and editing, to also help people find the right words.

Step 1 : Learn the lingo
Every industry has its own jargon. Take time to familiarise yourself with the terminology of your career peers. Read books, blogs, industry magazines and newsletters. Listen to podcasts, vodcasts, TED talks; and for that personal touch, enquire about 'artist talks' at your local gallery. This offers an opportunity to see an artist's work, hear them talk about their process, and if you hang around for the 'afters' (coffee & cake, wine & cheese), you can usually spend time talking to the artist.

When you understand the jargon, you feel comfortable talking about the topic. As you learn what the words mean, you will know how and when to use them. Or, alternatively, you may have the confidence to not use them at all. To actually use plain speak, instead of jargon. You might find many people will love you for this, although they may not tell you. Other people might look down their nose at you because they think you're not knowledgable if you don't use big fancy words.

Hmmm, what just happened there?
I threw you a curve ball - right?
Tell you to learn the lingo, then joke about those who use it.

Well... this video plays on the idea even more. Its hilarious, but also educational. It demystifies 'arty farty' speak.

Now when you hear someone rambling on with the 'arty farty' plum in their mouth, you won't feel so dumb. You'll know exactly what they're talking about :-)

So one of the first things you can do to create confidence is learn the lingo. When you understand what's behind the terminology, you can confidently join the conversation.

~ to be continued ~

Hormone Highway

2011-07-18T17:17:00.003+10:00

I've been dealing with some 'secret women's business' so I put a call out to my blogland gal pals and the circle of support has been wonderful. So this one's for all of them, and for all of you who are putting up with 'secret women's business' in silence too. Today I went looking for some music therapy, and strangely, a song with a fair whiff of testosterone seems just the thing to let off some steam. Wanna put on your fancy shoes and join me on the dance floor?

Now, here's something funny. When looking at the first screenshot for the music clip above, it reminded me of something I saw recently... a pudgy Porsche. Which also kinda fits in this post!

Erwin Werm's Fat Car at the MONA museum in Hobart

So there's my contribution to blogland for the day. A dance-party and laugh-fest all rolled into one!

The playroom

2011-07-16T10:15:00.000+10:00

This is my nephew

making the most

of our space.

Every kid

needs room

to play,

discover,

explore.

Every adult
should not

relinquish
the same rights.

my contribution to Skywatch

Something new from something old

2011-07-15T19:18:00.001+10:00

Prepping pages for some altered book creations.

I've been visual journalling for about 9 years - but have always used off-the-shelf visual journals from the art or stationery shop - and filled them with my own doodles, pictures and writing. But this year has seen a shift in my process.

Heading down the re-purpose/re-create path, I've created my own visual journals from brown lunch bags, (plus here) and now I'm altering books.To fill the pages I'm prepping painted backgrounds then using found images and text, along with other bits and pieces as inspired.

May you reap beauty

2011-07-14T16:05:00.010+10:00

altered book collage by Kel

there is a saying

that you reap what you sow

but my wish for you today is simply this

may you be blessed beyond what you deserve

may your harvest be full of grace so that all you reap is beauty

My work-a-day world

2011-07-12T19:05:00.004+10:00

this is where I spend my workdays in an old building built in 1868

handling the administration of an art gallery

it's small but extremely busy

turning over more exhibitions than many larger regional galleries

I used to think working at a gallery would be glamorous

now I know it's not

what have you learned in your work-a-day world?

this post is my contribution to That's My World

May your dreams be big : your worries small

2011-07-06T18:36:00.000+10:00

I'm struggling to string words together for a blessing, but I found a song that works. Here's a few things I wish for you:

My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
Your dreams stay big, your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish.

~ Rascal Flatts

What's your cup of tea?

2011-07-03T16:50:00.001+10:00

Although Mr X and I have become coffee connoisseurs in recent years, I still have a bit of a thing for teapots. Scattered through my kitchen and studio is a solid collection of the real thing, along with a smaller collection of teapot art I have created. The one above - Flying Saucers - was finished last week. The paintings below are from the "Tea for Two" series I created last year. [click on images for a close up look]

I always think of tea as the feminine form of hot beverage, and coffee the masculine. That doesn't mean I think tea is a woman's drink and coffee a man's, rather that the respective beverages display the attributes of femininity and masculinity.

Let's build on my theory. Espresso machines are usually square in shape. Their brew time is fast, and the beverage is best served immediately! Teapots have a curvaceous line, they require pre-warming and a slow brew time. Teacups and saucers invite one to hug the cup and linger longer over small sips.

So, now that I've sexed up the humble teapot :-) I'll stop messing with your mind and go put the kettle on. Tea or Coffee?

Davinci code clouds

2011-07-01T12:15:00.005+10:00

A few years ago I took a trip to Paris with my mum to celebrate my 40th birthday.

Yeah, so now you have a rough idea of how old I am.

For the plane trip over I had the Davinci Code tucked in my bag, but only got partway through it before we visited the Louvre.

So I was unaware of the significance of this spot, and the inverse pyramid below.

That's my mum sillhouetted on the right. Taking in the view of stormy skies and glass pyramids.

Somehow, it didn't bother us even when it poured.

Dark skies and wet weather could not dampen our spirits.

We were in Paris!

my contribution to Skywatch

Getting unstuck

2011-06-30T19:39:00.001+10:00

Weird things in life #267

In an attempt to get unstuck,

you try to 'go with the flow' in the studio,

but the piece doesn't look right

until you turn it upside down.

My beachside world

2011-06-28T21:59:00.004+10:00

I live a short boat ride across the lake from Ninety Mile Beach.

Its the third longest uninterrupted beach in the world at 151 km/94 miles long.

This stretch of pristine golden sand separates the lake from Bass Strait.

A recent walk on the beach revealed a huge variety of shells.

This hermit crab was quite shy, but he did peer out to say hello.

No-one was home in the paper nautilus shell.

Which allowed us to appreciate its translucent beauty.

Recent storms had washed up soft corals and sea sponges.

Some brightly coloured and some blending in with the sand.

Here's a sight you might not see on the beach very often.

Which animal made these tracks?

[click on image for larger view]

You'd only see these on an Aussie beach.

And only when the animal has quite a bit of speed going.

this post is my contribution to That's My World

paint big : live large

2011-06-26T13:02:00.001+10:00

I feel like my life has become a bit small. Small town, small job, small-minded people, small amount of opportunity. It's been beating me down a lot lately. I feel squashed.

Apart from the obvious, one reason I loved our White Xmas Trip, was the opportunity to expand horizons, discover a different world, where snow takes over in winter. Suddenly, life felt large again. But since coming back from there, small life syndrome has been crushing me like an aluminium can. I'm sick of being small and grey to try and fit in.

The studio has been a bit quiet. Just started getting back into it in the past week or so, but I'm kinda' sick of working small. Small journal pages, small canvases, small beaded creations. With so much smallness going on, it raises the question:

Is art a reflection of life, or life a reflection of art?

I wanna' paint big and live large. To hang out with creative people. Not arty farty technique kings and queens. But people willing to live large and let it all hang out. Who live life as if its a social and creative experiment. Not many of that tribe around here.

Do you feel like you might belong to that tribe too? The ones who think, "I wonder what would happen if . . ." and actually move beyond the thoughtsphere to the actionsphere and try it out. They are wise enough to let go of their ego and engage mind, body, heart, and soul, into the practice of living large.

When I saw this video, the guy splashing paint around on that mega canvas just grabbed me in the guts.

Are you sick of squashing into small?
Do you wanna paint big : live large?

Is there anybody out there . . .

See through ceiling

2011-06-24T08:01:00.002+10:00

Sometimes I wonder

why it is that windows

are on the walls.

How much larger

and more infinite

would our outlook be

if the ceiling was also

my contribution to Skywatch

get your music mojo on

2011-06-22T20:31:00.006+10:00

THIS beats air guitar any day. Go play . . . make your own music here

My furry friends world

2011-06-21T07:13:00.001+10:00

I know we joke with international tourists about kangaroos hopping down the main street in Sydney or Melbourne . . . but where we live now, we literally have kangaroos and koalas sharing our property.

We have lived here for 6 years, and still think its pretty cool. So the novelty has not yet worn off.

With so many koalas here, the locals created a special 'walk' on which people can view them in their natural environment. In a lot of places in Australia, tourists or locals, visit animal parks to get up close and personal with kangaroos and koalas. They pay a fee to see animals in a zoo.

Here we see them everyday, for free, in their natural environment.

These kangaroos are on our front lawn. Literally metres from the house. There are quite a few mobs in our area. We usually see two distinct ones on our property. One mob has about 25 roos, a mixture of big males accompanied by females with joeys in their pouches. There's another mob of 12 which are smaller and more male roos.

When we were building our house, they were quite inquisitive. At night, before the electricals were all wired in, we'd work inside with a big spotlight on a tripod. As we carried the light from one end of the house to the other, the kangaroos would hop along outside the windows until they could see us again up the other end of the house. We were the ones in the zoo, and they were viewing us in our habitat!

this post is my contribution to That's My World

the flying ship

2011-06-17T11:17:00.003+10:00

While showing some family around this area we now call home, I managed to capture this silhouette shot. A lakeside sculpture of the historical Charles Edward passenger ship is becoming quite a popular landmark in a nearby village.

my contribution to Skywatch

Paws for thought

2011-06-16T16:24:00.001+10:00

May you be blessed with

a furry friend

who eagerly awaits your

return each evening

May you know the warmth

of a tail-wagging

purring or some kind of paws

welcome at the door

Let yourself receive

the blessing of

unconditional love

and a willing playmate

As you raise your arm

to throw the ball

or clip on the lead

count your blessings

My watery world

2011-06-14T18:02:00.001+10:00

I live on an island

so water is a big part of my life

from catching a ferry to work

to spotting the local wildlife

this post is my contribution to That's My World