Wednesday, May 2, 2018

Children's Art Classes in My Studio

Been working with children! Oh my goodness. what a joy it is! After 20 years, of telling myself &
everyone else, that I only work with adults, I jumped in, & now have a beautiful after school art class going, and
will facilitate some workshops soon, in natural crafts, for my local Permaculture group.

My work is a little different from usual art classes, in that it has a therapeutic effect. It's designed to help them relax, before creative work. I find it really sets the tone, for a quiet, gentle session, to  meditate for a little while, chat over afternoon tea, then go into the art room, where they can choose their activity, and I help where they need me to. All the while, I play music to set the mood... it's magic!

When I first advertised, the mothers thought the 2 hours I was offering, might be too long a session for their children, but as it has turned out, it's barely enough! Because they're relaxed, they concentrate so much more deeply than usual, and really get into what they're creating.

It's very satisfying to see them so happy, and wanting to attend on school holidays as well!

My next adventure, is school holiday classes, when I'm ready. No rush for this, as I want them to be a beautiful experience, for parents as well as children.

If you're in the Dandenong Ranges, & have a child, you think could benefit from participating, call me 0427 123 563. Classes are strictly limited to 4 or 6 children. Families are welcome, and my fees are $160 for 10 weeks, or $25 casual attendance. Times is 3.30 - 5.30pm Thursdays.

Oh! I have a working with children ticket, and current police check too!


Friday, September 18, 2015

A Mandala A Day - Superchicken Rides Again


Last weekend, I spontaneously created a private group on Facebook, to offer a safe space, in which to share a process, of creating a mandala every day, to see what would happen... I've never created a group before, but I took up the challenge, & it's going very well.

Last year for a month, a couple of online friends joined me to do this, and the effect was amazing... the boost in creative thinking was very noticeable, and I've been working hard ever since...

The image above is a personal symbol of mine, that I call "Superchicken". She appears from time to time, to encourage me to rise to life's challenges, and to remind me that I can do so many things if I just try...

Superchicken arrived this morning, to re-assure me that I'm doing well, in spite of feeling overwhelmed by the shear volume of work I've taken on this year.
She tells me that:
I AM the Little Red Engine ( I think I can, I think I can...)
I AM my own  Powerhouse
I AM staying afloat over big waves, as my creative babies all need my attention

I DO sprout blooms & bells off the top of my head...

Superchicken is kitted up to fly, and with a lot of fiery energy beneath her wings...

She tells me firmly, that I must make a supreme effort... and I'll be alright.

Art as therapy is powerful medicine!





Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Creativity comes in Disguise

The table in my studio is a sacred place for making things appear that otherwise wouldn't...
It's a place of joy, where beauty arrives, and departs to places where it is needed...

Just now, it's covered with paper from a course I'm doing online... I'm struggling.. the goal posts keep changing, & more assignments need to be done, as I ask more stupid questions... I'm learning not to ask anything, & to have as little interaction as possible...

I gained this qualification, Certificate IV Training & Assessment, in another guise, in 2004. Now I'm upgrading it, so that I my credentials are current & relevant...

I'm impatient to finish... I want creativity & colour in here, & I have online courses of my own that I want to offer online..

My sacred space is invaded by the outside word... Yes, the dry, automated world, that I've so far managed to keep at bay, by living a secluded life on a mountaintop & spending most of my time in a forest... 

"But wait!",I tell myself, "this is an inspiration in disguise". Artists need to earn their living, & the mundane world needs some joy. I can offer some bright, creative juice... I want to offer the world some real lushness so it can flourish...

So, I am treating this study as a sacred exercise, and making a promise to myself that when I offer online courses, my expertise as a trainer will shine through, as I offer real people well crafted programs, that evoke joy, a dash of whimsy, a splash of colour to people's lives... 
I want to help them put a song back into their day-to-day... 

                                          AND...

I vow to allow people to ask as many questions as they like, and I aim to make the work so enjoyable, that they will LOVE doing extra work! 

I'm learning quite a bit, actually...



Wednesday, September 2, 2015

Friendship & the Sacred Heart

A new note to myself appeared this week, reminding me to be my own best friend... 

... to entrust myself with the care of my passionate, vulnerable heart...

... to be the one that shows up when I'm needed...

... to honour the relationship I have with me...

... and guard it fiercely...

... remembering that friendship is a sacred bond...

... and that a heart, precious beyond anything else, can be broken 

.... so easily...












Friday, August 21, 2015

Note to Self: Priorities


Time becomes increasingly precious...

My imaginary bank account of hours, diminishes with my material one...

Priority must surely be given to that which fills me with joy... and makes the world a gentle place...

Not all daily doings are pleasant, but they must hold relevance & meaning... 

Here it is spring... time for cleaning & sorting...


Now is time for softness... 

self-nurture... 

of heart... 

of soul...










 


Thursday, August 13, 2015

Stardust and Salty water...

Something that's been on my mind this week...

How empowering it would be for everyone to let this truth drift down to settle deep into their knowing...

Because, this is really how it really is...



Saturday, August 1, 2015

Blessings of Imbolc, blessings of spring!



 
Wishing you sweet springtime blessings this Imbolc....
of Earth, Sea and Sky, may you always feel abundance,
and may golden wattle blossoms always fill your heart with joy.
X