Sunday, February 28, 2010

Reflecting...


The Essence of Me

Centred and calm
Within a world of turmoil
I am open and alive
To the beauty of possibility around me
A peace descends
And feeds my soul with energy
A shiny world opens it's arms wide
And prepares to envelop me in it's wisdom.

Tina Gates 2009

Thursday, February 25, 2010

If you can't take the heat...







I am a little bit insane...it is 34 degrees here today, and I decided to bake, ha ha. Yesterday Abby and I were sick, today Georgia was home...so I cleaned the kitchen, and decided to make some cupcakes...not just any cupcakes, oh no...vanilla, almond and rosewater cupcakes, with orange icing. They are so delicious, that I decided I needed a glass of strawberry champagne to go with them...it is Friday night, after all. Cheers x

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Under the weather and over the moon...



I'm sick this week, so I decided to make some vegetable soup...when I'm not well, my body craves this type of food, and luckily it has not been as hot, so I was able to indulge my culinary desires.



















I haven't felt like doing much of anything, except lying on the couch and watching movies...I enjoyed both of these.
















I got sick of lying around, so visited a local art gallery for some inspiration...must get back to the unfinished mosaic projects in the garage...


















Yesterday, I decided to make a little fairy house in the garden - it was so nice to get out into the fresh air...I made a little fairy bed also. This little guy was very inquisitive - he and his mate come and visit every day...i adore the warbling noises they make when they talk to one another. This one is very trusting - he takes food out of my hand.





























































Abby was delighted with the fairy house when she got home from school - we made fairy bread to offer the Fairy Queen...

Monday, February 22, 2010

fairy dance



fairy dance
Originally uploaded by CaRouSeL DrEAmS
I love it when the wind starts to blow and the leaves begin to tell their secrets to one another...when this happens, I need to be outside amongst the magic. You just never know what suprises await you...come on a magical journey with me - there is fairy magic here to be sure...

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Paper, Lace and Magic



There is magic for sure, swirling about me this week...for the first time, in a long time, I have begun 'creating' again, and it feels so good!
For a long time, I was the reigning Queen of Procrastination...you know the old story - why bother, my art is crap, everyone else is so much better, blah, blah, blah.........
But you know what? The whole point of making art is the process...I was always so focussed on the outcome.
And yeah, there will always be someone more talented, creative, intelligent, pretty - SO WHAT? I just want to be the best ME that I can be....because, let's face it, there's only one of me....
The roses are from Valentines Day, and I cut back the hydrangeas in the garden and popped them in the vase also...my dad grew these for me from cuttings from his plants, so they are extra special to me...the glass jar holds my teeny tiny baby shoes - I love them - and there is a little photo of me inside on a rocking horse...I loved horses even then...
I made the little white angel with scraps of white paper and feathers...
I hope that your Friday night is full of magic and moonbeams and angel love x














Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Off With The Birds...


























I did a little peacock painting this week...it's not perfect, but I kinda like it.


I enjoyed a yummy lunch with 2 special girls today who have been on the same journey as me...we are all studying art therapy...Jackie gave me this beautiful owl.


Both the peacock and the owl have been very strong symbols for me, and I love them both...I have an owl who regularly visits of a night-time, and he reminds me not to doubt myself.

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Mystical Marysville

We had a wonderful day yesterday (Valentines Day). We decided to go for a drive to Marysville, which is one of my very favourite places to visit...unfortunately a year ago Marysville was devastated by the Black Saturday bushfires in which 173 people lost their lives, 34 of those from Marysville...it was such a horrible day, and I can only imagine the terror of the people of Marysville and the other places who burned that day...my heart aches for the lives lost, and also the ones who lost family, friends, neighbours, pets and livestock...

So, it was with mixed feelings that we visited...I didn't really know how I would feel, but as we turned onto the road that leads to Marysville, I was gladdened by the sight of acres of gum trees with new, green growth...









Entering the township was sad...most of the old buildings in the little main street were all gone...miraculously, the bakery survived unscathed (how does that happen?), so that is where we ate our lunch.









My very favourite place in Marysville is Bruno's Art and Sculpture Garden, which is a magical, beautiful oasis. Ironically, when I first heard about the fires in Marysville, it was Bruno's that I cried about...but the good news is that 60% of his sculptures have survived. His home and art gallery were completely destroyed.


When we arrived, Bruno himself was in the garden, working hard at replanting...he is such a wonderful man, and I felt very privileged to have met him...the garden is still beautiful, and it will return one day to it's former glory, I'm sure...but I still managed to feel the spirituality of the place...it used to be surrounded by a canopy of trees, but they have all burned, and he lost a lot of very old trees and plants...









I realise I have posted a lot of photos, but I simply couldn't show you any less...I love them all...







Bruno has a website if you would like to see some more pictures and read about how he's recovering from the terrible fires...http://www.brunosart.com/

In the photos, in the background, you can see the mountains, where the trees have been completely incinerated...it will be a long time before they rejuvenate...so sad.



































Lady of Shalot - I have this painting...adore...











































































































We left Marysville and went home via another favourite place of mine called Warburton, which is about 45 minutes from where I live...it is also a mystical place which has a beautiful river running through the middle of it...I sometimes drive here by myself and soak up the atmosphere of this beautiful town.

I have taken some photos of a local house in Warburton that belongs to an eccentric artist affectionately known as Boinga Bob...his home is magical, and he is somewhat of a local legend.

I have a few different places I call my 'soul' places to visit...you know, somewhere you feel you are 'home'. I need to go to these places from time to time to feed and nuture my soul...it is something I make sure I do for myself...there is indeed magical powers in these beautiful places...Abby was so inspired after visiting Bruno's she couldn't wait to come home and create something...Magic!














































Do you have 'soul' places? Somewhere to just breathe....































Friday, February 12, 2010

Valentine Lovin'




Abby and I decided to play dress-ups again, because it is, afterall, Valentines Day tomorrow (any excuse!)




















I know it's all got a bit commercialised and all now, but I still like to spoil my family with a fancy dinner party, usually heart-shaped pasta, and something involving chocolate for dessert...and I get a kick out of decorating for the occassion...it's something I've always loved doing - I consider it as creating memories for my girls that they will have forever...something to look back upon with magic and wonder...such memories really can get you through some yucky times...




















I loved making the paper heart garland, and would like to thank McCabe over at http://dancingmermaid.com/blog/ for the inspiration...I love her little blog - she is such a magical mermaid, and a true inspiration...I also made a couple of Valentines cards to give to my girls.




















The little painting I did last week...it feels good to be creating again...







Not sure if there's many of you visiting, but I would like to send you all a big Valentines wish, and hope that you are spoiled tomorrow (and eat lots of chocolate) xxx










"If music be the food of love, play on." William Shakespeare