Let's Paint - An Invitation

An invitation to gather together to paint, journal, doodle, draw, create. This is a way to connect with others of similar interests, not lessons, just a chance before Christmas to take some time out.

When: every Thursday morning from the 13th November - 11th December... BYO something to eat for morning tea and your supplies.

There's a pool, so if it's hot you're welcome bring your cozi and take a dip if you want.

It doesn't matter if you are are just starting out with art, or have been doing art for a long time, just come along and join in.

The house overlooks the golf course and there are usually kangaroos and the occasional koala visits. It's green and lovely and a nice space to gather.

Give me a call if you'd like to join in. I'd love to have your company. These aren't lessons, just a space where we can all create together.

Happy Halloween

We've been having fun with Halloween over the last couple of years. It seems as though the celebration is growing here in Australia, I'm not sure if we'll ever catch up with the US, but I notice that the stores are gradually bringing in more and more Halloween themed items.

Giant spider underway... muuhahahaha

After last year's effort we've been creating a few more decorations, as the kids visiting had so much fun, and thanked us for Halloweening the house.

Día De Los Muertos Artwork

Day of the Dead - 2014

Roses and lavender from my garden with Dia De Los Muertos Artwork

Last year I noticed an artwork by Mel Rudgley that really grabbed my attention at Deck Cafe in Dee Why. Ever since I've wanted to attempt a artwork skull to celebrate Dia De La Muertos myself. So with Día De Los Muertos rapidly approaching, I thought that now was a great time to attempt a sugar skull artwork with symbols that represented ones that I have loved and lost.

Artwork by Mel Rudgley - the one that inspired me

What is Día De Los Muertos? Día De Los Muertos means Day of the Dead... I'll let Wikipedia explain... Day of the Dead (Spanish: Día de Muertos) is a Mexican holiday observed throughout Mexico and around the world in other cultures. The holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died. It is particularly celebrated in Mexico where the day is a bank holiday. The celebration starts at midnight on October 31 and continues through November 1 and November 2, in connection with the triduum of All hallowtide: All Hallows' Eve, Hallowmas, and All Souls' Day.[1][2] Traditions connected with the holiday include building private altars called ofrendas, honoring the deceased using sugar skulls, marigolds, and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed, and visiting graves with these as gifts. They also leave possessions of the deceased.

Scholars trace the origins of the modern Mexican holiday to indigenous observances dating back hundreds of years and to an Aztec festival dedicated to the goddess Mictecacihuatl. The holiday has spread throughout the world. In Brazil Dia de Finados is a public holiday that many Brazilians celebrate by visiting cemeteries and churches. In Spain there are festivals and parades and, at the end of the day, people gather at cemeteries and pray for their dead loved ones. Similar observances occur elsewhere in Europe, and similarly themed celebrations appear in many Asian and African cultures.

Cast your eyes on the ocean

Cast your soul to the sea

When the dark night seems endless

Please remember me

Please remember me

(words from Loreena McKennit - Dante's Prayer)