tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87646817063742012932024-03-12T17:24:15.809-07:00Frangipani House Art Studio BlogWelcome to the Frangipani House Art Studio blog.
frangipani househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15634245827522892836noreply@blogger.comBlogger173125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8764681706374201293.post-87891516449510145882020-06-14T00:28:00.002-07:002020-06-14T00:28:45.618-07:00Share the Dream
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<p><blockquote>Artwork today... Share the dream you had for this one precious life.</blockquote>
<p>I've finally returned to my art, it seems like forever that I've been away. Renovating my house has taken my focus for the last year and a half and we are now looking forward to another new dream. I'd almost forgotten just how pleasurable it is to simply put paint on paper.
<p>Have you ever woken from your sleep in the dawning hours of the day? It's so quiet and peaceful at that time usually. I've been waking early for the last few days, out of a dream, that disappears as quickly as it came. How real some dreams seem. In my dreams I'm often looking for a house or going on a journey. What about you, do you have a recurring dream?
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<p><blockquote>The breeze at dawn has secrets to tell you.
<p>Don't go back to sleep.
<p>You must ask for what you really want.
<p>Don't go back to sleep
<p>People are going back and forth across the doorsill
where the two worlds touch.
<p>The door is round and open.
<p>Don't go back to sleep.
</blockquote> Rumi
frangipani househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15634245827522892836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8764681706374201293.post-78726845460856334592020-06-03T02:45:00.000-07:002020-06-03T02:57:51.946-07:00Have you struck gold yet?"All of us are far richer than we imagine. None of us possesses a life devoid of magic, barren of grace, divorced from power. Our inner resources, often unmined and even unknown and unacknowledged, are the treasures we we carry, what I call our spiritual DNA.
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLitsEYUIVdg8dXmysFGe-0d1qT2_mTv_wupVGqCV1b1KgApmOyWEiEbXv9iueXd-WZarkk5Ko4GbS3MNODG2XBmfet6oVmd_CT0Zh8hMgZRTKj7mP3626tQQeKzpCAt2P-0ZzzIVqUuI/s1600/Screen+Shot+2020-06-03+at+7.43.36+pm.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLitsEYUIVdg8dXmysFGe-0d1qT2_mTv_wupVGqCV1b1KgApmOyWEiEbXv9iueXd-WZarkk5Ko4GbS3MNODG2XBmfet6oVmd_CT0Zh8hMgZRTKj7mP3626tQQeKzpCAt2P-0ZzzIVqUuI/s400/Screen+Shot+2020-06-03+at+7.43.36+pm.png" width="288" height="400" data-original-width="855" data-original-height="1187" /></a></div>
<p>Just as our physical potentials are encoded at conception, it is my belief that we also carry the imprint, or blueprint of our gifts and their unfolding. Often we have far more gifts than we imagine. For example, a love of music may indicate a gift for it as well - a gift we may not have developed due to the circumstances of our birth.
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<p>Similarly, many voracious readers are closet writers, afraid to step into the arena of their dreams. This arena is our spiritual DNA, the treasure chest we bring into the world are are charged with developing.
The tricky part is recognising it." Julia Cameron In Vein of Gold.
<p>As you read these words by Julia, do they bring up anything for you? Maybe you love to watch dancing - do you dance? What dreams lie hidden within you?
<p><center><iframe width="500" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oTmaTD5H0iM" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></center>
<p>Tao Porchon Lynch had a dream to do ballroom dance, so at 85 or thereabouts, she set off for lessons, because as she says, 'there is nothing you cannot do'. The beloved Tao passed away earlier this year aged 101. She is one of my role models.
<p>Do you have role models? If not I invite you to create a gathering folder where you add images and stories of people who inspire you. Regularly open it, and add info. How could you integrate some of their inspiration, into your life.
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<p><center> Tao Porchon Lynch - this was taken after she had had 3 hip replacements! No more excuses. Dearest Tao, thank you for your grace and inspiration.</center>frangipani househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15634245827522892836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8764681706374201293.post-61341714170567280162020-04-23T04:53:00.000-07:002020-04-23T04:59:27.654-07:00How to make a mixed media collage sketchbook with Cas HolmesEnjoy... something to play with while in lockdown or social distancing.
<p><iframe width="500" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/96Qwoy97Lto" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<p>frangipani househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15634245827522892836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8764681706374201293.post-62684317075500710022020-04-13T21:17:00.002-07:002020-04-13T21:33:30.288-07:00Keep Calm and Stay At Home<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc4JPZ8l5ysRfjbfV-x3W71s3PyZzkcH4mTlP2WjABZ5Kq0Ogo_BpVAH2a2oydTIVooixSSW8S4H4cTaFYU7CRolFC2i7p1kN8rGwHsY81mtcHes8ho-6dHne4BtJlVIZ0LJilX7jbM0g/s1600/keep+calm+and+stay+at+home.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc4JPZ8l5ysRfjbfV-x3W71s3PyZzkcH4mTlP2WjABZ5Kq0Ogo_BpVAH2a2oydTIVooixSSW8S4H4cTaFYU7CRolFC2i7p1kN8rGwHsY81mtcHes8ho-6dHne4BtJlVIZ0LJilX7jbM0g/s320/keep+calm+and+stay+at+home.png" width="212" height="320" data-original-width="1061" data-original-height="1600" /></a></div>
<p>Well it's been a while again in between posts. We've had a lot of work to do in our new home that has been unexpected, the move didn't go as smoothly as we'd thought, and we're both missing Port Macquarie. We'd been thinking about putting this house on the market, and now we are all in social distancing mode, so I'm not sure what the market will even be, or when we'll be able to do that.
<p>So given that we all have so much going on, how do we artfully express ourselves during this time? Art Journalling can be helpful, to calm and collect our thoughts express emotions and longings.
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<p>While we are staying at home, it can be a good time to 'hatch ideas'. What would you like to do once this retreat time is at an end? I'd thought we'd go to the Greek Islands again this year, but tour on a slow pace around less visited islands. I'd still like to, one idea to hatch.
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<p>When I watch a TV series or movie now it seems strange to see big groups of people so close together. I'm astounded how quickly I've become used to space and distance. I don't like it, but I've become accustomed.
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<p>And what about social distancing? How is that for you? What are you noticing about how you feel, what are you noticing about how others respect new social rules? I've noticed that some people are respecting the new boundaries and some aren't. What do boundaries represent to you? Are they a safety for you? Or do they feel constricting?
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<p>Could you explore the theme of boundaries in your art journal? Perhaps you could try some slow stitching and then paste it in your journal.
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<p>What are you missing at present? I'm missing simple things, visiting an art gallery, coffee with a friend, yoga with my group, dancing a couple of times a week, listening to live bands.
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<p>It's a time to notice the little things that bring joy, and focus more on those, not to ignore what we are feeling, but to give ourselves space to change the track of our thoughts, like a train being given another track to go down, pull the train of thought into a station, get off and get onto another train of thought. Where would you like that train to take you today?
frangipani househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15634245827522892836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8764681706374201293.post-55013986061976021952019-05-22T19:23:00.003-07:002019-05-22T19:33:28.018-07:00The Art of Christoph Neimann
I've been having fun creating art doodles on my Oppo phone photos recently. This morning my yoga teacher shared an image of our class and had edited the heads of the group with lotus flowers for those who didn't want to appear on facebook. I loved how she did that. Then later was delighted to discover the Art of Christoph Neimann. Christoph takes the art of doodling to a whole new level.
<p><iframe width="500" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nk8oTIklbc4" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<p>National Geographic and Tourism New Zealand sent artist and author Christoph Niemann to New Zealand, to bring his experiences and impressions of the country alive through art.
<p><iframe width="500" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YYxPCMZ9k34" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<p>Visit Christoph on facebook... <a href="https://www.facebook.com/abstractsunday/">click here </a>
frangipani househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15634245827522892836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8764681706374201293.post-22762568651790813772019-04-09T22:29:00.000-07:002019-04-09T22:55:12.756-07:00Where joy hides and how to find it
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<p><center><i>Find out where joy resides and give it a voice far beyond singing.
For to miss the joy, is to miss all.</i> Robert Louis Stevenson</center>
<p><font color="teal">What creates joy for you?</font color>
<p><iframe width="500" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/A_u2WFTfbcg" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<p><blockquote><font color="pink">Cherry blossoms and rainbows, bubbles and googly eyes: Why do some things seem to create such universal joy? In this captivating talk, Ingrid Fetell Lee reveals the surprisingly tangible roots of joy and shows how we all can find -- and create -- more of it in the world around us. </font color></blockquote>
<p>I discovered Ingrid's work today online, and did a search on her work after watching the TED talk above. I really enjoyed reading through some of her writing and listening to another podcast. Here is another snippet from Ingrid's writing...
<p><blockquote><font color="pink">Emotional tenor affects a lot of the things we do. If these aesthetics really bring more joy, we become more affectionate, more open, more collaborative, creative, willing. So, how can we use our environments to help us get the best out of ourselves? Or the best out of people who are coming to work each day, or going to school each day, or happen to be in the hospital, or moving through a crowded city? How can we actually shape the environment and insert things that are going to bring out our best selves, because our best selves are essentially context dependent? </font color></blockquote>
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<p>I know when I visited the colour filled town of Burano in Venice, it was a joy to wander around seeing all the amazing homes. I wonder, what started the residents painting the houses, and how they all got involved?
<p>So I googled it, as you do... And apparently.... "If someone wishes to paint their home, one must send a request to the government, who will respond by making notice of the certain colours permitted for that lot." <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burano">Wikipedia / Burano</a>
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<p>I've only just moved into a lovely area in Queensland, and heard the story of how one of the residents painted her home pink. Sadly the neighbours complained and it is now beige like many in the area. Mind you the chunk of rose quartz in the garden is a rather wonderful remainder, from her initial vision.
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghuaFe9EcKTvp9zQoC0KgarbFaCP0cCD3u3ibR1NEiysU1CbaA-qH1Yd9s91xV0keYDFcK0kdbnRDeA3o27Bj37dJhW6ZgVTJr7axDJrYa6iNAWExutxHYvtsRlQIXsw3CPrF4puSqneQ/s1600/13920138_998552613596336_8670731135189274987_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghuaFe9EcKTvp9zQoC0KgarbFaCP0cCD3u3ibR1NEiysU1CbaA-qH1Yd9s91xV0keYDFcK0kdbnRDeA3o27Bj37dJhW6ZgVTJr7axDJrYa6iNAWExutxHYvtsRlQIXsw3CPrF4puSqneQ/s400/13920138_998552613596336_8670731135189274987_o.jpg" width="299" height="400" data-original-width="1195" data-original-height="1600" /></a></div>
<p>Colour is one of the things that gives me joy. Would I be game to paint my house a bright colour? Hmmm, maybe not, but I sure do admire those who do. What about you?
frangipani househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15634245827522892836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8764681706374201293.post-79467786886513117402018-06-20T15:58:00.001-07:002018-06-20T17:45:57.859-07:00Stop looking so you can SEE Stop looking so you can SEE what's around you. It sounds a bit silly really doesn't it?
<p>It was a dark and stormy night... no, actually it was a light and sparkly wintry morning and I was having my coffee and reading Danny Gregory's, Everyday Matters.
<p>One chapter stood out to me, he had written about really 'seeing'...
<p><blockquote><font color="turquoise">When you look at something you are filing it into a category, "I'm in the park", "Here's Soho", "Light's green." It's easy it's fast it's the way to cope with NY. But when you just let yourself SEE, it's like opening a window on the first day of spring. Things flow in, sharp, differentiated. Instead of whipping past, you study things you didn't really know existed." </font color"> </blockquote>
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<p>
Danny Gregory started drawing after his wife was involved in an accident, and with many hours in the hospital, sitting and waiting, started to draw. <blockquote><font color="turquoise">"I spent most of my life not believing I had the right to consider myself an artist in any way.
<br><a href="https://www.dannygregory.com/about/"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivbvcvRvZRObru_RbBu3VND7Jb98yh1ns4aNdHzEQX1IoH_pdIHBV_TIjqUXhm_khsw3eUs6IKocqbWlnbTCzFpmBt-9rivyihT3OBci355iCl5ErCOtp4pYgCdSBCrzCJZUV1yQ4TClg/s1600/smiling%252Bheadshot%252Bstriped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivbvcvRvZRObru_RbBu3VND7Jb98yh1ns4aNdHzEQX1IoH_pdIHBV_TIjqUXhm_khsw3eUs6IKocqbWlnbTCzFpmBt-9rivyihT3OBci355iCl5ErCOtp4pYgCdSBCrzCJZUV1yQ4TClg/s320/smiling%252Bheadshot%252Bstriped.jpg" width="320" height="320" data-original-width="720" data-original-height="720" /></a></div></a>
<p>But then I started drawing about fifteen years ago and it changed my life.
<p>It led me to travel, to meet people, to get books published,
<p>but most of all it transformed the way I see the world around me and how I experience every day." </font color"> </blockquote>
<p><center><iframe width="500" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VUl-6Lmnt8I" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe></center>
<p>Danny's art journal books (and videos - hope you enjoy these) are very inspiring, and I've revisited them many times. Over the years of studying, teaching and practicing mindfulness, I've found that it is fascinating, if you start to slow down... and take your time when looking, what you do see.
<p><center><iframe width="500" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KPYmVBTrpK0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe></center>
<p>I'd never seen rainbow surf till a couple of years ago, but now if the light is right, just on dusk, when the sun is low in the sky, you will see rainbows on wave crests.
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEWEZfzyD95rlQ-2O-pwtmDW9fkNzCYQuiibRHTF2z3jX78yPG_hAzqurMVDmtBRoMKARx79nG1nwwaPDlEtS02IHArMjPQVl9WcWsH7EOxdI_5axeHFIcSNSG4OFKvIsRrQrn8aYneco/s1600/IMG20180617125442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEWEZfzyD95rlQ-2O-pwtmDW9fkNzCYQuiibRHTF2z3jX78yPG_hAzqurMVDmtBRoMKARx79nG1nwwaPDlEtS02IHArMjPQVl9WcWsH7EOxdI_5axeHFIcSNSG4OFKvIsRrQrn8aYneco/s400/IMG20180617125442.jpg" width="300" height="400" data-original-width="1200" data-original-height="1600" /></a></div>
<p>It still amazes me that it's taken me till my late 50's to see that, given that the beach is my happy place, my walking place and general go to place.
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<br><center> Split Rock at Crowdy Head National Park pictured above.</center>
<p>I've been hosting a creative cluster for Walking In This World the second book in The Artist's Way series, and part of our weekly exercises is to go for a walk for about 20 minutes. Not a hard task given all the natural beauty around this area.
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ4SutxE_favZD8_E-94L_0K1LPnTDPrzrHYeZh3sO8UfPDAwrKs5La70ke4dFvYM79QZWaypb1423vWJDazwaBEw_-1M-VvHCxHIVJu9QJkk7cQlVuRoJ_1Gy3UNiwO2edWLNHEgBBRc/s1600/IMG20180617130940.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ4SutxE_favZD8_E-94L_0K1LPnTDPrzrHYeZh3sO8UfPDAwrKs5La70ke4dFvYM79QZWaypb1423vWJDazwaBEw_-1M-VvHCxHIVJu9QJkk7cQlVuRoJ_1Gy3UNiwO2edWLNHEgBBRc/s400/IMG20180617130940.jpg" width="400" height="300" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1200" /></a></div>
<p>I'd been wanting to head down to <a href="https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/visit-a-park/parks/crowdy-bay-national-park"> Diamond Head for a bush walk, </a> and today seemed like a good day to do that.
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlFy3Uuqqe4I08j3u8bPGZP6D_nyojFywtjJl00df_0df4lrqT9quPv5Z39ps4xKGkixOeC_WfcW5YWnKUeDRFEeVS049vQ64OnHZHdXM6XrUoCSu0XdDpi3sMTT_TH27jZ0Au3QUlOxM/s1600/walking+at+split+rock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlFy3Uuqqe4I08j3u8bPGZP6D_nyojFywtjJl00df_0df4lrqT9quPv5Z39ps4xKGkixOeC_WfcW5YWnKUeDRFEeVS049vQ64OnHZHdXM6XrUoCSu0XdDpi3sMTT_TH27jZ0Au3QUlOxM/s400/walking+at+split+rock.jpg" width="300" height="400" data-original-width="1200" data-original-height="1600" /></a></div>
<p>So we packed up a picnic and headed off, and with Danny Gregory's words in my mind, I slowed down, and attempted to move past looking and into seeing.
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcY3y0QvgpFHCFgQuafIGi6B4HI9jxxZiV3zXKKxb-4FPz4mt5jkE6Siiq1y2uPWDW3gaHUTkM0_KaiuDVzZLDhy9cqXBvcURFI8xnA0mxBmbcHjmc3bIHLKKTrVCxv9FEXjYFjdoqEEc/s1600/IMG20180617130354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcY3y0QvgpFHCFgQuafIGi6B4HI9jxxZiV3zXKKxb-4FPz4mt5jkE6Siiq1y2uPWDW3gaHUTkM0_KaiuDVzZLDhy9cqXBvcURFI8xnA0mxBmbcHjmc3bIHLKKTrVCxv9FEXjYFjdoqEEc/s400/IMG20180617130354.jpg" width="300" height="400" data-original-width="1200" data-original-height="1600" /></a></div>
<p>The stones in this area are so interesting, there seems to be a range of basalt, granite and I don't know what else... of all sizes and shapes. They are ideal for stacking, and it was a delight to see all the stone stacks that people had left behind.
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfn5yRs9HtmUAC7kVWhIxX-uOZB17HIy2HJVYWZfc1pHeFb3MsyI-BsMhAh06nBbSBbkNADJwcUK1_u_NRgWyriaMbC-CK2_SDRMpSpjYwwGH4cIKTvWGxcVUqQjFma_-3t_pmGPGi/s1600/IMG20180617130759%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfn5yRs9HtmUAC7kVWhIxX-uOZB17HIy2HJVYWZfc1pHeFb3MsyI-BsMhAh06nBbSBbkNADJwcUK1_u_NRgWyriaMbC-CK2_SDRMpSpjYwwGH4cIKTvWGxcVUqQjFma_-3t_pmGPGi/s400/IMG20180617130759%255B1%255D.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<p><center> We both joined in and created one as well.</center>
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZGxR-t57fFEUmf3R4H5btX2Z4hX3lFoS-GBPBAGEN8YEufqdz0fwVE6DptBOjLNLFDTZU0gbcy7pMDV7-iNfDxt54AtuXJMOcczd4PUVyHx8hOBMjCqU0f43J5nBQlqMJYTGbQYox6HA/s1600/IMG20180617130805.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZGxR-t57fFEUmf3R4H5btX2Z4hX3lFoS-GBPBAGEN8YEufqdz0fwVE6DptBOjLNLFDTZU0gbcy7pMDV7-iNfDxt54AtuXJMOcczd4PUVyHx8hOBMjCqU0f43J5nBQlqMJYTGbQYox6HA/s400/IMG20180617130805.jpg" width="300" height="400" data-original-width="1200" data-original-height="1600" /></a></div>
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuEcAwbNbzGEbEfwr-7G8GJR5UBhj8hApvZJ1zaHQwfQNlGSF34IiaM9uEKjEbflNOqbmy_Z5thVxiQ_Nh-RTydraveZMbX4F-efJhmrT1CVpBDzXRlRfkH0Feeh2mBc1Iltzy2r_jlxw/s1600/IMG20180617131611.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuEcAwbNbzGEbEfwr-7G8GJR5UBhj8hApvZJ1zaHQwfQNlGSF34IiaM9uEKjEbflNOqbmy_Z5thVxiQ_Nh-RTydraveZMbX4F-efJhmrT1CVpBDzXRlRfkH0Feeh2mBc1Iltzy2r_jlxw/s400/IMG20180617131611.jpg" width="300" height="400" data-original-width="1200" data-original-height="1600" /></a></div>
<p>Dannys' words stayed with me this morning as I balanced on stones, steadying myself against the wind that was buffeting me, in order to take photos.
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv8JjO7MM95u3KrV-UtA6csCjwGFpZl1gFqxkoPKq7cbtnYgBTkq0Ujniofh97lncVipIiWoj3j_JROtCfqgbVJE2g5E_fKXzYgn57qSazfGhUpn6OZlJH24tDS_LpFvj2LzC_2iyYgSg/s1600/IMG20180617131701.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv8JjO7MM95u3KrV-UtA6csCjwGFpZl1gFqxkoPKq7cbtnYgBTkq0Ujniofh97lncVipIiWoj3j_JROtCfqgbVJE2g5E_fKXzYgn57qSazfGhUpn6OZlJH24tDS_LpFvj2LzC_2iyYgSg/s400/IMG20180617131701.jpg" width="300" height="400" data-original-width="1200" data-original-height="1600" /></a></div>
<p>On the way back I kept looking up at this stone formation, and as I slowed down stopped and looked, my eyes focused in on a giant stone heart.
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8m1CicE5dmvMi0yILGqB15scEk3ESIdx-HFjsHOblnwTMPrXfKIsHvWsqfzIxJeHMcXKIgQQkJ8bz2VeR0Bc3E8y2xXnhHMbqgbYWyBAY_kc4hJQbGumykK9lTzqxQ1f-Hx8Yw0oKHSk/s1600/IMG20180617132150%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8m1CicE5dmvMi0yILGqB15scEk3ESIdx-HFjsHOblnwTMPrXfKIsHvWsqfzIxJeHMcXKIgQQkJ8bz2VeR0Bc3E8y2xXnhHMbqgbYWyBAY_kc4hJQbGumykK9lTzqxQ1f-Hx8Yw0oKHSk/s400/IMG20180617132150%255B1%255D.jpg" width="300" height="400" data-original-width="1200" data-original-height="1600" /></a></div>
<p>What a delight to discover, and a reminder what can happen when you stop and how much more you can see.
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4BxcOyfSlNrLyJjqdNXMKO2QRN_QBdZruOkU5ddk5oRn8c3LEZDGwqTyA_lCKcsJU_lSw2njybX3S7aA7zXEmxzTE3lywDFhX1MGZ47WSG6uxRGg6vK4NyXFrwrxqV4mV88eKhYP2pH4/s1600/IMG20180617132140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4BxcOyfSlNrLyJjqdNXMKO2QRN_QBdZruOkU5ddk5oRn8c3LEZDGwqTyA_lCKcsJU_lSw2njybX3S7aA7zXEmxzTE3lywDFhX1MGZ47WSG6uxRGg6vK4NyXFrwrxqV4mV88eKhYP2pH4/s400/IMG20180617132140.jpg" width="400" height="300" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1200" /></a></div>
<p>If you're ever in the vicinity, and like camping, there are spots for your van or tent,
with lots of kangaroos and wallabies grazing, it would be a lovely place to spend a night or two. Maybe take the sketchbook and do some drawing, or just have some time out to do nothing (another task from Walking In This World).
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBR63Em8H5kVdaWzDc3n5-3_MxpbdfCc5_nPsRwreNE5VPbuGggJBZiupEUe8QxiQtzLoBgPL9SU7BAMfJ4pyWjuEsk4FNmOePiVuUC0cYLcpCPzEKKw72OWt0af0PwGT8_s6IZ9p4lHg/s1600/IMG20180617133310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBR63Em8H5kVdaWzDc3n5-3_MxpbdfCc5_nPsRwreNE5VPbuGggJBZiupEUe8QxiQtzLoBgPL9SU7BAMfJ4pyWjuEsk4FNmOePiVuUC0cYLcpCPzEKKw72OWt0af0PwGT8_s6IZ9p4lHg/s400/IMG20180617133310.jpg" width="400" height="300" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1200" /></a></div>
<p>We did the shorter of the walks, from Diamond Head Campground to Mermaid Lookout, as the afternoon was closing in and the temperatures dropping. Next visit we will allow more time, and do the longer walk that takes in Natural Arch.
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpP63nrif5wcP0Jz5nLKAtZLnMTm4hd-vYgZB6LPCvv-6tFQ6SBKsfbxRMP4EOPyNhrp1UE4a-HHQm-1j8zk__vTVrBuxYf0XhQ0TlT7hqSxvg9ywD2WfwQaNIJqBYQH19qxdtPXrp-lQ/s1600/IMG20180617134750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpP63nrif5wcP0Jz5nLKAtZLnMTm4hd-vYgZB6LPCvv-6tFQ6SBKsfbxRMP4EOPyNhrp1UE4a-HHQm-1j8zk__vTVrBuxYf0XhQ0TlT7hqSxvg9ywD2WfwQaNIJqBYQH19qxdtPXrp-lQ/s400/IMG20180617134750.jpg" width="400" height="300" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1200" /></a></div>
<p><center>Who knows we may even spot a mermaid on Mermaid Reef. </center>
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frangipani househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15634245827522892836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8764681706374201293.post-77312998831165541812018-06-05T16:03:00.001-07:002018-06-06T22:24:00.407-07:00On Vulnerability and the Inner Artist. Honouring our Baby Steps as Creatives.
<br>By Kareen Fellows
<p>Inside many of us is a place where the inner artist has been left feeling vulnerable. That vulnerability may have happened when we received negative comments about our creativity, or where people laughed at our creativity, or even from where we felt left out. It may have been from where we felt compared to someone else, and not good enough.
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<p>One of my vulnerable places happened when I first started to paint years ago. I was in a back to work program and we were very fortunate, as we had a wonderful range of inspiring teachers who offered us courses in computing, art, and design just to name a few. Teachers who truly encouraged our creativity. Anyways... one teacher gave us silk paint, and silk material and we got to do anything we wanted.
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuBjqBlhXoW7Pkp8hzWV6xw2qCZ3ZaeqFjJlfA0HTMe8Grct80-UJptuvVA28UScDRwSi-cjCzM6Qk4_bb-o7RpFuWExRQMVYdr9Pd1u2U2LsBL5kzhAyxToZhtmrxc43hdzXUBD_P7WQ/s1600/you+drew+me+all+wrong+the+inner+critic+voice.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuBjqBlhXoW7Pkp8hzWV6xw2qCZ3ZaeqFjJlfA0HTMe8Grct80-UJptuvVA28UScDRwSi-cjCzM6Qk4_bb-o7RpFuWExRQMVYdr9Pd1u2U2LsBL5kzhAyxToZhtmrxc43hdzXUBD_P7WQ/s400/you+drew+me+all+wrong+the+inner+critic+voice.JPG" width="400" height="300" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1200" /></a></div>
<p>At that time, what I wanted more than anything, was to own my own house. It looked as though I would never get one. I had heard of creating vision boards and symbols so I decided in this artwork that I would focus on home.
<p>So I painted away merrily and was having a lovely time. UNTIL… a woman from the class walked around and looked at my art, and laughed at it and mocked me. I cringed inside, and the old critical voice took hold. I thought, ‘oh it is stupid’, ‘it is too childlike’, ‘why did I even bother’, ‘oh throw it away’, “I can’t do this” … etcetera and so on…
<p>HOWEVER… something happened when I looked at my simple art… I looked at the colour first, and thought, ‘oh but I like the colour’… and then I remembered my focus in creating it, was the focus of owning my own home, and what that artwork represented to me… and suddenly, it didn’t matter what that woman thought.
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2hxxo4_P6wsJoWCD-Sw2a_GYl1EuSBC7azAr_vfQ5OlsrdnXCWKgosIxoh34BUYfrr_dxQCpOe8VWxXCXn0EfXqKXRefcSgiljuKo6usNRBOKiQhZ-7zKpzL8i-ZxG7CG_F5Y-SkMvLQ/s1600/silk+houses.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2hxxo4_P6wsJoWCD-Sw2a_GYl1EuSBC7azAr_vfQ5OlsrdnXCWKgosIxoh34BUYfrr_dxQCpOe8VWxXCXn0EfXqKXRefcSgiljuKo6usNRBOKiQhZ-7zKpzL8i-ZxG7CG_F5Y-SkMvLQ/s400/silk+houses.png" width="400" height="328" data-original-width="453" data-original-height="371" /></a></div>
<p>I was happy with my creation… and do you know what happened once I reached that place inside? Other women started coming over and saying lovely things about it… which also was nice, but most of all, what was important to me, was my realisation. It is one piece of art I kept to remind me of that moment.
<p>As you read this, are you aware of a time when you felt vulnerable over something you created?
<p>Brene Brown gives an insightful talk about vulnerability - if you would like to listen in...
<p><center><iframe width="500" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iCvmsMzlF7o?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe></center>
<p>And as a footnote, yes the vision boards worked.
frangipani househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15634245827522892836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8764681706374201293.post-13592752406109868352018-05-26T00:23:00.005-07:002018-06-20T15:42:46.353-07:00The DoorI discovered a poem today called The Door, by Miroslav Holub. It's the type of poem I like... an invitation.
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj747DJx6GgLjj-yn7r5j6UBdIpkFHI7xjy6iOAmckucELTASKkQk_nRt6WdivYCRt1Jv3g9XCAPZkfozqvsBh0JdtQVFKDhZaxMeWKs20yOgtRnI54wbm1wb3xSkYw4FiWEUuETaB-QRk/s1600/IMG_9647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj747DJx6GgLjj-yn7r5j6UBdIpkFHI7xjy6iOAmckucELTASKkQk_nRt6WdivYCRt1Jv3g9XCAPZkfozqvsBh0JdtQVFKDhZaxMeWKs20yOgtRnI54wbm1wb3xSkYw4FiWEUuETaB-QRk/s400/IMG_9647.JPG" width="299" height="400" data-original-width="1196" data-original-height="1600" /></a></div>
<br><center> Doorway at art gallery Port Macquarie with a dear little visitor. </center>
<p>
<b>The Door </b>
<p>Go and open the door.
<br> Maybe outside there’s
<br>a tree, or a wood,
<br> a garden,
<br>or a magic city.
<p>Go and open the door.
<br>Maybe a dog’s rummaging.
<br>Maybe you’ll see a face,
<br>or an eye,
<br>or the picture
<br>of a picture.
<p>Go and open the door.
<br>If there’s a fog
<br> it will clear.
<p>Go and open the door.
<br>Even if there’s only
<br>the darkness ticking,
<br>even if there’s only
<br>the hollow wind,
<br>even if
<br>nothing
<br>is there,
<br>go and open the door.
<p>At least
<br>there’ll be
<br>a draught.
<br><b>Miroslav Holub</b>
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<br><center>Photo taken on Sydney's Northern Beaches <br>(I want one just like it) </center>
<p>I invite you to open the door today, and create a poem of your own, about what you see, will you join me? Here's mine...
<p><b>I Opened The Door. </b>
<p>I opened the door
<br>today and I saw,
<br>soft rain falling,
<br>and my mother's dog Emma,
<br>as always,
<br>eager to have her breakfast.
<p>I opened the door
<br>today and I saw,
<br>tiny frangipani flowers on the lawn,
<br>the last of the blooms.
<br>Orange bush orchids bright
<br>contrasting this dull day.
<p>I opened the door
<br>today and I saw,
<br>the ocean in all it's glory,
<br>and a swimming pool of deepest blue.
<br>A horse and a kitchen counter,
<br>shaped like a cue.
<p>I opened the door today. Did you?
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6nQBVDX9iKZ8DcUGj2oy4TUrofnnugLFGPQHIM0tpi4xqiCu5seP2gJXQqJEoXOXm6ptwdU40aRchf_ljQPifAopOoIHvPJYhOnuyvD_sCsXEP0BDeqkzbKBjYKbf-aEPB4Ec17zPHu8/s1600/IMG_9489.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6nQBVDX9iKZ8DcUGj2oy4TUrofnnugLFGPQHIM0tpi4xqiCu5seP2gJXQqJEoXOXm6ptwdU40aRchf_ljQPifAopOoIHvPJYhOnuyvD_sCsXEP0BDeqkzbKBjYKbf-aEPB4Ec17zPHu8/s400/IMG_9489.JPG" width="299" height="400" data-original-width="1196" data-original-height="1600" /></a></div>
<br><center> Emma </center>
frangipani househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15634245827522892836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8764681706374201293.post-30666863434511092252018-04-13T22:20:00.001-07:002018-04-13T22:22:05.211-07:00Blog... another word for diary.Today my mother's home went on the market to sell. I was there early helping to create a loveliness for the open house, just as she would have done for people to come through and see her home. She passed away at the end of last year just prior to Christmas, and now it's time to sell her lovely home.
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUQlIl90X9auXabEexfYqp0FxJ-3oTxvgNhg6zVvmqyONGbkoqwReFRrTQPuO8B6OlGc7GjYq84uigLohl8T9-OWW4NcwbI4wIOGlAipZs5b7dEwMkA2uFS9VW_IeIq5jtx1BMs4UGMHM/s1600/IMG_1697.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUQlIl90X9auXabEexfYqp0FxJ-3oTxvgNhg6zVvmqyONGbkoqwReFRrTQPuO8B6OlGc7GjYq84uigLohl8T9-OWW4NcwbI4wIOGlAipZs5b7dEwMkA2uFS9VW_IeIq5jtx1BMs4UGMHM/s400/IMG_1697.jpg" width="299" height="400" data-original-width="1196" data-original-height="1600" /></a></div>
<p><center><b><font color="teal"><font size="3">I'll miss the many morning teas and chats together.</font color></font size> </b></center>
<p>Seeing how neat and tidy all her photos were, inspired me to do a similar thing at home. And what I've loved finding as I clear and sort, are the little memories that are surfacing along the way.
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6VTH_rMYMTDI4OL3R9fNXmin3_imlK0NNp7-eBpuo1sssGpdU6LYnbm_tYFahJdAQ-9pCMYNtjzqPS09goVHBMN9bu6NHFN526GoXz5KjrK5hmmD1ulJ3CFr1qaHl4Knuv0qnwGkfTMs/s1600/IMG_2089.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6VTH_rMYMTDI4OL3R9fNXmin3_imlK0NNp7-eBpuo1sssGpdU6LYnbm_tYFahJdAQ-9pCMYNtjzqPS09goVHBMN9bu6NHFN526GoXz5KjrK5hmmD1ulJ3CFr1qaHl4Knuv0qnwGkfTMs/s400/IMG_2089.jpg" width="400" height="299" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1196" /></a></div>
<p><center><b><font color="teal"><font size="4">And in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed. Kahlil Gibran. </font color></font size> </b></center>
<p>It's very comforting to find a message here or there that I've kept from her. Anyhow all the clearing and decluttering led to digital decluttering which in turn led me to my original blog.
<p>I've been blogging since about 2007 on my original Frangipani House blog, and thought I'd use it for the blog hop challenge on facebook. But somehow when I decided to fiddle with the html of the front page, I've managed to lose access to the front page of the blog. Long story short, after 'trying' to sort out the problems, I found another memory of her...
<p><b><font color="teal"><font size="4">November 6, 2009... </font color></font size> </b>
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSVwFvIy3gGEcFrnghvNwoqbMkgvokYanNOuqwRAsj_tGkuiKrKAJC5GvM8mE3JAM4rjF58YABz2av1pYPYHwnUD-clWteZIMdXQ8kpDO6kNmHEYYFT1oMdRR4MjP4HFEF9IbiskBP3rk/s1600/pelicans+at+laurieton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSVwFvIy3gGEcFrnghvNwoqbMkgvokYanNOuqwRAsj_tGkuiKrKAJC5GvM8mE3JAM4rjF58YABz2av1pYPYHwnUD-clWteZIMdXQ8kpDO6kNmHEYYFT1oMdRR4MjP4HFEF9IbiskBP3rk/s400/pelicans+at+laurieton.jpg" width="400" height="200" data-original-width="543" data-original-height="272" /></a></div>
<p>So hubby, mum and I had gone to the club last night for a bit of dinner and a glass of wine, to watch the sunset, the yachts and the light on the water.
<p>And as we sat watching some pelicans in the river, my mum asked, "Why don't you ever see baby pelicans? You see ducks with their babies, and all sorts of animals with their babies, but I've never seen a baby pelican."
<p>Well that made us all stop and think, but not for too long, can't tax the old brain too much. And we realised that none of us had ever seen a baby pelican either. Have you?
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqi4rPkhBkVUfetvlAVzw7i_Vwv4GQK3GDd93kHJYKSVUcjgyqzjqS0KrUJ-SbXidMJ-6SYEghwndP8k3L5aB64mm53cgbsT_E0ZdeQapjxb-CP9SfiTe4eu9EZdovxJwX4KGgCGZzN_c/s1600/IMG_8776.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqi4rPkhBkVUfetvlAVzw7i_Vwv4GQK3GDd93kHJYKSVUcjgyqzjqS0KrUJ-SbXidMJ-6SYEghwndP8k3L5aB64mm53cgbsT_E0ZdeQapjxb-CP9SfiTe4eu9EZdovxJwX4KGgCGZzN_c/s400/IMG_8776.jpg" width="400" height="299" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1196" /></a></div>
<p><center><b><font color="teal"><font size="3">Sunset Port Macquarie </font color></font size> </b></center>
<p>Anyway for a short moment, I was back there at the club sitting with her in my mind. It was what the Irish call a 'soft' moment, and I was so glad that I'd added the story to my blog.
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYj5oKmCgrzxHvBGMt7evh6ZNCnpBPSIIjD7jTQxgg9z4LbjYHYK72HXqLD-KQItZzqD3LdOg3MQRuoQU22ohd-o-cUF_Y4ZD4vG9D31CvuDcuDrwOWdEOY6SI-D87r8QCF0LXBu210Yk/s1600/sewing+mandala+with+heart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYj5oKmCgrzxHvBGMt7evh6ZNCnpBPSIIjD7jTQxgg9z4LbjYHYK72HXqLD-KQItZzqD3LdOg3MQRuoQU22ohd-o-cUF_Y4ZD4vG9D31CvuDcuDrwOWdEOY6SI-D87r8QCF0LXBu210Yk/s400/sewing+mandala+with+heart.jpg" width="356" height="400" data-original-width="351" data-original-height="394" /></a></div>
<p><center><b><font color="teal"><font size="4">When someone you love becomes a Memory, the Memory becomes a treasure. </font color></font size> </b></center>
<p>Memo to self; write more of those little snippets of everyday moments, they are very heart warming.
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg95p_gMTEDVcvpGUrdO-UDp_3PsP5HYnYvgaDapamVHWrWywx5n462kYROzAV00auNapHLKMp_og7eGkWNiKEmB5X8shmGstjogtpiC17Kk6DcHpRBQeruwNBJR98fhILeT0MtA1sHaBI/s1600/P5100470.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg95p_gMTEDVcvpGUrdO-UDp_3PsP5HYnYvgaDapamVHWrWywx5n462kYROzAV00auNapHLKMp_og7eGkWNiKEmB5X8shmGstjogtpiC17Kk6DcHpRBQeruwNBJR98fhILeT0MtA1sHaBI/s400/P5100470.jpg" width="400" height="300" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1200" /></a></div>
<p><center><b><font color="teal"><font size="3">From my favourite place to you today, may you have many soft moments. </font color></font size> </b></center>
<p>(BTW. Strong suggestion to those who would with play with blogger main page html layout on Google - BEWARE - and in case you know how to remedy the situation, would love to hear from you. )
<hr>
<p>About the art in this blog post. I'm occasionally turn to my journal in fits and starts to learn how to draw, and use inspiration from books that I have at home here. The drawing was inspired by Cate Edwards and the quote by Kahlil Gibran from the book Philosophy by Suzanne Maher - love her books so much.
<p>The little stitched mandala was made by me, I used material from the wrapping from flowers that I received. frangipani househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15634245827522892836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8764681706374201293.post-17186561066788098052018-04-08T22:54:00.000-07:002018-04-10T21:30:25.527-07:00The Art of Memory
I've been taking a few time travel trips the last few days. Yes, I have finally made it around to clearing the clutter of my family photos. Some years ago I took photos out of old albums, the ones that were going sticky with age, and had been meaning to sort them out.
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<p>Anyhow... the last few days I've finally faced my nemesis, and have successfully managed to get them into some semblance of order. In the process, I've been contemplating memory and creativity, and how to get my memories into some type of artful arrangement. Which in turn led to googling, as you do, on memory. I invite you to contemplate The Art of Memory with me.
<p><center><iframe width="500" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VQKt58kuEnk?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe></center>
<p><center><font color="teal"> <font size="5"><b>The relationship between memory and creativity is even enshrined in the mythology of the ancient Greeks. </b> </font color></font size> ~ Daniel Kilov.</center>
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<p><center><font color="teal"> <font size="4"><b>Mnemosyne, Goddess of Memory </font color></font size><br>~ by Dante Gabriel Rossetti</b> </center>
<p>In his TED talk you'll hear Daniel mention, The Goddess Mnemosyne. I'd never heard of her before so I went in search of an image, and discovered this beautiful one by Dante Gabriel Rossetti. Oh to be able to paint like the old masters.
In Greek mythology, Mnemosyne was the daughter of the Titans, Uranus and Gaia and mother of the muses, the Greek Goddesses of creativity.
<p><center><font color="teal"> <font size="5"><b>Sorting Through My Memories</b> </font color></font size> </center>
<p>The memory keepers of old only had their stories to pass down the generations, to keep the his-tory the her-story alive. I wonder today if our memories aren't getting a little less workouts because of our digital age. I don't know about you, but my phone stores my memories in the form of images, stores my phone numbers, and so many other things. I no longer work my brain to remember my phone numbers as my phone does it all for me, and I wonder sometimes, if it is really good for my brain.
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<p>And then, I appreciate the moments that I have been able to keep alive through my camera. Moments that I can walk down memory lane again, and time travel to another moment, away from now.
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<p>It's interesting how a photo can bring back a flood of memories. This quirky whale lived at a house just around the corner from my inlaws. I always wanted to see it's mouth empty for a photo shoot, but it was always full of junk mail.
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<p>Just beyond that whale, lies a pathway that winds through braken fern, that leads you down to Middle Harbour. Once there was an old swimming pool, but sadly after it fell into dissaray, was dismantled. The photos here, are ones just prior to it being lost forever.
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<p>Many delightful swims were had in that old pool. Mind you, you had to be careful of the oyster shells, all at once tempting you to eat them, while being to scared to.
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1VjqQZ7b_RjO0AVchXu8gn-ZzlqJ3T-kD2P1hleOAc6hds7CbUnMf9Gd8qWqU4kADkQ4zUAgoqxMC_uUucA9pbQaYgWp63haHIvHJhEFqrZMFD3XjR7TDwzoTTBf-A1uvJ20Id-YsEeE/s1600/100_4977.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1VjqQZ7b_RjO0AVchXu8gn-ZzlqJ3T-kD2P1hleOAc6hds7CbUnMf9Gd8qWqU4kADkQ4zUAgoqxMC_uUucA9pbQaYgWp63haHIvHJhEFqrZMFD3XjR7TDwzoTTBf-A1uvJ20Id-YsEeE/s400/100_4977.JPG" width="400" height="300" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1200" /></a></div>
<p>Then there's the time that my brother in law took a delight-filled dive in from that wall there, only to remember midway through the dive, that he'd left his car keys in his board shorts.
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNBAU7oIJw0mREtDpAua6hw-r90muhfmCnYi1n4ejT09qIap04QjnMJnNZR-Z-WLc7nT_CbSkkQ9Zlx8SRtP4JaEqrpaPj9Xww-1fJOqOSkOOApHg0AlfRotiql1cwEEcm6U3apLQXeBk/s1600/100_4980.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNBAU7oIJw0mREtDpAua6hw-r90muhfmCnYi1n4ejT09qIap04QjnMJnNZR-Z-WLc7nT_CbSkkQ9Zlx8SRtP4JaEqrpaPj9Xww-1fJOqOSkOOApHg0AlfRotiql1cwEEcm6U3apLQXeBk/s400/100_4980.JPG" width="400" height="300" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1200" /></a></div>
<p>The car keys were the electronic type. The ones that won't work once wet. Well I'd never seen someone pause mid air before, but when he realised what he'd done. He did. He paused, he grabbed at his shorts, yelled, 'Oh _ _ _ _, no' and then fell in. It was fascinating. I had that interesting combination of alternating concern and raucous amusement.
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<p>Photos can bring back so many memories, funny, sad, tender. As my husband and I looked at old family dvd's we realised how they'd also captured moments of local history. Clontarf in the early 1960's before the hills were covered in what are now multi million dollar homes. I have to say that we did spend a few wishful moments willing ourselves back in the time to purchase some of those blocks of land.
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<p>Did it work, that wishful thinking? Perhaps if I see you at Clonnie pool one day, I'll let you know, but more likely I'd best keep that to myself. Where would you go if you could travel with your memories? Would you buy blocks of land, or go and talk to someone? I'd love to hear where your muses take you.
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<p><center><font color="teal"> <font size="4"><b>The true art of memory <br>is the art of attention.</b> </font color></font size>
<br>~ Samuel Johnson.</center>
frangipani househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15634245827522892836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8764681706374201293.post-12466833486927543392018-02-13T17:30:00.000-08:002018-02-13T17:44:36.116-08:00Listening into our Natural World<p><center><font color="turquoise"> The Earth has music for those who listen. <br> ~ George Santayana </font></center>
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTcheevnOrdBPlXhJTEV6R3d-OSy8N99UQkmJe4yilKc0IxDa7AvGQimMMsXxmPj3opyoKgz0VD3OZ9LpgfY_mAriSixPxZmchuoW69aE-UHVJRZBgbGm2kxeiTbwIYxifyKMVw_pinJ4/s1600/nature+journal+page.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTcheevnOrdBPlXhJTEV6R3d-OSy8N99UQkmJe4yilKc0IxDa7AvGQimMMsXxmPj3opyoKgz0VD3OZ9LpgfY_mAriSixPxZmchuoW69aE-UHVJRZBgbGm2kxeiTbwIYxifyKMVw_pinJ4/s400/nature+journal+page.jpg" width="400" height="254" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1015" /></a></div>
<p>February already, and Valentines Day as well. I hope that you are treating yourself to something delightful today. It's been so humid here that even a walk on the beach late in the day isn't bringing much relief. But our art journal group is in action and creating some pages to add to our collection. Here is a nature inspired journal entry from a recent prompt.
<p><center> <iframe width="500" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uTbA-mxo858?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe></center>
<p>Some inspiration to create by today. "Bernie Krause has been recording wild soundscapes -- the wind in the trees, the chirping of birds, the subtle sounds of insect larvae -- for 45 years. In that time, he has seen many environments radically altered by humans, sometimes even by practices thought to be environmentally safe. A surprising look at what we can learn through nature's symphonies."
<p>Something I learned from watching today, is that every tree makes a difference.
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaLLeRlGkp9Z1CpSYvh8Bv09TWn1KH-qQUejP6xkD2wnXdU7t8izQ2JMbWtO9ATmetMHnNX0flrk_ZbCXaUVqgvVvSBx2QngZCcIjRKTpgfAc9rpmevOyrCC0OO2CqybVoPJqcfFDxJ_E/s1600/every+tree+makes+a+difference.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaLLeRlGkp9Z1CpSYvh8Bv09TWn1KH-qQUejP6xkD2wnXdU7t8izQ2JMbWtO9ATmetMHnNX0flrk_ZbCXaUVqgvVvSBx2QngZCcIjRKTpgfAc9rpmevOyrCC0OO2CqybVoPJqcfFDxJ_E/s400/every+tree+makes+a+difference.jpg" width="400" height="303" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1213" /></a></div>
<p>Art journal prompt should you care to participate: create something from a Ted Talk that has inspired you.
<p><center><iframe width="500" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/V57cuwQR8II?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe></center>
<p>Some more inspiration from Louie Schwartzberg. "Louie is an award-winning cinematographer, director and producer who captures breathtaking images and stories that celebrate life -- revealing connections, universal rhythms, patterns and beauty. His notable career spans feature films, television shows, commercials and documentaries. He won two Clio Awards for TV advertising, including best environmental broadcast spot, an EMMY® nomination for best cinematography and the Heartland Film Festival's Truly Moving Picture Award for the feature film "America's Heart & Soul."
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgsq-4VV0OXG8RQoG_1LWYL8R8jG87NzAmQoHbihD19KcDZ-uObZT0TwFiDGXI2M8OddukqoyB7JxSu0zMo-kJWqvlJ-NTdy6HSknr_sJ_dbFLQp9nCqljVNgIJAnDqVC2l7pUVk2LR24/s1600/butterfly+on+zinnia.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgsq-4VV0OXG8RQoG_1LWYL8R8jG87NzAmQoHbihD19KcDZ-uObZT0TwFiDGXI2M8OddukqoyB7JxSu0zMo-kJWqvlJ-NTdy6HSknr_sJ_dbFLQp9nCqljVNgIJAnDqVC2l7pUVk2LR24/s400/butterfly+on+zinnia.JPG" width="400" height="308" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1232" /></a></div>
<p>His new film, Wings of Life for Disneynature, won Best Theatrical Program at the Jackson Hole Science Media Awards 2012, and also won a Best Cinematography Roscar Award. He is currently directing Mysteries of the Unseen World, a 3D large format film for National Geographic. Louie is active in the TED community, having spoken at the TED 2011 conference in Long Beach, CA, TEDxSan Francisco and TEDxJackson Hole. His YouTube videos have collected over 25 million views. He is also launching Moving Art™ on Panasonic Smart TV's this fall, an IPTV channel that will inspire, entertain and transform the home viewing screen into an emotional immersive user preference experience."
frangipani househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15634245827522892836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8764681706374201293.post-13247331128740440552017-12-27T21:01:00.000-08:002017-12-27T21:23:11.759-08:00As the sun sets on 2017 <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz01yquAfw6UQt3QUGZZZZYkFtuOWRJkz5uvofyh3j-G1V9liWaR837GBmB15zdiBFzQyT_XZbIYyW3RYIInEfniaJcDvbzIq2pTn0HzZZ2MN7M7U-s3d8vw-kAep0fxZb1GiQYBiMmp4/s1600/IMG_9448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz01yquAfw6UQt3QUGZZZZYkFtuOWRJkz5uvofyh3j-G1V9liWaR837GBmB15zdiBFzQyT_XZbIYyW3RYIInEfniaJcDvbzIq2pTn0HzZZ2MN7M7U-s3d8vw-kAep0fxZb1GiQYBiMmp4/s320/IMG_9448.JPG" width="320" height="239" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1196" /></a></div>
<p>As the sun sets on 2017 I want to wish you and yours, peace for your soul, love for your heart, and a space for your creativity.
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijAlRhIxU0801hy8OcDAuAJu-9u2GqcobWCmIxCyI8ghDPGFOxK7aWpihqdfB8vU6FOLGIzDuyQDQgqRJ3OgvObSBXk4tvih65bNuk2cqqr9Dpoy2JH1NpnvnmJWPZXgfTxSh3CuPoBhA/s1600/may+you+find.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijAlRhIxU0801hy8OcDAuAJu-9u2GqcobWCmIxCyI8ghDPGFOxK7aWpihqdfB8vU6FOLGIzDuyQDQgqRJ3OgvObSBXk4tvih65bNuk2cqqr9Dpoy2JH1NpnvnmJWPZXgfTxSh3CuPoBhA/s400/may+you+find.jpg" width="304" height="400" data-original-width="1215" data-original-height="1600" /></a></div>
<p>Join me in 2018 to explore your creativity, through The Artist's Way, Mindfulness and Expressive Art Journalling.frangipani househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15634245827522892836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8764681706374201293.post-6915090810541088942017-07-03T00:09:00.004-07:002017-07-03T00:21:51.767-07:00The Great Round of Mandalas - Stage Five<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifB2OMCZioD0ceAYZclGQugshaKRv_YNnk0CItdbjRUE756KHjRiYKZgFCX3DYZnEuHafd3JUckhjFBVoayHc-nQoPVsMWDe__g9ykGRPVWW2EmpvNbhjOqYY3Kb5NOO8BDKdeWhRmyuA/s1600/IMG20170503174141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifB2OMCZioD0ceAYZclGQugshaKRv_YNnk0CItdbjRUE756KHjRiYKZgFCX3DYZnEuHafd3JUckhjFBVoayHc-nQoPVsMWDe__g9ykGRPVWW2EmpvNbhjOqYY3Kb5NOO8BDKdeWhRmyuA/s400/IMG20170503174141.jpg" width="400" height="300" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1200" /></a></div>
<p> The Stand Point Mandala. To create a stand point mandala, stand on a piece of paper, draw an outline around your feet. Afterwards,
draw a circle on the page to contain your feet. Then decorate.
<p>Stage five of the great round. What do you stand for in this world? It can be a challenge to stand and speak out for what you believe in this world. To not hide out, or to remain quiet.
<p><center><div style="position:relative;height:0;padding-bottom:56.25%"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bJHOWI2kR8o?ecver=2" width="540" height="360" frameborder="0" style="position:absolute;width:100%;height:100%;left:0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></center>
<br><center>What do you stand for? | Heather McPhie | TEDxBozeman
<br>Olympic freestyle mogul skier Heather McPhie talks about goal-setting, self motivation, and a journaling system that she used to push herself to succeed. </center>
<p>"We assert our beliefs when we <i>take a stand </i>on an issue. We also may <i>stand and be counted</i> when we cast a vote in support of an issue in a democratic process. In these instances we demonstrate verbally or physically that we are present and that we have a personal point of view. We may stand to be seen so that others will know that we are present. In taking these actions we assert the importance of our existence and proclaim our presence as a unique individual with our own identity." ~Suzanne Fincher in The Mandala Workbook.
<p><center><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/39000660?title=0&byline=0" width="540" height="360" frameborder="0" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen></iframe>
<p><a href="https://vimeo.com/39000660">ART 180: "What Do You Stand For"</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/user2663820">Community Idea Stations</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>
</center>
<br><center>Virginia Currents takes a look at ART 180's "What Do You Stand For" project. The traveling exhibition features 8 foot tall self-portraits by 25 sixth grade students.</center>
<p><center><div style="position:relative;height:0;padding-bottom:75.0%"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9hXFEfdBTtU?ecver=2" width="480" height="360" frameborder="0" style="position:absolute;width:100%;height:100%;left:0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></center>
<p><center>Some of the images for the music video above may be challenging to watch.</center>
frangipani househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15634245827522892836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8764681706374201293.post-64669495032661191082017-06-08T02:07:00.001-07:002017-07-03T00:31:10.944-07:00The Great Round Mandalas - Exploring Stage Four<center>Stage Four - "is the domain of the good mother. It is reminiscent of your first relationships as an infant." Suzanne Fincher in The Mandala Workbook</center>
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit4ogA5kinblpe-SttYO1W7D6cNduwvyRzYV2-hKgYWb_V6GzrV3WqGhNYTKdGg-gpiCznBmW76kVudhCazhMBSFAtztl0yMMTrKrJ9bi26rffX7jZpxNYjZprGDq7cCulfYGE6leorkA/s1600/IMG_8620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit4ogA5kinblpe-SttYO1W7D6cNduwvyRzYV2-hKgYWb_V6GzrV3WqGhNYTKdGg-gpiCznBmW76kVudhCazhMBSFAtztl0yMMTrKrJ9bi26rffX7jZpxNYjZprGDq7cCulfYGE6leorkA/s320/IMG_8620.jpg" width="239" height="320" data-original-width="1196" data-original-height="1600" /></a></div>
<p>I discovered this beautiful image when on a day out at Foster, NSW. I happened to go for a walk on the beach there at sunset, and noticed the art that had been painted on the beach wall.
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiun8wOUfSAJ5MABsQlWvnePyji7UdpE9mkGUJbx6ABiT7LWQgre0QH9iH2YRQPwvrnhLp_Z9bZIj7VqydiLsNLO5Q2zY_PN3LUUUiZH4llqxcx4dNYYRMHPJ_mtZyeDY0DYKnXCHing-0/s1600/IMG_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiun8wOUfSAJ5MABsQlWvnePyji7UdpE9mkGUJbx6ABiT7LWQgre0QH9iH2YRQPwvrnhLp_Z9bZIj7VqydiLsNLO5Q2zY_PN3LUUUiZH4llqxcx4dNYYRMHPJ_mtZyeDY0DYKnXCHing-0/s320/IMG_1024.jpg" width="184" height="320" data-original-width="921" data-original-height="1600" /></a></div>
<p>Another beautiful image representing mothering at a local pre school in our town. Have you been lucky enough to have had a 'good mother' in your life? Are you a 'good mother' to yourself? What makes a good mother do you think?
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJhfPtqmWF6TDOx43WrueTrSfT0tsSrUHUDXo8oCNoxzUe8J63T8zmQJBwpVPBt_XMP5b4DpmLXdZ_aV0Hbc_LPhtECXkvJt8_UzJ0xic9lJh_uAmU3xt2bpZrWuL17xlUjTGVCydfFaA/s1600/autumn+mandala+friday+april+7+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJhfPtqmWF6TDOx43WrueTrSfT0tsSrUHUDXo8oCNoxzUe8J63T8zmQJBwpVPBt_XMP5b4DpmLXdZ_aV0Hbc_LPhtECXkvJt8_UzJ0xic9lJh_uAmU3xt2bpZrWuL17xlUjTGVCydfFaA/s320/autumn+mandala+friday+april+7+.jpg" width="298" height="320" data-original-width="603" data-original-height="647" /></a></div>
<p>I took the photo of the image at the centre of this mandala outside Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris in July 2017, I was so drawn to the image that was posted outside the Cathedral. The spiritual mother figure - do you have a spiritual mother figure? In the religious training that I grew up with, there were no feminine images... so sad really, now I am very drawn to the spiritual images of mother. A lack of balance in the patriarchal religiosity of my heritage perhaps.
<p>Explore The Great Round of Mandalas - contact me for more details.
<p><center><div style="position:relative;height:0;padding-bottom:75.0%"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/P1_xmj4mkgs?ecver=2" width="480" height="360" frameborder="0" style="position:absolute;width:100%;height:100%;left:0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></center>
<p><center>Native American Indian Spiritual Music - Ceremony to Mother Earth</center>
frangipani househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15634245827522892836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8764681706374201293.post-74512668103016821572017-06-08T01:49:00.000-07:002017-07-03T00:49:56.657-07:00The Great Round - Stage Three The Great Round Of Mandalas... Labyrinth.
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ8j1dybdSqAWSediMcEAgqnNvbB1odadi1rQr2Wyd27raNv6T0y6Zs9iWNeg5aEbH5TUbODu_Quy3utKja2ZKBYI-hKlr43siXOuFEXtbBZyRQhy2dxu9B7pv7IoVXDJvsX_enX0aCI8/s1600/labyrinth+hand+kareens+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ8j1dybdSqAWSediMcEAgqnNvbB1odadi1rQr2Wyd27raNv6T0y6Zs9iWNeg5aEbH5TUbODu_Quy3utKja2ZKBYI-hKlr43siXOuFEXtbBZyRQhy2dxu9B7pv7IoVXDJvsX_enX0aCI8/s320/labyrinth+hand+kareens+.jpg" width="320" height="244" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1218" /></a></div>
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkYEV-npOzrx1f7Gnt53iAxDfFkH6dtK6_ejCBBXZ-1a17PKXptHA22Z_eouA_Ny35c2R_OtbDxuttEFiseVMi0u-hhC9hLfTWV3zsM4rcDAJYES3ouzgRC1JuJBHshCYXCCwSf-ro23g/s1600/kareen+labyrinth+3+3+17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkYEV-npOzrx1f7Gnt53iAxDfFkH6dtK6_ejCBBXZ-1a17PKXptHA22Z_eouA_Ny35c2R_OtbDxuttEFiseVMi0u-hhC9hLfTWV3zsM4rcDAJYES3ouzgRC1JuJBHshCYXCCwSf-ro23g/s320/kareen+labyrinth+3+3+17.jpg" width="269" height="320" data-original-width="1347" data-original-height="1600" /></a></div>
<p><video preload="none" width="500" height="320" playbackRate="1" src="https://cdn.voiceamerica.com/empowerment/011414/joyce032714.mp3" poster="https://www.voiceamerica.com/content/images/host_images/011414/Joyce-player-wide.jpg" controls="controls">
<p>OK, now let’s get practical. In our first show, Be Limitless: Breaking Down Mind Barriers, Dr. Larry Dossey talked about his new book, One Mind, in which he reports convincing data for our being limitless. The idea makes sense, but how do I tap into the One Mind; how do I get in touch with that part of myself that is more than what I currently know? The Reverend Dr. Lauren Artress will share with us one tool for doing just that. She is the leading expert on the Labyrinth. Not only has she written books on the topic, but she actually brought this ancient spiritual tool into modern day usage. She went to Chartres Cathedral in France, removed the chairs covering up the labyrinth and copied the dimensions. Since then, labyrinths have been created around the world, indoors and outdoors, in secular settings, hospitals, religious institutions and people's backyards.
<p>Visit Lauren's Website: <a href="http://www.laurenartress.com/">Lauren Artress.com</a>
<p><div style="position:relative;height:0;padding-bottom:56.25%"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/f9rt39ieP5E?rel=0&controls=0?ecver=2" width="500" height="360" frameborder="0" style="position:absolute;width:100%;height:100%;left:0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<p>More mandalas from Stage three - dream catcher mandalas.
<p>"Dreams are an important communication from your unconscious. Remembering them, journalling about them, drawing them, and sharing them in a dream group are ways to integrate the healing messages they convey." ~ Suzanne Fincher
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTjz92BV1FoQ0JtkPeXio_XrZnxbUMnipgQIO7yHr4qVdAby8jSfY5KX40QW7f4QvQV8gcF1_ObBwOSTaZ8G2Pswoeaj0UhfG5ckwC72R8jBRG7FzL9xKQ5cTiGkAkXIdytSbSvtBqlEk/s1600/IMG20170318111312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTjz92BV1FoQ0JtkPeXio_XrZnxbUMnipgQIO7yHr4qVdAby8jSfY5KX40QW7f4QvQV8gcF1_ObBwOSTaZ8G2Pswoeaj0UhfG5ckwC72R8jBRG7FzL9xKQ5cTiGkAkXIdytSbSvtBqlEk/s320/IMG20170318111312.jpg" width="240" height="320" data-original-width="1200" data-original-height="1600" /></a></div>
<p>"Mandalas of Stage Three often suggest depth and the twists and turns of plant tendrils along a mysterious path through the jungle. The possiblity of moving from one level - of experience, consciousness, emotion - to another is often suggested by mandalas of this stage." ~ Suzanne Fincher in The Mandala Workbook.
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyGTiTrpm8owjz-_194DiIdBdgWR1stdKnGs_1JEYYxBRbX3xUSCTYFviKKSVwx3YFK1aVWTiPvgzZLyPDuf_6cVcxlfd8v9yBfmBHNi8DV28_jLDdmeHnANXRoFKfiHlFx-FiwJhJ4ck/s1600/kareen%2527s+dream+catcher+mandala+journal+page.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyGTiTrpm8owjz-_194DiIdBdgWR1stdKnGs_1JEYYxBRbX3xUSCTYFviKKSVwx3YFK1aVWTiPvgzZLyPDuf_6cVcxlfd8v9yBfmBHNi8DV28_jLDdmeHnANXRoFKfiHlFx-FiwJhJ4ck/s320/kareen%2527s+dream+catcher+mandala+journal+page.jpg" width="222" height="320" data-original-width="1109" data-original-height="1600" /></a></div>
<p> I created the dream catcher to represent my dream mandala... perhaps I have had a dream about a mandala, but I don't remember it.
frangipani househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15634245827522892836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8764681706374201293.post-75069982738592421552017-02-10T23:29:00.000-08:002017-06-08T01:49:20.771-07:00The Great Round - Creating Mandalas - The Void
<p>Mandala - The Void
<p><center> Into the void of silence, into the empty space of nothing, the joy of life is unfurled. C.S. Lewis </center>
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgvNZLNxtV-Pl9JJDgMFGHiXLcriSU7m9hxWFt2v1R9GKD5v6MLix5nM_VRuu-3Bng3fE14kJEt8Qp9Oe6myUZ-BiqJCnaWqdDgfziOM9dl5ISZEZDcw01MTwngGnyFYF0VCtDPkl3z7w/s1600/the+void+heatwave+day+mandala.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgvNZLNxtV-Pl9JJDgMFGHiXLcriSU7m9hxWFt2v1R9GKD5v6MLix5nM_VRuu-3Bng3fE14kJEt8Qp9Oe6myUZ-BiqJCnaWqdDgfziOM9dl5ISZEZDcw01MTwngGnyFYF0VCtDPkl3z7w/s400/the+void+heatwave+day+mandala.jpg" width="392" height="400" /></a></div>
<p><iframe width="500" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vfDDDRRDrF0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<p>Come with me and explore The Void while listening to Daniel Ketchum's amazing music.
frangipani househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15634245827522892836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8764681706374201293.post-44252647833125553232017-02-05T22:21:00.001-08:002017-06-08T01:49:33.244-07:00Creating Mandalas - The Great Round - Bliss
<center>"Each person’s life is like a mandala – a vast, limitless circle. We stand in the center of our own circle, and everything we see, hear and think forms the mandala of our life."
<br>~ Pema Chodron</center>
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg71SP9XiYnrdroGGhptmcdT__XAKC7vNz5X0rB9UpfYuf8IZi6DPmeFPJLjfr1Ybh7WKQJn84Tx2ic09R3g7d_GMFbq7MjV434CZA7RF6xbPpaXxSfuq0DhMF7s0c7K0RklbbmAQHgMG0/s1600/ocean+bliss+5.2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg71SP9XiYnrdroGGhptmcdT__XAKC7vNz5X0rB9UpfYuf8IZi6DPmeFPJLjfr1Ybh7WKQJn84Tx2ic09R3g7d_GMFbq7MjV434CZA7RF6xbPpaXxSfuq0DhMF7s0c7K0RklbbmAQHgMG0/s400/ocean+bliss+5.2.jpg" width="400" height="202" /></a></div>
<p> I think that we are so lucky to be living here in Port Macquarie, the natural beauty is quite stunning. Last night hubby and I stopped in at the beach to see the last of the sunset. The sky was a golden orange and hot pink. Dolphins jumped in the waves. It truly was blissful standing there appreciating it all.
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVHIgnbYoc4xoXdhdA_ZEU9Qao7iI6OoAicKxXLn3OXt7oP-z30iNugHHhav-LAVToVCvIOBsHZNPR00wEqa10Uswv46kJBthey9IV_h4ij5eZuYL6aLbxTj_7fEQk-s1ai38g1YEN0Tk/s1600/mandala+bliss+6+2+17+watercolour+on+sketchpad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVHIgnbYoc4xoXdhdA_ZEU9Qao7iI6OoAicKxXLn3OXt7oP-z30iNugHHhav-LAVToVCvIOBsHZNPR00wEqa10Uswv46kJBthey9IV_h4ij5eZuYL6aLbxTj_7fEQk-s1ai38g1YEN0Tk/s400/mandala+bliss+6+2+17+watercolour+on+sketchpad.jpg" width="400" height="299" /></a></div>
<p><center>Mandala - Bliss. </center>
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Rfs-P6Fpvt5_oruzFHKVk0co5MC2RG30DS5Nh3TtkXVIuYcEwF3AvO8cQl_lrTHI633CiBJobRSe_1lwYDgcL0bE8uq7b5FVe_f20oy0gcQPtG3CcbQGhiBlleGHQalyvi0-NHlyWX8/s1600/what+is+bliss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Rfs-P6Fpvt5_oruzFHKVk0co5MC2RG30DS5Nh3TtkXVIuYcEwF3AvO8cQl_lrTHI633CiBJobRSe_1lwYDgcL0bE8uq7b5FVe_f20oy0gcQPtG3CcbQGhiBlleGHQalyvi0-NHlyWX8/s400/what+is+bliss.jpg" width="400" height="304" /></a></div>
<p>Listening to the gorgeous music of Daniel Ketchum and journaling on Bliss. What do you find bliss - full?
<p><div style="position:relative;height:0;padding-bottom:56.25%"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qJpI0ymwstE?list=PLchX1pc8PZxcuzBQvaMVrYFxkpCV5dHJP?ecver=2" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" style="position:absolute;width:100%;height:100%;left:0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<p> The next step to create a mandala that captures the swirls and movement of the sea...
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOBndqlay3HvottQPjq4EHAIZHoj3GRmrB5C8D8crk3MpPTx_DFEI9tuwaifiCbL8ehOULockDvsApe-BfXz_oi5TSJIwEugyQY45MXJoUOI7IKcCmSe4PG_VSBk1eoAv78vOdSyK_G9s/s1600/bliss+preparation+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOBndqlay3HvottQPjq4EHAIZHoj3GRmrB5C8D8crk3MpPTx_DFEI9tuwaifiCbL8ehOULockDvsApe-BfXz_oi5TSJIwEugyQY45MXJoUOI7IKcCmSe4PG_VSBk1eoAv78vOdSyK_G9s/s400/bliss+preparation+.jpg" width="400" height="382" /></a></div>
<p>Creating a Bliss Mandala with Inks and a secret ingredient. It is so much fun to create these, swirling and playing.
<p>The next step after creating the mandala shapes applying them to the journal page.
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU_gG9rD5CbOXL-1I69HWS9D_Vb45Obk7R7rC_H4OiUf1FBFat5qkkudWd9IInQUQVsgwEYbOK7gwzin8C9qT2JxcvdzQvY7MANCERdnwnA8wQzR4VMwelOBmYAjCxBrjFOfmmtvG2B18/s1600/preparing+bliss+mandala+journal+page+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU_gG9rD5CbOXL-1I69HWS9D_Vb45Obk7R7rC_H4OiUf1FBFat5qkkudWd9IInQUQVsgwEYbOK7gwzin8C9qT2JxcvdzQvY7MANCERdnwnA8wQzR4VMwelOBmYAjCxBrjFOfmmtvG2B18/s400/preparing+bliss+mandala+journal+page+.jpg" width="314" height="400" /></a></div>
frangipani househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15634245827522892836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8764681706374201293.post-84783560072249352152017-01-06T17:57:00.000-08:002017-01-06T18:20:52.364-08:00Begin Where You Are
<p>"Begin where you are with who you are. In order to go where you want creatively, you have to start somewhere. And that best place to start is precisely where you are." Julia Cameron Walking In This World.
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggq_M_qcCoS7-a_M21i-k7m9oNYWmE8TGP-ugHOMtjQazcWCRkhZ2ApH94-Twt7ZglLsKKA_L-aAmRikoPIZclUM9AJXsTJT-XyskbojOhfSBl_ru9xcMCwSDePpUBpLq6Ua5LCTe98k8/s1600/begin+where+you+are.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggq_M_qcCoS7-a_M21i-k7m9oNYWmE8TGP-ugHOMtjQazcWCRkhZ2ApH94-Twt7ZglLsKKA_L-aAmRikoPIZclUM9AJXsTJT-XyskbojOhfSBl_ru9xcMCwSDePpUBpLq6Ua5LCTe98k8/s400/begin+where+you+are.jpg" width="400" height="292" /></a></div>
<p>I'm always inspired by those artists who have spent the hours sitting and sketching, the ones who don't do it perfectly. I find people such as Danny Gregory very inspirational, and have at times done little sketches, but never made a commitment to 'everyday'. This year I am starting out with a little sketchbook and doing something from my everyday. I invite you to join me...
<p>This is an art journal group I admin on facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/artjournalist/?fref=nf"> Art Journalist Mixed Media </a> if you'd like to join in and post pictures there.
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdxEI6hKf-ULjChauFoEz_3EHSHUoQ5pLw2QX9aHA_kHoXPHSbdZxd5O0q06zqIjXyJfeiA11C3-eICEOty_oDqSTz_UL9IP165KytD1ybezg1CUra0btMc4VuAFtEo10HS0n8goWLGEQ/s1600/lighthouse+cafe+cleveland+point.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdxEI6hKf-ULjChauFoEz_3EHSHUoQ5pLw2QX9aHA_kHoXPHSbdZxd5O0q06zqIjXyJfeiA11C3-eICEOty_oDqSTz_UL9IP165KytD1ybezg1CUra0btMc4VuAFtEo10HS0n8goWLGEQ/s400/lighthouse+cafe+cleveland+point.jpg" width="400" height="329" /></a></div>
<p>If you happen to be in Cleveland Queensland, visit <a href="http://www.lighthouserestaurant.net.au/restaurant/">The Lighthouse Restaurant</a> ... we had a fantastic experience dining there... And, i's a gorgeous place to sit and watch the sunset - byo a delightful dinner companion/s to share the experience with. frangipani househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15634245827522892836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8764681706374201293.post-61617920420426276292017-01-01T18:04:00.000-08:002017-01-01T18:04:57.690-08:00New Year 2017<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3OXTnUvfRUnH5zHEsgLJSPoBuGBFqe3-EHKQzaEKVyEQUfose8PWx_xin0oNOC1StDpFgl1vll9U1fsGoTGgVuJ9uNj6e4PFkOvIlNZhXhNE-3SxFoYpV0Zg5avLIebSbLYHHBks4-p8/s1600/a+new+years+invitation+to+contemplate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3OXTnUvfRUnH5zHEsgLJSPoBuGBFqe3-EHKQzaEKVyEQUfose8PWx_xin0oNOC1StDpFgl1vll9U1fsGoTGgVuJ9uNj6e4PFkOvIlNZhXhNE-3SxFoYpV0Zg5avLIebSbLYHHBks4-p8/s400/a+new+years+invitation+to+contemplate.jpg" width="400" height="371" /></a></div>
<p> A New Year - May it be one full of Creativity, Abundance and Self Care and the occasional Adventure thrown in. With that in mind I decided to continue along the Artist's Way path, and work through Julia Cameron's other two books in the series, and again, ask others of like minds to join in. First we will be focusing on Walking in This World, and then Finding Water.
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiWDO6RwsODa1CRP3_-433XzgmNnBKzDK8wVhtKTsJrqC6XZpCap83BTNFqTIhOmY9lIWd0z-OazRbrmLcOwdfBU1I4ZNYVWJfjHu71sQg5PHfVHYskziIfmHgrX2xD0DeGn7csglnh9M/s1600/we+need+windows+walking+in+this+world+week+one.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiWDO6RwsODa1CRP3_-433XzgmNnBKzDK8wVhtKTsJrqC6XZpCap83BTNFqTIhOmY9lIWd0z-OazRbrmLcOwdfBU1I4ZNYVWJfjHu71sQg5PHfVHYskziIfmHgrX2xD0DeGn7csglnh9M/s400/we+need+windows+walking+in+this+world+week+one.jpg" width="305" height="400" /></a></div>
<p>If you would like to join in, here is the link to our facebook group... <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/theartistswaycontinues/">click here </a>
frangipani househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15634245827522892836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8764681706374201293.post-47674679924172943382016-11-27T19:46:00.002-08:002016-11-27T19:46:30.454-08:00Artist Date Forster
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCN6XM3c-ou8Erfj9fYKvRhmPCcFTF9eqiDikrzS1bD7Pw-vnbFa_7TlxseT1EK3jlESW7eZ05xs-BIc4TKOAd9VqeuzeriIRnPjyJgUazxv9UTB89U1e5uruvlCFXCuWr6dxpw5GC36I/s1600/forster+beach+pool.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCN6XM3c-ou8Erfj9fYKvRhmPCcFTF9eqiDikrzS1bD7Pw-vnbFa_7TlxseT1EK3jlESW7eZ05xs-BIc4TKOAd9VqeuzeriIRnPjyJgUazxv9UTB89U1e5uruvlCFXCuWr6dxpw5GC36I/s400/forster+beach+pool.JPG" width="400" height="299" /></a></div>
<p>We had a gorgeous afternoon dancing Salsa at Forster and watching the waves from the deck. This is the view we had over the beach pool. I grew up on Sydney's northern beaches and we were so lucky as kids, to have fabulous ocean pools like this one to swim in. There is a move on in Port Macquarie to persuade the council to build us one here. If you are in favour, there is a petition going around, do sign it if you get the chance.
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR760n1xA8IPRv4XVwYRd4CEm80L8VtFTXBnsvFtZnKc5YiOCRogyz_bbMAwXJ1u_s9TsFRS42tdR8RlBZC29Jy4xFC1oiYb9kqjB6ES8s8Dd5n59KoOaALBn6vuPtzgwc2WcLUajCArs/s1600/foster+street+art+beach+foster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR760n1xA8IPRv4XVwYRd4CEm80L8VtFTXBnsvFtZnKc5YiOCRogyz_bbMAwXJ1u_s9TsFRS42tdR8RlBZC29Jy4xFC1oiYb9kqjB6ES8s8Dd5n59KoOaALBn6vuPtzgwc2WcLUajCArs/s400/foster+street+art+beach+foster.jpg" width="400" height="289" /></a></div>
<p>After a fabulous few dancey hours, I wandered along the beach and was delighted to discover some street art on the wall.
<p> <a href="http://salsafootprints.com.au/classes-events"> Click here to find out about Salsa in Forster or Port Macquarie </a>
frangipani househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15634245827522892836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8764681706374201293.post-13775152784940304162016-11-18T18:21:00.000-08:002016-11-18T18:30:16.172-08:00Written on the Wall<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVM0Bk1S6Ez5cpoZSBGN_rXOV6WlOi1S8zbHqshY9uyvFJUwWpaP9MEURS6iPVU6d6dgqMeIbA2BNgtrvTwSkjbaUZUw71pOvfuBR-stwgbaxDDjZIQmowVKJcTyxLasjwWR2btDexMnc/s1600/face+on+the+wall+the+seine+paris.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVM0Bk1S6Ez5cpoZSBGN_rXOV6WlOi1S8zbHqshY9uyvFJUwWpaP9MEURS6iPVU6d6dgqMeIbA2BNgtrvTwSkjbaUZUw71pOvfuBR-stwgbaxDDjZIQmowVKJcTyxLasjwWR2btDexMnc/s400/face+on+the+wall+the+seine+paris.JPG" width="400" height="300" /></a></div>
<p>Life is an artist date in Paris... simply walking along the streets fills your spirit. You never know if you are going to come across a wonderful building, an decades old book shop with mystical invitations ooozing from it, or artworks... big sigh...
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3kA4zZR8HpsprS-dGLUpd0w2hv_XyTz1QyA-6Bi1kDjbIYO6AZw0eEQGHdHcK7KiJcew1QEMJMX-0FHM2l3h8KO8f764VbhqjTUEPBHsL2WRer_8RtQNNYkKzgzSKIBX55WWPrLfiT6Q/s1600/artist+date+Paris.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3kA4zZR8HpsprS-dGLUpd0w2hv_XyTz1QyA-6Bi1kDjbIYO6AZw0eEQGHdHcK7KiJcew1QEMJMX-0FHM2l3h8KO8f764VbhqjTUEPBHsL2WRer_8RtQNNYkKzgzSKIBX55WWPrLfiT6Q/s400/artist+date+Paris.JPG" width="400" height="300" /></a></div>
<p>It is so much fun to be wandering along and to see the Eiffel Tower peeking out from the distance. This year we visited Paris for a month. We adored it and are hoping to go again next year to continue on our artist dates over there. In the mean time...
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2TOkkpQk7gb-MTN7RimpmdZWxQL-JgdhIbLWmpl-yoSSXs7d7tk3zPSmnEVeimldOhT2CWev1JF7S1q1nKHR2AWwgk6Jjq2hnDYfENOtarsC9WbdVciPwW7pnuXdGD9MAJb_f38OV7As/s1600/P8290244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2TOkkpQk7gb-MTN7RimpmdZWxQL-JgdhIbLWmpl-yoSSXs7d7tk3zPSmnEVeimldOhT2CWev1JF7S1q1nKHR2AWwgk6Jjq2hnDYfENOtarsC9WbdVciPwW7pnuXdGD9MAJb_f38OV7As/s400/P8290244.JPG" width="400" height="300" /></a></div>
<p>If you haven't been already, I hope one day you get to walk the street beside The Seine, and take it all in.
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF9PP7Nm09cRJwZi49bipMRvMUHGRHX0GLK9ThqfQ7EvdPDIXEtsZqh2iTcc0NmRVBmGk7mkXD3ujr9ZsAs2CgtV8z92wZ-HP3r4a31z6jUoYep6cAIYCVpa8vBZX6ryLurKPz4PW_EMw/s1600/P8290245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF9PP7Nm09cRJwZi49bipMRvMUHGRHX0GLK9ThqfQ7EvdPDIXEtsZqh2iTcc0NmRVBmGk7mkXD3ujr9ZsAs2CgtV8z92wZ-HP3r4a31z6jUoYep6cAIYCVpa8vBZX6ryLurKPz4PW_EMw/s400/P8290245.JPG" width="400" height="300" /></a></div>
<p>If you do, stop at Pont Alexandre for a treat at the Bistro, tell them we said hi. Better still, we'll meet you there for coffee.
frangipani househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15634245827522892836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8764681706374201293.post-81857337505303585382016-11-01T20:56:00.000-07:002016-11-01T20:56:44.150-07:00Day of the Dead - Día de Muertos
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3_2lRuVmyxAK_AxdMRg1l4CLLLEfFe-SpM8jmk40sx6TvP1dYhIg_cOV7lklgM-Rw5COs1bDItt-z2STDVULuU8jOImPipFZOBcAZ0a3ZX_2Qu98_M0mgRKQLHvXiw9kGX6HSnBf0g18/s1600/day+of+the+dead+october+2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3_2lRuVmyxAK_AxdMRg1l4CLLLEfFe-SpM8jmk40sx6TvP1dYhIg_cOV7lklgM-Rw5COs1bDItt-z2STDVULuU8jOImPipFZOBcAZ0a3ZX_2Qu98_M0mgRKQLHvXiw9kGX6HSnBf0g18/s400/day+of+the+dead+october+2016.jpg" width="400" height="290" /></a></div>
<p>
"Day of the Dead (Spanish: Día de Muertos) is a Mexican holiday celebrated throughout Mexico, in particular the Central and South regions, and by people of Mexican ancestry living in other places, especially the United States. It is acknowledged internationally in many other cultures. The multi-day holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died, and help support their spiritual journey. In 2008 the tradition was inscribed in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO." Wikipediafrangipani househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15634245827522892836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8764681706374201293.post-39336195989949964742016-10-13T02:51:00.000-07:002016-10-13T03:02:10.822-07:00Share Your Voice<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpGDf2kmV7MXS0nUm-o3UBr-qaXxj22QxNkSul8ejcQJo1GxQFxhMkVEJWnKNaruj68Jug0biyfM6X2Yd1hHxuQh20BXIMCbeMxe40FigvFg7iKMKNo-BwQn_43EdIIRQaVAMe9aB-D9s/s1600/alice+walker+quote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpGDf2kmV7MXS0nUm-o3UBr-qaXxj22QxNkSul8ejcQJo1GxQFxhMkVEJWnKNaruj68Jug0biyfM6X2Yd1hHxuQh20BXIMCbeMxe40FigvFg7iKMKNo-BwQn_43EdIIRQaVAMe9aB-D9s/s400/alice+walker+quote.jpg" width="400" height="400" /></a></div>
<p><center>There have been many posts this week on social media about the presidential election in the USA. One artist friend invited other artists to share their work with an uplifting quote. In case you didn't see that invitation, here is another one - you are invited to join in too. </center>
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhICGnXgM-HXkE1SGX-xMHfKBW7knWvvafiBNGVZWepZoPTNCX608MQinsgXTH3G3rH9od1ciA6H_dtspg08WbUAOpg7gNNaCp04ikQQgh8gPng5KJ_fhRQATxuZXroblUMSUN5u2pSxuk/s1600/susan-b-anthony-quote1-300x200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhICGnXgM-HXkE1SGX-xMHfKBW7knWvvafiBNGVZWepZoPTNCX608MQinsgXTH3G3rH9od1ciA6H_dtspg08WbUAOpg7gNNaCp04ikQQgh8gPng5KJ_fhRQATxuZXroblUMSUN5u2pSxuk/s400/susan-b-anthony-quote1-300x200.jpg" width="400" height="267" /></a></div>
<p><center>Weren't these women brave? Have you ever stood for something you believed in? I wish we could sit and have a cup of tea together, I want to ask you.. - what was it - what did you say - how did it feel - were you heard? Tell me more. </center>
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeK35ZHQtwYpAETUcHim2K8G9piWJuK5z2iI5m6HyJU4O-9gcEMcL5V38xk2n6kTrUhLEmCpI7X8HKe8d-zdDg9unnTFQV0lFNYtwAT7R7liJqdDJ-CVCQCNUrjqv1ZOGztIq26pT2QXk/s1600/women+have+to.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeK35ZHQtwYpAETUcHim2K8G9piWJuK5z2iI5m6HyJU4O-9gcEMcL5V38xk2n6kTrUhLEmCpI7X8HKe8d-zdDg9unnTFQV0lFNYtwAT7R7liJqdDJ-CVCQCNUrjqv1ZOGztIq26pT2QXk/s400/women+have+to.jpg" width="400" height="298" /></a></div>
<p><center>Are you willing to share your inspiration and creativity? How would you like our beautiful world to be? What do you see as a future for us all? How can we co-create this vision?</center>
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtv5pU6j9QCS251dH3nrZ8i_DGT86McPT9bMr4BfC5Xb42c4U56jlIhscEJFEHxOM2VD6AStBzpxGTnU1brQuWVwzJYspzJQqMGlfc6t8xX6XpWl5SUWNlY5NjT5JjUElROUYXbeuQwEY/s1600/whenever+your+are+creating.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtv5pU6j9QCS251dH3nrZ8i_DGT86McPT9bMr4BfC5Xb42c4U56jlIhscEJFEHxOM2VD6AStBzpxGTnU1brQuWVwzJYspzJQqMGlfc6t8xX6XpWl5SUWNlY5NjT5JjUElROUYXbeuQwEY/s400/whenever+your+are+creating.jpg" width="306" height="400" /></a></div>frangipani househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15634245827522892836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8764681706374201293.post-25151195566893389982016-09-23T21:35:00.001-07:002016-09-23T22:50:44.421-07:00The Art of Travel For the last few weeks, hubby and I have been busily wandering the streets of Paris, the halls of The Louvre, Versailles and many other wonderful places in France. We were offered a home in Paris to stay in for the month of August, and grabbed the opportunity when it arose.
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<p>As we wandered from The Metro station up to The Eiffel Tower, we were delighted to see this little friendly face from home, looming over us on a building.
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<p>It was the middle of summer when we arrived, and thankfully Paris wasn't yet in the grip of the heatwave that would finally arrive at the end of our trip.
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<p>We made our way to the Eiffel Tower, and found these gorgeous gardens and a rather beautiful merry-go-round, at the base of the tower.
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<p>Everything seems beautiful in Paris, from the Metro Signs to the street lamps or just wandering along the sidewalk.
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<p><center>On to The Louvre...</center>
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<p><center> Image above courtesy of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louvre#/media/File:Louvre_Museum_Wikimedia_Commons.jpg">Wikipedia By Alvesgaspar </a> click on image to enlarge </center>
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<p>Photo above: the base of the pyramid at <a href="http://www.louvre.fr/en"> The Louvre </a> Photo courtesy of The Louvre Website.
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<p>We found our way into The Louvre from The Metro station. The metro is a great way to make your way to any of the wonderful sights of Paris. The entrance via the metro takes you underneath the main building and you will find yourself surfacing under the pyramid.
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<p>Contrary to many of the warnings we had about large queues to enter The Louvre, the ticket counters underneath, had very few people lining up and those that were there moved quickly. There are quite a lot of automated ticket counters with well marked line barriers, so no pushing in to be experienced.
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<p> Sadly this beautiful fresco by Botticelli hasn't photographed all that well, the colours were stunning and the artwork one of my favourites from The Louvre. To see more of these frescos visit <a href="http://www.louvre.fr/en/oeuvre-notices/venus-and-three-graces-presenting-gifts-young-woman">The Louvre - click here.</a>
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<p>Winged Victory was amazing, the size and presence of the sculpture hushed the crowds of people visiting.
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<p>We and hundreds of other viewers found our way to The Mona Lisa... hubby managed to find his way to the front of the viewing rail, I got this close ;). I loved the photo that I captured of this fellow artlover dressed in red, we had a similar smile - or was that just Mona Lisa's influence?
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<p>Coming in a close second for favourites were the sculptures. There wasn't enough time to 'ooo' and 'wwwooow' over them. Again, the skill of the sculptors and the way the details are captured are truly amazing.
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<p>If you've been I'm sure you'll understand what I mean. If you haven't been to see them, I so hope you get to go one day.
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<p>Just look at that detail, I wouldn't have been surprised to see that foot move! Then again ;)
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<p>I wonder what lucky lady once sat here? I didn't have time to read all the details, we were really pushing ourselves to see what we did, in the 7 hours we were there.
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<p> A piece created in the 1500's - it still looked as vibrant as if it had been created yesterday.
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<p>So many treasures - and so little time to see them all.
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<p>"La Joyeuse"
The sword of Charlemagne is the only one known to have served as the coronation sword of the Kings of France. <a href="http://www.louvre.fr/en/oeuvre-notices/coronation-sword-and-scabbard-kings-france">Visit the Louvre to find out more - click here. </a>
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<p>The staircases that once Napoleon walked down, Louis the X1V
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<p>The Louvre has to be seen to be believed. Allow yourself many hours and days if you have the time to see just a little of what they have in the collection. It truly is awe inspiring.
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