frangipanihouse-art.blogspot

Colour in with me - The Madonna

2011-11-28T07:43:00.000-08:00

Colour in with me. Journal page entry on The Madonna.

Dressing as Art

2011-11-19T20:52:00.000-08:00

If you love to paint yourself as a picture via your dress... you may like to view Advanced Style...

http://advancedstyle.blogspot.com/2011/01/more-beauty-and-style-secrets-from.html

2011-11-19T20:48:00.001-08:00

Wandering around the Arts Centre Gold Coast

2011-11-09T12:40:00.000-08:00

Wandering around the The Sculpture Walk at the Arts Centre at the Gold Coast, I was contemplating the nature of transformation and what that means to me.

As I was thinking about transformation, and how I would define it, I happened upon this sculpture.

Every side is fascinating. Is the person transforming into the wisdom of the owl or emerging from the tree?

Or emerging into human from owl?

ah the patience of the person who created this work.

I imagined the sculptor gradually chipping away and smoothing off...

rough edges...

did the figure emerge from the stone?

Or was there a plan to start? Did the plan evolve?
Oh the questions that went through my mind and still are.

I invite you to imagine sitting on the seat below,

and reflect on the statue and contemplate transformation.

Imagine...

Feeling the slightly rough edge to the stone with your hand and allow the stone to hold your weight as you rest from your walk.

As soon as I find out the sculptor's name I'll pop it in here.
Images taken at The Sculpture Walk at The Arts Centre Gold Coast
http://www.theartscentregc.com.au/art-gallery/sculpture-walk.php

I imagine we are all transforming each day

as we grow and move into different stages of our lives.

What about you?

What do you imagine and believe about transformation?

Are there areas in your life that you would like to transform?

Have you been through a transformation?

Halloween Art Matchbox

2011-10-27T14:05:00.000-07:00

Image prior to completion (I don't want to spoil all the surprise).

Warlocks, Witches, Bats and Goblins... muuuurrrggaghahhhha. A whisper of a cold draft on your skin, a dark shadow crossing your path, and you'll be wondering, is it All Hallows Eve yet?

It's been a fun swap at Milliande this month. Halloween is the theme and this creepy little box has now been sent off to the USA. The spider is a little beaded treat that I made and it lurks inside.

So many stories abound about Halloween and how it came into being.

Trick or Treat

I've read that trick or treating came from and old English tradition of beggars knocking at the door and asking for a 'soul cake'. They promised to pray for the dead of the house in return for the cake. Here's an excerpt from one article you might find interesting...

Soul cakes, a form of shortbread — and sometimes quite fancy, with currants for eyes — became more important for the beggars than prayers for the dead, it is said. Florence Berger tells in her Cooking for Christ a legend of a zealous cook who vowed she would invent soul cakes to remind them of eternity at every bite. So she cut a hole in the middle and dropped it in hot fat, and lo — a doughnut. Circle that it is, it suggests the never-ending of eternity. Truth or legend, it serves a good purpose at Halloween.
http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/civilization/cc0070.html

A Halloween Art Therapy Activity - Art Therapy Blog has a great art therapy for Halloween article if you'd like to read it... here's an excerpt

Halloween

The most consistent origin, and probably the most well-known, refers to Halloween as a way to honor the dead. It also signifies the end of summer and the end of the Celtic year…and the beginnings of a new one.

People were very superstitious back in the day and thus arose the idea that souls of the dead frolicked the streets at night. To keep the bad spirits at bay, treats were left outside to pacify the evil spirits. This led to how it works now, otherwise known as trick or treating.

To participate in the art therapy exercise go to:

http://www.arttherapyblog.com/art-therapy-activities/halloween-activity/#ixzz1c1Gl2ZIN

Jason deCaires Taylor Underwater Sculpture - real people can't live underwater

2011-10-17T22:21:00.000-07:00

I love being a member at Milliande community... today I was visiting a member's blog at http://monkeybuttonslobsterslippers.blogspot.com/
where I found a link to Jason deCaires Taylor's underwater sculptures...

View more of the amazing underwater sculptures at:
http://www.underwatersculpture.com/index.asp

You tube links:
Real people can't live underwater...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfunaMnkb1Q&NR=1

Blog hopping... Obvious to you, amazing to others

2011-10-10T22:47:00.001-07:00

I came across Kristin Dudish's wonderful blog http://kristindudish.blogspot.com/ when her little heart painting attracted my attention on Rita's also wonderful blog http://alatvianrita.blogspot.com/ after seeing a painting of Rita's that had attracted my attention on Milliande's wonderful community http://milliande.ning.com/

Anway... where was I... back at Kristin's blog... when I came across this gorgeous video that Kristin had... and I wanted to share it too, but for some reason my blogger doesn't want me to post it...

Now this may be obvious to you and if it is please let me know what I'm doing wrong so I can share it here.. but if you click on the link below you can watch it anyway... I loved this video by Derek Sivers - Obvious to you, amazing to others.

<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/25494440" width="400" height="225" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen allowFullScreen></iframe><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/25494440%22%3EObvious to you. Amazing to others.</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/sivers%22%3EDerek Sivers</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com%22%3evimeo%3c/a%3E.%3C/p>

Benefits of Art Therapy

2011-10-10T13:33:00.000-07:00

At sometime or another we all can experience feelings of anxiety or depression. As Dr James says 'we all need to manage it and get on with our lives'. If you enjoy reading about how art can help... you may like the following interview with psychotherapist Dr Chris James at http://www.arttherapyblog.com/

Art therapy is a very simple process of separating the thinking mind from the observing mind. When we think thoughts, they’re usually fleeting thoughts and we don’t give them a great deal of consideration. Very often we act on those inappropriately.

When we think about our thoughts, then we paint a picture in our mind. Now most people don’t use the observing mind…they don’t need to on a daily basis. But artists do because if artists didn’t use the observing mind, they wouldn’t be able to paint a picture.

So, it makes a very good form of therapy for people who are experiencing mental health problems.

Say things with colour and shapes

2011-10-09T21:30:00.000-07:00

I found I could say things with colour and shapes that I couldn't say any other way - things I had no words for. Georgia O'Keeffe

Mama and Baby Koala in our backyard today...

2011-10-07T22:44:00.001-07:00

Too cute - look what we saw in our backyard today - a tiny, tiny baby and not so big mama koala.

Bit hard to tell how little they both were in this.

The Arts Centre Gold Coast

2011-10-06T23:03:00.001-07:00

Outside the Arts Centre on The Gold Coast - how gorgeous is this mosaic by ____? OK help me out here - I've forgotten, please email me if you know!

2011-10-01T09:54:00.001-07:00

Anyone who says you can't see a thought simply doesn't know art.

- Wynetka Ann Reynolds

The veranda at Lennox by Kareen

The Artist's Creed by Jan Phillips

2011-09-30T21:17:00.000-07:00

'You are here to co-create the world - to add your vision to make visible what is not seen.'

Link to the Artist's Creed by Jan Phillips...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LZp9rQiibQ&feature=related

You are worth the time

2011-09-30T21:06:00.000-07:00

You are worth the time.. a video on why our art, our dance, our singing, whatever your creative practice... is important and worthwhile...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EaUb4zk0Ow&feature=youtu.be

'Your work is worthy of whatever time it takes' - Jan Phillips

Mixed media Green Fairy Collage Acrylic Newspaper

2011-09-28T18:18:00.000-07:00

“Dance, when you're broken open. Dance, if you've torn the bandage off. Dance in the middle of the fighting. Dance in your blood. Dance when you're perfectly free.” ― Rumi

Paint, Dance, Play Music, Love, Laugh.

Green Fairy dancer... mixed media - cut out from magazine, newspaper, sand, acrylic on canvas.

2011-09-28T08:11:00.001-07:00

“Inside you there’s an artist you don’t know about… say yes quickly, if you know, if you’ve known it from before the beginning of the universe.”
― Rumi

The ARt of BrEakFast

2011-09-17T19:13:00.000-07:00

The Art of Breakfast from DannyGregory on Vimeo.

Just saw this at: Athena - My First Bloggy

Weathered backgrounds for art journals

2011-09-11T16:18:00.000-07:00

I was about to share a great video from Millande, however, for some reason, my blogger doesn't want to show a video today... I may have used up my quota for the month... however if you click on the link below, you can watch Milliande creating a weathered background for your art journal on you tube...

Click Here

Milliande Art Community - come and play art, photography, art swaps, atc, journals - with us.
Milliande Link

Art Therapy and September 11

2011-09-09T16:17:00.000-07:00

"Our sorrows and wounds are healed only,

when we touch them with compassion"

Our thoughts and prayers are with all people whose lives were changed in New York and throughout the world this weekend...

In 2008 an art therapy program was started for September 11 first responders. The tenth anniversary is now here. From September 11-18 there is an exhibition entitled 9/11 Arts: A Decade Later. The exhibition will be open Sept. 11- 18, 2011 at 34 Stuyvesant Street, Barney Building, 1st floor Commons Gallery. The exhibition is free and open to the public. Gallery hours are: Sept 11, noon to 9 p.m.; Sept. 12-17, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Sept. 18, noon to 5 p.m. For more information, visit Steinhardt.nyu.edu.

Following is an excerpt from an article on how art therapy has been helping people after September 11... to read the full article follow the link...

From Brooklyn.ny1.com
For some, arts therapy offered a way to heal in the days and years following the September 11th attacks. NY1's Stephanie Simon filed the following report.

Acosta says through private and public grants faculty and graduate students were able to offer 9/11 related arts therapy to hundreds of adults and children over the years. Interestingly, much of the newer art work created focuses not just on grief, but also new emotions surrounding the anniversary and issues of 9/11 related illnesses.

"So we are also focusing on that aspect that that how the people who are not only emotionally and psychologically but also physically dealing with the problems," says Acosta.

The exhibition, which opens September 11, will take place in the first floor gallery located at 34 Stuyvesant Street. In addition to the artwork that will be on view there will also be some interactive components.

Julia Cameron - The Artists Way

2011-09-06T18:52:00.000-07:00

A few years ago now I came across The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron. One of the exercises that Julia gives you in the book, is to have an Artist's Date. It has been a fun exercise, and both my husband and I have found a new fun interest that we enjoy doing together. Over the years, we have made it a part of our travels to have an artist date, and while Julia asks us to have an artist's date by ourselves, I have found it also makes a fun date for partners and friends.

Julia has a wealth of teaching to help you access and develop as a creative spirit. If you would like to learn more Julia can be found at:
Julia Cameron Live.com

Click here to watch Julia

Divine Lady - from Shiloh Sophia's Divine Spark course

2011-09-06T11:42:00.000-07:00

I took part in Shiloh Sophia's online art course Divine Spark recently and this is my Divine Lady of Presence. These are the words written on the fabric...
Your presence is the greatest gift you can give.
If you dwell in the past or the future you will miss the moment.
Don't let yesterday use up too much of today.

Shiloh Sophia's amazing artwork and courses can be found at:Shiloh Sophia.com

Hand Carved Feather Stamp - by Geninne

2011-09-06T11:28:00.000-07:00

Stamp Carving from Geninne D. Zlatkis on Vimeo.

I was visiting Geninne's Art Blog this morning and watched this gorgeous feather stamp creation... you can see more of Geninne's art: here

What are you grateful for today?

2011-08-30T21:18:00.001-07:00

I spotted this image on Cheryl Richardson's facebook page... it is by Melissa

Black and White Art Challenge

2011-08-27T04:25:00.000-07:00

Today's artwork - Today I will be grateful for my many blessings...
I am learning how to paint faces at present, so I have set myself the challenge to paint lots of faces and see what happens, this is my first attempt at a face with eyes open. The text is from The Language of Letting Go by Melodie Beattie.

Idea from a Black and White art prompt challenge by Tam at Willowing - link on the side of this post - you can watch the video below...

Art Exercise from Milliande Community

2011-07-29T18:09:00.001-07:00

Here is an art exercise from Milliande Community... it's a fun exercise to do, and fascinating to watch all the variations that other artists create... if you'd like to join click here to go to - milliande.ning.com.

Espresso Yourself

2011-07-22T16:33:00.001-07:00

Playing in the art journal - ideas for an artwork

Trees for Life - 2011 International Year of Forests

2011-07-22T16:28:00.000-07:00

Trees for Life Exhibition
2011 International Year of Forests

The United Nations General Assembly declared 2011 as the International Year of Forests to raise awareness on sustainable management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests.

White Tiger under Tree Image by Kareen Fellows

Through the magic of Twitter and other social media tools, artists from around the world are coming together to create beautiful artworks inspired by their own natural environment. Each signed, original artwork is selling for only £45.

This is a fantastic opportunity to support a great cause and to own an original work of art. Moreover, every artist is very generously donating 100% of the sales to the award winning Scottish charity Trees for Life!

The United Nations declared 2011 International Year of Forests and this year Trees for Life aims to plant its one millionth tree! This would be an amazing achievement and we want to help make this a reality by raising £10 000 through this exhibition.

Trees for Life Exhibition

Before I die I want to...

2011-05-26T22:51:00.000-07:00

I loved this image from Candy Chang.com

Before I Die transforms neglected spaces into constructive ones where we can learn the hopes and aspirations of the people around us. It’s about improving both our physical spaces and our individual well-being. This process (including obtaining official approval from many entities) has been a great lesson – more on that later. If you’re in New Orleans, stop by the corner of Marigny and Burgundy (900 Marigny Street) to add your thoughts to the wall and discover what matters most to your neighbors.
To read the rest of this article visit Candy Chang.com

What do you want to achieve before you die?

Make Art Not War - success for people with PTSD

2011-05-23T01:38:00.000-07:00

Make Art not War

After carrying guns in combat, soldiers who return from Afghanistan and Iraq with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) would do well to grab paintbrushes and pencils. A new study has found that art therapy can help alleviate psychological traumas that come from the horrors of war.

While art therapy as a PTSD treatment has been examined before, no studies have previously investigated its effects on soldiers who participated in military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. “According to a 2008 report from Veterans Affairs Canada, 10 per cent of Canadian soldiers who’ve been exposed to war zones develop chronic post-traumatic stress disorder,” says Cheryl Miller, who completed her study as part of her master’s thesis in Concordia’s Department of Creative Arts Therapies.

Miller conducted her research at a government-operated veterans’ hospital. Art therapy was offered to PTSD-affected soldiers twice per week in group sessions, as a conduit to externalize recurring sentiments of fear, shame and anger. “Through art, participants were able to express positive feelings, externalize difficult emotions and gain insight into their PTSD symptoms,” says Miller. “Art-making fostered discussion and allowed veterans to show empathy for one another.”

Veterans who took part in the study were 28 to 56 years in age and suffered problems such as insomnia, nightmares, anxiety, hypervigilance, depression, suicidal thoughts, isolation, chronic pain and interpersonal problems. “All participants had served in the Canadian Forces and experienced various types of trauma,” Miller explains.

Participants made use of an array of art materials: paints, markers, charcoal, clay, Plasticine and images for collage. “They produced artworks based on themes such as anger versus tolerance, grief and loss versus new beginnings,” says Miller. “The aim was to give participants an opportunity to express their emotions and to explore their hopes and goals for the future.”

After each session, behaviour observation forms were completed by therapists and nurses. “All staff members noted how art therapy seemed to have a positive impact on participants,” says Miller.

Group dynamics were found to be a major strength of the study. “Through the process of creating and discussing art with peers, participants were able to open up and express important thoughts and emotions in an atmosphere of mutual support,” Miller says, noting groups appeared to be particularly useful in addressing issues of avoidance: loss of interest in pleasurable activities, feelings of detachment and a foreshortened sense of the future.

“Art therapy can engage the creative potential of individuals — especially those suffering from PTSD,” says Miller’s supervisor, Josée Leclerc, a professor in the Department of Creative Arts Therapies. “Art therapy is considered a mind-body intervention that can influence physiological and psychological symptoms. The experience of expressing oneself creatively can reawaken positive emotions and address symptoms of emotional numbing in individuals with PTSD.”

Miller has presented her findings at several conferences, including the 2010 meeting of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies. What’s more, the program she developed for this study has become a permanent treatment component at the hospital where it was tested.

With a high number of soldiers who return with PTSD following tours of duty in Afghanistan and Iraq, Miller stresses, creative treatment solutions must be explored. “Individuals with PTSD often have difficulty verbalizing their feelings,” she says. “Art therapy can complement other types of treatment for PTSD because it provides an alternative to verbal expression. Art therapy groups can provide opportunities for peer bonding and appear to reawaken positive emotions in participants.”

Source: Concordia University

Emergency Fair Dinkum

2011-04-11T15:02:00.000-07:00

Emergency Fairdinkum by our lovely friend Leanne Prussing - has been announced as a finalist in the Sulman Prize...
NSW Art Gallery - Sulman Prize

I want to touch people with my art

2011-01-28T15:48:00.000-08:00

I want to touch people with my art. I want them to say 'he feels deeply, he feels tenderly.'- Vincent van Gogh

Flowering Plum Tree 1887
View Vincent's work at the Vincent Van Gogh Gallery online - click here.

I wonder

2011-01-19T01:46:00.000-08:00

I wonder what Cézanne would think if he could see his birthday celebrated on Google...

Art Therapy for people with brain injury

2011-01-12T02:57:00.001-08:00

Art Therapy and Brain Injury -- powered by eHow.com

A sincere artist

2011-01-06T18:35:00.000-08:00

Art image of Wangi Girl by William Dobell taken by John Woudstra found at The Age

'A sincere artist is not one who makes a faithful attempt to put on to canvas what is in front of him, but one who tries to create something which is, in itself, a living thing'. William Dobell

A sincere artist

2011-01-06T18:29:00.001-08:00

'A sincere artist is not one who makes a faithful attempt to put on to canvas what is in front of him, but one who tries to create something which is, in itself, a living thing'. William Dobell

Long Shadows

2011-01-06T18:22:00.001-08:00

This is an artwork called Long Shadows by Anneke Silver, I attended a workshop with Anneke last year, if she is in your neighbourhood, jump at the chance to learn from her.
Click here to visit Anneke Silver.com

when you love the giant

2010-11-19T12:29:00.000-08:00

How gorgeous is this picture? It is called when you love the giant... it is from Deviantart.com

halloween art therapy activity...

2010-10-18T16:23:00.000-07:00

I thought I'd share the following post from Art Therapy Blog - here is a snippet, if you'd like to read more the link is at the end of the post.

A Halloween Art Therapy Activity

Let’s start by thinking of all the negative energies or influences in your life.

Think about any negative people, events (recent or otherwise), or anything else that has had a negative impact on you recently.
Take all these negative “pieces” and imagine each of them has a spirit.
Take a moment to forgive these negative spirits in your life, if only for a short period, and focus on what you would offer these spirits as a peace offering, or a “treat” if you will.
Ideally you create something that you can give to each negative spirit, but if you have too many negative spirits to treat, then think of something you can give to all of them.

Alright, now feel free to be as creative as you like. I might suggest trying something different and going with a Halloween-ish theme for your creation…maybe using pumpkins, leaves, or construction paper and crafts, or even just incorporating the colors of fall. But if you’d like to draw or paint in pastels, that’s good too! Good luck forgiving those negative spirits and Happy Halloween from Art Therapy!

don't say i love you unless you mean it

2010-10-15T20:39:00.000-07:00

You really shouldn't say "I love you" unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget. ~Author unknown, attributed to an 8-year-old named Jessica

if the coffee pot

2010-10-14T14:52:00.000-07:00

if(pot.coffee=EMPTY) {programmer->;brain=OFF}; Author Unknown

blogging is about discovering your inner voice

2010-09-29T15:13:00.000-07:00

I was just looking at Pam Carricker's Artful Blogging this morning and the message is just wonderful (you'll have to visit to find out what it is) as well as Pam's art - so inspiring - people often ask me, 'why do you bother blogging?', and I have never been able to share properly why I find it so fullfilling. I can tell by the blank looks after I tell them what I like about it, that they don't understand what I am talking about. I think you have to be a blogger or have visited blogs to understand. I enjoy writing myself and adding my artwork, but I also enjoy visiting a wonderful network of artists and journalists, home makers and food writers, who share some of their day-to-day creativity online. It's being a part of an online network of people that I would never have met otherwise. A glimpse of life in another country, that would have remained unknown to me. A teacher that I would never have met before. A friend that would never have crossed my path.

"Blogging is about discovering your inner voice, finding your own path, experiencing growth, and sharing what you learn with others." Pam Carricker
Artful Blogging

art offers space

2010-09-28T04:47:00.001-07:00

'What art offers is space - a certain breathing room for the spirit.' John Updike

mandala - freedom to grow

2010-09-23T18:24:00.000-07:00

This is a mandala based on freedom to grow that I drew, as I was working through Susanne Fincher's book Creating Mandalas.

art junk serenity prayer

2010-09-21T01:40:00.000-07:00

I love this prayer I just read at Artjunkgirl's blog...

God grant me the serenity
to accept the fact that I can't make every room in this house a craft room:
Give me courage to clean the studio I have;
and wisdom to know the difference.
Love, Artjunkgirl

click here to see ART junk Girl's blog

art journal

2010-09-19T17:49:00.001-07:00

Loved this art journal... on you tube

paper house

2010-09-19T16:50:00.001-07:00

Random blogging looking for how to make a cardboard castle I came across this you tube video...

collage a day

2010-09-16T23:27:00.000-07:00

Magic Wand image by Randel Plowman: http://acollageaday.blogspot.com/

I love random blogging, and finding a treasure each day... This is the latest treasure I found when I happened across Randel Plowman's blog, A Collage a Day. Randel sells his collages on his site, and if this one was still available it would be on it's way to me right now. But it's sold sad for me, I love this little magic wand image.

art - just another way of keeping a diary

2010-09-14T14:59:00.001-07:00

Pot with Indigenous Art by A.L Barlin

The pot in the picture above means a lot to me - it is a pot my father painted. My dad spent a lot of time in Darwin and New Guinea during WW2 and during his quiet times painted and sketched. This is the only piece of his art that I have and it is really precious to me. My dad's pot reflects the time he spent at Katherine Gorge. He told many stories of the min min lights and his time with the local people there. This piece of artwork reminds me of those stories. His words of advice when I wanted to start painting was; 'well do it... don't go to art class, just get some paints and paint'. So I did, and in the process have had lots of fun.

There is a quote by Picasso that says 'painting is just another way of keeping a diary'. I know that the artwork that I have painted reflects my journeys in recent years. I think buying artwork is another way of keeping a diary as well - a piece can really speak to our inner selves as we look at it. Even though it may mean something totally different the buyer than what the artist intended. My artwork shows pictures of homes and Hawaiian women, of prayers and food - I am always fascinated when I listen to what others see in it and how it shows me a glimmer of their inner life.

art plates

2010-09-14T14:57:00.001-07:00

This is a plate I painted some years ago now - I learned from Suzi down in Sydney. Suzi now owns a gorgeous Japanese style shop that is adjacent to the The Buddha Belly restaurant (click here to for a online tour) in Terry Hills and is selling some of her work there. If you are visiting there, stop in for a coffee and have a calming walk through the Japanese garden, listen to the little waterfall, chill out in the zen rockery, be inspired, and visit her shop, you'll be in for a real treat.

video by jan phillips on making art

2010-09-13T18:08:00.000-07:00

Video by: Jan Phillips.com I saw this on
Creative Workshops.ning.com

food for the soul

2010-09-13T17:38:00.000-07:00

collage - first layer food for the soul

Finally found an art journal that can take gel medium and paint. It came from India, is only $6 and is sold in Target. I am off to buy some more today. This is the first layer of a collage I am working on - the magazine pieces came from an old Inside Out Magazine.

installation piece floating bowls

2010-09-11T19:53:00.000-07:00

I was just visiting Alicia Tormey's Blog and was fascinated with the you tube video of the bowls shown here...

relax and enjoy life

2010-09-11T19:36:00.001-07:00

art journalling on small canvas

I hope one day I'll end up with an art journal like some of the others I have seen online on you tube... this is a start

Too cute owl to make

2010-09-03T16:50:00.001-07:00

I just found this gorgeous scrappy owl to make...

From KidGiddy Blogspot

Fairy doors in trees

2010-09-03T16:26:00.000-07:00

No great artist ever sees things as they really are. If he did, he would cease to be an artist. Oscar Wilde

I was so glad to read this quote, I went to a drawing class, with a certain local teacher, and we took our sketch pads with us into the wilds of downtown Laurieton. Well we had to draw a tree, gnarly wonderful old tree it was, and as I sat drawing, I started to draw a fairy door into the tree. Well did I get into trouble. "Only draw what is there" I was told as 'he' took my pencil off me, grabbed the eraser, and rubbed out my door.

Poor soul, he couldn't see the door in the tree. (I didn't go back for another class.)

a painting is what you make of it

2010-09-01T22:43:00.001-07:00

A painting is what you make of it, besides which, 'Moon, Weeping' has a better ring to it than 'Paintbrush, Dripping.' Robert Brault,

lying in bed drawing on the ceiling

2010-08-31T20:49:00.000-07:00

Lying in bed would be an altogether perfect and supreme experience if only one had a colored pencil long enough to draw on the ceiling. G.K. Chesterton

my frangipani life

2010-08-30T17:33:00.000-07:00

"What makes me is a project developed by the Australia Council for the Arts and invites us all to think about what art adds to your lives. Part of the challenge is that for many Australians, 'the arts' is associated with images of snobbery and inaccessibility.

We want to encourage people to see that art comes in many forms, and that school bands, amateur comedy and circus are every bit as artistic as classical music and oil painting.

We want you to show what it is that you like about art by creating your own art cube. As everyone's cubes are combined, we will gradually be building Australia's largest collaborative digital story.We want to demonstrate that the arts are a powerful agent of change in our lives: they enrich our society and make Australia a better place to live, celebrating and defining us as Australians, as communities and as individuals."

my frangipani life: "from the What Makes Me website..."

the human heart

2010-08-30T02:39:00.001-07:00

painting is just

2010-08-29T00:19:00.001-07:00

Painting is just another way of keeping a diary. Pablo Picasso

2010-08-24T22:08:00.001-07:00

When my daughter was about seven years old, she asked me one day what I did at work. I told her I worked at the college - that my job was to teach people how to draw. She stared at me, incredulous, and said, "You mean they forget?" Howard Ikemoto

Doorway with climbing Frangipanis

2010-08-12T04:08:00.001-07:00

Cross

2010-08-12T04:07:00.001-07:00

Behold I send you an angel to guard you on your way

2010-08-12T04:03:00.001-07:00

Art work done for christening

Dance me to the end of love

2010-08-12T03:49:00.000-07:00

Guitar still life -

words 'dance me to the end of love' leonard cohen

Hawaiian Angel

2010-08-12T03:47:00.001-07:00

conception

2010-08-12T03:45:00.001-07:00

Painted with a prayer for a couple to conceive.