Suffering for their Art

Some time last year, when the boys and I went to a regular learning playgroup, they had their first go with paints. I was so excited! I imagined them being fascinated, still, natural artists. I watched the other new mums with their 9 month old babies having these beautiful bonding moments over the one thing I looked forward to, almost more than anything. 

Immediately the reality and stress set in. 

While I had Hendrik, someone took Willem, who eventually started to panic and was not a happy camper. So I took Willem, someone else took Hendrik and then Hendrik proceed to try and eat as much paint as possible. 

He was rather upset as you can see. 

I was gutted. I went home in tears and had another cry later that night. Somethings never quite go as planned. Or hoped. Or imagined. This was one of the many moments that went on the list of - "If there was only one". I'm sure other twin/multiple parents have this list. It's sort of a sad list. It's a hard list to forget. There have been many things added to it so far. 

Co-sleeping. 

Breastfeeding.

Easy trips around town.

More art time.

More nudey bum time. 

Regular walks on the beach.

Coffee dates.

It goes on.

But as I've had to deal with a lot of things I've never imagined, I've learnt to work around it. Since this time, we've had quiet reading time with both boys on my lap. Trips around town, coffee dates, things like that. It'll all work out in the end. And yes, we even have art time. Of course restrained to high chairs and washable markers, but it's awesome. 

I know someday that list will be tossed out as the list of  - "So Cool, because there's TWO!" finally begins to gain momentum. I love this list!

Stay positive! It happens, slowly, but it does happen!

Have a great weekend!!!

xoxo

Dirt and worms

Yesterday, we cleaned out from behind Jacob's little shed. Beyond all the Wandering Willie, the random bits of rotten timber, a barn door, and a giant iron scrolled window bar... We found worms. And lots of them! 

There is actually concrete behind that little shed, underneath about 4 inches of solid dirt filled with any amazing amount of healthy worms! In our fantastic recycling fashion, we moved the dirt into our newly developed garden beds around the deck. Score! And we can now have the back of our shed again! 

Here are some photos of the rest of our adventures this week!

A lovely morning walk with the Dog Tales - Awoohooo!

Gardening and some recipes.

 Still Granny Squaring away and some new doodles.

Coolness today as we are going to be heading over to the Botanical Garden for a bit! I'm super excited! I haven't been there since my first ever trip to Welly! 

Have a good rest of your weekend!!

xx

Week One in Wellington.

Back in New Zealand.

Early for the Rugby. South Africa vs. Wales RWC 2011.

Slightly cold and damp before the match.

Wellington from the dog park.

Lucy Dog.

Our soon to be 'hood.

Kia Ora. 

Soooooooon! Not that I am stalking our house or anything...

After the hail storm...

We've had a good first week here in Wellington. I've had some time to get myself a little more acquainted with a great city. So far - some place that I love ...

• Wellington City Library - This is an amazing library. Everyone, including the staff of the Citizen's Advice Bureau, is so helpful and nice. There is an immense amount of resources, books, periodicals, videos, and music. Of course having a view of the harbour while looking up some great craft books or some fiction is always inspiring. And access to the CBD's free wi-fi connections is always helpful for emailing your mother from far, far away whilst sipping your soy flat white... (Did you get the email Mom??)
• Minerva (Cuba Street) - THE Textile Bookshop that everyone should stop if they are in Wellington. They have the largest and best selection of craft, fabric, knitting, textile, fashion... the list goes on... that I have seen in this hemisphere! And of course, seeing the Meet Me at Mike's book there will make everyone's day back in Melbourne!
• Knit World (Cuba Street) - So many choices! So many colours! So many ideas! While they have a lot of imported wools, they have a lot of New Zealand made wools that may be pure merinos, or a mix - check out the merino-possum-silk blends! Fascinating! 
• SaveMart - As a seasoned thrifter, I cannot recommend this shop enough! We were able to hit up the Porirua store and I was quite impressed. Think Savers on Sydney Road, but about 50% larger and just as cheap! I was able to pick up a couple vintage dresses (from the costume section of all places) and a pair of jeans for about $35.00 NZ. Brilliant! I think I'll be making the drive out to Porirua on a regular basis!
• Vincent's Art Workshop - Now THIS is a great place! Vincent's is an open studio where you can use their space and have access to their art supplies during most business hours. Every Thursday is a Women's Only Day, this is when I was able to pop in to check it out. There is such a huge sense of community that is just astounding. They do have certain classes and workshops that you can attend for a small fee, and there is also at least two tutors on hand to help. I was very excited to see they have a woodworking shop, clay and pottery and their own kiln, mosaics, painting, drawing and a whole heap of other things to get your hands dirty. I'm going to try and attend a couple of their life drawing classes in the next couple weeks. 
• The French Art Shop - The best way to describe this art shop is stated on their website... "A cross between a chemist shop and a lollie shop for artists." How true is that statement? Oh so very! After just popping into Gordon Harris's up the road, I came across the French Art Shop and  found myself in love. 

And on a silly note - yesterday while on our way to an appointment, we saw the Springbok Prop, Tendai Mtawarira aka BEAST hanging out on the streets of Lampton Quay! Very cool to see some international Rugby players around town! Loving this city right now!

Etsy Treasury Lovin'!

Thanks to Tamara for including my print in this gorgeous and inspiring Treasury!!!

via tamaralove1@ Etsy 

Back at it on Etsy!!

It's been a while since anything has been posted to our Etsy Shop... so here we go!

Emma (Detail)

There are a few original drawings there, as well as some prints. 

If you would like to see anything in particular, please let me know.

xo

A Giveaway for some Great Tweeps!

I am so amazed and happy!! 

We're 6 people away from 200 followers on Twitter! You lovely people rock! 

As soon as we are able to hit 200 - I will be giving away a signed print of Mina to a lucky follower!! 

Get to it kids!! Make me proud!! 

Some small scale sketching...

I have been working on small sketches lately. Mostly A5 and under. 

It's nice to just get them out of my system, but am almost ready to start going bigger again.

Also, just a reminder - the Because I am a Girl Fund-raising Exhibition will be opening this Wednesday night at SmartArtz Gallery in South Melbourne. Hope to you see you there!

New Zealand.

As you know, New Zealand has been hit by some incredibly hard times. 

I am auctioning off a few prints on my Facebook page for the NZ Red Cross to help with the rescue and recovery efforts. They need all the help and support they can get.

ALL proceeds from each item successfully sold will be going to the New Zealand Red Cross. http://www.redcross.org.nz/

Please, dig deep! 
Every single cent will be going to the New Zealand Red Cross to help everyone affected. Spread the love in anyway you can!!

Auction prints and details are here...

Auction of prints for the New Zealand Red Cross 2011 Earthquake Appeal

one of the prints up for auction...

My heart is breaking just thinking about the people and the city lost to the earthquake. 

Thank you so much for your support.

xoxo

Strange Creativeness.

Warning – bit of a ramble…

For the last week or so, I've had my head stuck between a canvas and my paints.

I've really found a new way of working that seems to suit me. It's hard to describe. It's hard to explain without sounding nuts. But I've been delving deeper and deeper into what I feel like is a past life. My childhood. My sisterhood. And my frankness about life in general. I will say, it’s therapeutic.

My sister and I have been through some odd things in our lives, as individuals and together as a couple of troublemakers. And lately, I have been missing her immensely. I love to think that maybe in our sisterly link – we still know what each other is feeling and thinking, but with more than 10,000 miles between us, you can never quite tell.

So, here is to getting lost in the woods, pet chickens, inflatable purple Easter Bunnies, matching dresses and burning houses. 

I love you Leigh! Hope you are well... 

xoxo

Happy Friday! Weekend Plans...

Tonight. Mos Def.

Thank you to my old friend, Andy, for hooking all us of up with this one!

Saturday. Drawing.

I'm not keeping within the lines. More on the Blue Knights video later.

Sunday. Time with friends and family and the neighbourhood animals.

The view from my office/studio.
This is our neighbour's goat.
She has a kid as well, soooo cute!

And MONDAY!!! Finally!
Two words.
Sufjan. Stevens.
*sigh*

Happy dances were had by all when I received this in the post!

I am super excited for this show. I feel like I've been waiting years to see Mr.Stevens play live.
Can. Not. Wait!

Image via Wikipedia

Have a safe and happy weekend!!!
xo

A new drawing in the works

A rose by any other name...

Juliet

More Treasury Goods

Thanks to RelyDesign!

Yay for Etsy Treasuries!

Thanks to ButterfilesWing for including my Elizabeth Bennet drawing in this gorgeous Jane Austen inspired collection! 

I've recently put up a few original drawings on good old Etsy.. Let me know what you think!

Have a lovely weekend!!
xx

New drawings on RedBubble

Very happy to announce some new bits and pieces on RedBubble.com! 

While you can only get prints and cards on RedBubble, I will be selling the hand drawn originals on my Etsy site. Please let me know if you are interested in purchasing any... 

xoxo

Some Etsy Lovin'

Hey kids!
Hope everyone had a fantastic weekend!!

We had a big and busy few days! Our gorgeous friends are getting married on Halloween, so this weekend was the Hen's Night and Buck's Weekend festivities!!

Let's just say - good times were had by all!

Monday mornings are always nice to wake up to an Etsy Treasury and a blog post of some of my crafty bits and pieces..

I'm loving loving loving this treasury!!! Gorgeous!!

Thanks to Adictaaloscomplemnts

 

Thanks to handmadespark.com

Also, my Port Melbourne Button from Etsy was on handmadespark.com for this article featuring Melbourne and Victoria crafters and artists.. Some great shops mentioned! Check it out!

See you soon!

xo

Fancy Neck-wares...

Here are a couple previews of my work at the BSG right now...

xo

Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!

To everyone that made it out Friday night for my exhibition opening! 

The support was really lovely and slightly overwhelming!

I wish I had taken more photos from the show, but that's ok. 

Thanks again!!!!

xoxo

2 weeks to go!

Actually.. Less than!

I picked up some of the invites provided by the gallery yesterday, painted five frames and continued to work on a couple more drawings for the show... I hate cutting it fine, but I sort of expected it.

I'm so nervous! Really nervous! 16 years of the loop! But I'm much more excited this time!

I remember having my senior show at NFA. We were all going nuts trying to finish last minute paintings. This time it's a little worse. Not only have I been working the last couple months, where as before I had an entire year! But this time it's about 3 times the amount of work.

I'm happy with most of the work. Ecstatic with a couple and just sort of lukewarm with a mild touch of dislike of one or two. I keep thinking of pulling them from the show, but I know I've always been my worst enemy and critic. We'll see what actually makes it to the walls!!

Anywho... Happy Monday!! xo

Recent Etsy Treasury Listings

I've totally spaced out putting up some recent Treasury listings on Etsy!!

alice print listed thanks to godo

chemist print listed thanks to lydiasvintage

vintage passionfruit print button listed thanks to tomatotots

the queen print listed thanks to AmcPoelmanDesign


Thanks heaps!!!
xo

Recovery Day who knows...

Success!

Last week I went into my surgeon’s to have him take out all of the extra bits and pieces left in my nose.. Gross! And Ouch! But as soon as he was done, I could actually breath in and out of the left nostril! I know it sounds stupid, but holy cheese and crackers! What have I been missing all these years!

That’s what I get for playing sports… getting kicked in the face with soccer cleats when I was goalie, playing a forward for basketball and getting smacked in the face how many times, a bit of volleyball, lacrosse…

And let’s not forget the amount of mosh pits and stage diving… I can’t believe I waited so long!

Anyway, it all good in the hood…Bruising from the accident has mostly subsided, but still having problems with my foot, but I expected that. And the bruise from my IV has finally started to fade. Exciting times, I tell ya!

J is still working on the aquaponics system. He’s in the business of tweaking and fine tuning like a madman. And I know he is getting a little annoyed, but he’ll get there in the end.

The last couple weeks I’ve had off from work due to the accident and surgery, so I’ve been able to play house-wife. Its been a nice change from the chaos and stress at work. I’ve been drawing for the upcoming show and have made a lot of progress. I have about 10 drawings ready to be framed. I’m pretty happy with them. I would like to bust through another 5 in the next few weeks. We’ll see though. It’s tough to get something that I am truly happy with.

I think I’m enjoying drawing again, fully. Much more so than photography. Photography always seemed too easy. I look at the ratio of good photos to bad versus the good drawings to bad and I know I still can progress a lot more in my drawing and that is what seems to be driving me.

Anyway. Loving it!

So Happy Monday!

xo