Farewell June, welcome (Joy) July!
It’s official. The first half of the year is done and dusted and we are on the slippery slide to Christmas now (he he he). Welcome to July people and my birth month. It’s not a big one this year and it would normally go by relatively quietly but regardless, I’ve decided to use my birthday as an excuse to celebrate life for the entire month this year! Some people do Dry July (and good on you if you are) but I’m going to do “Joy July” instead (yep - made that up). They are not mutually exclusive either, so feel free to join me and please also use my birthday as an excuse for doing … whatever you like really; as long as it’s joyous!
Before we get into the newsletter proper, here is your monthly reminder to Feel ‘em on the first ladies! Make sure you give those boobies a feel and get any new bumps, lumps or changes checked by your GP. You know the deal so get to it!
Studio happenings
What a whirlwind June was in the studio! I think it can be summed up with … painting, painting, appointments, sick kids (urgh winter!), SYDNEY AFFORDABLE ART FAIR, appointments, kid birthday, painting. And that’s about as quickly as it’s whipped by too!
The highlight was obviously the Sydney AAF - it was such a hoot! We delivered works on the Wednesday night during bump in. I attended the Opening night drinks on the Thursday night and then managed to get myself over there at some point on Friday, Saturday AND Sunday and even managed to stay for a bit Sunday night to help with bump out (there is something VERY satisfying about removing screws from a wall with a drill!)
I had a very successful fair with all my colourful landscapes selling (including the very big 1x1.2m “Heather House” - which I really didn’t want to have to cart home, but at the same time, was sad to see go). It wasn’t the weekend for my blue landscapes though (perhaps it was too cold) and they are now in the Stockroom at Aspire Gallery in Brisbane if you like that moodier palette.
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Things I’m painting towards for the next few months include - two donated pieces (one for the school fundraiser and one for the local skipping club), a Pop it Up fundraising event at the end of July, a couple of school Art Shows and of course the Melbourne Affordable Art Fair (AAF). Plenty to keep me very busy, plus, school holidays in the middle of all that. Eeek!
New works
I just can’t stop painting these colourful abstracts! They are a great mix of crazy and sedate process and they are so much fun. I love being surprised at what appears at the end!
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Finding the path
I’ve been trying to monitor my internal thoughts more this month and that has been quite an eye-opener. Some people (probably me if truth be told) believe that our thoughts create our reality. And even if you don’t believe that, you’d have to agree that what we hear around us - others words and tone - can have an impact on our mood and view of life. So if that’s true, then I would say the same applies to the thoughts we’re marinating in in our own heads. I have found myself saying some pretty negative things in my head (and sometimes out loud) as I navigate raising three sometimes very difficult children … along the lines of “oh for f’s sake” “I can’t do this anymore” “I’m over it” “where did I go wrong” “I’m so tired” etc etc. Please tell me I’m not alone!
Anyway, catching myself has allowed me to turn it around a bit and talk to myself with more positivity and compassion. I can say “It’s ok. It’ll pass”, “I CAN do this” … “I’m the boss /bomb [insert your pump word of preference]” and “yeah, but how’s my new hair??” (I jest, but you get the picture).
Even reading those two paragraphs back to myself makes me feel different. You feel heavy and slow and arrgh reading the first thoughts and then things feel lighter and freer and funnier with the second lot! I think I’ll choose lighter please.
I also think that’s why painting is fantastic, because (mostly) I stop thinking altogether … except when I’m not happy with the result and then all those thoughts above can apply equally as well in the studio! And I need to turn them around in the same way “Actually, I can do anything I like” “there are no rules” “that’s not great, but I will rock again! one day!”
So during July, I’m going to:
look for joy and opportunities to celebrate life
continue to catch and change my thoughts
And breathe … a lot. Into the belly. It is school holidays after all. Four counts in, four counts out … and again ….. and again.
If you’ve got this far, thanks for being interested, liking my work and finding the path with me. And if you’re interested in purchasing any of the works shown, please just get in touch with me by email or using the message button below.
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Have a great July!