Saturday, January 29, 2011

Style??

Hi all,

I have a friend who has been talking to me a lot about style lately.....and it got me wondering......do I have my own style and what is it??
I have been looking at other artists work and have noticed that so many have their own unique and distinct "look".
Then I got to thinking about my work.....hmmmmm.......
I feel like all my work is different and that their is no definite style that links all my work together.....I must confess that this feeling of doubt and wondering came from the rejection of my work in the Regional Art Gallery competition. Silly, I know, but it shook me more than I thought it would.
I started wondering the dreaded question....Am I good enough? One that I think I have asked myself my whole life!!!!!!! Do I really think that I am going to make my little business work? Really, little ol me????
Then, I did a little experiment......... I painted a painting without really thinking about it or what I was going to paint. I tried to do very neat, clean, crisp lines to see what happened. Very different to how I work normally.
I tried to be very neat and ordered and pedantic about all my brush strokes. I tried to keep my painting smooth...ie NO TEXTURE.... oh no!!!!!
And guess what....................it didn't work!!!!!!! I didn't enjoy myself, the process or the end result!!!!! Which got me thinking........again.........
Maybe I do do things in my own particular, quirky way.
Maybe I am a very free, expressive painter rather than an exact neat precise artist. And that's not a bad thing at all.
Maybe I love texture and line and need to explore these more.
Maybe I am my own unique artist and I AM GOOD ENOUGH!
So the answer to my question is YES!
I am good enough.
I am capable of succeeding.
I love what I do and how I do it.
I love painting.
I love my business and I can do it.
I love my process and realised that I do have one. The next thing is to actually word what that process is.....as I just instinctively do it and I now want to break it down as I do it, so that I can express my process in words, if any one asks???!!!!
I am so in love with texture and pushing the boundaries of using texture in painting and letting it explore out of the boundaries of a canvas.
I love my business and mixing art and fashion.
I want to see my paintings turned into material (some more) and paint on clothing and and and and and.......
And I am also going to write a children's story and illustrate it because I am good enough and I can do it!!!!

So if you ever find yourself asking yourself if you are good enough or if you can really do something....... always let the answer be yes! Then go about finding out how you are going to make it happen!

Happy YES days!!!!

Skye:) and Starz*

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

All a go?

Hi all,

Busy days still......

The most exciting news I have is that it is Starzia's 4th birthday tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't believe it!! Today was her last day of 3 forever.
She is so excited about her birthday, her presents and all her friends coming to her party......so gorgeous to see and share her energy and excitement.

Sad news is that I didn't get chosen for the Mid West Art Prize. It hit me harder than I thought it would. But as a gorgeous friend said to me it is only 2 peoples opinion. It makes you really think about yourself and your skill, talent and goals for the future. Where am I going? Why? How am I going to get there? Am I happy with what I am doing now? How can I improve? etc etc etc

But I have my beautiful painting of Starzia hanging in my house on my lounge room wall and I am happy:)

I will take a photo and post it in the next couple of days.

I have just finished wrapping presents for my dear one and am going to call it a night so that I am all ready for all the excitement and energy r=that I am going to need for tomorrow.


Happy Australia day to you all and Happy Birthday my beautiful, precious girl.
Never let life or events get you down or stop you fighting for or enjoying doing what you love. Keep doing it no matter what. Because life is all about being with who you love, loving and doing what you love and love doing it!!!!!

Skye:)

Friday, January 21, 2011

Getting there then aiming higher.....



Hi all,

Well I can breathe for 1 minute as my paintings for the Mid West Art Prize are in!!! YAY!!! What a busy and hectic time. I think I was still doing finishing touches the day before!!! Not that I am a disorganised soul....just a busy one!!

This is a photo of what I painted.


And here is my painting in the very early stages.......


I unfortunately forgot to photograph the final image with my camera, only my phone....so I will have to work out how to get that to screen.....?????


Then a friend liked my painting of Starzia so much that she recommended that I put it into the Doug Moran Portraiture competition. This sparked my curiosity so I had a look at the previous winners and entries into this amazing competition........WOW!!! You have to check it out www.dougmoran.com

I have madly decided to enter this incredible competition and paint another painting of my beautiful, gorgeous, inspiring and vivacious daughter. So that is next on my list. It has to be in Sydney by the 1st of March so I am once again going to be a busy woman. But I am so excited!

Here is another gorgeous photo of Starzia, that I am not painting, but that I love....look at her amazing eyes!!!



Well it is time for me to paint again...............so happy Saturday to you all.

Skye:) and Starz*

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Back again!!!!!!

Hi all,

Gosh time flies!!!!! I can't believe that it is the 14th Jan already!!! Happy New Year to you all!! I hope that it has been a happy and safe one so far.

Well Starzia and I have been gad-abouts.....we had a huge and delightful family Christmas. With sisters, brothers, cousins and more around to make the holidays special. Starzia had such a wonderful time having full time playmates!!!

My twin sister was so inspiring, as she loved everything that I was doing and gave me some beautiful comments, fresh directions and a little bit of constructive criticism!!!! All good!

Then we had a flying trip to Perth to say a sad fair well to my sister and Starzia's cousins....I must admit I shed a tear or two!!! Starzia hugged me tightly and told me "It will all be ok mommy, we will see them again soon plus you have me!" and "Your tears are spilling all over the place!!" Pat pat cuddle cuddle!!

Then we drove to Busselton and stayed with some dear, precious and special friends and we spent New Years Eve together watching the sun set over the point at Margaret River. The waves were awesome and the point was absolutely stunning. Starzia had an ball running around and rolling down the hill with her friend. I honestly don't know which was more beautiful to watch...the sun set or my gorgeous daughter having the time of her life!!!!!!

Then back to Perth with some more tearful goodbyes and then home again!!!

I have been madly trying to finish my art pieces for the Mid West Art Gallery Prize. Artwork has to be completed by 19th Jan at the latest so this has been my first chance to get back into the swing of things.

I can't wait to finish off these pieces and cross my fingers madly that I get selected!!!! I will keep you all posted.

Then I can focus on my precious business again!!!

I have made some wonderful contacts over the holiday period and can't wait to show you what I have in store for 2011!!!!

And yes yes my etsy shop is next on the list.........................such a very very long list!! Hmmmm!!!!

Then I also have Starzia's birthday coming up shortly!!!! She is Dora crazy!!! Oh to be 3 again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So much fun and excitement ahead!!!!! Yay!!!!!!! Love it!!!!!!

Skye:) and Starz*