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*

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:)

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*

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*

Busy days and ,odds and ends, and pondering

Hi all,

Speech night done and one more day until school is over for another year!!!!! Bring on the holidays!!!!! I so love love the summer holidays and Christmas time. I love the feeling of life and excitement and celebration and family and friends and holidays...............

Still getting Christmas organised though and I haven't wrapped one single presents yet....so hard to find the time with a precious 3 year old around.......and by the time night time comes I am also ready for bed and zzzzzzzzzzzz's!

Off to a wedding in Dunsborough soon and just had an Intimo party with a lovely friend of mine who I went to school with. I invited 20 odd people and only one person turned up!!!!!!!!! Lots cancelled, some forgot and others.....hmmmm ....off my Xmas list!!!!!!!! Only joking!!!!

Paintings for the Regional Art Gallery still underway!!! I am still working on the painting of Starzia and I am loving it. But I have reached a stage where I love it....but it has such a long way to go....but I don't want to spoil it!!! But I have to get over the luxury of having that feeling, be brave and get on with it! I believe in myself so I am sure I will enjoy the challenge and love it in the end!

Between painting I have been pondering.....and............................. it is so important to live life and not just let it flitter flutter or fly by!!! My father said to me the other morning to make the most of each day and of being young because it goes by too fast. He is right! It is so important to stop and prioritise what needs to be done and what you want to do and do what you want to do!!!!!
I even feel now the days running away with me and becoming one!!!!
That's why I find it so gorgeous watching my beautiful angel playing. Watching her experiencing life .................and moments and being so thrilled and captivated by it......and she teaches and inspires me to do the same. It really is incredible!!!!

So I am determined to make the most of these holidays....throw myself into opportunities and experiences that present themselves and challenge myself to be more courageous and hopefully more than once take myself out of my comfort zone and challenge myself to be and become a better person!!

So, in short, while I am doing all this, I will be away for a short while and will not be blogging or posting photo's or organising my etsy shop etc etc.......all things on my very long to do list. But I am going to put it on pause for a while and enjoy my daughter and the wedding and my family and Christmas.....my most special day of the year. I just love it!

So cheers to you all....I hope you have a very safe and exhilarating Christmas full of thrilling opportunities and adventures.

I will have lots of stories to tell you all....or here's hoping!!!!!!

Take care and talk to you soon.

Skye:) and Starz*

The Mid West Art prize!

Hi all,

The Mid West Art Prize 20011 is coming up shortly at the Geraldton Regional Art Gallery.
There is a prize pool of $45 000.

How cool is that!!!!!!!!

I have been spending my hours painting a picture of Starzia in the pool....a bit different to the photo in the last post! But very similar. So I haven't had time to sew or post up photos on my gallery or etsy shop, as yet, but I will get there.

Apparently there is a very strict pre-selection process.......I would so love to make it through and actually win something. That would be an amazing way to start the new year!!!!!!

Wish me luck!

Skye:) and Starz*

Lots going on!!!!

Hi all,

Lots going on..... Here is a 1 to 5 of our busy life at the moment..........

ONE
It is all going past so fast........and Christmas is just around the corner!!!
Please head over to www.donnaheart.com and order your Christmas cards before you miss out!!!

TWO
Starzia and I have snuck in another market stall and it went so well. So much positive feedback and sales. All good!!!!
The place was amazing and it was a lovely afternoon spent chatting and meeting new friends!




This was my little corner!!!

This was one of my own designs and one of the first items to go!!! I just love it!!!


This is the back of the dress, which when the child grows can become a skirt.



And the front. This lovely dress/skirt is made out of my very own fabric.....which is one of my children's paintings printed onto fabric, via Spoonflower!!!!!

If you love it please email me and I can make to order!!!!! The price of this dress/skirt was $45 AUS

THREE
The local ACDC gallery in Geraldlton is holding a GIFTED shop where all the local artists are invited to display and sell there works for Christmas. Very cool!!! The opening day is this Saturday at 10.00am, although I hear that there have been various sales already!!!!!!!

FOUR
A lovely friend of Starzia's just had her 5th birthday party and I was asked to paint this board for photos. How do you like the crazy clown???? Cute hey!!!




This was another one of my very own designs and the birthday gift. I love this one too!!!



How cute is my little model!!!

FIVE
The local Regional gallery is having an Art competition and I am thinking of painting my gorgeous Starzia....
Check this picture out!
Fun in the sun


So this is just a sneak peek at what we have been up to lately.
For everyone that is waiting for my to upload images of clothing and paintings onto the gallery and etsy....please bare with me.....they will be there soon.

I hope you are all enjoying the sunshine.

Skye:) and Starz*