To Art Class With Love

Inspiration can arrive like a whisper in the wind, a feeling of excitement followed by goosebumps, or as a vision in the dream state, a relaxing  moment, or when still and calm. When it does knock on your door be on the look out for synchronicity at play. 

Whatever method inspiration uses, take notice because from a lifetime of personal experiences it will move on to the next person who will bring it to life by taking action.

Synchronicity happens in magical ways though often recognised in hindsight.

During the latter half of 2020 I would hear the word painting somewhere outside of myself and would see works of art displayed on easels in my mind's eye. Back then art class was an idea floating in my head not yet my heart.

Returning from Darwin in early 2021 friends met me at the airport to very kindly drive me home. As we chatted enthusiastically (mostly me), free art classes in Bulimba were mentioned and I knew this was a sign leading me there. I thanked my friends for passing this information on though it took several weeks before I finally sat down and began my search for these classes.

 I tracked them down through the Art with Love Foundation website and found they're held in the lovely riverside suburb of Bulimba, 4kms from Brisbane's CBD.

Bulimba isn't close to where I live but I decided to go and attended my first Saturday morning class in February.

My decision to paint a 'simple' landscape on my small canvas (see left image) was anything but and  took 3 hours to paint one layer.

 Over the course of 3 classess Art With Love founder Steve Ninnes said for me to let go of control, 'easy for some' I thought as he stopped to help me with technique. Watching him use deft, flowing strokes on my canvas made it look so incredibly easy, which apparently it is if I could just let go of control and be in the flow.

Looking for non-existent perfection, my artwork remains incomplete and I've promised myself that I will continue to work on letting go of control and be in the flow.

Tomorrow I return for another art class, first stop the Fiddle Leaf cafe (image below) which is conveniently located next door, for a delicious flat white with soy. 

After my coffee? Well, it's possible my inner genius will rise up to the challenge and finally complete my artwork so I can chat more with the many talented artisans you can find here.

I might even see you there next week 😉

Highly Commended Award

Brace yourselves people, here's a little photography self-promotion coming your way.

I've been plugging away at photography for a while and have come within a hairsbreadth to giving it away. I mean, how many rejection letters can one take and before the ROE aligns with the ROI?

Never mind, I take responsibility for my actions or lack thereof. I'm passionate about photography so giving up was always an idle threat.

And happy I persevered. I was recently awarded a Highly Commended Award from the Snap Happy TV on 10 Bold, for one of my Brisbane fog shots - such a thrill and honour - thank you, thank you.

When I entered this competition, I chose my photo (similar to the one below), wrote a short summary, hit send and concentrated on the next thing.

Foggy August  morning in Brisbane

Then the unexpected happened and I received a Highly Commended Award.

Keep at it folks, you never know when your efforts will come home to roost.

Till next post - go for gold I say, now it's time for a flat white with soy 👍

Cheers,

M 📷⛾