Leanne Barrett

Friday 26 April 2024

Creativity: Week 17 2024 - Sharing My Artwork

Week 17: Creativity - I choose to follow my creative dreams. (SoulSistersToo - Creativity)
Intention Setting: Patiently take steps towards preparing for my up coming art exhibition - sharing my artwork with others.

Sharing my artwork...

In the past few years I have shared only a few artworks with the general public at group exhibitions. But now I getting closer and closer to sharing my artwork in a solo exhibition, Interweaving: Gerringong and Beyond. It will be the first time since February 2020 - my last market stall - that I have shown my artwork en masse.

This exhibition is part of am making my creative dreams come true. When I create art I express the natural beauty of the world around me and by exhibiting my work I hope that visitors to the exhibition will experience joy, connection and a curiosity for the natural world too.

Friday 12 April 2024

Creativity: Week 15 2024 - Showing Up

Week 15: Journey - I am on my own journey. I don't need to compare myself to others. 
(SoulSistersToo - Living)
Intention Setting: When you go in a new direction your path is unknown, there will be new experiences and things to learn. Keep going on this journey, look forward and over come any new obstacles.

Showing Up...

I am on a journey of showing up. I have a bundle of artworks that have not been shared and so I am holding an exhibition 31 May - 6 June 2024.

While on this journey, I remind myself that my exhibition does not have to look like other people's exhibitions. I am curating it, organising every aspect of it and I will be hosting during the opening hours.

I can choose what I artwork I want to showcase.
I can choose my exhibition theme and name.
I can choose to follow the conventions of exhibitions or not. 
I can choose to do as little or as much as I want. 
I will choose to follow the rules laid out by the exhibition space  manager so I can exhibit with them again eg. using white tack to add labels to the walls.

In the process of organising my first solo exhibition I am on a new journey; learning lots and overcoming all kinds of obstacles. And I am showing up.

Friday 5 April 2024

Creative Life: Week 14 2024 - Mindful Music Listening

Week 14: Listening - Listening to music gives me comfort and pleasure. (SoulSistersToo - Living) 
Intention Setting: Make time each day to listen to some music in a mindful way.

Mindful Music Listening...

I listen to music every day. 
I put music on for background noise while I work. 
I play music for creative inspiration.
I play music in the car.
Sometimes songs pop into my head as a response to the world around me. For instance when I watch the sunrise I think of the songs; Here Comes The Sun by The Beatles or The Morning Has Broken by Yusuf / Cat Stephens.
I pop on the radio when I have an afternoon rest or before I go to sleep.
My days are filled with music 
BUT
I do not tend to stop and listen to the music and the words 
SO 
This week I have set aside time to...
Listen to music in  in a purposeful and mindful way. 
To notice the bird songs I hear.
To be still and listen to music without doing other tasks.
To listen to a song's lyrics...and sing them too.
To feel the music's beat within my body.
To move my body with the music's rhythm.
To hear music consciously.

Monday 1 April 2024

Affirmations for April 2024

Affirmations for April 2024

Monthly Affirmation: Patience - Be patient. Make small achievable changes (SoulSistersToo: Living)
Monthly Intention Setting: Continue to follow my small and achievable life style changes. Reflect on what is working and what is not working.

Watching the Sunrise

Friday 29 March 2024

Creative Life: Week 13 2024 - Replenishing Energy

Week 13: Replenish - I give myself permission today to do nothing, so I can replenish my energy. (SoulSistersToo - Living)
Intention Setting: If I feel low energy I will replenish my energy rather than push through the feeling.

Replenishing Energy...

The wise woman within reminded me that I don't have to push on trying to do things when I have low energy. Instead I can take moments to nurture myself, recharge my batteries and then when I feel more energised I can continue with my to do list.

This week I have replenished my energy through;
  • a home facial - replenishing my skin
  • meditation - replenish my soul and rest my body
  • painting - replenishing my creative spirit
  • watching something funny, laughter - reducing stress
  • reading and completing a word puzzle
  • watching the sunrise and sunset
  • listening to music and podcasts
  • journaling

Friday 22 March 2024

Creative Life: Week 12 2024 - I Choose Me this Week

Week 12: Authenticity - I choose an authentic life. (SoulSistersToo - Soulfilled)
Intention Setting: Spirit, May I share my authentic self this week, where I do me, not what is expected of me. 

I Choose Me this Week...

This week I am choosing to listen to my authentic self. 
I choose to create or write right now, not in 30 seconds time because the bed "should be made". 
I choose to read rather than do the laundry chores.
I choose to replenish my energy with a nap or watching, The Real Housewives of Orange County, rather than doing items on my to do list.
I choose to have my main meal at lunch and not at dinner time because that's what we've always done.
I choose to spend extra time reflecting in my journal when I have an art exhibition to prepare for.
I choose to answer emails once in the am and pm, rather than answer emails as soon as they arrive in my inbox.
I choose to make connections with family and friends, and follow rabbit holes of my choosing, rather than following a social media thread selected by algorithms. 
I choose to create as my career.
I choose to work towards my first solo exhibition. 
I choose who I want to connect with.
I choose to listen to my inner child and follow the joy in life.
I choose a clam and slow path, rather than a busy lifestyle.
I choose to listen to my internal wise woman rather than external voices and seek external support when needed.

I choose the real me. 
I choose to make myself happy. 

Friday 15 March 2024

Creativity: Week 11 2024 - Flower Drawings = Joy

Week 11: Delight - I choose to do things that make me feel happy. (SoulSistersToo - Creative)
Intention Setting: Spirit assist me in doing things that make me feel happy and to notice what things bring me joy. 

Flower Drawings = Joy

Every now and then I do some little stylised drawings of flowers, both real and imagined. Drawing simple flowers like these brings me so much joy, I begin to move into a feeling of creative flow.

I encourage you too to play with a pen or any mark making materials you have nearby and see how many different flower drawings you can create.