Gallery Visit: Know My Name: Australian Women Artists

It was oh so nice to be back in the National Gallery of Australia, viewing art again, as my last visit was probably 12 months ago. Know My Name: Australian Women Artists 1900 to Now (Part 1: 14 November 2020 to 4 July 2021), is a wonderful exhibition that contains old favourites and now some new ones too.

Some of my favourite Australian women artists are; Clarice Becket, Stella Bowen, Ethel Carrick, Grace Cossington Smith, Olive Cotton, Grace Crowley, Rosemary Gascoigne, Lola Greeno, Fiona Hall, Joy Hester, Nora Hysen, Emily Kame Kngwarreye, Tracey Moffatt, Margaret Olley, Margaret Preston, Thea Proctor and Violet Teague.

My favourite part of a gallery visit, is stopping in front of an artwork, to really take it in. I love to absorb how a painting is created; medium, colours, brush strokes, line, movement, texture and layers. While contemplating a painting I'm reminded that, it is okay to leave the lines from the paintbrush hairs on the canvas for viewers to see because these lines are part of the painting's story. 

How am I going to be creative today? : Listening to Spirit

While journaling I asked spirit, "How am I going to be creative today?"

The answer was, "Blue Sky, blue sky, blue sky. Paint blue sky."

My initial response was, "But I need to do blah and blah first."

And spirit replied, "But you asked me, how were you going to be creative today? I gave you an answer and now you want to leave it to later?"

Me, "Mmm the other stuff isn't time sensitive, it can wait. I should listen to my spirit, my inner voice, my muse, especially since I asked."

With the decision to paint made, I could feel the energy rising. A feeling of flow. I went into the studio but it felt too dark and removed from nature. I chose instead to take my studio outside, to paint blue sky on three canvases that have been under my desk for more than twelve months. 

What a joyful moment...mixing blue and white on the palette and adding it gradually to the canvas. I wonder what the next step will be? I have no clue...I'm being open to the possibilities.  

Joyful Moments: Baking a Mushroom Ricotta Tart

Living a creative life can be filled with joyful moments.

Sometimes saying no to things makes space to say yes to other things. 

Here is a moment in time that I listened to my spirit. A voice in my head encouraged me to bake a mushroom and ricotta tart. 

As I baked I nourished my spirit.

As I ate it nourished my body.  

Journaling and Photos

Today I began a new addition to my journal pages, photos. 

I have been wanting to add images of things that I reflect on while journaling but I wanted it to be quick and easy. I didn't want to have log onto my PC and then print photos. The light-bulb moment was the idea of using instant photos - polaroids like photos.

After some researching I decided to take the plunge and buy a Fujiflim InstaxMini LiPlay camera and printer. 

The LiPlay model allows me to;

• instantly print photos with the added bonus of being able to choose which one to print (it doesn't have to print each photo you take)

Intention Setting for 2021

I have chosen several ways to set my intentions for this year.

Word of the Year: Nurture

My wish for 2021: Nurturing and Creativity. I choose to nurture myself by living a creative life in 2021.

Dream list for 2021: Some of my dreams this year are centred around our new part-time home (apartment) in the NSW South Coast town, Gerringong. I am deep in the creativity flow of decor; choosing furniture, crockery, curtains, pillows, rugs and right down to the type of light bulbs we will use in the lamps. Some items chosen will be new and others will be secondhand. 

Oracle cards: I randomly chose cards from the Wisdom Oracle deck, one card for the year and a card for each month. The over arching card for 2021 is 'Treasure Island'.

Affirmation cards: Several years ago I wrote a list of affirmations using the wisdom I had learnt up to that moment in my life. Like the oracle cards I randomly selected one card for the year and each month. The over arching card for 2021 is: I am happier and stronger when I follow my dreams.

I would love to hear what is your word of the year, wish, oracle card or affirmation is for 2021? 

Morning Recharge

I love to start my morning by recharging the soul, body and the mind.

Today my morning began with some light tidying up around the house. I like the feeling I get when the house is tidy. The spaces feel ready for whatever will happen next in the room. For me it is an aesthetics feeling, the pleasure and a calmness that everything is ready for the day.   

With the tidying done I felt ready move into my morning ritual. This ritual grounds me and prepares me for the the day ahead. My soul nourishing ritual consists of;

• lighting a candle
• putting on some background music (often some Enya)
• prayer/affirmations/oracle cards
• journaling

During today's journaling session I reflected on the concept of routine vs ritual. It was a rabbit hole of thoughts and ideas, thinking about the automation of an action and the intentions behind an action which makes an action part of a routine or a ritual.

After my deep dive I nourished my body with a yummy breakfast and my mind with a little light reading.

Inspirational Quotes: Journaling helps focus my thoughts and brings peace to my soul.