So...after a long break from Design Teams and making art for me and others rather than for marks....
I have been selected to join the Gauche Alchemy Team..making me officially an Alchemist!!!
How seriously cool is that????
Gauche Alchemy has an awesome blog here..
Where you can sign up for their AWESOME Newsletter....
and they have the most wonderful, eclectic kits like this one:
I love what these gals are about.. its not just about themed kits... its not just a shop... it is a place to play.. a place to learn and teach and inspire and share....and these gals are real. Really, truly real. Art for them is as much a part of breathing as it is for me...
So it is awesome to be a part of what they are all about.
So come on, come on over and play with us...
Trust me...we won't bite.....
Not unless you want us too... *grins*
More soon.....
Debxxoo
Well, here it is, the eve of 2012...when we all sit back and reflect on dreams that came true,changes, good stuff that happened- bad stuff that happened, trials and tribulations of a year.
As is my way; I am compelled to write stuff down.
So here goes.
For me 2012 was a rollercoaster ride.
This year I left my hairdressing career behind and went to work for my dearest and oldest friend- helping her get her Accounting Firm off the ground.
I'm learning how to be an Office manager- and doing a Traineeship in Business Administration.Its incredibly different for me, and yes;
I slap my forehead every day.
But I think I am getting better.
Slowly.
My busted out shoulder is happy too. No more pain every day. Just sometimes.
I turned 40, watched my little girl fall in love for the first time, and saw my little boy continue on his journey into a young man.
I climbed the Harbour Bridge,and continued my art studies, all with my soul mate by my side.
I am evolving as an artist..and allowing it to happen.
I saw my parents seperate after 45 years of marriage, watched depression manifest itself in my family yet again, watched people I love hurt, and struggle and fight to stay afloat- or to stay here.
I watched a vibrant woman whither and weaken but not surrender.
I watched a very young man fight to the death with Cancer- and lose.
I watched friends near and far struggle with illness, and stuff that is way too hard to even imagine.
I watched people i know and love succeed beyond their wildest dreams; and gave myself time to reassess my own.
I watched the world go crazy time and time again.
I have watched people do amazing things- hard things- wonderful things.
I have watched people I love push me away and not know why.
I have learned that I am not invincible.
But the bottom line is. I am still here, and my struggles this year, too many to mention, are counter weighted with wonderful memories, happiness and triumph over adversity.
If there is one lesson I have learned this year- it is this;
"I am me, you are you, and whatever that means is ok by me."
Simple as that.
To every single person who is a part of my life... whether you are near or far...know that I am proud and honoured to be included in your life in whatever form that takes- and I wish you, from the bottom of my heart, the most wonderful, perfect and fantastic 2013 you could hope for.
"Here's to us!"
Love, Debxxoo
....and in honour of that fact..I thought I would share something on the ol' neglected bloggy.... just a few pretties Ive made this year...(Teamed with a little bit of last year) ...especially for my friend Peg..who says.."Give me images!! Lots of images!!".....so Peg..here ya go!!!
"Wings" was one of my SM Masters' entries this year.....
"Dream" was also a Masters' entry...
"A Fine Gentleman" was too....
This is my double layout that got a HM.....
This not so good pic is a layout I recently did at a camp in Tamworth..see the Imaginarium Designs feather??? so yummy....
This one was from camp too..... the sweetest puppy ever...
Yes..well...ahem....
My sweet niece Ceanna,
A couple of arches from last year....just because.....
A Grahic 45 and Collections chipboard shadow box...
Last years' SM Masters' HM.... LOL
And a couple of Tarisota works...........from last year.....
So...there you have it... what are you going to do today seeing as the world didn't end???
LOL..if you're anything like me??? The same stuff you were doing all year.
So..off to wrap some pressies and get ready for work!!!!!
More soon, my lovelies!!!xxDebxx
At times, life can be a mystery. Inspiration can run away with you..or, just run away. The beginnings of this unit VSW21 with Curtin (Observation and Perception)..well, I was having a moment.
The days of painting for enjoyment, and creating for the hell (and fun) of it have been missing for a long time. The thought of having 18 months more of slogging through life AND Uni assignments was getting the better of me.
However, with time, the projects managed to get me in- and although it might not be "my kind " of painting...going to Uni isn't about going and knowing..its about learning new things..challenges to your abilities- and making it an adventure.
Sometimes, I feel like a 2 year old in amongst a gallery full of Whiteleys and Monets, but so what right??? Like Elizabeth Gilbert says- 'dance anyway'. So, to cut a long story short, here are a few images from my exercise folio and art journals.
I have also been doing some writing units with Griffith uni. Last semester, I did "Creative and Professional writing", this term I'm doing "Writing the Short Story". Next term I'm doing "Writing for Children and Adolescents".
Yes, this girl wants to write a book.
Long before I fell in love with art- I fell in love with words. Even before I kept art journals- I always wrote stories and poetry. I always dreamed of writing books- stories that people would fall in love with.
For many years- I wanted to be a journalist. I gave all that up to be a hairdresser...(LOL)
Anyway, I have had some wonderful feedback from my tutors that tells me, 'well maybe perhaps this is where I'm headed'- I apparently have a (and I quote from my tutor) a "Natural gift for this"(WOW!!!)
So who knows?????I could fall in a big hole, or it just might work -Dance anyway , right????
Speaking of dancing anyway...I also want to shout out to a dear, inspiring friend...who is also a client of mine, (and has been for over 16 years)...she started her writing blog up this year.
Her writing is as inspiring as she is- so go have a look... (Note, the title of her blog is Seeking Wisdom- but the blog address is Seaking Wisdom..so Ive put it in my blog roll like that. Yes, I can spell...(sometimes!!)
Love to all...and until next post,
Dance, my friends, dance.
Debxxoo
This little layout was a labour of love- I haven't had the time (or the inclination) to sit down and scrapbook for almost 12 months- but sometimes someone special comes along and you just want to do something commemorative- (after one gets over the initial jitters that one may have forgotten how to scrapbook!!!!)...
So, I made this for my dear friend Sarah, her hubby Cam, and the most precious little boy , Riley James.
I have mounted this behind glass in a black frame, so Sarah and Cam can hang it on the wall in their home.
More soon,
Deb, (the see?-I-havent-forgotten-how-scrapbooker..LOL....)xxoo
So..last year I had a bash at the Archibald with a painting of one of my favourite artists....
Her pic has been tucked away behind a door in my house since then..(cause its HUGE!! and I only have half walls with a picture rail on which to put it).....
I was invited to take more of my work into the glorious Cafe 2340 here in Tamworth, so after some prompting by my husband..I altered her....
Truth be known, I was never really happy with her eyes.
So when I decided to add her third eye, and her mystical crown, and her mehndi on her face and hand...
I was amazed at how much more I liked it...and really, how much more it represents its subject.
*slaps forehead*. If only I had sent it in like this...but you get that.Live and learn, baby!!!
The words "Speak freely, write candidly, read endlessly" have also been hidden in the painting.
So true, huh??
Might need to ink those words on me somewhere, I think...
Love to all...
more soon.
Debxxoo
