The Week that was....

I have had a busy couple of weeks,  It is still wet and windy here in London,  but luckily every now and then the rays of sunshine continue to tease us of pastures filled with palm trees, the rushing back and forth of the waves and the soft sand between our toes....in the meantime its a toss up of deciding whether or not to dig out my winter wear and thick socks.  The garden is picking up and the Arboriculturist are trimming the trees outside the house which makes them look slightly bare at the moment.  

The neighbours cat still seems smitten with my garden and just comes over and sits on an old chair at the back of the garden sunning himself.  He still has an expression of disdain as if I have interrupted an important meeting.

I have been doing a mixed bag of things this week, alongside work. I love being in the studio, and  I have been working on some of the sessions in the 21 Secrets and will be sharing some of the art that I have been doing.  

After coming to the end of the 365 days of colour, I celebrated with having a massage.  I will be doing another challenge and be sharing some of the digital art work that I have been doing with my photography.  I will also be contributing to Motley Soul and Mika's Create in Faith Group we share our faith, our creativity and so much more!  Here is a page from my prayer journal.

Health wise, started doing some walking again, I also came across nutritionalist Daphne Cohn and I am taking part in her challenge.  She has a range of recipes that she will send you and they are delicious. I made one this week using the following:  

Handful of spinach, 5 x cabbage leaf, Half iceberg lettuce, Nob of ginger, Cup of water, 2 bananas, 1 pear, Fruit sweetener

All of this made 1.5 litres primarily because of the fruits and especially the lettuce is 70% water.  Daphne has got a 10 day challenge going where she sends you ideas and advice for a variety of green smoothies.  

Last week I gave a talk to a group of social workers about my role as a carer and was able to use some creative exercises to enable them to look at how they relate to different issues in their own life and the experiences that a carer can feel, it was interesting to be on the other side of the coin and get a different perspective of my role through their eyes and talk about the role in a positive light. I will be doing more talks and sharing some of the creative tools I have been using.

Our City of London Festival officially begins this weekend and there are over 100 events running until 27th July, I am hoping to go to a few and will share any pictures I take. The fun starts tomorrow with a tour of the Bank of England, and on Sunday running until 13th July - there will be 50 Street pianos just waiting to be played at a variety of locations around London.  

And finally, my son has finished his exams - a big WELL DONE goes out to him, routines have changed and there is now talk of learning to drive and A'Levels which he will be pursuing in September.  He has his Prom dance next week and went out and got a suit, he looks so mature in it, and has grown a bit bigger and currently towers over me at around 6ft 2.  Time has flown indeed.... 

Hope you have a blessed weekend!

Just Dance!

Every now and then .......  

Letting go of any insecurity that may be lurking in the dark and really see yourself for who you really can be, taking that leap and grab on to the opportunities that present themselves....and wave your hands in the air!

365 Days of Colour - Flower for the Day - 363 - 365

Celebration

There is a time for celebration, and if no one else will blow your trumpets, then blow your own, you have come this far, take a look back from where you travelled from and know that you have touched lives along the way.....

It has been a real blessing to be on the journey of the 365 days of colour.  I have been blessed to have been able to photograph some wonderful flowers, alongside scriptures and quotes that have blessed and inspired me.  I celebrate all those who have accompanied me on this journey and left comments, or just taken a peek.  I have developed my photography along the way and have a wealth of images that I am so looking forward to manipulating in one form or the other.  It is amazing to see how quickly the year has passed since my first post, and I look forward to starting another year long challenge!

Day 363

 Reflection

Celebrate your talents..

Quote 

As an experienced artist, I carry my work like a secret pregnancy. I am always aware of inner life and the need to protect it. ...Julia Cameron

Scripture 

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16

Day 364

 

Reflection

Dry off your wings and get ready!

Quote 

I haven’t a clue as to how my story will end. But that’s all right. When you set out on a journey and night covers the road, you don’t conclude that the road has vanished. And how else could we discover the stars? -- Unknown

Scripture 

The Lord is not slow about His promise...but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.  2 Peter 3:9

Day 365

 

Reflection

Your experiences made you stronger, use your strength

Quote 

Getting there is not half the fun—it is ALL the fun. ...Robert Townsend

Scripture 

The mountains may be removed and the hills may shake, but My loving kindness will not be removed from you, and My covenant of peace will not be shaken,’ says the Lord who has compassion on you  Isaiah 54:10

Because its a leap year this year, you get an extra flower!

Day 366

Reflection

Celebrate your blessings...

Quote 

The painting leads the painter, and it becomes an intuitive experience. ...Ardath Davis

Scripture 

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

Graze Box Recycled Journals

Got sent a graze box a while back which had an array of delightful snacks.

It came through normal post so there was no need to wait in.  After I finished it I decided to see what I could make from the packaging

With the small book you get with your first order I made a mini book with a wrap around clasp and will use this to be a little notebook

With the rest of the materials I made a bigger journal.  The box serves as the cover and I used a range of paper and tissue paper to cover this.  On the inside I used the tray that the boxes sit in as places where you can either put photographs or your favourite sayings, inspiration cards. 

. 

I used magazine and calender pages which were matt in finish and this made it easier to add paint and collage material for the signature pages. 

 

I will be using the bigger journal to do a series of images.  I will share more as I go along. 

It was great fun making the different items and great to see how we can reuse and repurpose a variety of things for creative purposes

Studio unveiling!

Finally....., drum roll, banners flying, bring on the trumpets and after a couple of weeks of organising, painting the walls laying the flooring, my studio is READY.  I’ve been busy I and still can’t believe its all mine.

I cleared the room and painted the walls.  There is lots of cupboard space which is great.   I also went out and got some flooring for the room, the carpet had been down for 13 years so was well due to be changed - laying it was easier than I thought.

On taking the bed apart and flipping it looked like it could have made some storage and surface space to have the separate work area, but it didn't quite work out so I got 2 smaller desks which as you know for Ikea furniture came flat packed.  Once I had assembled the first one the second was quite easy.  I really enjoyed getting all the parts to fit together and see the end result.

Just being in the space make me excited about all the things I will create.  I have been working through the containers and using the fitted storage cupboards to stack equipment.  The studio is beginning to feel like home and now I’m just doing the final nestling in.  It’s been great to be reunited with materials that were packed away and I’ve been busy experimenting.  

I want my studio to inspire creativity and be a space that I enjoy working in.  There is so much light that comes in the room.....here are some images

 Some of the fitted cupboards, came in real handy for storage

letting the light in!

My desk with some of the paints and brushes

my studio is ready and open for business!.  

There are a couple of tweaks here and there as I get used to where things and see if the work in the space. At some point I will do a mini video tour of the studio, blessings!

365 Days of Colour - Flower for the day - 349 - 355

Memories

We can all think back and remember those good and not so good memories.  What do your memories contain?, as we look back to our lives we need to focus on things that will propel us forward, and make changes for our today.

Day 349

  Reflection

Let yourself get the rest you need 

Quote

An artist is like a prophet. He must lead people and help them get acquainted with what he

sees. ...George Buytendorp

Scripture 

For in the day of trouble He will keep me safe in His dwelling; He will hide me in the shelter of His tabernacle and set me high upon a rock.  Psalm 27:5

Day 350

Reflection

What one thing did you do better today than yesterday – celebrate!

Quote 

Every day is a gift- bound out of bed with the enthusiasm of a child....Joye Moon

Scripture 

...if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father; Jesus Christ the righteous. 1 John 2:1

Day 351

Reflection

You have so much to be thankful for

Quote 

The need to be a great artist makes it hard to be an artist. The need to produce a great work of art makes it hard to produce any art at all. ...Julia Cameron

Scripture 

Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary.  Galatians 6:9

Day 352

Reflection

Take time to declutter your life

Quote 

Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength. ...Arnold Schwarzenegger 

Scripture  

He who loves his life loses it; and he who hates his life in this world shall keep it to life eternal John 12:25

Day 353

Reflection 

There are open doors waiting for you to go through..

Quote 

You are a child of God; your playing small doesn’t serve the world....Nelson Mandela 

Scripture 

Every word of God is pure; He is a shield unto them that put their trust in Him. Proverbs 30:5

Day 354

Reflection 

Don’t worry about the closed doors! 

Quote 

The meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances: if there is any reaction, both are transformed. ...C.G. Jung 

Scripture 

O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. Psalm 139:1 

Day 355

Reflection 

Think of one thing to be grateful for! 

Quote 

Merely looking at the world around us is immensely different from seeing it. ...Frederick Franck 

Scripture 

If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love...John 15:10

365 Days of Colour - Flower for the Day - 342 - 348

Upside down 

Sometimes situations do not present themselves the way we expect and we have to gain a different perspective.  Or you may be called to do things that you think you’re not ready for.  You have to step out of the box, shake things up and look at the situation with fresh eyes to really see what is in front of you..

Day 342

Reflection 
Just because you acknowledge the pain, doesn’t mean you are weak.... 

Quote 

You got to have a dream If you don’t have a dream, How you gonna have a dream come true? ...Rogers and Hammerstein 

Scripture 

Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins. Acts 10:43

Day 343

Reflection 

Hand it over to God, he cares for you. 

Quote 

You’ve made your bed, now go bounce on it....Peter Scott 

Scripture 

...Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Matthew 28:20

Day 344

Reflection 

All will turn out for good.. 

Quote 

The artist is the person who makes life more interesting or beautiful, more understandable or mysterious, or probably, in the best sense, more wonderful. ...George Bellows 

Scripture  

Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it shall be granted him.  Mark 11:23

Day 345

Reflection 

Why worry? 

Quote 

The primary benefit of practicing any art, whether well or badly, is that it enables one’s soul to grow. ...John Welwood 

Scripture 

For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous....Psalm 1:6

Day 346

Reflection 

God knows the desires of your heart.. 

Quote 

Whatever is received is received according to the nature of the recipient. ...St. Thomas Aquinas 

Scripture 

As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.  Romans 8:14

Day 347

Reflection 

Your path will be straight 

Quote 

We artists are the first to see the light at the end of the chaotic tunnels we all live in, and we dare to move toward it. ...Eleanor Blair 

Scripture 

I am He who will sustain you.  I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.  Isaiah 46:4

Day 348

Reflection 

Trust...

Quote 

The death of fear is in doing what you fear to do. ...Sequichie Comingdee 

Scripture  

..where the Spirit o the Lord is, there is liberty. 2 Corinthians 3:17

My Studio - Exciting News!

For a long time I have poured over the magazine 'Where women Create' being inspired and looking at the lovely studios of creative women all around the world.  From the corner of my kitchen table and my alcove space

 

and my over flowing boxes of supplies I dreamed of one day working in my own space, dedicated to my creativity and work.  Well the day has come, I have finally got a studio space, and I am so totally excited!

The box room in our house has become available and we have all agreed that I will use it as my studio and move all my things. - though Sekani and his dad did contempatle using it as a mini gym but creativity won the day!...I definitely have my work cut out for me and there is lots to do!  The great thing about it currenlty is there is a lot of storage and cupboard space which was built when my son used the room and I will be able to make good use of it

I want to do every thing now and get it ready, but realise that it will take time to get it how I want to.  I gave myself a week turnaround at least to get it set up and working.  Some of prorities include:

• Making the most of the natural light
• Having a couple of stations at least to be able to do different activities
• Letting the space work for me and have the most important things to hand
• Having space to leave work undisturbed
• Creating a space that I wanted to be in and inspires me

This is the space at the moment, I have cleared out most of the things and the next steps will be to:

• finish clearing the cupboards
• taking down the bed
• painting the room and changing the carpet

Having the window and getting all the light is such a blessing, and it will be great to get the rest of the house sorted along the way.  Anyway, blessings for the weekend!

Friday Tag... 11 Fun Facts... your it!

I have been tagged by Ella from Ellas Edge  ~ Her questions are fun and insightful. The Rules Are:

1. You must post the rules.
2. Post 11 fun facts about yourself.
3. Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post, and then create 11 more to ask the ones you tag.
4. Tag however many bloggers you wish.
5. Let them know they are tagged.
6. Have fun!!

11 fun facts about me

1. When I was 11 years old I used to stand on my parents balcony (we lived in a council estate) and I would sing at the top of my lungs hoping a music producer would hear me from his car and want to sign me up to his record label.

2. We used to own a minah bird called Charlie, he would mimic and would make sounds like a dog.

3. As kids we wanted a dog but only had one for a week and we called him Benji, but no one wanted to wake up early and take him for a walk or clean up his mess so that was short lived - having a bird was the next best thing!

4. I love plants, and did an experiment in my 20's to see how much talking and playing music would impact on plants. My Rubber plant and Swiss Cheese plant grew to staggering heights and when they started getting taller than the ceiling I had to stop talking to them!

5. I love marmite (vegemite)! Got a big jar in the cupboard as I type:)

6. When I used to travel to work by train it used to be packed with commuters also rushing to work. I would try to stand by the window and close my eyes pretending the breeze I felt was really a cool sea breeze and the stuffiness was the humidity of the warm caribbean atmosphere - a great way to begin the day!

7. I'm a 'power tools' girl! My dad encouraged us as kids to help out with the decorating, and I have always loved using drills, sanders and anything else that you can plug in or charge.

8. I can do wheelies on a scooter...well, back in the day the wheels were thicker and me and my brother were expert at jumping over walls (...ok small walls) but it was great fun!

9. I am great at organising clutter...other peoples, since becoming a mixed media artist I've found more and more reason to hold onto things, there is so much potential in recycling and upcycling things....I think I need my own studio (help!) ...news on the horizon :)

10.I have a great memory for faces - I never forget a face

11. I used to be involved in musical theatre and in my last musical I had to put on a harness and fly!

And now for my 11 questions from Ella: 

1. What is your favorite movie genre? 
I guess I like romatic comedys, happy endings and lots of laughter, I also like those old spagetti westerns my dad used to love them and we had to watch them as well there was no sky tv in those days, and staring Clint Eastwood and Lee Van Cleef - A fist full of dollars and the Good the Bad and the ugly come to mind...!

2. If you could have your life made into a movie, which actor would play you?  Why?
Angela Bassett, her face is really expressive and she puts her all into her roles

3. Do you believe in magic? 

I love being entertained by magic and trying to figure it out, I like watching Derren Brown, and Dynamo and see how they use illusion and showmanship in their acts........  I believe that life can be magical, special and inspiring, and my belief in God shows me there are so many things that we can't explain or have yet to understand.

4. What is your favorite movie treat?

Maltesers and sweet popcorn 

5. Where do you create?  Elaborate a bit.

My kitchen table, I've created a corner which for now is my studio space.  I dream of when I will have my own room dedicated overlooking the flowers and herbs in the garden and beyond that the mountains...

6. What is your favorite noise?

bird song, my son Sekani playing the piano...

7. Share something that you would love to do, but haven't yet.

I would love to go to an Art retreat and spend some time with inspiring women

8. Do you have a favorite song?

Lullaby of birdland by Sarah Vaugh.  It was also a song I would sing to my son as bedtime song.

9. Who is your favorite author or authors?

Octavia Butler, Ntozake Shange. Ann Petry, Roy Heath and Zora Neale Hurston are a few..

10. Do you believe in ghosts?

No, though there are some creepy places, my father used to talk of seeing ghosts as a child in Jamaica.  I believe in the supernatural and the spiritual realm.

11. Do you wish on falling stars?

No, and don't get to see too many in the UK but apparently the last meteor shower was the Lyrids on  April 21st 2012.  My dad had the record by Perry Como by the same name, he used to play this along with Jim Reeves, and the Rat Pack at the weekends

Now here are a few friends I would like to share the fun with - check out their site 

  It would also be great if you leave an answer to one or more of the questions


Cynthia - Prayer Notes     

Val - discerningchichi
Peaches - Conceive writing
Jo - Jo on Food, & the scent of Chocolate...
Julie - Empty Nest Insider
Debra - Dream Weaver

My questions are:

1. Do you believe in miracles?   

2. What do you do for creative expression?

3. What one piece of advice has stuck with you?

4. What advice would you give someone who wanted to explore their creativity?

5. What would your ideal place to create look like? Images welcome.

6. What are you most grateful for in your life?

7. Share something that you would love to do, but haven't yet.

8. What is your favorite song?

9. Do you have a favourite scripture?

10. What do you do just for 'you' on a regular basis?

11. What was the last thing you remember laughing out loud at?

365 Days of Colour - Flower for the Day - 335 - 341

Majestic

We think of grandure and giving reverence, less we think of whose image we are made in we forget our blessings and settle.  That fire still burning in our hearts gets put out and we live out our lives never realising our true potential, our purpose and our calling.  Was it meant to be just this? - on our death bed we will ask if we never take the leap

Day 335

Reflection

There is no quitting on my watch

Quote 

The art of art… is simplicity. ...Walt Whitman 

Scripture 

Do not be overawed when a man grows rich, when the splendour of his house increases; for he will take nothing with him when he dies, his splendour will not descend with him.  Psalm 49:16-17 

Day 336 

Reflection 

Cherish 

Quote 

Every one of us gets through the tough times because somebody is there, standing in the gap to close it for us. ...Oprah Winfrey 

Scripture 

What I have said, that will I bring about; what I have planned, that will I do. Isaiah 46:11

Day 337

Reflection 

Know your purpose 

Quote 

People who love art really do need it in the same way they need oxygen. ...Martin Zimet 

Scripture

...God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also .. 1 Corinthians 10:13

Day 338

Reflection 

Move pass the past and look forward to your best year yet! 

Quote 

An artist is not one who has solved life’s problems. He is one who accepts life’s problems. ...Anonymous 

Scripture

...whoever heeds correction is honoured. Proverbs 13:18

Day 339 

Reflection 

Your dreams are important 

Quote 

Everyone needs an identity of their own, not in relation to someone else… someone’s daughter, sister, wife, mother. “Artist” is mine alone. ...Janet Badger 

Scripture 

But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved.) Ephesians 2:4-5

Day 340 

Reflection 

What if your you could live a joyful life 

Quote 

Learn to get in touch with the silence within yourself and know that everything in this life has a purpose. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

Scripture 

He heals the broken hearted, and binds up their wounds. Psalm 147:3

Day 341 

Reflection 

Your dreams are important, support them 

Quote

Trust in yourself. Your perceptions are often far more accurate than you are willing to believe. ---Claudia Black

Scripture 

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your earswill hear a voice behind you saying ‘This is the way’ walk in it.’ Isaiah 30:21