it begins today

Today I saw an opportunity.
I didn't procrastinate I didn't um and ahhh. I asked for what I wanted, what I needed, and I got it. Time to paint or draw, time to find the artist in me again.

Aaron left the house with Circe in tow to pick up Eliza from kinder, and I didn't waste a minute. I knew how precious this time was, I got to work. I cleared our sun room. I washed the windows and floor in there, this room recently housed our baby chicks and it still smelt of hay. I moved a couple of tables in and set up my space.

I dusted off the paints, threw out the hardened crusty ones,I discovered I had next to no paper to draw on except the end of an IKEA roll of paper, have to fix that mighty soon.

My gosh I was home alone and I was drawing not doing housework, write this down I tell you. I did have one visitor, Calvin the cat that thinks he lives here. He sniffed and brushed up against all the new things he hadn't seen till now. I even wrote a corny note on my blackboard so as to trigger this feeling I have in me to start something today.

My first projects are a commissioned painting, something botanical for a nursery. Concurrently I will also aim to get out four pieces for an art show in November, and a donated piece for auction in the art show for my children's school. Oh and maybe even for a small run of my own fabric, is that dreaming too big? I think not!

It begins today.

Mother daughter side by side art

A while back I subscribed to Big Kids Magazine, it's a bi-annual magazine for kids. Its editor is eight years old! Made in Australia and sold in several countries, I believe.

This magazine is choc full of inspiring artwork made by some very talented little people. Many of the artworks are side by sides, an artist responding to a child's artwork. I think this is a wonderful way to really give children's art recognition and a platform with which to really celebrate their creativity.

I am always just blown away by the magazine, It has been well read and looked at this last week. Beatrix, my eleven year old, and I were inspired to create our own side-by-side artwork. When I saw what she came up with I was really impressed and I knew immediately what I wanted to have as my side.

She went off to bed and I sat there feeling excited but afraid of ruining her work. That pattern on the sort-of-kimono is just gorgeous, I thought could I do her justice? I know she enjoyed seeing my response and was intrigued by how I came to use the bird.

I think we will do a few more of these, I really enjoyed it.

If you'd like to subscribe here is the link link again.

secret project: dad (part 2 of 2)

yes, I do live in my own wardrobe, by various brennemans.

I wondered whilst writing this whether this post would be lost on those of you whom don't know my husband Aaron. I thought it might be. Nah the sheer kick I got out of this ought to tell me that all you like-minded folk would appreciate the humour and the thrill of this big secret. If you know him you are probably in fits already.

Firstly I want to share the inspiration for this project in case you want to make one of your own. Black Apple's Paper Dolls. This book came to us one day in the post from a life-long friend of Aaron's. She had meet Beatrix on our last visit to the United States two years ago. I know that she will be thrilled to know that Beatrix has used the book and that she conspired and used the book to surprise her Dad. I hope she gets a good laugh too, seeing as she knows Aaron well.

The dolls are printed on thicker card and the clothing really evokes the character and style of each featured fictional character.

Beatrix took one of the dolls and fashioned it into her Dad, complete with specs, tattoos. Seeing as she'd begun this project on the day he was home sick she had access to his bag, his specs, and his shoes. We each had episodes of tip toeing in whilst he was cocooned in blankets to rummage for his clothing and socks.

I caught her sneaking out with a note pad with the drawing of the pattern for the shirt with boxes on it. I thought Ohhh my, she knows how to do her research, I love it. The following day whilst we had full access to the wardrobe she sought out his red long sleeved t-shirt with the circles. She knew that he'd worn this at her birth and every birth since. He was blown away by that, I tell you.

I know you might be thinking does he actually get around in pink stripy socks with skulls and does he actually own a top hat, and who would wear crocs with socks? Yes and yes and yes. I knew he lacked some kind of conventional style when I very first meet him. He has no idea that you cannot wear a hoodie and a hat at the same time. I never knew just what a caricature he was till we played around with the outfits and were laughing out loud.

Even the way these paper dolls lend themselves to movement and motion whilst being still. The one particular outfit he is kind of jutting forward shirt too small and body leaning sideways, that is him all over. We even asked Eliza (who is four) who it was when we had put an outfit together and she said "Aaron" we laughed even harder.

I cannot tell you the admiration I have for Bea's skill, the technique and attention to the smallest detail, she is only ten. The only help I gave was stitching on the drawers for the wardrobe.

I highly recommend surprising someone you know with something like this, particularly if they are a slightly peculiar individual. Aaron was just taken aback, he told me quietly "Can I say this is the best present I have ever been given?"