Samara turns 18!

18 years ago today, I held my 5lb 14oz baby girl in my arms! Look at her now, all grown up. I know it is cliche, but time has really flown!!!
On Saturday night, Samara held a Roaring Twenties party to celebrate her 18th. It was a great night and everyone got in to the spirit and dressed up.

Here is Samara, with her friends Megan and Rhiannon.

And with me and her Dad.

The family. From left cousin Jake, Nana Jacky, Aunty Tina, Samara, cousin Shae, Aunty Richelle and Uncle John.

Same as above but with Uncle Kev on the left end.

The two of us! Happy Birthday my beautiful girl. May your life be overflowing with happiness, love good health and much laughter. I love you with all my heart!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

There is nothing like getting in to the Christmas spirit by decorating. We had so much fun arranging all these gorgeous Christmas items that have arrived in the shop.
Will have these in the online shop next week!

The house is next!!

Sammis Halloween Party

Bet you would never have thought of using your Caran D'Ache crayons as face paint!!!

Sammi went to a Halloween Party on Friday night, dressed as the girl from Prom night.

Ever the innovative girl, she decided to use my watercolour crayons to create this awesome blood effects. How scary does this girl look???

SWH workshop Day 1

Well, it took me a little longer to get back to this, flat out at the shop at the moment getting ready for Christmas!!

Here are a few pics from the Saturday of the workshop. This day focused primarily on journalling and getting in touch within and with what you needed to say.
Lots of lying on our backs, gazing up in to the trees, relaxing and re-energising.
I got a load of journalling done from the prompts that Sabrina gave us, it's great to look back on it now and re-read what i wrote. I can't wait to get it all down in the journal I created.

Here is Sabrina and Erin, Sabrina is such a gentle soul, very down to earth and unpretentious. I so enjoyed her company and felt relaxed right from the start.

After lunch we all found our own little 'workspaces' and started prepping the pages for our journals. We had a lot of fun sorting through everyone elses left over pages to add to our own journals.

Mandys workspace. It was a little difficult with the wind, but fortunately it was a lovely warm day. Also, the wind allowed all our pages to dry very quickly!

It was such a lovely bunch of girls in the workshop and so interesting to hear others take on the journal prompts. So very obviously affected by our various life experiences and the aspects of our present and past lives.

See the pages drying on the improvised clothes line???

Day one was awesome and obviously including so much more than what I have written!
I went home that night emotionally and physically drained but also very inspired and looking forward to day 2!!!

Sabrina Ward Harrison Workshop

Just a quick note before I fly out the door to give Mum a hand, I had THE MOST AMAZING WEEKEND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I was so very, very, lucky to do a weekend workshop with Sabrina Ward Harrison. It was awesome, will tell all later today with more photos!

A Few Paintings

Thought I would post a few of the paintings that I have done recently.

This one below is on 8x10" canvas, I actually painted this quite a while ago, just needed to add that finishing touches. I was so happy with this one.
Once again, this is on 8x10" canvas, you can't tell from the photo, but the darker area around the edge is a pearl tint, it looks so pretty when it catches the light.

8x10: canvas, I love the numeric background in this one and was really pleased with the image transfer on her dress. I wish I had discovered my sepia pencil before I outlined her face, but still happy with how she has turned out.

This one is still a work in progress. It is 8 1/4 x 11" on 300gsm watercolour paper. It will be stitched on to a book board backing.

Another work in progress, 8 1/4 x 11" on 300gsm watercolor. The image transfer on her dress is of some beautiful eucalyptus trees.

The photo of this one didn't turn out the best, the colours are all washed out and her eyes are a bit googly. She looks much better in real life. I so love her wings, they look almost real.

Have quite a few more pieces on the go and am loving every minute of it! Nothing makes me happier than a day spent playing with paint!
Hope you are indulging today too!
Jo xoxo

Wow! Where did September go????????????

I can't believe it has been a month since I last posted on my blog! So much has been going on, where do I start?

My wonderful husband celebrated his 40th birthday, with a lovely party at home and the remainder of the night (and in to the wee hours of the morning!!!) at the Burswood Casino. It was alot of fun but I was disappointed in to the state our casino has fallen in to. Certainly not the opulence of the early days.

My children have all been busy with sporting activities. Courtneys team took out the netball premiership for the second year running, what a nail biting game that one was!! The girls are all playing so well together.

I was lucky enough to spend the two days of their sporting carnival with them, Courtney took out the Gold medal for her year and Madison took out the silver in her year! One very proud Mum.

At present the kids are all on school holidays, apart from Jess who has left school and is now in full time employment. A much better situation for her and she is a much happier person. Things are so much calmer at home now, school just does not agree with some kids and I think it is time the Government realised that! Kids who are not happy at school are disruptive for teachers and other students, alternatives need to be found.

I have been painting up a storm and loving every moment of it!!! I have also been getting stuck in to making some jewellery using the bezels we got in to the shop. Sooooo much fun!

We are working feverishly getting ready for a couple of Perth events, Subiaco Craft Fair and Perth Upmarket. Check them out if you are in Perth, or visiting.

Still having head aches with our blasted website, but it is out of my hands. We are changing providers to have more reliability but the changeover has proven rather problematic. At the moment the shop can still be accessed, and our new providers are working on getting everything else up.

While on the subject of the shop, we have a pretty awesome sale on at the moment! Go on over and check it out! Sale ends Saturday, so be quick!!!

Retreat bookings are coming along well, with several classes close to full. Unfortunately with the website down, bookings have slowed, but we know we are going to get a flood once it opens up again.

Plans for 2010 are coming along nicely, we have been in discussion with quite a few US Artists and the line up is going to amaze you. More tutors than ever before, with some fantastically talented artists.

Finally, big congratulations to two lovely ladies, Jhodi and Lisa, who have both recently had little bundles of joy! Jhodi had a beautiful baby girl and Lisa had a bouncing baby boy. And I know that Karen is due any day now (or already had her baby!!!), so Karen, congratulations on your new baby boy! Don't you just love new babies????

Will post some more tomorrow!

Art Journey Retreat 2009!!!!

After many, many hours at this computer, I am very pleased to announce that the

2009 Art Journey Retreat

is now up and running and bookings will open tomorrow!!!

We have a fantastic line up of tutors for you!

MARYJO KOCH
American tutor Maryjo Koch brings you classes in painting with gouache and collaging vintage style along with her amazing travel journal workshop.


LK LUDWIG

American Artist LK Ludwig brings us two amazing workshops where you will learn many fantastic techniques that can be used in loads of art forms.
KEITH LO BUE

Learn from one of the masters in jewellery and assemblage, Keith Lo Bue. From wire work to metal etching and everything in between!

JUDY WILKENFELD

After just doing one of Judys workshops, I would highly recommend this class! The array of techniques you will learn will astound you!

NIC HOHN

Queensland Artist Nic Hohn will be teaching her fantastic journalling class where you will be
'Expressing your unique and intuitive self, tapping into the symbology of images'. Isn't her art work gorgeous?

KERON LEE

Melbourne artist Keron Lee will be teaching a workshop on using colour, a subject many have difficulties with. Learn how to use colour confidently in you art with Keron.

REBECCA VAVIC

Beautiful Canberra artist Rebecca Vavic will take you through the process of drawing, burnishing on to wood and adding colour with water colours etc.. Discover your muse!

RO BRUHN

Incredibly talented Melbourne artist Ro Bruhn is joining us once again. Ros first class with us will be creating a wonderful brooch and learning some of Ros amazing jewellery techniques.

BUT WAIT..................


THERES MORE TO COME!!!!!!

More classes, more fun.

STAY TUNED!!!!!!

2009 ART JOURNEY RETREAT

Absolutely Awesome

Just a really quick post because it is late and I want to try and get some more work done on my book! To day I had the extreme pleasure of doing a workshop with Judy Wilkenfeld, based on this beautiful book. This photo really does not do any justice to this masterpiece, there is so much detail and texture and depth, that can only be seen in real life.
Judy is a fantastic teacher, so sharing of her knowledge and passing on so many hints and tips that you walk away so inspired and wanting to try them all!


Our extremely gracious hosts, Sharon and Steven Manning opened up their beautiful home for the workshop and I tell you, their place is absolutely beautiful, just check out this view!!


And here is where we toiled away the day, having so much fun. The other workshop participants are all lovely ladies, and we are all having so much fun!!!

Thankyou Judy for a fantastic workshop that I am thoroughly enjoying, can't wait until tomorrow for more.
Thankyou to Sharon, your gentle welcoming manner puts everyone at ease and I have been so glad of the opportunity to get to know you a little better.
And a big thankyou to Steve for looking after us all so well and the delicious lunch!!
More tomorrow!!

Always running out of time

Aaaargh! I have so much to show you, the work I have been doing of late but I have run out of time and am totally unprepared!! Very frustrating! I am trying to get all my materials compiled for Judys class on the weekend too, very disorganized!!
So, I will give you a little preview of Keith Lo Bues classes at the retreat.





And finally, because you enjoyed the last clipart sheet, here is another, just click on for enlarged image.

Thankyou for all of you who left comments, I have been visiting your blogs and I am awestruck by the talent out there, and the amazing lives you all lead.
Thankyou!! xoxo

Helloooo?? Are you out there???

I had a bit of a winge to the girls at the class today. They said they had read about the retreat on the blog and I asked why they hadn't left a comment.
I know people are visiting, but you are not leaving comments.
I would love to chat to all of you from around Australia and the world and to visit all of your blogs, but I don't know who you are!!!!!!!!!!!!
If you drop by, say hi!

Okay, on to matters at hand. Work on the retreat is coming along nicely and we are really excited as to next years line up of teachers and classes. You are all going to love it so much.
We are also planning evening activities, as the Academy is quite far away from anything, we wanted to plan some fun arty things for you all. Any suggestions?
The website should be all completed by next week with registrations opening very soon after. You will be very pleased with the pricing structure!
I wish to thank each and every one of you who has offered support and encouragement to us over the past few years, you are all the most amazing people!
And to all you girls reading this from other countries, come along and join us at the retreat! What a fantastic opportunity it would be for you to visit another country and have the chance to learn from some of Australia and Americas top artists! You will love Sydney, I promise you!!

Well, dinner is almost ready and I am still recovering from the whirlwind adventure to Sydney. Slept like a log last night, but still feel tired today. Those red eye flights can really take it out of you!

Have a great night and please, leave a comment and say hi!
Click on the above image for a full size version that you can print off!

Busy, busy, busy...

Although this poor old blog has been rather neglected of late, I have been very busy. There is so much going on behind the scenes, all very exciting stuff. We can't wait to reveal all to you, but will have to wait a little while longer to let the cat out of the bag.

I am jetting off to Sydney with my sweet husband, who is accompanying me on this business trip, a search for the 2009 retreat venue. I am very excited about this, we want to find the most amazing, relaxing and functional venue for '09!! Also, my husband and I have never had a honeymoon, so this is a very delayed vacation for us!

I have also been having so much fun making artwork for bezels and filling them, then crafting them in to necklaces. The 'Nina Knots' are beginning to feel more natural now, after much practise and I find myself totally engrossed. I completed four necklaces today and am so thrilled ith the results!

Well, off to my wire and beads again!

Have an awesome weekend, I'll be back Tuesday...

Mixed Media Challenge

To encourage all of you to explore your creativity, promote yourselves as artists and have some fun, as well as winning a great prize, we have started up Monthly Mixed Media Challenges on our website.

This months challenge is

JULY THEME

Create a journal page using Misty Mawn techniques learnt at Art Journey Retreat.
These techniques can also be found in Cloth Paper Scissors issue 7 and issue 13.

DETAILS

PAGE SIZE - 8.5 x 11" in landscape format with 1" on left hand side being for binding.

PRE REQUISITES
Page front is to be painted and decorated using images, freehand or clip art images in theme.
Back of page painted and suitable for journalling.
Using 300gsm 100% cotton watercolour paper (Smooth or rough)
Predominantly Using Golden Products.
Each page must be initialed by the artist with the month and year in the lower right hand corner of front page.
Each page must be accompanied by a signed disclaimer.
You may enter as many times as you like

The completed pages will be compiled in to journals that will then be offered for sale, with challenge participants having first option.

Below are examples of a completed journal made by Jacky.
And a page front from within the journal...


And the back of a page.As you can see, both of these pages have room for journaling. What a wonderful gift this would make, or a lovely journal to keep for yourself.
Our aim in these challenges is to promote the artwork of the many talented artists that we know are out there!
This challenge is open to all artists of every experience level. Please do not feel daunted if you have not tried this art form before, it is a great way to learn and expand your creativity. We encourage each and every one of you to have a go!

For more information, check out our website here.