Image Challenge Time

Here's a few pictures to hopefully inspire you to create something - an atc, aceo, collage, handmade card or what-have-you.

I have tried to give you more unusual pictures to hopefully spark your imagination....... Enjoy!

I would love to see what you make with any of these freebies :)

Please send me your pics when you are done and I will upload to my blog.

Thanks!

Lorri xo

Sydney & Home

Wow, time does go by fast.
I have been to Sydney and back. Didn't get to meet up with Linda B - as we were both so busy.
I enjoyed Darling Harbour and Circular Quay - didn't enjoy the fast pace and drivers!!
Oh isn't it always nice to come home... Next holiday will be a relaxation one, none of this walking miles and miles per day.
 My fibro just didn't like it, I came home sore and aching along with a sore throat.. thanks Sydney!! LOL

Since my return I have made some more resin pendants and some pretty birdy glass pendants, using collage images I either created or purchased online.

I have enjoyed this.
Tomorrow is a resin canvas class - part two. Looking forward to it, the students have created some gorgeous works of art!!

Here's a few pics of my recent jewellery, some is available on my etsy store or my madeit store if you are local to Australia.

Thanks for looking :)

Take care and stay creative!

Attacked for calling my art "Gypsy Soul"

Yes, that's right.... I titled an atc "Gypsy Soul" with absolutely NO intent to cause insult to anyone. I was ignorant that the word gypsy had negative connotations associated with it. I believed the gypsy to be a free soul, wandering without constraints, free spirited, alive, happy, dancing in the rain - all my attachments to the word are positive :))

It seems some people cannot help themselves by thrusting their opinions upon other people, regardless whether it is asked for or not.

On my etsy site, I received a huge email outlining the definition of the word gypsy and my ignorance to it.
The email had over 15 Links, that the writer expected me to visit and educate myself by!

I responded by saying that I was sorry I didn't realise the word was negative and that I did not intend the title of my art to insult anyone.

I then received this email back:

Thank you for your response, but I don't think you quite understand what I am saying here. Your interpretation of the life of a gypsy as positive and carefree *IS* the problem, because in real life Romani people are horrifically persecuted. It is not my opinion of myself that is the issue.

If you bothered to read the links I supplied, you'd see why your misuse of this term is offensive. Your interpretation of a gypsy as some sort of free-spirited, nomadic person makes a joke out of a persecuted minority. Someday, I hope you come to understand my reasons for contacting you. Unfortunately, like many who use this word in such an inappropriate and offensive manner, you are refusing to see the truth about what a 'gypsy' really is, because that would mean letting go of the romantic, fairytale image you hold of my people. Even if you disagree or refuse to change the name of your piece, you could at least show some respect for the culture you are USING and appropriating, and read the links I've sent. I think you'd be rather surprised by the reality of the situation for gypsies around the world.

People think of gypsies as free-spirited, nomadic people but what they do not understand is that Romani people didn't have a choice. They moved (and still do) around because no one wants them there. I would hardly call that a 'free' life. Gypsies actually exist, and their lives are so far from the fantasy image people conjure up when they hear the word 'gypsy', with it's magical and bohemian, free-spirited connotations, that this is WHY your use of the word is offensive.

If you step back, and don't take this so personally, I really believe you will be able to see why it is so offensive. Read the links, even just a few, and you will understand a bit better where I am coming from.

This is not personal - I am not attacking your art. You are very talented. I am pointing out your use of a racial slur and your propagation of a stereotype about a persecuted minority. Of course, there are racial slurs for every ethnic group, however, few are as persecuted and hated like the Romani people. It is not that it differs from *MY* meaning... it differs from the *TRUTH*.

I then received another email............ Here is a direct cut & paste from my ETSY inbox:

You've Got a Message From kali**** on Etsy

(2018 EDIT - I was requested to remove this persons details, which I didn't realise were appearing in google, but apparently it has affected her on google searches - Yeah it probably was self-serving apology, and yes, I said that - but it's a good job I'm actually a nice person - I think Karma did it's job and lessons were learned all round, so it's time to let it go and grant some anonymity. <3

** Do NOT reply directly to this email.**

------------------

SUBJECT: Gypsy Soul, listing #28944199

I'll put this very clearly: YOU ARE USING A RACIAL SLUR FOR MY PEOPLE TO SELL YOUR PRODUCTS. You are making money off of other people's suffering, whether you want to admit it or not, and clearly, you do not. Almost every one of your items on this site has the word 'gypsy' in the title. Why don't you investigate your OWN heritage and keep your grubby fingers out of mine?

Something else for you to think about... when you put your art out there, and USE A RACIAL SLUR, however "harmless" you believe it to be, YOU INVITE CRITICISM.

People who don't know the true meaning of the word and use it are ignorant. People like YOU, who know the truth and use it anyway, are RACIST.

Do you remember my post "Lost in my own world" the one with this pic ?- 

Today I received a beautiful comment from Kelly of  Kelly's Art Journaling .  It seems grief stays around for a very long time after losing someone so special and close to you.... Kelly's words of hope and comfort were very uplifting to me today.  Thank you Kelly!

I just wandered around Kelly's blog and she has linked to my post and talks about grief from when she lost her Father 17 years ago...  It would be nice if you popped by and visited Kelly, and say Hello for me too!
Her blog is full of gorgeous artwork, journaling and some links to other amazing artists.

Have a wonderful day, I am going to try to.  Today I am babysitting (dogsitting) Buddah and my poor Kitty was terrified and just ran and hid in my bedroom... wish them and me luck!

xoxo

Larger View of "Look Within"

I decided to give this painting a more earthy colour tone. After a base coat on the background, I began with the edging and worked my way into the picture instead of working from the face outward like I usually do. If I was working in photoshop digitally with this print there would be about 7-8 layers of paints. The painted over collage image I used is credited to Ceremony. I picked the angels image, because the main Angel in the image looks similar to my painting - and it feels like the little cherubs are whispering positive affirmations into her ears - "Yes, You are creative, You can be creative"

Larger view of "Breathe Deeply"

 

Something soft and pretty from me? Yes, and I actually enjoyed creating this painting - it was somehow soothing.

I wanted the text to be specific for this piece, so i printed out the words I wanted and lightly painted over them with the same pink paint before adhering to the girls dress.

When I feel stressed (often with anxiety) and need to step away from things for a while, I will revert to some cognitive behaviour that I learned a few years ago.  The repetition of positive affirmations to change the thought patterns is very powerful. This painting is inspired by one of the more common affirmations I use when I need to.

What you need to do, is take a deep breath inwards (diaphragmatic breathing) and whilst holding the breath affirm out loud -

Breathing Deeply Calms me

then slowly exhale the breath and affirm out loud -

I am relaxed

Take your time, and repeat this process for at least 10 times in succession - take a regular breath in between if you need to.  You will notice yourself feeling calmer almost immediately after finishing ten affirmations. 

I have affirmations for various things, but for now, that's it, that's just ONE of about 12 affirmations I have to use.. but I usually only use 2 or 3 regularly.

How I created the painting:  I began with the girls face and worked my way outwards and around her. I chose a soft pink and aqua colour for her hair and used the same colours in the background and her dress.

I used my favourite rubber stamps, added some writing around her hair in a soft subtle white gel pen, then added some doodling and collaged some 'itkupilli' & 'artchix' collage elements along with some torn papers to blend in with the colour scheme.

So now, it's time for you my friends to Breathe Deeply and Let peace fill you :))

Breathe Deeply

Breathe Deeply
Originally uploaded by auslorri

Here's the softer prettier one :)

Look within & see your creative spirit

Look within & see your creative spirit
Originally uploaded by auslorri

Mixed Media painting from a sketch that I completed a while ago. The other day I finished a soft pretty pink one, so I wanted to do something darker and grungier :)

Crescendoh - readers share

I was featured on Crescendoh blog - it's a bare it all, tell it all. Those that know me and have followed my blog might already know me, but may discover a few new things - pop by and see:)

Rosey Cheeks

Over the last two nights I created a new painting.  I didn't scan or save the sketch because when I work on the backgrounds first I tend to just start to draw and then paint over the backgrounds without stopping.

I had fun playing around with a different style. While browsing the blogs I follow I noticed a lot of the quirky little drawings had circles for cheeks, so thought I would give it a go.

Here's my first circular cheek :))

Prints abound

I got some more of my artwork printed... my kitchen table full of arty goodness :)

Art among other things

A lot has happened lately, plans that were made have been changed.
New changes have been made.
Progress is coming.
Art has been made.

Remember this sketch?

 

It became "Family Ties"

Remember this WIP?

It became "Sing your own melody"

A new one:

"The appearance of natural beauty"

Thank you for visiting, which is your favourite today?

Altered

Sometimes life events leave us altered.
Here's my painting of the same name.

Before: Original sketch - "Pouting"

After -  "Altered"

Lost in my own world

Lost in my own world

Today was a nice laid back day. Lots of quiet thinking. Some house cleaning, some sketching, cooking a nice roast chicken dinner & then making yummy chicken soup with the left over chicken.......mmm

Yesterday was a sad day for me.... it marked the 6 month anniversary since my Mum passed away. I can't believe it has been six months already as it seems like only last month. Some days have been very long and lonely ones. Actually,  a lot of them have felt like that. I miss so many things, the little things - the things I took for granted. You hear people say how different things are in retrospect - well it's so true, and some days I wish for nothing more than to have some more 'time' to talk to my Mum, to ask questions about her life, her feelings and so forth. To simply be next to her, to hear her laugh. It's like my connection has been lost - and so many things I want to talk to her about just can't be so anymore. Some days when I am home alone, while Craig is at work, I just sit and stare at my Mum's picture that sits on my sideboard. I look deeply into her eyes, I keep telling her that I love her, that I miss her, that I wish she was here. I tell her that I feel like I sometimes took her for granted and that I'm sorry for that. I go to bed late at night and don't sleep - I stare into the blackness of night, hoping for a glimpse of her. I pray, I ask to 'feel' her around me. I wait.
I still wait.
and wait..... lost in my own world.

The sketches today are inspired by my feelings -  I will choose one to paint, which do you think I should paint?

Click on the pictures to see them larger, then hit your 'back' button to return :)

Transformation

A mothers love

Please respect the copyright on my images - Thank you xo

My Mothers Day Poem

With Mothers Day upon us, I sat today and wrote a poem....  It took me a few hours to get it all to make sense.....and yes it was a sad sack moment.

Ok, it was very sad - and yes I cried, but I also smiled as I thought about my Mum's Love, her warmth and her incredible strength. I found myself wanting to write more and more, but then just said things in my head - I was wondering, questioning and thinking that if spirit could be everywhere then maybe I didn't need to say or write anything. Thinking that my Mum would just *know* what I was thinking... well hoping she would. I wrote the poem anyway. So Mum, this is for you :)

My first Mothers Day without you

I sat beside you, Mum
As on death’s doorstep you laid.
I set my head upon your heart
And silently I prayed.

I let the tears run slowly,
and I listened to your breath.
At the time, I really didn't understand
or comprehend your death

I guess I didn't want to know,
Didn't want it to be real.
But now that you are gone
It's a silent emptiness I feel

The world to me shut off
the day your soul departed.
Together, our little family
are so deeply broken hearted.

We look into each others eyes
and know how we all feel.
But seldom do we mention it
as our own wounds we try to heal.

I try to block out the pain
the loneliness, the sorrow
I try to concentrate
On how to live tomorrow.

I sit alone, sometimes for hours
And listen to no sound.
I contemplate you being gone
and hope it's peace you found

The time for you came so suddenly
To enter Heaven’s Gate.
and all those years we had together,
I now have time to contemplate

I'm grateful for each moment,
and all the times that we did share.
I'm grateful for the love you gave us
and for showing us how to care.

I miss you with my heart & soul
and know that others do too.
You were my Mother & my friend,
and without you my world is blue

It’s only months since you passed
My wounds are not yet healing.
I want so much to hear your voice,
To hug you, to ask how you are feeling.

I could write so much for you Mum,
with all the stuff that's in my head.
Some days I just want to cry
and not get out of bed.

But when I think about you Mum,
and all that strength you were showing,
It gives me power & motivation
to try to keep on going.

I know you were worried
about how we would all cope,
But together we will make it
Because YOU gave us hope.

And Mum, you’ve never really gone
for it's within each of us you reside.
Forever always in our hearts
and always by our side.

You're our special angel
looking down upon us from above,
There's only one word to describe you Mum,
and that word is LOVE.

Happy Mothers Day Mum,
I love you and miss you with all my heart.
 

Artful Update

BRAVE JOURNEY

My painting for "Relay for Life" The Cancer Council annual fundraising event

 

Limited Edition Prints are available -

If you are interested please email me - artivity3@gmail.com or reiki3@iinet.net.au

RECENT ACEO'S

RESIN - 

SCRABBLE & DOMINO JEWELLERY

GLASS PENDANT

Current work in progress:

MAGNETS

WOODEN RESIN PENDANTS

  

AMATE PENDANTS

 

That's it for today, more to come soon - now I am off to mix some resin to complete the above 'works in progress'

Have a lovely day, and don't forget to allow yourself some creative time :)

Lorri xo