Twinkling Georgia....

I got a couple of emails during the week asking about the birthday Yoda

and whether Phantom Steve had made it for me yet

and I must report that poor Yoda has not made an appearance so far

and despite a conference with her friend, Lenny the origami guru

poor yoda is still eluding her

but she is totally forgiven for being remiss

because one present that her and Sinus Man got me was Twinkling Georgia here

a glorious plastic cow skull

complete with twinkling lights

she is glorious right

Some of you may be a touch perplexed as to my delight, and the name

but anyone of my vintage who went to any sort of art school will totally get it

we were all subjected to at least one teacher, who in their passion for Georgia O'Keeffe

hogtied us to many hours of tonal drawings of cow skulls

albeit without twinkly lights, and usually without a moustache

I spent many a Monday morning in my student days

sitting in the drawing studio grumbling about bloody skulls

though there were times I was uncannily grateful

as Sunday night used to be a bit of a night on the town

and facing life class was infinitely tougher when you are feeling a bit delicate

especially as we had one rather hairy, middle aged, very overweight man

who favoured poses mirroring the athletes from Greek pottery

let me tell you being late to class when he was the model was never good

as you ended up spending three hours being confronted by a very hairy butt

reliving its younger, more athletic days

almost enough to make you stop drinking

note to Phantom... this is all based on hearsay of course 

as I was the perfect student and never went out clubbing on a Sunday night

and I always sat primly ready for class with all my supplies lined up

but I saw others wandering in with two different shoes on and rogue glitter still in hair

shocking behaviour for university students and I know you will never stoop to such lows

So in a glorious nod to those days I now get to see Twinkling Georgia everyday

she sits above my computer and makes me smile

so Yoda can turn up when he gets here as I have her to talk to instead

she has kept me company all week

as I embarked back into the land of the Cuppa With Friends Project

which meant I jumped in and drew up this lovely lidded mug that I also got for my birthday

I painted it up as a bit of a practice for getting into mug and cup mode for the project

which has been so awesome to get back to I must say

If you haven't already done so

you need to go back to Tuesday's post as there is a giveaway for the relaunch

and if you don't enter then you can't win can you

In fact some mugs and cups are calling me now so I am going to get painting

happy painting all...xx

Cuppa With Friends Giveaway ....

The universe works in mysterious ways sometimes

 and even a shallow pool like myself has to sit up and take notice sometimes

 one morning in the recent past, my darling daughter Phantom Steve and I were having a  cuppa and a chat about life post treatment for breast cancer

 she asked me if there were things that had been put to the back burner painting wise during that time that I really missed now I am in survivor mode

and there was... I missed the Cuppa With Friends Project

it had been such a fabulous time, but in many ways I associated it with diagnosis

and every time I had tried to paint up some cups during treatment it just wasn't the same

but now when I thought about it I didn't see bad news, treatments and stress

I saw it as having a cuppa with my friends again

Now this alone was fabulous and made me excited at the thought of restarting the project

but then my ipad dinged and there was an email from a company called The Tea Spot

and they had come across the project and wanted to send me a cup to paint

if and when I felt up to it, or even not to paint... just to say they support me

I mean that is awesome isn't it and seriously freaky timing right 

that universe is quite the thing sometimes

So The Tea Spot and I had a bit of a chat and they are pretty amazing... they support cancer wellness charities and are all round wonderful to talk with

plus they are going to send a Red Steeping Mug

to someone who enters the relaunch giveaway

it is gorgeous right

and it has a lid so it is very very studio friendly as it not only keeps your tea warm

but also saves from the inadvertent paint brush dip

not that a bit of paint in your tea will hurt you

but it can mess with the flavour if you do it often enough

So I decided to include a few prizes myself as I am too excited to get all this started again

just seeing the pile of printouts of mugs and cups sitting on my desk makes me happy

So the winner of the re launch giveaway will get The Red Steeping Mug

plus a pack including an A4 print of my blog header

and 5 cards of mixed designs of my work

 while three others will get print and card packs

So here is how it works

I am going to run it for a week and you can enter via the rafflecopter set up below

the days of getting the dog to push names out of a bowl while hunting for treats is over

writing out all the names and getting the mutt to cooperate

 and then having to touch dog slobbered strips of paper almost did my head in last time

mind you installing techy things like this is almost as stressful lol

So  please head over to the Cuppa page

and read the details of the project

it has been updated and revised and gives all the details

if you have already sent me photos then rest assured they are on my desk waiting

but that doesn't mean you can't send me more

picking a favourite tea cup or mug can mean different mugs for different days

so please send me your mugs and cups

cool or ugly, old or new I don't care

I can't paint them if you don't send them to me

my email address is tki46582@bigpond.net.au

so a huge thanks to The Tea Spot and their support

and make sure you leave a comment to be included in the draw

happy entering all...xx

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Freak Out Week ...

The problem with finishing treatment for breast cancer

 is that now I have to start living up to all the bloody deals I made with myself

you have so much time on your hands feeling lousy 

 that you make all sorts of grand plans of what you are going to do post treatment

which is not a bad thing

after all how often do we get time away as an adult to stop and think about what we are doing and how we want to live

it is a rare thing and is also this awesome opportunity

but then you have to start living up to the promises you made to yourself

and that can lead you to a week

 that has you longingly drawing cocktails during breakfast on a Thursday

so this has been a bit of a snapshot of my week...

look at new facebook page for my art

freak out that it is gaining followers steadily

and feel like I have to be less half arsed and become professional all of a sudden

this is trumped by my natural half-arsery and I then only put up a few posts

so feel comfortably back in my haphazard comfort zone

start to put together some stuff for the online shop

realise it is going to require me to organise the pit of a draw where I keep finished work

which makes me have a mild anxiety attack so figure I will sort the online stuff first

spend an hour achieving nothing

other than reinforcing my belief that I may in fact be tech dyslexic 

freak out completely that no one would want to buy prints and things

and promptly drink 4 cups of tea and twenty squares of chocolate to calm myself

and achieve absolutely nothing... nada... zip

except for being well fuelled with tea and chocolate

I also managed to procrastinate my arse off by doing all those necessary things like

alphabetising some cd's, not all of them mind... just about a third

stacking all the food mags that I want to go through into a teetering pile

then didn't touch one of them

I even mopped the bloody floors and I hate mopping an inordinate amount

but then I decided to jump back in

 after all I can't wimp out on all those plans that I made in the middle of the night while thoughtfully stroking my baldy head

so next I decide to start planning some classes in more detail

and spend 2 hours trying to round up the different notebooks that have all the ideas in them

I swear those notebooks are sick sadists who like to torture me 

by hiding and moving when I am not looking

and yes one notebook would make more sense

but let's just remember who we are talking about here... 

thinking of classes reminds me I am teaching at a class next year

so I decide it is time to film the teacher interview for Soul Food

and freak out at seeing myself on screen

that last half eyebrow really doesn't want to come in I have to say

try again and freak out when the dog sneaks in and licks my leg

causing me to use an expletive that is not very Soul Food appropriate

the next try is interrupted by a yelp and cry from the dog

which is due to him heading to the back yard and being rushed by a rogue scrub turkey

that mysteriously has taken up residence in our yard at odd times

saving the little leg licker from the creepy turkey

 was followed by a sneezing fit two minutes into the next try

the next version ended up being shot at a tilt

then I got a bit handsy and excited and spilt a cup of tea on myself

and finally another expletive moment when the dog revisited licking my foot

at which point I decided to give it a rest for another day

 

At this point it is Thursday morning

and I decide it is time to give myself some painting time

which resulted in the cocktail page above which magically calmed my brain

and after a solid day in the studio creating the paintings in this post

my brain was functioning enough for me to actually get some things achieved

So the achievement is that I have most things in place to do a big relaunch of

the Cuppa With friends Project next Tuesday

or maybe Wednesday... no let's go with Tuesday

starting the project back up was one of the biggest promises I made to myself during treatment and I am actually doing it

so pop by next week and check it out... there is a very cool giveaway involved

happy painting all...xx

My Coronation ...

It has been quite the week I have to say

 lots of plans being made and changes sneaking in

 exciting projects and happenings are afoot

 all sorts of fun stuff that I can't quite tell you about just yet

 but enough has been happening to have me spinning and whirling like a mad thing

  so what do I do when my brain is going 5 squillion miles an hour

  and I am so hyped my voice comes out something akin to a chipmunk on acid?

  I make Pinterest inspired washi tape decorated straws 

Pinterest is kind of my happy place

I look at all those boards of people who are organised, making cool projects,

decorating like pros and creating food that looks delicious

and while cruising my feed I revel in the delusion that I too could create such wonders

of course most attempts at anything Pinterest related

have resulted in epic fails on a level that can only be imagined

I actually see Sinus and Phantom sneaking worried looks at the mere mention of the word

but no longer am I a Pinterest embarrassment

thanks to some straws and a bit of washi tape

I am basking in Pinterest glory

and so that this moment is immortalised I painted up the success

which I must admit was almost as fun as actually making these little buggers

you may be scoffing and snorting at the sorry achievement that I am celebrating

but let me point out that it now gives me a success story

which can be used to counter the eye rolling, smirks and general angst that accompany the mention of planned projects

no longer will I need to quietly retreat to my reading chair

and pretend to be emailing while cruising for projects

in fact I am hereby declaring myself Queen of Pinterest

ok... that might be a bit much

but when you come from spectacular depths to dizzy heights you are a queen in my books

it is heady stuff I have to say

so my subjects, I bid you a royal catch ya later

happy painting all...xx

PS ... I now have a Facebook Art Page... click on the facebook icon on the side to like it

or maybe just click here... xx

Tuesday's post link is here...

Breakfast Table Sketches ...

Breakfast Table Sketches...

The birthday weekend was all sorts of awesome

 and while origami Yoda hasn't make an appearance yet

 I have been assured that he is on his way

 Phantom is blaming his tardiness on being traumatised during the night on Saturday

because she woke up Sunday morning with a deer head in her bed

 not an actual deer head

 but a very large cardboard one

 which somehow jumped off its hook above her bed during the night

and bounced off Phantom's chest at about 2 am

which would have been quite something I acknowledge

Of course the leap of the deer head has caused much hilarity

not just because we have been able to ponder who she might have upset

ala mafia warnings using a horse head in the bed

but also because on its way down

it managed to knock a giant scrabble letter P off a shelf

so she not only woke up with a deer head beside her

but also there was "P" in her bed

the resulting teasing totally made up for yoda being late

After such a great weekend filled with hilarity, family and multiple celebrations

not to forget there was a fabulous post from my friend Kristin

who drew up Mushu as a cheese sandwich after reading my last post

I must admit I was a touch weary

but I have managed to string together a few mornings in a row

and have done some drawing at the kitchen table while having breakfast

just little sketches using the koi travel kit that I stash there for just that reason

but starting the day with a cup of tea and a bit of paint is pretty close to perfect

Also pretty close to perfect was the fun I had painting up this month's GoodnessMe box

after I painted up the first one I received a few weeks ago

they contacted me and asked me if I would do some more for them

which is beyond cool because it is great fun to be involved in a small way

and this month's box was perfectly stocked with bright and fabulous products to inspire me

so I am now off to drink that Lemon, Ginger and Manuka honey Pukka Tea

happy painting all...xx

The Birthday Yoda....

It is just a few short days until my birthday so the pressure is on Phantom Steve

 because an origami Yoda I want

 I want one of these so bad it is embarrassing

I can just see him sitting on the shelf above my desk dispensing wisdom

because let's be honest the bloody dog is short on conversation

other than the occasional theatrical sigh or snuffle while perched on my desk

I just don't feel he is a positive presence quite frankly

mind you I should possibly cut him some slack

as the poor mutt has had quite a week or two with Phants on holiday from university

this is the sight that greeted me the other day when I popped upstairs

Mushu had been origami-ed in his sleep

which was actually kind of genius in a way

and is testament to both Phants stealthy sneaking and just how soundly this mutt sleeps

plus Phantom Steve had thoughtfully shredded a sheet of paper into a six metre strip

which then became a bit of hair for him

just in case he was missing having a bit of a shaggy head in his post haircut world

He must have liked it though as he happily kept this on for the next hour or so 

and basically just lay back down after the photos were taken

and fell asleep in the thing resigned to the mild animal nightmare that is holidays

Of course he may have been more impressed had he realised that his origami addition

actually converted to a buzzsaw type weapon thingy

which is at the top of the photo here

I think Mushu missed out on a magnificent opportunity

as he could have taken on superhero status and shrugged it off nonchalantly

and flung it at encroaching bad guys and the like

taking their eye out at the very least

but sadly this is impossible as he not only does he have no opposable thumbs

 he is also lazy as sin and about at bright as a cheese sandwich

but at least Phants was putting her current origami obsession

to a practical use

my favourite at the moment

is the origami skeleton hand which is very cool and creepy

though if Phantom can pull off a Yoda the hand will be downgraded to rubbish lickety split

in fact I will be a bit gutted if Yoda doesn't appear on Sunday morning

as I have put up with walking into rooms and having to dodge bloody buzzsaw things

plus there are these ninja throwing stars, which fly like a dream

but turn entering any room into some sort of mad obstacle course

I find myself peeking around doors in case my dear daughter lies in wait

and can I remind you all she is 18... dear god it is a mad house at times

so it is a miracle I got any painting done at all quite frankly

I did manage this perfume bottle though

and of course the Yoda pic above

but outside of that it has been a lean week painting wise

but constantly being under threat of losing an eye from origami will do that to you

happily she is ensconced upstairs trying to meet the Yoda challenge

and keep her dear mother from being disappointed for my big day on sunday

so I am going to make the most of the origami weapon free zone and get painting

GoodnessMe asked me to paint up the new box for them

and quite frankly I am wanting to get into it not just because it is all sorts of awesome

but I really want to get in and use the tea and other assorted goodies in there

so happy painting all... xx

Spring Break ...

So I am taking a few days away to make the most of the glorious weather

I plan on resting up, reading some truly rubbish books, and scoffing lots of super foods

to speed the final little bit of healing from last week's de-porting

all while attempting to embrace the madness that seems to descend 

on our house during the spring break holiday

I have no clue why it brings out such madness in both child and dog

but every year it is the same

Happy painting all...xx