tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7759492483685698842024-02-02T23:50:43.972+10:00Tracey Hewitt Mixed Media ArtTracey Hewitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03611591293930665277noreply@blogger.comBlogger170125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-775949248368569884.post-37788618375825564342016-05-27T11:45:00.000+10:002016-05-27T11:45:25.750+10:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sAbbt73OiVI/VzPeQlZcDZI/AAAAAAAAB6A/3Cdqz_DrhfUZpl1mMnRl6dXGZffEiANzQCLcB/s1600/IMG_4039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sAbbt73OiVI/VzPeQlZcDZI/AAAAAAAAB6A/3Cdqz_DrhfUZpl1mMnRl6dXGZffEiANzQCLcB/s400/IMG_4039.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The sun has sunk in the west, and this blog is no longer where you can find my most recent creations and ruminations. Please join me over at <a href="http://traceyhewitt.com/blog/" style="font-size: x-large; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">traceyhewitt.com/blog </a><b style="font-size: x-large;"> </b>for all the latest artwork and activity.<br />
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I appreciate you being here, and look forward to you clicking through!<br />
<br />Tracey Hewitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03611591293930665277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-775949248368569884.post-23405306436279623702016-05-12T11:29:00.001+10:002016-05-12T11:29:19.672+10:00Ch Ch Ch Changes.....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib5N5YRlZfEmOxZoM8nGQD4aLb8RZzd2hmiACPn5VFDzCAwtXtQQguoRXxPtk_Hi541P6Uq5cA1Ze226vGAQ21Ix0Ol_KGc-lCoD8RkZ2skHv2tDrLg4a6UmQrtOyeSQGDjGay878QCAHH/s1600/IMG_3805.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib5N5YRlZfEmOxZoM8nGQD4aLb8RZzd2hmiACPn5VFDzCAwtXtQQguoRXxPtk_Hi541P6Uq5cA1Ze226vGAQ21Ix0Ol_KGc-lCoD8RkZ2skHv2tDrLg4a6UmQrtOyeSQGDjGay878QCAHH/s400/IMG_3805.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Sometimes, we need to listen to ourselves. Take our own great advice.</div>
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Since “<a href="http://traceyhewitt.com/product/when-your-superpower-becomes-your-kryptonite/" target="_blank">When Your Superpower Becomes Your Kryptonite</a>” was published, life has thrown us a curve ball or two. (Or maybe seven, but, who’s counting?) Some of those balls were pretty easy to catch and toss back. One in particular landed right on my heart with such force that I suspect it may never beat the same way again.</div>
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But it’s beating. And that’s all we need in order to show up and choose to live our precious lives with as much grace and courage as we can muster. That’s what’s happening in this picture… having reclaimed my outdoor ‘nest’, I’ve taken some time to journal, read and rest. Then get back up, and come back to the computer and once again do something I don’t really know how to do. Build a website! It’s taken a long time, but <span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><a href="http://traceyhewitt.com/">traceyhewitt.com</a> </span>is up and running. There are plenty of areas that can (and will) be tweaked, improved and made a little snazzier to look at, but for now, it’s good enough.</div>
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You’ll find gallery pages, workshop information, and a shopping page – which currently only has my book for purchase, but some more goodies will find their way into the shop soon. Nestled in among all that and along with all the usual ‘contact’ and ‘about’ pages, is my <a href="http://traceyhewitt.com/blog/">blog</a>.</div>
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It will look a bit different, and will probably evolve (and hopefully improve), as I learn to negotiate the new platform. For those of you who have been subscribers in the past – Thank you! From the bottom of my heart. Your comments, emails and messages on facebook have all been warmly appreciated. I’m yet to figure out how to add a subscription option on the new platform – I’ll keep you posted.</div>
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I have to confess to you that I’m nervous about this move. We’ve talked about the <a href="http://traceyhewitt.com/do-it-even-if-it-scares-you-ruminations-on-creativity-and-fear/" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #079b9c; text-decoration: none;">voice of fear</a> here before, and moving the blog from a format and design that has been well supported is scary. But, things evolve and change and shift and it’s time. So here goes! I’d love to hear what you think of the website, and the new look of the blog. Let me know what you miss and what you’re happy to see. And, now that a lot of techie stuff is sorted out, I hope to be giving you more to look at and think about from now on.</div>
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Once again – my heartfelt thanks for being here. I’ve said before that art is only complete when it has an audience, and I appreciate so very much that you are that audience for me.</div>
Tracey Hewitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03611591293930665277noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-775949248368569884.post-80790937328634208102015-11-04T17:32:00.001+10:002015-11-04T18:21:56.258+10:00Landing a dream and delivering a book<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vNNtOjSXKCU/Vjlnf8WEeRI/AAAAAAAAB4o/jnE4747dPpA/s1600/Book_Cover_swhen_Your_Superpower_becomes_Your_Kryptonite_Web.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vNNtOjSXKCU/Vjlnf8WEeRI/AAAAAAAAB4o/jnE4747dPpA/s1600/Book_Cover_swhen_Your_Superpower_becomes_Your_Kryptonite_Web.gif" width="257" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I've heard people liken writing a book to having a baby. I've just had a little laugh with myself because I realised that it was about 9 months ago that I embarked on one of my life's biggest adventures. Today, I received the cover design that will grace this particular gestation, and by the end of the week my book <i style="font-weight: bold;">When Your Superpower Becomes Your Kryptonite - A map to help us find the treasure in ourselves, </i>will begin it's journey to the printer. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Here is the official "description" for the book:</span></div>
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<i style="border: 0px; font-family: ProximaNova, 'Helvetica Neue', helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In When Your Superpower Becomes Your Kryptonite Tracey Hewitt writes about taking responsibility for our own lives and happiness, and the ways in which we might care for ourselves as kindly as we care for others. She compares our journey through life to a sea voyage, likening our unhelpful habits to hurricanes and pirates that can blow us off course and sink us; and identifies the positive habits we can cultivate to keep us on course, and our treasure safe. Her own experiences serve as the lessons and cautionary tales as she shows us that we are indeed our own greatest treasure.</span></i></i></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I have to tell you that this was fun. Hard work, scary
as hell, exhilarating and frustrating at times, but mostly, fun. Sitting here
at this point, so close to the final push before delivery (you see, it really
is just like having a baby!) The thing that stands out most for me is that at
almost every stage, I didn't really know how to do it, but I did it anyway. I
may have baulked, stalled and gone round in circles for a while a dozen times
along the way, but I continued to find that if I took just one more step, the
next thing would become a little clearer; and one step at a time, I arrived
here - with my photo on the back of a book beside an "about the
author" blurb.</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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None of this is to say that I did it all alone! <a href="http://kerriephipps.com/" target="_blank">Kerrie Phipps</a> and <a href="http://nhpublishing.com.au/" target="_blank">Natalie Holmes</a>, as my book coach and editor respectively, have been endlessly helpful. Caitlyn Hewitt of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hewittconsultingco" target="_blank">Hewitt Consulting and Communications</a> (otherwise known as my daughter-in-law) patiently snapped over 200 photos in the quest to capture the perfect author portrait. Truly. 200 plus images. I'm not even kidding, I don't know how models stand in front of a camera all day every day!</div>
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What I want most to say to you right now is this: That thing you've always dreamed of doing? That secret ambition you've never shared with another soul? That big, wild, outrageous idea that you don't believe you're capable of pulling off? YOU CAN. You can make it happen, one tiny step at a time. Get your brave on and ask for help when you don't know the way, but keep going. I want so much for you to do your own special thing - because I'd love for you to feel the excitement and sense of accomplishment that goes along with landing your very own wild and crazy idea.</div>
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<i><b>When Your Superpower Becomes Your Kryptonite</b></i> will be available through online booksellers (as a paperback, or as an e-book) early in the New Year, but if you'd like to <b>pre order a signed copy, for $25.00(AU)</b> plus postage and handling, email me at traceyhewitt@iinet.net.au and I'll get it to you before Christmas. Unless you live outside Australia in some far flung corner of the world - and lets face it, pretty much anywhere is far flung from here - in which case, I'll get it to you quick as I can. </div>
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In the meantime, do something today that will put you a small step closer to realising your own Big Thing - if I can do it, I know you can too!</div>
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Tracey Hewitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03611591293930665277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-775949248368569884.post-46268788017414317932015-09-27T17:30:00.000+10:002015-09-27T17:34:10.040+10:00Do It - Even If It Scares You. Ruminations On Creativity and Fear<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This post has been brewing for a while now, and I've found around two thousand reasons not to write it. I have just realised why, which I'll get to in a minute, but first, I want to tell you about my friend, and a conversation we recently had. My friend is a talented artist. Anyone who lays eyes on her work recognises her talent immediately. Yet she doubts it, and herself.<br />
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In the course of our recent conversation, I was busy trying to encourage her, and tell her she truly was worthy of recognition as an artist, and she bravely shared that she has started work on a new piece for a competition. Then she faltered, awkwardly finding it hard to articulate what she was feeling, with an "Oh, I don't know. It's hard to explain."<br />
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She didn't actually need to explain. I know.<br />
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"You're worried that this time, it won't work. That this time, everyone will find out you've been fooling them all along. That you really are no good and all that work you've already done was some kind of fluke and you probably can't do it again."<br />
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The look on her face was, I think, a combination of relief and horror. "Yes! that's it exactly! But, how did you know?"<br />
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I knew, because it's the exact same story I tell myself every time I begin to wade into the waters of creative endeavour. Every. Single. Time. I also - as a result of extensive investigation - have come to understand that's it a common story many (if not most) creatives tell themselves - so thankfully, I felt a little braver sharing that than I once may have.<br />
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The act of creating something is quite a mystery, and often when I'm done, it seems a tiny miracle this thing has come through my hands to the world. From which point it is very easy to fear that when I begin my next creative attempt, the tiny miracle may not show up; and I'll be shown up for the fraud that I surely must be.<br />
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Fear and I have been having some deep and meaningful conversations lately. Deciding it's time to write the book I've been wanting to write for - oh, I don't know, my whole adult life - got Fear's juices good and gushing. Thanks to the writings of <a href="http://www.elizabethgilbert.com/" target="_blank">Elizabeth Gilbert (whose new book Big Magic - Creative Living Beyond Fear</a> is about to arrive in my mailbox - I can't wait to inhale it), I was inspired one day to try having a chat with Fear.<br />
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What I've learned is this: Fear wants to keep us safe, which isn't always a terrible thing. But it can't distinguish between an oncoming train and the light at the end of the tunnel, so it jumps up and down and tells us to stop right there, and get off the tracks because we are in danger of meeting our mortal demise. Predictably, the closer the oncoming train - or end of the tunnel - gets, the louder and more demanding of our attention Fear becomes. And that's the key - it wants our attention. So, these days I have a chat with it.<br />
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<i>"Thank you for working so hard to keep me safe. I appreciate how well you've done that so far - I'm still here, thanks to you. You're right; I might make a fool of myself if I send this manuscript to a publisher, I might even get some negative feedback on what I write; but you know what? I'm OK with that, because I want to live a life of adventure and courage and boldness and authenticity, and I will survive if someone out there doesn't like what I write. I promise that I'll create the best thing I possibly can, and I'll give it everything I have. I promise to acknowledge you when you tell me you see danger. I need you to come along with me, but you can't drive the damned bus!"</i><br />
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It's astonishing the extent to which Fear quiets down after that. Much like a small child - all it wants is your undivided attention for a moment, and then it's happy to go off and pull the wings off flies for a while, during which time - if you're smart - you can get a chunk of your creation progressing nicely. Someone once wrote a book called "Feel The Fear - And Do It Anyway." I never read it, but the title winds its way around in my mind frequently. Because that's what creating is all about. I know I'm going to have to meet Fear head on every time, but I also know I'm going to do it anyway. Sometimes, like this post, it might take me a while to recognise Fear is what's stopping me; but here is this post, different from the posts I usually write here, written now. If you're reading it, that means I felt the fear and hit <b><i>publish </i></b>anyway.<br />
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<br />Tracey Hewitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03611591293930665277noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-775949248368569884.post-32293988819029891622015-06-30T13:13:00.000+10:002015-06-30T13:13:51.895+10:00An Uncomfortable Model<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_AYG5VkLCJvRPt8heRpL-IuPXFtEqx08fgweI-HN9-uvDynHpblDDpycVXMcCUpgwzw1bRgssyhDwyaLClKy-spBYNsUZp9Tj2MF4qjhmvgt2xL-KiQXqVOibtQjCVwaD1GZnljl2096V/s1600/Studio_Portrait_Tracey_Hewitt_2015_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_AYG5VkLCJvRPt8heRpL-IuPXFtEqx08fgweI-HN9-uvDynHpblDDpycVXMcCUpgwzw1bRgssyhDwyaLClKy-spBYNsUZp9Tj2MF4qjhmvgt2xL-KiQXqVOibtQjCVwaD1GZnljl2096V/s400/Studio_Portrait_Tracey_Hewitt_2015_1.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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Later this year, my creative efforts and I are off to <a href="http://www.bushchristmas.com/" target="_blank">Bush Christmas</a> - an exhibition showcasing the work of rural and remote artists and artisans, held in Toowoomba in December, and I'm pretty stoked to announce that yours truly is to be the Featured Exhibitor for Day One of the exhibition.</div>
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What that means, is that I'll be there, set up with some goodies from my studio, ready to chat with anyone who is prepared to stand still for a minute, and share the delight of colourful, fun materials. There is potentially going to be a product addition to my offerings this year... There is a book in the pipeline! But more about that, later.</div>
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For now, the fabulous Bush Christmas organisers need photos and information to update their website and begin promotion. </div>
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This is my least favourite part of this job. As a model, I make a good cook; and I agonise for hours over what to write about myself that people will find interesting to read. Thankfully, my daughter-in-law, <a href="https://about.me/caitlyn_hewitt" target="_blank">Caitlyn</a>, knows her way around a camera, and proved skillful in sneaking some shots of "the artist at work in her studio" that didn't leave me feeling awkward. </div>
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I think she did a great job, and I particularly love this photo, with DO IT NOW on the inspiration board behind me. Not only because the kick-in-the-pants directive is helpful; but the focus is<i> off </i>me! </div>
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When our "photo shoot" was finished, I bit the bullet and wrote the 'about me' piece to accompany the profile picture:</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>In
between knocking up mustering smokos, doing budgets and bookwork, and managing
the office for our Central Queensland family farming business; I create
artwork, write, and prepare art journaling classes for people who are keen to
flex their creativity, but aren’t sure where or how to start. I believe every
human possesses an innate desire and capability to create, and have made it my
business to help others unearth and explore that desire. Their eyes light up,
shoulders loosen and they smile. A lot. I have a passionate belief in the
transformative power of creativity.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Gleefully
abandoning an art teaching degree in the 80’s to marry my salt of the earth
farmer, my city upbringing gave way to the adventure of country life, where
I’ve spent thirty years raising three high spirited sons, while fine tuning my
skills in fine art, photography, writing and textiles. Ironically, the art
teaching I was anxious to flee from has become a source of delight and
fulfilment.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>I
have a tendency to think a lot more than I speak - there’s lots going on in my
head. I have a thing for funky cowgirl boots, yoga, and soulful conversations;
and my grandbabies think I sing the best “Incy Wincy Spider” the world has ever
heard. Others might disagree.</i></span></div>
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Over the years, Bush Christmas has been a catalyst for a lot of amazing opportunities for me, along with the many other talented artists and artisans who exhibit there. You can follow <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BushChristmasExhibition?fref=ts" target="_blank">Bush Christmas on Facebook</a> for a look at some of the clever work happening in sheds and studios all over rural Queensland, and New South Wales. </div>
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I'm off to the studio to get busy... safe and secure in the knowledge that I won't need to smile for the camera for a couple more years!</div>
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<br />Tracey Hewitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03611591293930665277noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-775949248368569884.post-73318168142607905442015-06-15T13:53:00.000+10:002015-06-15T13:53:52.059+10:00<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrw9QGvtR7HXWHYGt9yUDvmbTdrk17tcAAS6PEgXFUS0QND0v_0SVOs8bxx_XUTD9Sf1anjY-bOIFchei6O4FaqQSPNiI2IdVxCuXeXZhyphenhyphenG69L4jw2AVpUOHfi-4ERwlVC3uGGRyXJzBME/s1600/She_Could_Be_Anywhere_Tracey_Hewitt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrw9QGvtR7HXWHYGt9yUDvmbTdrk17tcAAS6PEgXFUS0QND0v_0SVOs8bxx_XUTD9Sf1anjY-bOIFchei6O4FaqQSPNiI2IdVxCuXeXZhyphenhyphenG69L4jw2AVpUOHfi-4ERwlVC3uGGRyXJzBME/s320/She_Could_Be_Anywhere_Tracey_Hewitt.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-size: medium;">She Could Be Anywhere - </i><span style="font-size: small;">Art Journal Page</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">©2015 Tracey Hewitt</span></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
For some inexplicable reason - known only to the Gods of confusion - things have been chaotic here for the past couple of weeks. New babies, growing babies, special visitors, annual reviews, feeding the multitudes, tax provisions, weaning calves, birthdays, unexpected departures, physiotherapy, coaching sessions, and home butchering - are just a few of the things that have landed on my plate lately. </div>
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So it felt really wonderful to claim an hour in the studio and let it all pour out onto the page.</div>
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This little lovely has a background of acrylic paint and torn book pages on watercolour paper, while she herself has been brought to life with Prismacolour Pencils. </div>
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Sometimes, when I feel like I'm done with the drawing, some words will want to be added to the page. </div>
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<i>"She could be anywhere... and she chooses here... with her heart in her throat"</i></div>
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are the words that fell out of the white paint pen and onto the page. (Have I ever told you how much I adore that <a href="http://www.instituteofcute.com/pens" target="_blank">Sharpie white paint marker pen</a>? It's a cracker!) And, while this face was never intended to be me; those words feel like they belong to me this week. Of all the places I might ever have ended up; I am here. I choose here. Even when things are hectic and demanding. Even when I struggle to find time for the things I need to do; much less the things I long to do. Here is where I choose to be. </div>
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Even when my heart is in my throat. I still choose here. </div>
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<br />Tracey Hewitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03611591293930665277noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-775949248368569884.post-71046497307875852442015-05-23T17:15:00.001+10:002015-05-23T17:22:46.194+10:00Breeding<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ShKt1UdzCAc/VWAU62nyoFI/AAAAAAAAB0Y/D0Hj4qBaXwQ/s1600/Web-Sized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ShKt1UdzCAc/VWAU62nyoFI/AAAAAAAAB0Y/D0Hj4qBaXwQ/s400/Web-Sized.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
<br />
Until fairly recently, our family's focus has been solely on breeding cattle. These days, the human breeding programme is escalating beyond any ones expectations.<br />
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I was touched when the youngest of our princes - Keelan, and his wife Madi, asked me to take a few pictures of them in the last days of her pregnancy, to commemorate the bump. This picture was one of the last shots, taken while furiously whirling knobs and dials on the camera - adjusting aperture, and shutter speed, and all kind of things to try and catch them in silhouette, with that amazing sky. Thankfully, they took care of conveying the tenderness part that this shot really needed - I could hardly see them through the viewfinder, and was, at that point, laying flat out on the grass in a most bizarre and undignified position. I'm probably not going to tell you how many shots it took to get this one lovely one. Suffice to say there were more than one on the camera that were immediately deleted because they were completely black.<br />
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This precious bump will be Grand baby number three for us, and another one, due in a couple of months, will make four, in just over a year. People around us seem to think this is some kind of amazing turn of events - I guess going from no grand kids to four so quickly doesn't happen to everyone!<br />
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It's a tremendous joy and privilege to watch our sons make their families... and this grandparent thing is the sweetest gig ever! I have to confess though, that while I <i>adore</i> these little babies, there is a part of me that's itching to paint and draw and create up a storm with these tiny humans... right now though, <a href="http://www.traceyhewitt.blogspot.com.au/2014/04/new-inspiration-for-pencil-sketching.html" target="_blank">Payton</a>, who is 14 months is only interested in <i>eating</i> the sidewalk chalk, and Levi, at 4 months is a long way from even being interested in it at all... so I guess I'm going to have to be patient, and make the most of the wonderful photo opportunities in the meantime. Looking at this photo is occurs to me that this would make a fantastic stencil/mask for a journal page. I'll work on that just as soon as I've sung Incy Wincy Spider with Payton (complete with actions) and snuggled with Levi until he wriggles to a spot with his nose in my armpit... it's his favourite position - go figure!<br />
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<br />Tracey Hewitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03611591293930665277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-775949248368569884.post-60686363596713822562015-05-16T10:45:00.000+10:002015-05-16T10:45:49.250+10:00Serious Fun<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Seriously. Fun is serious stuff.</div>
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This little tin came into our lives as the packaging for a rally car drive gift certificate. And no, it wasn't me doing the rally driving! I leave that thrill seeking stuff to the man in my life (the one I married - though the ones I gave birth to are all up for that as well, as I think about it!) I was, however, quick to grab the tin, and squirrel it away in the studio, because, really...what could be better than to open your traveling art supplies tin and be reminded that what you're doing is Serious Fun? </div>
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There is a group of Serious Fun seekers hanging out here with me on a Sunday afternoon lately... I'm teaching them the basics of art journaling (and art, as well, with a focus on low pressure and low anxiety) and, as is inevitable when one teaches, they teach me things as well. One of the important things I keep discovering is what a great benefit it is for grown up women (and men!) to set aside their responsibilities and obligations for a couple of hours and just muck about and have some fun. To play. They leave looking somehow lighter, and brighter; and seeing that is Serious Fun for me.</div>
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This trolley (which my Dad made for me many years ago) has seen duty in my life for all manner of purposes. It's current role is by far my favourite. All those drawers are chock full of inks, sprays, pens, pencils, pastels, paints, stencils, stamps, watercolours, tapes..... <b style="font-style: italic;">so </b>many opportunities for Serious Fun in there; <i>and </i>it can wheel out of the studio and onto the verandah, where all my Serious Fun seeking companions can dip in and share in the fun with me. </div>
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Play is recognised as being critical to childrens development... and there's more and more evidence that it has powerful importance for adults as well. (Check out the writing of<a href="http://brenebrown.com/2011/05/31/2011531nesting-play-html/" target="_blank"> Brene Brown</a> if you need any convincing). I know for sure that I've got more to give and am much nicer to be around if there's been a little play time in my day. How about you? What counts as Serious Fun in your world? I'm always on the lookout for an opportunity to have fun - tell me what works for you!</div>
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<br />Tracey Hewitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03611591293930665277noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-775949248368569884.post-52838470225186955092015-05-11T11:50:00.001+10:002015-05-11T11:50:36.759+10:00Learning the Hard Way<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TdGyqzAJvJY/VU_4fQL7-4I/AAAAAAAABzU/d4i9pGAVEdc/s1600/IMG_4045+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TdGyqzAJvJY/VU_4fQL7-4I/AAAAAAAABzU/d4i9pGAVEdc/s400/IMG_4045+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Say Hello to Casper. He's an old man now - by cat standards, at least. Well into his sixteenth year, he - along with his brother Garfield - has been part of our lives for over half of our kids lives. He's an introvert. He hates lots of people, and new people freak him out so much, he's been known to quietly disappear to the shed when visitors arrive, only to return after three or four weeks living on mice and sleeping in the hay when he's sure the intruders have departed. Unlike Garfield, he is NOT fond of cuddles (or BBQ chips, but that's another story for another day), and might choose to come and sit close beside you if it's cold; or, if you're trying to perform a task which is made much more difficult by the appearance of a cat under your arm!</div>
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Casper pretty much does his own thing- as is the want of most felines - and provided he is fed frequently (he isn't actually all that good at catching mice) mostly keeps to himself and out of my way. Most of the time...</div>
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Which brings me to this:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOtX5jpqFCwDAe8evF_GY6_wKizmdu21XKA-WkQdID7naqL1M03GgU1yVnU9LzrnHG5l7pgQhIKkrhukUc_xyzqZOqxGg2V7rfq7P18jH1batH-ByPesWKmZPNRrcx6tABwCd2okYSJfxZ/s1600/IMG_2500.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOtX5jpqFCwDAe8evF_GY6_wKizmdu21XKA-WkQdID7naqL1M03GgU1yVnU9LzrnHG5l7pgQhIKkrhukUc_xyzqZOqxGg2V7rfq7P18jH1batH-ByPesWKmZPNRrcx6tABwCd2okYSJfxZ/s400/IMG_2500.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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This is my <a href="http://janedavenport.com/works-well-with-others/peerless-watercolors-jane-davenport-artomology-set/" target="_blank">Peerless Watercolour</a> Palette. See how the left side is all crisp and white looking? And how muddied and watery and splotchy looking it gets towards the left side? I guess it's my own fault, but, is the weird green pond water in my paintbrush water jar<i> really </i>more appealing than the fresh, clean water in your cat bowl, Casper? Apparently. So much more appealing in fact, that he not only drinks out of it, but knocks it over, all over the studio bench, drenching my journal, causing pages to run, and - most alarmingly - drowning my favourite watercolour palette and discharging all that delicious colour. </div>
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As you might have guessed, I was pretty bummed about this. Actually, "bummed' doesn't put near a fine enough point on it, but it's somewhat unladylike and undignified to swear about it and put into print the words I uttered at the time. </div>
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Casper has done this before - numerous times, but, I'd been lucky that nothing got damaged - usually just a puddle of nasty greeny looking water on the bench, and me muttering to myself that I need to learn not to leave the water jar full when I'm done in the studio, before the spill wreaks havoc with something special. </div>
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Sometimes, we seem to have to learn things the hard way. Reminds me of that John Wayne quote. </div>
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"Life is tough. It's tougher if you're stupid."</div>
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I'm off right now to empty that bloody brush water jar, before Casper decides he's a feline Michelangelo.</div>
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Tracey Hewitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03611591293930665277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-775949248368569884.post-48913025982926552982015-04-20T12:48:00.000+10:002015-04-20T12:50:37.309+10:00<br />
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<em>Sometimes, You Just Have To Do It Your Own Way</em> Art Journal Page</h3>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">There’s been a lot going on here over the past week. Most
dramatically, a shed fire. Another one. It’s been a while since the hay shed
went up in flames – seven years, I think – but, surely one shed fire in a
lifetime is enough for anyone – right? Maybe not. This one had no hay in it…
but it did have an old Toyota, a ride on lawnmower, and a few other very useful
bits and pieces; as well as a tractor parked right beside it. Not anymore. That
thing’s now a pile of molten metal and ash.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">However, my precious daughter-in-law and granddaughter, who
were the only ones around for quite a distance when they noticed they had an ENORMOUS campfire - and no marshmallows - are safe and unharmed. Their house,
which was closer than any of us would have liked to the fire, is also safe and
sound. Bullet dodged, fire out, and heavy sighs of relief heaved.</span></div>
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</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> The fire has nothing to do with the next thing on the agenda - but everything to do with this journal page - which is teaching another round of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/160814627305924/photos/a.173597152694338.50853.160814627305924/805852926135421/?type=1&theater" target="_blank">ArtJournaling classes</a>, which might be some of the best fun it's possible to have! The
page you see here is the result of some preparation sample and demo pieces for
the classes. It also started with some writing about that fire. This is what is
so transformative about the Art Journaling process (well, really about any
creative process, but I love art journaling, because it truly is accessible to anyone).
You can write out your worries and your woes, get lots of crap off your chest,
and proceed to obliterate it with funky colours, patterns and scribbles,
transforming that icky experience completely. You can still see snippets of the
writing in odd places, which ultimately become just another layer of line and
form.</span></div>
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Detail: <em>Sometimes, You Just Have To Do It Your Own Way</em> </h3>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This was put together using mostly spray inks, stencils, and
a mask I cut based on a photo of Keelan on his wedding day, as he was walking
toward the altar. (Or, to be more precise, the gate and arch set up in front of the
garden bed in our backyard for the ceremony.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The stencil had been cut, waiting to be used for a while, and I grabbed it without thinking too much - just needed to get the page done, and I was keen to see how this mask would come up. It morphed from an account of blazing destruction; to cool, strong
colours carrying a great sense of independence and hope for the future. I don’t
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<br />Tracey Hewitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03611591293930665277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-775949248368569884.post-1491258307536882232015-04-10T17:46:00.000+10:002015-04-10T17:46:41.035+10:00Grow<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<em>Grow - Art Journal Page</em></h3>
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I'm wracking my brain trying to remember a quote about trees - knowing when to rest and lay dormant, and when to burst into magnificent flower and all that poetic stuff. Essentially, it's about how we need times of fallow to rest and regroup and build strength readying ourselves for the moment when we flower magnificently. Or something along those lines. <br />
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This art journal page is partly about such a notion. It was an odd page for a long time; when I'm splashing around paint and ink and generally making a mess, I hate to waste pigment - so there's always a page or two in the journal with smears and splotches where I've wiped off a stencil, or used up a brush, cleaned off a stamp, or tested a new art supply. These pages often have a few interesting areas in them, but can get overly busy to do much more with. I've been admiring this technique of over painting large areas of a page, leaving bits of those busy pages showing through, and decided this would be a good page to try this on.<br />
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Not much thought went into this - a quick outline with a China Marker, and on with a layer of black gesso. That looked OK, but it needed a little bit of something else. So, the ever trusty <a href="http://www.instituteofcute.com/white-sharpie/" target="_blank">White Sharpie Poster Paint Marker</a> to the rescue! Outlining this growing little plant was a good start... but it still wanted something more...<br />
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I started to write around the edges, and began with the first word that came into my head. Grow. the rest goes like this:<br />
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Grow she said...<br />
Grow and stretch and expand and discover the amazing things you can do with this wondrous life you've been given.<br />
Open up, take deep breaths and inhale possibility.<br />
Let go of the thoughts and beliefs that hold you back.<br />
You were sent here to shine<br />
So be free<br />
Be bold<br />
Be brave and find your wings and fly.<br />
Grow.<br />
So the world can have the very best of you.<br />
Everyone's waiting.<br />
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Then off I went to chase the horse out of the garden (they love to eat my palm trees - go figure!), forgetting all about the words that found their way onto the page.<br />
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Fast forward a few days. Reading this again, I love these words. They are my prayer for you - for all of us. The last line - "Everyone's Waiting" - were stuck on the end because there was a small space that needed filling Now, that lines feels the most powerful. <br />
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Let's not keep everyone waiting any longer. Let's grow, shall we?Tracey Hewitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03611591293930665277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-775949248368569884.post-88464814951084428482015-04-03T12:03:00.000+10:002015-04-03T12:03:54.923+10:00Try Something New<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dySq38LBvTRiaahHcpgWFvHpCkoekOwSysEAUfrSS5v_n7hw2yyYXH4fcmyLOEZMQW_784mculbtwXnzJoffg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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What does it say about your personality when you have an idea to try something you know bugger all about, and think "I can't do this, but I'm doing it anyway?" I don't know, either, but here are the results! For a long time, I have thought that adding a few videos of works unfolding and techniques in action might be fun for me, and interesting for you. I have a <b><i>lot</i></b> to learn, and will possibly need to relocate to an area where I can access a much bigger Internet data quota (apologies to the Aussie Government, but this NBN thing isn't working out so well for us out here), which isn't such a realistic idea. I think there is a lot of research and education in my immediate future if I'm to follow this notion any further. </div>
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However... this was fun for me, and I hope you find the video a little bit interesting. It's a time lapse look at creating a background with tissue paper on canvas for a mixed media work. The background was done without any firm idea of what the focal point might be. That realisation came a little later.</div>
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<i style="font-weight: normal;">Small Wonders </i></h2>
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<span style="font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal;">©2015 Tracey Hewitt </span><span style="font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal;">Watercolour and mixed media on canvas</span></h2>
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After the addition of some acrylic paints to introduce a little colour, it occurred to me that this would be the perfect background for another challenge I'd been hankering to take on. A photo of our Granddaughter, Payton, in a <i>rare</i> moment of stillness, had been whispering it's longing to be drawn or painted for a couple of months. For someone who, a few years ago, <a href="http://traceyhewitt.blogspot.com.au/2012/01/drawing-faces.html" target="_blank">wouldn't even attempt to draw a face or human form,</a> because "that's not my thing, I just can't do them"; I'm pretty excited to have captured a resemblance to a human being, much less enough of a resemblance to a particular human for her parents to know she was the model!</div>
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Her features were sketched in, with <a href="http://www.pencils.co.uk/en/gb/4420/graphitint-pencils" target="_blank">Derwent Graphitint</a> pencils. These babies might be my favourite art supply. (Even as I type that, a hundred other little special art supplies are clamouring in my mind to be named favourites, as well!) These pencils - as the name suggests - are much like a graphite pencil, with the added appeal of a range of beautiful, subtle colours, as well as being water soluble. They're not as intense as some of the other water soluble pencils out there, so the results are soft and delicious. A little watercolour for the pink in her dress and lips, a few touches of inky black for details, and she was done.</div>
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That little butterfly she's so intently looking at? That is a perfect example of the glorious serendipity of layering materials and media. It wasn't until after I'd drawn Payton in, that I noticed that little butterfly on an underlying layer of tissue paper, perfectly placed to seem to be sitting on her hand, and the focus of her rapt attention. Sometimes, there are forces at work when we create that simply cannot be explained. Happens to me<i> all the time. </i>And, it's the best feeling. </div>
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<br />Tracey Hewitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03611591293930665277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-775949248368569884.post-85205121164267844362015-02-26T08:02:00.001+10:002015-02-26T08:02:03.979+10:00A Watery Challenge<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica;">
Have you ever really thought about how remarkable water is? Being a farmers wife, I’ve always known how <i>important</i> it is - without water there is no life. So, it’s utterly essential. But, I have to confess, it wasn't until I started this Photo A Day Challenge with <a href="http://www.open.abc.net.au/" target="_blank">ABC Open </a>that I’ve ever explored just what water is really capable of. Never really spent much time contemplating the many possible faces, facets and characters of water.</div>
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It can be peaceful, serene and soothing; as it appears here at sunset over Bell Lagoon Dam. This dam has <a href="http://www.traceyhewitt.blogspot.com.au/2011/06/honouring-ordinary-part-two.html" target="_blank">featured here before</a> - it is frequently the home to a pair of black swans, a pod of pelicans, or a raft of ducks - do yourself a favour and do a google search for the names of groups of things - fascinating stuff! Did you know that a group of Owls is called a Parliament? </div>
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Water can also be dynamic and exciting - filling a balloon with water and bursting it, trying to catch the explosion of water, requires a very willing, waterproof helper; at least 6 water filled balloons ready to go; a camera set on continuous shooting and a good dash of persistence. The result, though, when you finally nail it, is thrilling. Or is that just because it started to thunder and pour rain right as we stuck the pin in the last full balloon, thus adding to the sense of urgency?</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kZ0RVrPL0LE/VO5BaeO-92I/AAAAAAAABvY/qSGbzfCiuAM/s1600/Water+from+a+hose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kZ0RVrPL0LE/VO5BaeO-92I/AAAAAAAABvY/qSGbzfCiuAM/s1600/Water+from+a+hose.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Water can also gush, as it does here, out of the hose off the water tanker that my baby (OK..so he's 23, but still, he's my baby!) uses when he’s spraying crops. He’s not into wasting water though, and this is just the bit of water </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">held in</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> the hose after the taps are turned off. I had to be really quick to catch this one - though he did kindly help me out by pressing down quickly on the hose to push the last bit out in a gush.</span></span><br />
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All this attention to water has reminded me of the importance of attention, of noticing, of <i>really </i>seeing. It’s also given my creativity a much needed kick in the butt. Spending a little time each day contemplating how to make something as mundane as water coming out of a hose look interesting and visually appealing, while at the same time considering the technical requirements of actually getting the photo, has been surprisingly challenging and stimulating. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TUVbaBSxguU/VO5BZUpWY7I/AAAAAAAABvQ/6ju-8mNBykc/s1600/Fish+Swimming+in+Water.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TUVbaBSxguU/VO5BZUpWY7I/AAAAAAAABvQ/6ju-8mNBykc/s1600/Fish+Swimming+in+Water.jpg" height="263" width="400" /></a></div>
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The biggest challenge so far though, was “A fish swimming in water”. I have no fish. I live a long way from anyone with fish. Short of dumping a frozen fillet of flounder into a bucket of water, I was stumped. I was discussing my dilemma with my girls (they’re my sons wives, technically, but they’re still ‘my’ girls) and Leah quickly had a solution. Little Payton has a pair of floaties with an inflatable fish on top - terrible floaties for a small person, but you can cut the fish off, and send him swimming! Crisis averted. Not sure it will win any prizes for creative photography…but it kind of makes me smile.</div>
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There’s still a few days to go - and a quick look at the topics for each day reveal some more challenges ahead. Do you suppose cleaning the shower counts as “water sports”?</div>
Tracey Hewitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03611591293930665277noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-775949248368569884.post-20796207115512411322015-02-03T16:33:00.000+10:002015-02-03T16:33:01.831+10:00<div align="center">
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I've just made a disturbing discovery. Sometime last year, in the middle of some epic convivial confusion, the email address used for receiving notification of your comments here was closed and I neglected to change it in the bowels of the settings here. So... Some of you have made lovely comments here, and it would appear you have been ignored! My most sincere apologies! I love to receive comments here. That glitch is all fixed up now, and I promise if you use your precious time to comment here, that I will respond!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHNjgDNgUO7gpIAO-hG4mBJ_Ev2Re9G_SSaVo_vZYkgAln2avfmPiRTOnxSRy2hK2egNGBBzo_dODuMdB7p0DmP_GUbCV8XuifwkcBeHNdIo41lMw5qygQ04wdpwWCwlfryWEMigVaU9f5/s1600/Web+Copy1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHNjgDNgUO7gpIAO-hG4mBJ_Ev2Re9G_SSaVo_vZYkgAln2avfmPiRTOnxSRy2hK2egNGBBzo_dODuMdB7p0DmP_GUbCV8XuifwkcBeHNdIo41lMw5qygQ04wdpwWCwlfryWEMigVaU9f5/s1600/Web+Copy1.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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For the month of February, I've accepted a photo-a-day challenge, run by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/opencapricornia" target="_blank">Lisa Clarke</a> from <a href="https://open.abc.net.au/explore?projectId=114&sortBy=publishedDate&isFeatured=0" target="_blank">ABC Open</a>. The theme is - can you guess? </div>
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That's a fun one. Lots of scope for getting that camera off auto and testing out what it can really do.</div>
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This was day two's challenge - Water Coming Out Of A Tap. This was taken with a really fast shutter speed to freeze the movement of the water as it shot out of my garden tap.</div>
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What's great about a challenge like this, is that it stretches you - makes you look at things closely; differently - and kick starts that creativity that may have become a little sluggish. ABC Open is great for that. They have projects on the go all the time - writing, photography and video - from all over Australia. You can get inspired by other peoples efforts, or jump up and create your own. Go check it out.</div>
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Right now, I'm off for a walk to take today's photo - A River. Luckily, there's one a hundred yards or so from our back door, so locating it wont be a problem. Coming up with a creative way to take a picture of it, however, may be another matter, but, I'm up for the challenge. </div>
Tracey Hewitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03611591293930665277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-775949248368569884.post-24544275222943187382014-08-31T09:40:00.000+10:002014-08-31T09:40:06.862+10:00A Tale of Three Art Journal Pages<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FIP9c4BFmTU/VAF1ztvdGdI/AAAAAAAABs8/WvyqN9ZH5BQ/s1600/Just-One-Heart-Tracey-Hewitt-2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FIP9c4BFmTU/VAF1ztvdGdI/AAAAAAAABs8/WvyqN9ZH5BQ/s1600/Just-One-Heart-Tracey-Hewitt-2014.jpg" height="275" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Just One Heart</em> Art Journal Page<br />
© 2014 Tracey Hewitt </td></tr>
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One way and another, the art has been struggling for attention lately. What with plotting ways to spoil a new grandbaby, end of financial year, and a tiny change in our farm business structure (how is it that a tiny change necessitates a thousand phone calls, pieces of paper, and forms to fill in? It will forever remain a mystery...) just to name a few; the time available for creativity has been limited. </div>
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There are, thankfully, Art Journals. Smeared with paint, spattered with ink, heavy with bits and bobs glued in, and carrying no pressure to come up with anything special - just to pick up a brush, pencil or scrap of paper and slap something on a page. Aaahh.... balm for a careworn soul.</div>
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As I'm writing this, looking at <em>Just One Heart</em> up there, I realise there should be a comma after the word blooming. Oops! (As a self confessed grammar Nazi, <em>that's</em> going to bug me quite a bit!) The page was created with <a href="http://rangerink.com/?product=dylusions-ink-sprays" target="_blank">Dylusions Ink</a> sprays, assorted stencils, a few bits of paper, coloured pencils, stamps and marker pens. <a href="https://www.google.com.au/search?q=the+art+of+whimsical+lettering&sa=X&rlz=1T4MXGA_enAU571AU574&tbm=isch&imgil=9X1YTtBw4xCfUM%253A%253BjdV4M_Xsl3CWeM%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.amazon.com%25252FThe-Whimsical-Lettering-Joanne-Sharpe%25252Fdp%25252F1620330741&source=iu&fir=9X1YTtBw4xCfUM%253A%252CjdV4M_Xsl3CWeM%252C_&usg=__m_HMIk_tELWE6g-TmI8HsjdLW6c%3D&ei=J4YBVL2RC8eSuASD24Ew&ved=0CGIQ9QEwAg&biw=1904&bih=945" target="_blank">The Art of Whimsical Lettering</a> by Joanne Sharp delivered the inspiration to have a crack at some fancy lettering - which was tremendous fun!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Worry </em>Art Journal Page<br />
© 2014 Tracey Hewitt</td></tr>
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So much fun, in fact, that there was more on the next journal page. <em>Worry is a Misuse of your Imagination.</em> I need this tattooed inside my eyelids! Not only a misuse, but probably a terrible waste of imagination as well. Constructed in a quite similar fashion to the first page, with acrylic paints instead of ink sprays, and a hand cut stencil. Manilla folders are infinitely more interesting used to cut a stencil than they could ever hope to be in my office.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Ink Calf</em> Art Journal Page<br />
© 2014 Tracey Hewitt</td></tr>
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As life's path seemed to be walking me more and more towards cows and tractors (which I shouldn't complain about - that enterprise kind of keep us fed and clothed), and further away from the studio, I engaged that imagination, and decided to try bringing the farm to the journal. This little guy is brushed in Sumi ink (my current infatuation) over a stencilled, ink sprayed, and scrap paper collaged background. He's funky, but I think I love him. </div>
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<em>A little story, for your information: I often add links to products, books, artists, places - pretty much anything that I think is great. Only because I use it, love it, just plain cannot live without it; and to make it easier for you to find more info about the things I'm waffling on about. No one pays me to give them a plug - it's all about the love!</em></div>
Tracey Hewitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03611591293930665277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-775949248368569884.post-23815337948686548172014-08-21T13:26:00.002+10:002014-08-21T13:26:57.324+10:00Making Friends with Muriel - The Joy and Wonder of Art Journals<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making Friends With Muriel; Art Journal Page<br />
©2014 Tracey Hewitt</td></tr>
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Let me introduce you to Muriel. I think she is in fact a little older than she looks; and she is the face belonging to the voice inside my head. Some people would call her the "Inner Critic", there are probably a hundred titles we could give her. Please tell me you have one too? You know, the voice that tells you how much you suck; that you're too fat, too skinny, too loud, too.... you can fill in the space. That ever present nagging that you're not enough of the good stuff and too much of the not good stuff. A little while ago, she was getting <i>real</i> loud. It was time to deal with her. It started with some writing, and at some point, I burst out laughing, because I realised that she reminded me of my high school Home Economics teacher. This woman had a most unfortunate voice, and was possibly the most negative human being I had encountered in my fourteen or so years. She would hawk up some spit onto her fingers to wipe chalk from the blackboard, and, most unfortunately, would swipe her finger through one cake batter after another in the Home Ec kitchen, suck it off, and move on to the next bowl, until she had tasted them all - never washing that finger off. And yes, she probably had spat on it to clean the blackboard first. Toss in sarcastic and a tiny bit mean, and (not that I consider this a character flaw, but it affected my opinion of her back then) sorrowfully dowdy and dull.<br />
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But, back to Muriel. It was time, as I said, to put her in her place. A quick sketch with a <a href="http://www.instituteofcute.com/sale-aquash-waterbrus-h/" target="_blank">water brush</a> filled with <a href="http://www.luluart.com.au/Kuretake-Zig-Japanese-Sumi-Ink-p/zg-1001.htm" target="_blank">Sumi Ink</a> (which might just be the best fun you can have with any drawing instrument on earth), and suddenly, she was getting a makeover. Sparkly turquoise glasses, bright pink lips and a big, fat piece of my mind! Who knew that could be so much fun? <br />
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Again, I was reminded of the power of art. To start with a topic, subject or feeling that has negative aspects; express it with colour and movement, and through the process transform it completely. The great thing about it is this - it happens <b>every</b> time. <br />
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Muriel will forever live in my head, and sometimes, she has some useful stuff to offer - like "For heaven's sake, get OFF Facebook and DO something!" But, when she's being a cow; thinking about this journal page makes me smile, and quietly ignore her and get on with shooting for stars and aiming for awesome. (Neither of which I accomplish, but I figure it's good to set your sights high!)<br />
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<br />Tracey Hewitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03611591293930665277noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-775949248368569884.post-11881813117223431362014-05-27T15:33:00.001+10:002014-05-27T15:33:45.017+10:00Art Journaling - It Feels A Bit Like Therapy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Does this pile of luscious goodness look like fun to you? </div>
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How about all this snowy, fresh paper and clean brushes? </div>
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Wheel that trolley out onto my back verandah and into a gorgeous autumn afternoon, and the stage is set for some serious Art Journaling fun.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yrMUIDylx00/U4PtEz8UTOI/AAAAAAAABqM/ZuR5IwGlSrY/s1600/photo-1-Tracey-Hewitt-Web-600w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yrMUIDylx00/U4PtEz8UTOI/AAAAAAAABqM/ZuR5IwGlSrY/s1600/photo-1-Tracey-Hewitt-Web-600w.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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A while back, I sent out feelers to see if maybe one or two people might be keen to spend a bit of time here exploring a few art techniques and materials in the safety of their very own Art Journal. While I love where I live, it is a small community, and I thought I might be lucky if I could find <em><strong>any</strong></em> takers. To my surprise and delight - there were nine! All keen to excavate the creativity they hoped was buried in them someplace. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4bQ6hrQ5tpY/U4PtKmvXhkI/AAAAAAAABqs/-w1LTKMQIHU/s1600/photo-5-Tracey-Hewitt-Web-600w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4bQ6hrQ5tpY/U4PtKmvXhkI/AAAAAAAABqs/-w1LTKMQIHU/s1600/photo-5-Tracey-Hewitt-Web-600w.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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Over the course of three hours, they were introduced to<a href="http://rangerink.com/?product=dylusions-ink-sprays" target="_blank"> Dyelusions Sprays,</a> <a href="http://rangerink.com/?product=tim-holtz%c2%ae-distress-stains%e2%84%a2" target="_blank">Distress Stains</a>, stamps, stencils and all kinds of markers and pens, which they used to create some really fun backgrounds and play with lettering styles. Of course, many of them (OK - most of them) looked a little horrified when I suggested it was time they write - in their own handwriting - in their journals. When I asked how many of them hated their own writing - hands went up all around the table. What I told them in essence, was this:</div>
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Every mark we make, every word we write, comes from us. Is us. Our essence cant help but show up in everything we do. Hating our handwriting (substitute voice, thighs, drawing, tummy, crows feet, toes, teeth.... you get the idea) is to hate a unique and authentic part of ourselves. </div>
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I know we all do it (I am guilty of it often!) But, I'm coming to believe that we have more to give when we give ourselves a break. When we are OK with ourselves and our efforts.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjZE-CP4iZmViuEXcK2BdPelTzHSITYQ_fA3VRvWsA9xrZ33Hge0rFqnxgFdVejdzxJGJgVZyCTBV-TlbrdPxta70rBLWgKSy4bfpp1vO0shW7U0d4AVBMmh9PVgyG8RCLzdWobpRA1xNX/s1600/photo-4-Tracey-Hewitt-web-600w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjZE-CP4iZmViuEXcK2BdPelTzHSITYQ_fA3VRvWsA9xrZ33Hge0rFqnxgFdVejdzxJGJgVZyCTBV-TlbrdPxta70rBLWgKSy4bfpp1vO0shW7U0d4AVBMmh9PVgyG8RCLzdWobpRA1xNX/s1600/photo-4-Tracey-Hewitt-web-600w.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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I reckon they all found the tip of their creative icebergs. Which makes me really excited for next week, when we'll have a play with acrylic paints, try drawing faces and dedicate a page to our Inner Critics. I've named mine "Muriel" (apologies to any wonderful and beautiful Muriel's out there...) and she can be a real shrew. Should be fun to share our stories and see the portraits these great girls create of their own versions of Muriel.</div>
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<br />Tracey Hewitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03611591293930665277noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-775949248368569884.post-79832987444684188732014-04-18T13:44:00.000+10:002014-04-18T13:44:18.483+10:00New Inspiration - for Pencil Sketching, and all kinds of things!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qjN7kTaPE9k/U0-EneiHfOI/AAAAAAAABp0/t0WvAi7DTsg/s1600/Payton1-Tracey-Hewitt-650.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qjN7kTaPE9k/U0-EneiHfOI/AAAAAAAABp0/t0WvAi7DTsg/s1600/Payton1-Tracey-Hewitt-650.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>Payton #1</em></strong> © 2014 Tracey Hewitt<br />
Pencil 12cm x 12cm</td></tr>
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We've had some big news around here.... A granddaughter! This post has been written, rewritten, scrapped and started over a number of times now. Then, I remembered that I wrote a letter to this baby girl the night she was born. Not quite your run of the mill, regular post, but then again, a family's first grand baby is not quite your run of the mill, regular experience is it?</div>
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<i>Dear Payton,</i><br />
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<i>Today we met you for the first time. New to this world- just hours old - I was captivated at once. Maybe one day, many years from now, I'll remember this letter and give it to you - a memory of one of the most favourite days of my life.</i><br />
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<i>It rained! All day. And we had been hoping so hard and needing it for so long, which made it even more wonderful. Much like we hoped so hard for you. I feel as though I have loved you forever already - certainly since I saw you swimming around in your Mums belly at her first scan. And even before that, when you were just a possibility and we hoped so hard you would decide to stay and grow. And today, on the day of my first baby - your Dads - birthday, you joined us in this mad, happy, crazy, wild, fun, fantastic circus called life, and our hearts are so happy.</i><br />
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<i>It's difficult to describe how I feel tonight - excited, happy, content, nervous, pleased, thrilled- a whole lot of emotion all rolled up together, and full, my heart feels full. Thankful, grateful, full. I'm sitting quietly, listening to the rain on the roof - one of my favourite sounds, and thinking of you, of your tiny, perfect face, little bit of soft hair and wee fingers and toes. You had so many visitors today, and you slept and ate and were not the slightest bit amazed by the excitement your entrance into the world had caused.</i><br />
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<i>We had a cuddle, you and I, and the world felt perfectly right. </i></div>
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<i>I know that as you grow and the years pass there'll be times you are sad and unsure, times you doubt yourself - you're human and we all do that. But I hope that through all those times, I can help you remember you are a miracle. You are perfect exactly as you are in any moment and magical in your ability to bring joy just by being in a room (that will never change for me, nor, I expect, anyone else in that room with you today).</i><br />
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<i>So, on this ordinary, rainy day, while the newspapers ran headlines about a Malaysian Aeroplane that disappeared without a trace, and our Govenors General, Quentin Bryce (the retiring one) and Peter Cosgrove (the new one) have been announced a Dame and a Sir, and the republicans are getting all worked up about it, and most of the world was going about its business as if it were any other day; we know better. Today was a special day. The day Payton came to live on planet Earth as part of our family. And we are so very happy you are here.</i><br />
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<i>Welcome to the world precious girl. I can't wait to get to know you, and the wonderful person you will become. </i></div>
Tracey Hewitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03611591293930665277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-775949248368569884.post-13468118977270290452014-03-11T15:38:00.002+10:002014-03-11T15:38:37.057+10:00Rocks, Owls and "Pinspiration"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy7Pt1w1hFftyDIsXivsyjOVJ8sV6SMo_cxX_xqT74SgB1t3IqGvu1-eUry-Pq2CAKiJFG1Glf5nr9zQTP47rViQvqeJXqua8F9LJ4Q_5G7g7VuHGbbLivv72Oejimvt2XR4EB11JaEGZq/s1600/Rock_Owls_2_Tracey_Hewitt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy7Pt1w1hFftyDIsXivsyjOVJ8sV6SMo_cxX_xqT74SgB1t3IqGvu1-eUry-Pq2CAKiJFG1Glf5nr9zQTP47rViQvqeJXqua8F9LJ4Q_5G7g7VuHGbbLivv72Oejimvt2XR4EB11JaEGZq/s1600/Rock_Owls_2_Tracey_Hewitt.jpg" height="148" width="400" /></a></div>
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Do you ever find yourself in a creative blue funk, hankering for a bit of fun?</div>
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Have you discovered <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>? (It's only fair to warn you that Pinterest has the potential to inspire you to such an extend that you may be rendered mute and motionless, continuing to flick through ever more amazing images, and not actually doing a thing! Ask me how I know....)</div>
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This little family of Rock Owls was the result of my latest blue-funk-busting, fun-craving wanderings. The idea came from a 'pin' shared with me by my daughter-in-law <a href="http://rhubarbboutique.com.au/index.php/about-us" target="_blank">Caitlyn</a>, of a funky little owl family, much like this one, created by <a href="https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/thecarolinejohansson/sold?ref=shopinfo_sales_leftnav" target="_blank">Carolyn Johansson</a> for her Etsy store. They seem so much cooler than the 'pet rocks' of my youth!</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5LO5QCnbLoo/Ux6Vho0FfJI/AAAAAAAABoc/-7Dk-omAhvY/s1600/Rock_Owls_Tracey_Hewitt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5LO5QCnbLoo/Ux6Vho0FfJI/AAAAAAAABoc/-7Dk-omAhvY/s1600/Rock_Owls_Tracey_Hewitt.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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A pile of stones, a couple of Sharpie marker pens in different nib thicknesses, a metallic gold felt tip pen, a white journalling pen and an hour or so of doodling; and voilà! Blue funk officially busted, fun had AND a cute bunch of Owls to decorate a shelf on the back verandah. </div>
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Sometimes we're so busy being serious and focused on 'important' stuff that we forget the <strong>really </strong>important stuff - goofing off, taking the pressure down and just having some fun. I am really grateful to Caityln for sharing; to Carolyn for inspiring; and to my small friend Tilly, who arrived part way through and created a couple of rocks of her own, reminding me how wonderful it was to be five years old, in the moment and free of self doubt. </div>
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If only I found the pictures of enticing food and organised tidy cupboards and weight loss workouts equally inspiring! What's your favourite thing to search for on Pinterest?</div>
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<br />Tracey Hewitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03611591293930665277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-775949248368569884.post-40308007317357597202014-02-21T11:32:00.003+10:002014-02-21T11:32:53.406+10:00A Tale of Two Paintings<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z3iABKqkJLw/UwaWKR9OkQI/AAAAAAAABoA/vpLRowgJRpA/s1600/A_Farmers_Fortune_Tracey_Hewitt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z3iABKqkJLw/UwaWKR9OkQI/AAAAAAAABoA/vpLRowgJRpA/s1600/A_Farmers_Fortune_Tracey_Hewitt.jpg" height="290" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>Farmers Fortune</em></strong><br />
43cm x 53 cm Acrylic on watercolour paper ©2013 Tracey Hewitt</td></tr>
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Let me tell you a story about these paintings. Our local ambulance officer is a beautiful lady who grew up in Tonga. (her name is Sela, and she has the most dazzling smile I think I have ever seen). She was visiting our local exhibition last year, and admired <em>Farmers Fortune</em> very much, but wished it had a thatch hut and a palm tree instead of a house and a windmill. For me, this painting speaks of hot dry days, and the relative harshness of this life on the land, as well as the breathtaking beauty of sunsets and open spaces. A farmers fortune seems to be paradoxical - harsh, tough and frustrating, while at the same time full of beauty, awe and connection to the earth. Sela, saw something else. She saw the skies, seas and sunsets of her birthplace. A kind of magic danced in eyes as she stood and looked at it. Seeing her respond and relate to it so strongly is the kind of connection we artists hope for - a deeply satisfying experience. <br />
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A delightful conversation later, she commissioned me to create her vision on a large canvas (the piece I painted for her is roughly twice the size of the original). <br />
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Now, I tried earnestly to convince Mission Control that I needed to visit <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tonga" target="_blank">Tonga</a> so as to bring a level of great authenticity to this piece. Thank goodness for Google Image searches! While restful hours on a Tongan beach remain beyond my reach for the time being, it has, in the course of creating this piece, made it's way onto my Bucket List - the more you learn about a place, it's appeal grows infinitely greater.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cxjFzgP_3Mc/UwaWRf5UHwI/AAAAAAAABoI/ZzzjFGAwvX4/s1600/Tongan_Treasures_2014_Tracey_Hewitt_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cxjFzgP_3Mc/UwaWRf5UHwI/AAAAAAAABoI/ZzzjFGAwvX4/s1600/Tongan_Treasures_2014_Tracey_Hewitt_Web.jpg" height="296" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>Tongan Treasures</strong></em><br />
105cm x 75cm Acrylic on canvas ©2014 Tracey Hewitt </td></tr>
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Sela took delivery of <em>Tongan Treasures,</em> with it's thatched palm hut and pair of palm trees - to represent her and her husband - last week; a gift to herself for one of those birthdays with a zero on the end.<br />
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To say it was a pleasure to create for her is an understatement - creating a piece with a specific person in mind is possibly one of my favourite things to do, and Sela's enthusiasm for it when it was delivered was infectious and delightful. <br />
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In the meantime, <em>Farmers Fortune</em> is still quietly and patiently waiting for the person to whom its story whispers to come along and give it a home. I'd love to know what story it tells you?</div>
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Tracey Hewitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03611591293930665277noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-775949248368569884.post-8851561169155219072014-02-03T17:31:00.000+10:002014-02-03T17:31:28.756+10:00Making Time for Art<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuseCd_h359x7eIF9dtjmD78l30PcW9_gMytctPpKEnO2mKU1iebKg6a6B9EhO2CMDtEh3-SliC0pUaKtTLwEHvL40TlirYQHi6HAIPTRS0sRsDxCSIStgr7pI1J09ssbipTZ5JNrPD9wk/s640/blogger-image--1500263026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuseCd_h359x7eIF9dtjmD78l30PcW9_gMytctPpKEnO2mKU1iebKg6a6B9EhO2CMDtEh3-SliC0pUaKtTLwEHvL40TlirYQHi6HAIPTRS0sRsDxCSIStgr7pI1J09ssbipTZ5JNrPD9wk/s800/blogger-image--1500263026.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This sign just went on the studio door. I've never had a sign like this. </div>
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Let's back up a little, and explain some things. I recently signed up for <a href="http://www.artbizcoach.com/artbizbootcamp/" target="_blank">ArtBiz Bootcamp</a>. This programme for artists is offered by Alyson B Stanfield, of <a href="http://www.artbizcoach.com/" target="_blank">ArtBiz Coach</a> fame. In the past, I've learned lots from her book and a couple of other classes I've taken with her. This 'assignment' was week one, fundamental stuff. It's taken me almost four weeks to actually do it! You wouldn't believe some of the stuff I told myself about how and why this wouldn't - couldn't - work for me. I won't make you want to poke yourself in the eye with a pencil by telling you all about those excuses in detail - just know, they were lame... <em>really</em> lame. What was exciting though, was how great it felt to finally choose to commit to some not negotiable time frames to call studio time. I think I may have even heard an hallelujah chorus off in the heavens somewhere - though I can't be sure about that. (It may have just been Garfield objecting to a lack of appropriate cat food in his bowl).</div>
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What I wanted to share with you though, is that this action - choosing some times, printing them on a bit of card, and hanging it up - created a big shift in the way I think and feel about my work as an artist. Like I'm taking myself seriously. </div>
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Sometimes small actions can have big consequences.... </div>
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What little thing have you done that has led to big things? I'd love to hear. Tell us all about it in the comments.</div>
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Tracey Hewitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03611591293930665277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-775949248368569884.post-45596185269434637902014-01-23T17:56:00.000+10:002014-01-23T18:00:08.624+10:00The Bear Grills of the Jack Russell World - A Story of Survival<br />
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See this cute, peaceful, quiet, little Jack Russell Puppy? He's a bit of a legend around here.</div>
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We've had so many litters of puppies here over the years, that I couldn't begin to guess at just how many babies we have raised. As they grow, we find them new homes with their forever humans, and much joy is spread in the world. In all the years, and through all those puppies, we've never had any 'go missing'. But, the last litter:</div>
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all cute little pumpkins, were another story. They took it in turns to disappear, and no amount of walking and calling, and looking in sheds, and under buildings and in holes in the paddock could uncover them. Ten thousand acres of backyard makes it kind of tricky to know where to look. </div>
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Each, in turn, went missing. Legend here, was the first. A full scale search found no trace. We suspected a wedge tail eagle might have swooped down and helped himself to a free meal (a thoroughly disturbing prospect). Two days and many fruitless hours of searching later, his sister disappeared. Back to full scale search mode. And guess what? I found him, hanging out beside a cattle grid, not far from the house. After two nights in the big bad world all on his own, he was <em>very</em> happy to see me, and <em><strong>very</strong></em> hungry. His sister remained elusive, making her reappearance the next morning, unscathed and keeping tight lipped about where she'd been. This just kept on happening! One would disappear, only to show up hours later; a day or two later another would do a vanishing act. We had no idea where they were sneaking off to, and began to suspect the existence of some puppy destination akin to Batman's Bat Cave.</div>
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The time came to send two of them off to their new homes (which involved a 3 drive to catch a plane at 8 am - you can figure out what time we had to get out of bed for that!) All present and accounted for at 10am the day before departure. At 10.30am - two missing. 2pm a big thunder storm rolls through, dropping a good shower of rain. Full scale search launched. 4pm a second storm rolls in. Full scale search resumes. Then, it gets dark. No sign of missing two. Give up and go to bed, wondering how to tell a little family in Adelaide that they wont be getting a puppy tomorrow, because he's gone missing in action. 4am, Pa gets himself up for another search (he has a touch of tracker in him, but the lack of useful daylight, and our growing conviction that the Puppy Bat Cave was a real thing, was something of a barrier to any useful progress.) We left home, then turned around and raced back after a call to tell us one pup had appeared. Wrong pup. Took him anyway. Adelaide family happy to be getting a puppy, even if it's not the one they chose. Feeling broken hearted about the missing one - but he did survive 2 nights on his own a couple of weeks earlier....maybe he'll show up? As one day slid into another and then another, after 4 days there was a heavy storm, and we resigned ourselves to thinking he probably was no longer for this world, and gave up looking.</div>
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Then, 8 nights - yes, I said <em>eight nights </em>after he vanished, he reappeared! Trotting along beside his Mama like he'd never been away - except of course he was very skinny looking, and my word, he was famished! </div>
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We will never know where he was hanging out, how he survived (it was pretty hot) or how and why he made his way back. He has now gone to live with his new family - leaving us with lots of questions and not a single answer. </div>
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Tracey Hewitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03611591293930665277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-775949248368569884.post-50316501271449211382014-01-16T12:05:00.001+10:002014-01-16T12:05:09.121+10:00Why Online Classes Rock My World<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My Mum recently took me to task about the lack of interesting activity here on the blog. OK, the lack of any activity at all. She had a point. (You've got to love Mums for keeping it real and calling you on your shortcomings.) There hasn't however, been a lack of activity in my world - as my middle prince would say- lots of cool stuff (OK, so he wouldn't say stuff, he'd say another word that starts with s...but I'm sure you get the idea) has been going on.</div>
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In amongst a bunch of other 'stuff', I've been working away in an online class with the irrepressible <a href="http://janedavenport.com/about/welcome/" target="_blank">Jane Davenport</a>. It's not the first of her classes I have enjoyed: <a href="http://janedavenport.com/workshops/supplies-me-online-workshop/" target="_blank">Supplies Me</a> is a wonderful journey through a vast assortment of media while she teaches the nuances of drawing faces and figures -things I long ago swore off as being 'not my thing' and something I believed for a long time I just couldn't do. The lovely lady above was the result of my explorations in "Ink Week", where Jane's students discover the joy of Sumi ink in an Aquawash pen. I have to tell you; that's the most delicious, free feeling media to work with and I can't believe it's taken me so long to discover it! It was quite difficult to stop drawing, which goes some of the way to explaining how she comes to have a couple of mouths and a nose on her chest and shoulder.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SY2G0AVdVhQ/Utcor7O4n-I/AAAAAAAABmk/dgTXzcGTRl8/s1600/Background1_Tracey_Hewitt_Sized-for-Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SY2G0AVdVhQ/Utcor7O4n-I/AAAAAAAABmk/dgTXzcGTRl8/s1600/Background1_Tracey_Hewitt_Sized-for-Web.jpg" height="276" width="400" /></a></div>
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Most recently though, the <a href="http://janedavenport.com/workshops/print-and-scan/" target="_blank">"Print and Scan"</a> class has held me spellbound. For a very long time, I've been keenly aware of a limited understanding of digital file sizes, types and manipulation. I lost track of the countless times I told myself I needed to learn this 'techie' stuff. Then, *cue violins and blinding bright light* I read that Jane has created this class - the very one I need, with all the skills I need to learn! It's Jane's first Professional Development class; and the investment paid for itself in the first class. The image above is a scan of a 2 page journal spread. We learned how to manipulate the image to get rid of the 'gutter' in the middle of the pages, and lots of other techniques to show the artwork at it's glowing best.</div>
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After a small mind explosion (don't worry, it didn't make much mess) - and a bit of practice - the lovely lady made her way onto the journal page; and changed the colour of her face - all in the innards of my computer, with information streamed to my computer desk via the wonder of technology and the Internet. </div>
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What's great about Jane is that she delivers this in artist speak, not techie talk; though she has extensive technical knowledge. What's great about the Internet delivery is not having to drive for hours (and hours...and hours..); You can stop and start that video and toggle back and forth between your image manipulation and the instruction, so you practice it as soon as you see/hear it; you can work on it at whatever time suits you; and - possibly my personal favourite - you can hang out in your paint stained shirt and yoga pants. (Have I ever told you just HOW much I love my yoga pants?)</div>
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In honour of Carmel (my awesome Mum) there will be effort made to post stories of more of the cool 'stuff' going on around here. Right now though, it's time to go and log into the Print and Scan classroom for some more mind exploding fun.</div>
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<br />Tracey Hewitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03611591293930665277noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-775949248368569884.post-74526641985941541452013-07-11T14:33:00.000+10:002013-08-05T12:25:10.252+10:00Junction Park Mosaic Mural - A Theodore Community Arts Project <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amanda Whitney (totally amazing Community Development Officer) and I finally get to relax and admire our handiwork!</td></tr>
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For you special souls who visit the blog regularly, here is the explanation for the lack of regular postings lately.</div>
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Our mosaic wall. That's the reason. It was a big part of our lives for a while. It's finished. Can you hear the heavy, satisfied, exhausted, slightly sad sigh?</div>
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That was fun. Full on, and at times overwhelming and a bit scary, but fun. Amanda, our very dedicated Community Development Officer approached me, what seems like years ago now - oh hang on, it was in fact two years ago - with the offer of a wonderful creative opportunity. Would I be interested in creating a design for a mosaic work for our community, and acting as the local coordinator for the Banana Shire Council ? I'm so glad I said yes! Though there may have been moments in the ensuing couple of years when I seriously questioned my faith in my own capabilities, it was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.</div>
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This is why:</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Theodore locals turned out in force to work on a piece of the mosaic that they'll feel forever connected to.</td></tr>
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It's no secret I love our little town and the people who call it home. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sandy.robertson.australia?fref=ts" target="_blank">Sandy Robertson</a> and her wonderful hubby Dave came from <a href="http://www.ozmosaics.com.au/mosaic/en/" target="_blank">Ozmosaics</a> in Brisbane, bearing tools and tiles and other treats; and spent the next seven days showing over 60 Theodore locals the 'how to' of mosaics. No small accomplishment considering that of those 60, maybe 2 had<i> any</i> previous experience of mosaics. That's one of the things I love about this place - people get involved. Even after hearing me on J<a href="http://blogs.abc.net.au/queensland/2013/05/theodore-community-to-create-a-mosaic-wall.html?site=capricornia&program=capricornia_breakfast" target="_blank">acquie Mackay's ABC Radio interview</a>, they still came! To stand in the middle of the shed, and look around at the absorption on people's faces, listen to the stories being shared, the laughter, see the sense of satisfaction when they looked at what they'd accomplished; was a great privilege and tremendous buzz.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Black Cockatoos, Saratoga fish, Tawny Frogmouth Owls (totem of the Wulli Wulli people), Fitzroy Bottom Breathing Turtles and the Livistonia Palm - all locals themselves - are depicted on one side of the wall.</span></td></tr>
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After working on the mosaic (I have to add that 'work' doesn't quite feel like the right word) for 7 days on tables in the shed, we had a break for a couple of weeks, and Sandy and Dave returned, to glue the mosaic onto the wall that had been purpose built in Junction Park, one of Theodore's loveliest spots. A green, leafy, tree studded park, flanked by the Dawson River and Castle Creek; this location was the inspiration for the design. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bottle Trees, wheat, cotton, a water wheel, a cow and a slightly abstracted version of the water tower and town main street complete the other side.</span></td></tr>
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Sandy's inextinguishable energy carried us along, as we glued, patched, grouted, cleaned, laughed and shared endless stories. She even showed us her clever secrets to create three dimensional effects with the tiles, as well as the plates and bowls that were donated by the community.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We loved our brass plaques acknowledging 'those who made this project possible' including the State and Federal Governments, Operation Queenslander, and the Banana Shire Council</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These loose circular shapes on the ends represent the stacks of timber from the local sawmill, and also reference the many circular traffic islands in Theodore's main street.<br />
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I have a confession. I drive down to the park, just to look at this wall. The resident Grey Nomads in their camper vans possibly think I'm stalking or something. Every time I look at it, I find myself thinking of Jeanie working on the water wheel, Diana creating amazing birds, Lotte bringing the bottle tree to glorious life, Jim laying roadway.... I could go on, and on, and on...... but I'm pretty sure you've got better things to do than listen to me list where 60 individuals laid their tiles. But the point is, I know, and I will always remember. From our youngest kids and oldest residents who created sweet, five petalled flowers that create a special background; to the brave souls who didn't believe they could do it, but discovered that rivers and leaves and green rolling hills were not beyond them at all, this wall has the hearts of a whole community cemented right into it.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of our talented locals, Kelly, showed up with this amazing cake collection as we were finishing off the wall.</td></tr>
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This Thank you is for them. And for our mosaic artist extraordinaire Sandy and Dave, whose DNA is in this wall - literally. Sandy bled into it more than once! For Community Development Officer Amanda, without whose vision and efforts this would never had come to life. For <a href="http://blogs.abc.net.au/queensland/2013/05/theodore-community-to-create-a-mosaic-wall.html" target="_blank">Laticrete</a> - ceramic tile and stone installation products manufacturers - who very generously donated all the glues, cements and grouts we would need for the project, and to everyone who supported, encouraged and shared in any part of the process. I feel so fortunate to have had this opportunity, and beyond delighted with the results. One day, the grout might even come out from under my fingernails!<br />
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<br />Tracey Hewitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03611591293930665277noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-775949248368569884.post-30439653565480539172013-05-14T08:55:00.000+10:002013-05-14T08:55:01.135+10:00Feeling My Way In Cunnamulla<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Feeling My Way" exhibition at the Cunnamulla Fella Centre Art Gallery</td></tr>
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I can't quite believe it's been 6 weeks since this:</div>
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I'm pretty sure I promised a report on the exhibition... somewhere I seem to have lost some weeks (I do in fact know where they've gone, and over the next little while, I might even get as far as telling you about some of the things I've been up to!) But, for today, a little step back in time to Cunnamulla.</div>
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My beloved came along (it was an eight hour drive, so the company was great for a start!) I have to say, at around three o'clock on the afternoon we were hanging it all, I was overcome with thankfulness to have him. His skill, care and attention to detail with tape measure, screwdriver and ladder made me fall in love with him just a little bit more (if that were, in fact, even possible!) It's a good lesson for those of us who are the 'creatives' - it's of tremendous value to have as your sidekick, someone who has a natural inclination to practicality and order. A 'thinker' as opposed to a 'feeler'; if you're a follower of Meyers Briggs Personality Profiling. Whilst I am perfectly capable of locating my practical brain, while I'm deep in creative brain mode, it's more of a stretch. I learned some very interesting things about myself out there!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2DmNdDdkxQNZO3yJU5ifqmvANOacy8lhI9iaa0uY8U74BF6Jp35r-M1qfsrfLxHbYwaWXMoocjsnb_3377dvcqcEjHsLQIDLkQBWzSNBJ7pE8TBpy87U4iUerc6DZ-HCsjPcQZrOeAEeV/s1600/IMG_7023+copy+(683x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2DmNdDdkxQNZO3yJU5ifqmvANOacy8lhI9iaa0uY8U74BF6Jp35r-M1qfsrfLxHbYwaWXMoocjsnb_3377dvcqcEjHsLQIDLkQBWzSNBJ7pE8TBpy87U4iUerc6DZ-HCsjPcQZrOeAEeV/s800/IMG_7023+copy+(683x1024).jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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But, enough about me already! The gallery space at the<a href="http://www.paroo.info/LocalInfo/CunnamullaFellaCentre.aspx" target="_blank"> Cunnamulla Fella Centre</a> is, as you can see, just beautiful. It's a fabulous facility; part of the centres museum - which is brilliant and well worth a look as well.</div>
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The staff - Carmel, Sally, Courtney and Mike were everything you'd ever hope for - friendly, helpful, kind and fun!</div>
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It was great to meet a few locals while we were there, and I was super excited that sales on opening night were beyond my wildest imaginings!</div>
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We had three nights in Cunnamulla, and the recount wouldn't be complete without a shout out to Pieta and Pitisi at the <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Hotel_Review-g499649-d3296405-Reviews-Club_Boutique_Hotel_Cunnamulla-Cunnamulla_Queensland.html" target="_blank">Club Boutique Hotel </a>. Have you ever had a vase of fresh roses on the bedside table in your hotel room? That's just one of the things these girls do in order to make their guests feel welcome. It truly felt like coming home to our family at the end of a day. We discovered Pitisi has a great appreciation for tractors - and my art work - which enamoured her to both of us!</div>
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Thanks so much to everyone at Cunnamulla - we had a wonderful stay, and I couldn't be more thrilled with how my fist solo exhibition turned out. </div>
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If you're out that way, you still have a couple of weeks to see it - it closes on the 24th May. While you're there, would you say hi to everyone for me?</div>
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Thanks.</div>
<br />Tracey Hewitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03611591293930665277noreply@blogger.com1