shifting, changing, growing

I’ve had a very interesting week this week so I thought I’d share it with you all.  As you know I suffered from a migraine for the first time a week or two ago which was something new, not much fun, but left it at that and thought well it’ll most likely be a one-off.  However, into last weekend and the start of this week I was experiencing intense neck tension that was beginning to become quite debilitating as it was making me quite grumpy and also distracting me from my usual weekly routine and creativity.  The week did not start well at all.

On Wednesday I’d made plans to catch up with a lovely local lady whom I met at a Flora Bowley workshop a couple of years ago.  We enjoyed a really lovely chat and laugh over lunch and then she invited me to take part in an art therapy session which apart from Business coaching is a field she loves to work in.  She’d mentioned this to me a while ago and it immediately brought back memory’s of going off to a therapist of sorts around the age of 8 when my parents divorced.  Mum took me a long and all I remember is being asked to draw pictures and describe them.  For me at that age it felt terribly awkward, embarrassing, self-conscious and plain weird speaking to someone I’d never met before and being asked questions and being prompted to draw out my emotions as if I didn’t know what was going on.  Anyway not the best experience I’ve had.

This session however was completely different, more relaxing and less intrusive and embarrassing.  I knew it would be though and that’s why I felt totally trusting and went along.  The session started with a little meditation and relaxation exercise and then I was asked to select a couple of coloured pastels, one for each hand.  I was then to close my eyes, relax, switch off from everything and just allow my hands to do whatever they wanted to do on the large pieces of paper in front of me.  At first I thought, that’s not so hard, this will be fun.

However, this was harder than I thought!  I regularly meditate and find it quite easy to relax my body and hush my mind now, but to just zone out and allow my hands to do what they wanted, without my inner self telling them what to do or pushing them to do something else was really, really hard.  I at first was drawing what I was seeing, although that wasn’t right, so I really had to try with quite a lot of concentrating to just tune out from all and be guided by my hands.

Over time I did and felt my hands wandering the page in front of me.  I actually thought that I was about to go off the edge of the page, however when it was time to open my eyes and look and then select new pastels for the next piece, I’d notice that I was nowhere near the edges and that in fact I was tightly contained right in front of me.  Interesting.

My friend encouraged me in the next few to move my body with the movements of my hands.  Now I was beginning to feel a little self-conscious, but I tried to let go of this feeling and move my body.  Again, it felt as though I was stretching out far, but I’d open my eyes to see I’d only inched out a little and the patterning was quite similar.

Trying a few times more on new sheets of paper I slowly began to relax, switch off and be guided openly by my hands.  Big circles appeared and almost became figure 8s in the end piece.  It was such an interesting process and one that gave me great insight into myself and how I am.  I could see telling traits and also see the inner self that wants to go in her own direction.

I really enjoyed this art therapy session and would recommend it to any of you out there who is willing to have a go and find out what art therapy is about these days, not like the old days!!  If you live on the Mornington Peninsula and would like my contact then please feel free to email me and I’ll put you in contact with this fabulous woman.

The next day I felt I’d grown in my understanding of myself, again.  Always growing and learning and that’s what I love.  However, I was still suffering from the terrible tension in my neck so I rang my gorgeous Yoga teacher who is also a practicing massage and reflexology therapist to see if she could fit me in for a session.  It was meant to be, she’d had a cancellation that morning so off I went to see what would show up as causing my pain.

I had enjoyed reflexology sessions in the past, but hadn’t had one since I’d had my boys. Isn’t it ridiculous how we tend to let all of those little helpful wellbeing and health things go by the wayside when we have kids?!  I guess we just naturally put their needs and health before our own, but I’m beginning to realise that in fact I need to be number one in good health and wellbeing to in fact manage them and their health and wellbeing!

As soon as the session began I could instantly feel the beautiful healing energy and knew that I was in the right place and that this beautiful healer knew what she was doing.  The session felt endless, time stood still and I could feel her working on various parts of my body.  I fell into a deep meditative state and thoroughly enjoyed the peacefulness and gentle work.  This was such an insightful session for me.  I went in there thinking that my neck was actually out of alignment and perhaps I had tension I was carrying in my neck and shoulders.  However, it turned out that it was showing up as hormonal and even though it was a surprise, it actually made sense once we talked through it.  I’d been experiencing hormonal changes over the last 2 years and I guess this is just more change I’m experiencing.  My session also helped shift some other blockages though and this realization came from both this session and the art therapy session.

I’d been feeling quite frustrated, a bit put out, a bit down in the dumps and feeling useless the past couple of weeks.  It has been distracting and has dampened my mood that’s for sure.  I knew the cause of this, but hadn’t really worked out how to make a change to help me feel my normal happy-go-lucky motivated self.  Today though, about midday after running errands (which I really could have done tomorrow morning) and distracting myself with washing and cleaning (again I really could have done tomorrow on the weekend), I suddenly felt the urge to merge my two working spaces at home.  You see I’d been working on my illustration and computer stuff out in our lounge room on the big long desk, next to my husband who works as an Architect in our Architectural practice, from home.  My little studio space I’d kept just for painting.  I’ve not been spending enough time in the studio painting as much as I’d like to lately.  I thought that’s it, I’ve just got to move everything I need and work on into the one space.  I then won’t be bothered by my hubby whom I’ve felt a little bit overwhelmed by in many ways recently, and also I will have my own space which I can totally enjoy in my own way, and also hopefully get some more painting time in there too.

So it’s taken me all afternoon and some of this evening and there’s still some stuff to sort and throw out most likely, but I’m in here, feeling fab again and I’ve got my Liza smile back on which feels great.  Nothing like a big shift, a new space, and a fresh start to make one feel alive and invigorated.  I feel at home in this little space.  It’s still not quite right as it’s very small and I’ve just used what furniture I had at hand, including our camping trestle table (o:  The plan is though to build in my own desk along two walls, add some shelving and keep a wall free to paint against, and it will be just perfect.

We are also underway with another big change here at home, which I must say is going to change our lives.  For the better!  Michael and I have been discussing and measuring and drawing up plans for a new garage and studio space where our carport currently stands.  This is a huge deal!!  Michael as I’ve mentioned has been working full-time from our lounge room, which adjoins our living dining kitchen, with only a sliding door between him and me and our two boys.  Not ideal at all.  It’s been very difficult living like this, causes quite a lot of tension at times, and isn’t really fair on him, me or the kids.  So with a little help from family to get us started, we are going to spend the next little while building ourselves a lockable garage and a studio.  The other exciting part is that I will be able to move the trailer out and open up a section to use it as a workshop space.  Woohooo (o:  That means I’ll be able to run one day workshops from here, kids after school workshops from here, my own weekend Nature Nurture workshops from here and there will be no wasted time and energy and expense in hiring spaces once this is complete.  Yay, we are all very excited.  It’s not there yet, but our vision definitely is feeling more like a reality now.

Happy weekend to you and I hope you have a bit happy smile spread across your face all weekend like I will (o:

Liza xxx

Autumn; creative flow, inspiration and ease

I love Autumn!  It is my favourite time of the year.  It’s also the best time to enjoy the last of the warming, nurturing sunshine before Winter sets in and before my own hibernation of sorts settles in too. So, I have been making the most of it.  Our winters down here on the Mornington Peninsula can be quite damp, grey and very cold.  I’ve been enjoying the crisp, refreshing, sunny Autumn mornings and enjoying peaceful walks of solitude. Time to think and contemplate.  I’ve upped my weekly Iyenga yoga to twice a week, stretching, working on mind, body, spirit, and strengthening my lungs with beautiful vibrant breath to keep all the nasty Winter bugs away.  I’ve been enjoying precious catch ups with dear friends, family, snuggling new bubbas and enjoying some cherished girl time.  This time out with my special girls has been such a precious gift to me and I’ve always cherished my gorgeous girls.  They keep me sane, on track, motivated, inspired and filled with open love. They are true gifts in my life. 

The boys have been growing and expanding their gorgeous hearts.  They love afternoon run around with the soccer balls or rides on our bikes in the fading sun.  Tully has been to visit his new school for next year, and oh my is he one excited lil boy!  Flynn is learning to ride and sleeping in his bed all night more and more which is awesome!  So this is Autumn, time to nourish, enjoy and open our hearts.  Time to start to slow down and be.

Last week I was a busy bee with a burst of creativity coming through in my smaller paintings.  Remember it’s the smaller ones I usually struggle with. I find them too restricting, fiddly, limiting in their size, confining me in my expressive freedom that I so want to release. I just want to paint big! The process I’ve played with in these recent smaller paintings, is very much the same process that I have been working with for the past couple of years. The difference this time was that I took it further and trusted in it a lot more. I haven’t yet written a post about this but my word for 2013 is “courage”. 

I start with a wash of colour, simply allowing me to loosen up before the real fun begins.  I then play with the first layer of colour, usually selecting just a few similar hues and moving them over the canvas with my fingers.  I love to finger paint!

I then usually add some detail or texture or both, just again in acrylic medium bodied paint.  I might create this through pattern, or fine detail, or dots, making marks in the thicker sections of paint, whatever I feel like at the time just to create some variation and interest.Another layer is added, as indicated by the above photo, where I usually play with fluid translucent acrylic paint.  I either smear on a veil of translucent shiny colour over and area I want to see through later, or I’ll create a river of flowing colour and sit and allow it to dry.  Sometimes I’ll let it flow all over the canvas and other times I’ll just focus the fluids in one section and paint around and right up to it.  You’ll see in this painting below I’ve restricted the translucent colour to an area and then painted right up to and blended into it.In this painting below the translucent paint formed a base layer to which I then added a layer of botanical illustration.  I then outlined an image and used the first few layers as a window of detail within the image.

I also use layers of translucent paint to create mystery and depth in a painting.  You can see this as an example in this piece below.  Whenever I use translucent paint though it’s always a bit of a brave process as I add water to it and it moves.  Translucents are not stagnant like the heavy bodied acrylic paint that I also use.  It has its own flow and will glide across an uneven canvas very quickly and roll over and down the edge, ending up on the floor if I’m not too careful!  It will move and glide into textures on the surface of a canvas and pool.  It’s path is unknown and not easily controlled and can also end up covering parts of a painting that were once precious and meant to be retained.  It is a game of luck once I add some translucent paint and water to a painting.  But, I do love the mystery, the gamble, and the waiting and watching to see what will become of adding some translucent acrylic paint. It is the translucency that I really let loose with in these new smaller pieces last week.  Each of them had a beautiful abstract background with movement, depth and texture.  However, even as abstracts they weren’t really working for me.  I also felt that if I tried to create an image or add more detail, they were at risk of looking overworked and a bit too fussy.  I just felt they were too small for me to play with in the usual manner I would with a larger canvas. 

So I took a very brave step and applied translucent colours to the entire canvas.  Yes, I did have a whole lot of wet paint sitting directly on top of all the beauty that was beneath.  But, that was what created the tension, the interest in the painting in the end, and the fun in the process of creating it for me.  I had fun doing it, but then I had to sit, watch and wait for it to dry to see what it would become.It’s a very trusting process as I have absolutely no control over where this translucent paint will travel, sit and pool, and how it will dry.  I do have to be quite careful with my layering of colours in this particular part of the painting as well.  I have been so pleased with the results though and have really enjoyed using this technique more and more in my art.  I am in the process of creating a series of these smaller canvases in this style now which is very exciting. 

I’m really happy with the results so far.  They are moody, mysterious and intriguing.  You could say a bit like the process I use really (o:My choice of colours for this series is also a reflection of this beautiful changing season of Autumn.  These colours are in my local landscape which is a constant source of inspiration for me.

I will now sit with each of these for a bit to soak up their energy and feel whether I need to do anything more to them before they’re signed, sealed and ready to be sent out into the world.  At the moment thought they’re feeling very much finished. 

Enjoying some much-loved painting time was fantastic and I really hope I can find more painting time now as we move into the cooler quieter months of the year.  I’ve been busy working on some illustrative mixed media commissions and gifts recently so that has taken up my allocated painting day each week.  But this is also creative work that I love.  I definitely have two much loved creative passions in painting and illustration.This piece above was created for a very special bubba.  I think I need to work on my giraffe forms a bit more though as this boy looks more like a tubby pony with a longer neck heeheee!  This piece below was created for a lovely generous local lady whom I buy my local raw honey from.  I can’t wait to give it to her next week (o:

This beautiful butterfly piece was created as a commission for someone’s lovely Mum for Mothers Day.

I also have some new commissions under way which is great.  I really do enjoy the commissions I receive.  It’s a very intuitive process for me and I really love the fun of discovery which comes with each of these.  So if you have a special piece in mind for yourself or are looking for a beautiful personal gift for a loved one, do send me an email and I’d be happy to discuss it with you.  To give you an idea of the cost involved my A5′s of this style are currently $40 and my A4′s are currently $80 each. 

So I have been busily creating away here, hence the lack of blogging…sorry!!  This week I’ve been slowed down though as my two boys haven’t been feeling 100% and have been hard work!  You know; refusals to get dressed, refusals to eat meals, refusals to listen, refusals to go to bed!!!  I then experienced my first migraine on Tuesday morning which left me feeling foggy for a couple of days, and I ended the week with a touch of the sniffles.  I’m grateful for beginning to feel better again today though.  I’m also grateful for the creative fun I’ve been enjoying these past few weeks.  My art is always for sale too.  So feel free to enquire (I’ve had a few recently) if a piece takes your interest. 

Enjoy your weekend and I hope to be back here with more creative fun next week!

Liza xxx

PS. some musical inspiration for you.  A new piece from an ole fave of mine …Matt Corby’s new song “Resolution”

Autumn, inspiration and renewed energy

I’m feeling right where I need to be again this week; busy happily creating original art.  I’ve been so busy the past couple of months that I’ve not had clear solid time to focus and create.  My routine was totally out of order, as I had many engagements, deadlines, a mile long task list or organizational stuff, family things, and I was feeling energetically out of whack and fatigued, most likely due to overwhelm and not enough down time or thinking time in amongst all there was to do.  I also had to stay strong to myself, listen to my intuition, very, very strongly, (I asked multiple times often in meditation just to be sure) and say no to a couple of things which really tested my inner strength in some ways.

Autumn is well and truly here though now.  My favourite time of the year!  And, I am feeling renewed, alive, full of energy and full of creative light.  I’m loving every day again and living presently in the moment, instead of worrying about the next to do or engagement. 

I have also been seeing a Chinese Dr again for the past 6 weeks or so and this has helped me realign and completely rejuvenate my energy levels.  I was seeing a fabulous Chinese Dr regularly before we moved a couple of years ago, but hadn’t found one since the move.  Back on track again though now and jumping with abundant energy stores again.  Loving my morning walks and really hoping I can attend yoga twice a week again instead of my usual one.  Happily sending all my wishes out into the open (o:

Creatively I’ve been busy organizing the two upcoming Paint Mojo workshops on behalf of Artist Tracy Verdugo.  This involves sorting venue, paperwork, payments, emailing participants, catering, thinking about venue set up etc.

I’ve also been working on organizing the finer details of my next upcoming Nature Nurture Workshop in October with preparations for catering, venue confirmation, workshop details, refinements and flyers.

I’ve had more interest recently in my A4 and A5 mixed media originals too which excited me.  So I’ve had a number of commissions to work on as well as a bit of a back log of gifts for family and loved ones.  That’s certainly keeping me busy, but enjoyable busy and I love the constant flow of new work and ideas that are coming through so easily now.

My painting is going on in the background.  I still aim to paint one day a week, but I still feel it’s not enough to really get into it.  I’m sure once my boys are in Primary School I may get more regular painting time, even with the shorter days.  Another wish I’m putting out there!!  I’ve got a few unfinished pieces still but I’m loving exploring my colourful botanicals and there is a series of these now under way which I’d love to exhibit next year!

Health and wellbeing I’m constantly exploring and researching as you all know.  I do need to get back into my regular “Wellness from Within” posts again for you all though.  I know there are many of you requesting my fresh turmeric dip recipe as well as various other recipes.  I’m now getting a regular flow of requests for my recipes and also health and nutritional advice.  It makes me light up when people are willing to make the necessary changes to their diets and daily routines to lead a healthier lifestyle.  We all need to do this, not only for ourselves but for our following generations of loved ones.  I may not have shared this in here yet, but late last year with routine yearly blood tests (I always have to keep an eye on my low blood pressure and sometimes very low iron) my GP advised me that as I was nearing 40 I should add a cholesterol test now.  I thought ok, yes, that makes sense, but didn’t think much more.

Perhaps I should have as there is a running family history of heart disease and high cholesterol in my family.  I didn’t think much of it though as I’ve been very aware of this and done my utmost to lead a healthy life, with improvements year after year.  I’m currently eating and living the healthiest I have ever!  I just thought well I’ve been looking after myself for a very long time for this very reason, to keep my cholesterol low.  However, I was totally shocked, upset, and angry when my tests came back with sky-high cholesterol…9.7!  The doctor wanted to put me on medication straight away, that very day, saying your young, fit, very healthy, this is hereditary and there is nothing  you can do about it, you need to take this medication.  So, me being me, I argued with them and said no I am not going on medication until I’ve done my own research. 

Anyway, turns out about 3 months later I went on it, only as there were very little dietary changes that I could implicate, the herbs and vitamins that I started taking made no difference to my level, the compounding pharmacist said natural remedies will only bring it down 1 – 1.5, which is still not enough, and family and close friends were worried and said you have no choice.  I won’t go into further details, as that’s another blog post, but I will say I’ve reduced the doctor’s prescription of medication due to them not taking in size and weight and the effects and side effects that I was feeling.  However, I am still researching and looking at ways to reduce my cholesterol more naturally.  Unfortunately though for me this is all the result of my DNA and family history so my warning to you all is that no matter how healthy your lifestyle is, please, please make sure you have all the regular yearly check ups and tests to make sure all is in order.

Other news I bought Tully a new bike as he’d well and truly out grown his old one so much so he had the wobbles on it every time he tried to ride it.  Early birthday present!!  It’s mushroom season which is just delightful and so fascinating down here on the Mornington Peninsula which really is a little haven for a fabulous variety of mushies.  Let the magic begin! 

Ahhhh, gorgeous, loving the kookaburras laughing in the background here at the moment.  They’ve been happy chappies all day today since dawn.  It’s such a glorious Autumn day here and I’m achieving so much.  Here’s to more days like today and more regular updates and blog posts from me for you (o:  Hope you’re all enjoying my regular Facebook photos, links and inspirations too and welcome to the new likers over there, thank-you.

Liza xxx

PS. links for you to check out…

A special announcement from Lila Rogers and Beth Nichols about an amazing opportunity!!

http://dowhatyouloveforlife.com/blog/2013/05/08/do-what-you-love-interview-with-lilla-rogers-massive-giveaway-and-very-exciting-announcement/

The Wellness Warrior – Jessica Ainscough and her incredible inspiring story and wealth of wellness information

http://www.thewellnesswarrior.com.au/

The Goodness Goddess – Tasha a gorgeous girl & I love her motto “enliven your vitality, inspire your soul, awaken your inner goddess!”

http://thegoodnessgoddess.com/

The Wholefood Peddler – Skye Sutherland vegetarian extraordinaire

https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Wholefood-Peddler/351008758321892?fref=ts

Nature Nurture April 2013

Yipeee, I’m still doing happy dances in my head when I reflect on this awesome weekend.  I had such a ball, surprisingly felt totally relaxed, and thoroughly enjoyed teaching, rather facilitating, the beautiful group that I was lucky enough to have for my first ever Nature Nurture workshop.

I’ve been feeling really proud post workshop as this was a huge step up for me this year to launch my very own workshop.  I’ve had this little dream of taking my own classes of some kind for quite some time, but just never knew when it would actually become a reality.  I am quite surprised at how quickly it all happened once I set my mind to it.  So there you go peeps, only you have the power to make your dreams a reality.  So go and take that first step (o:

The weekend began with the most amazing Autumn morning.  I made sure I got to The Barn at The Briars nice and early so I could double-check I’d set everything up correctly the day before, make myself a soothing cup of morning tea and just run over my program for the day ahead.  Well, I did check the set up, made my tea, but then I put the music on and just danced around a little like an excited child on Christmas morning waiting by the tree to open presents!  Yes, I was a wee bit excited and just couldn’t wait to get started to be honest.  I just wanted them all to walk in right then so I could welcome them with warm open arms and get the weekend started.

My lovely participants finally turned up with happy smiles and plenty of enthusiasm and we started our weekend with a refreshing walk through the Briars gorgeous grounds and nature walks.  Along the way we collected inspiration by taking photos, gathering interesting leaves, pods, branches, flowers, and also started drawing in our sketch books.

There was a little hesitation at first, but it wasn’t too long and the cameras were clicking away, my basket was being filled with a special collection of inspiring goodies and a few sketchbooks were emerging.  I shared my thoughts on approaching sketching in nature and gave tips on the many things we observe and how to record them in our visual diaries as a record of what we’ve seen and experienced.  Words, shapes, colours, textures, patterns, symbols, thoughts, sounds and more.  I emphasized that it doesn’t matter what these sketches look like, that we each see things differently and each of our sketchbooks will look quite different from the other.  Some will be ordered, some messy, some tightly packed and detailed, some lose, free-flowing and bold.  It really doesn’t matter as long as you relax and enjoy the moment of simply observing and noting what you see, feel and record any thoughts that pop into mind.  Just enjoy the moment and being in the beautiful outdoors amongst Mother Natures glory.

After our morning walk we enjoyed a morning cup of tea and some beautiful nibbles prepared by me while I gave the first demonstration for the weekend.  My big test for the weekend had arrived.  Was I about to freeze up and get all nervous and self conscious whilst trying to draw and paint in front of everybody this weekend?!  This was the one thing I was feeling a little uneasy about.  I’ve never been the most confident public speaker, but creating in front of people as well?!  It could have been, or I could have been a complete mess, but I was surprised at how I relaxed into it and really started to enjoy talking about what I was doing as I went and the drawing and painting just flowed as it would normally at home in my little studio.  Phew!  Huge relief and big pat on the back!!!

Everyone loved the little exercises I’d prepared for our first day and fell into the lovely swing of creating, relaxing, chatting, singing and just enjoying themselves in the moment.  I was delighted in seeing the constant smiles, happy moments and wonderful chitter chatter that was going on. This weekend wasn’t about the end result of the work we created, or the food, or the venue, but simply just about relaxing and enjoying a rejuvenating, inspiring, joyful, playful, creative experience.  Look at these smiles!

I couldn’t help myself throughout the weekend and took lots of lovely photos of them just having fun, enjoying what they were creating, and also of the amazing pieces of art that they were creating.  There were a couple of beginners in this group too, but you certainly wouldn’t have picked them.

The second day of the workshop we focused on painting our canvases.  The day before we’d prepared our canvas backgrounds, trying out a couple of different techniques, and Sunday was all about bringing together all the elements that we’d worked on the day before.  We weren’t working too big, so it wasn’t daunting for anyone.  We also had two canvases and a couple of pieces of ply to play with.  So, there was plenty of opportunity to explore and play with the new techniques we’d all enjoyed the day before on paper. Everyone totally freed up and enjoyed the freedom of painting all day on Sunday.

I gave the group some more demonstrations during the second day of the workshop.  These included mixing acrylic paint colours, blending paint on the canvas, how to layer your painting with different mediums and techniques of creating line, different brush strokes and techniques, stamping, and more.  The group also had some great questions which we all talked about and they were also open to sharing their own creative techniques and experiences with each other which was so beautiful.  Elements below that I demonstrated to the group.

Many found it was quite a different feel illustrating in fine brushes with paint, compared to fine pens and pencils on paper.  I remember the first few goes at trying to paint beautiful fine illustrative details myself.  I got terribly frustrated with it.  It was so hard to achieve a free-flowing fine line!  Lucky for these guys I was there with plenty of tips and techniques for them to master it much quicker than I did. 

Everyone’s work was so unique and their own individual spirits shone through in their work.  Everyone found the pace of the weekend really enjoyable and relaxed.  They also commented on how great it was to produce many different pieces of art, but without the weekend feeling rushed or too crammed with activities to complete.  Yay, I think I got the balance right.  Some finished pieces of art below.

We gathered together on the last day in the afternoon and put all of our work from the weekend together on the mats.  We’d produced illustrative drawings, exquisitely painted and detailed bookmarks / gift tags, A5 painted botanical studies that were ready to be put straight into frames, mini ply botanical paintings ready to be hung, and two fabulous unique 18″ square paintings each.  What a fabulous accomplishment!  I was so proud admiring all of the beautiful pieces that this group created, full of colour, self-expression and joy.  They were also feeling pretty proud and amazed at the number of artworks they’d each created and also at how creative, beautiful and unique each piece was. So my first Nature Nurture weekend workshop was a wonderful one, enjoyed by all, and I can’t wait to hold another one.  I am so incredibly grateful to this group for trusting and opening up to having me guide them through this creative weekend.  I also feel incredibly blessed to be able to run these workshops and do what I love to do.  Yay, happy, happy, happy.  I received some beautiful messages and testimonials at the end of the weekend too.

“Loved your nature nurture workshop.  Very relaxing setting, beautiful food, and fantastic guidance.  You have a uniquely gentle way about you which I love.  Will not hesitate to attend another workshop.”

“Thank-you for a wonderful experience. I loved your relaxed and gentle approach and generous support.”

“Loved it!  So good to reconnect with creativity and flow…  Loved how you were able to explore new ways to paint and look at nature.  Thank-you will look forward to the next one!”

“Thank-you…This is your future!  I look forward to many more workshops.”

And…..I’m also excited to announce I will be running another Nature Nurture weekend on the 19th and 20th of October 2013.  Registrations will open sometime next week so stay tuned.

Love & Creative Light,

Liza xxx

PS.  very very looong post, SORRY, but I just couldn’t not share all those gorgeous photos and I’ve been bubbling with excitement to share this weekend experience with you all.  So, hope you made it through and enjoyed what you’ve just read and seen xxx

blog block

Ok, no more putting this off.  I’ve had so much to share in here, my little blog world, recently.  I’ve got new artwork, trips interstate, commissions, new recipes, new inspiration, more workshops to launch and more to share with you.  But the honest truth is, the last thing I’ve been wanting to do is sit down here confined to this silly old laptop (that keeps freezing on me, urghhh) and robotically write and present it.  It’s quite strange really as I’ve wanted to actually connect with you all and share.  I love sharing and I love this little blog.  However, physically I’ve not wanted to go near this computer. It’s a real problem for me, I just hate sitting in front of it, and it just feels like a huge drain on my energy. 

I have always had an aversion to computers.  In my Architectural degree (the olden days, pre-computer aided design, well it was just coming in) I took an elective once to learn CAD.  Up until that point all my drawing and documenting was all done by hand on my drawing board with a scale ruler, pencil, Rotring pen.  I have no idea why I chose CAD as an elective.  It was later in my degree and maybe by then there wasn’t much else on offer, or I’d faced facts that this was the way the world was going to go and if I was to get a job as an Architect I had to learn it.  Well, it was all done via a text book and a white board with us students sitting at a desk with notebook and pen!  Yes, that’s right, we didn’t even have computers to be taught on!!  Anyway, I manage to get a High Distinction for that subject.  Heeehe now I’m laughing as by the end of it I still new nothing about computer aided design, or computers for that matter, but shhhh, I did have lots of help from my techno savvy boyfriend of the time.  See, I  do have a total aversion to computers even today.  I should get this balanced shouldn’t I?!  I wish that they’d hurry up and invent that piece of technology that just syncs to your mind and interprets all of your thoughts and inner thinking and planning into the real thing!  Now how good would that be, we can all dream (o:

I’ve been doing a lot of dreaming again recently whilst I’ve been busy catching up on my creative work.  Re-visiting my past dreams and goals, adding to them and re-evaluating some.  Many little achievements are happening for me this year which is super exciting, but also very encouraging and it’s like a little reminder, yes this is you and this is what you are meant to be doing, so stop hesitating, doubting, waiting, and just get on with it.

I’m so in my head tonight, this post must be quite a funny one to read, sorry.  I’m actually meant to be sitting down here and writing two specific blog posts.  The first about my fabulous recent trip to Perth to stay with the beautiful Malini Parker, whom also gifted me a place in her amazing Beginners Workshop.  The second post I should be writing about is my very own recent first workshop, Nature Nurture which took place recently here on the Mornington Peninsula.  I have shared some snippets over on my Facebook page (so if you’re not connected to my Facebook art page, please do pop over and “like” as I do regularly pop in there for a few minutes each day, more than in here), so it’s not all bad.  But, I’ve been incredibly slack here on my blog which should actually probably be my main priority. 

So enough of mind chatter and excuses.  I shall sign off here now from this post and get myself a cup of tea, my butt into gear, and write those two blog posts, now!  Before I go though, I wanted to share with you Flora Bowley’s beautiful recent month of blog posts which starts here and ends here.  She’s been an incredibly big part of my art journey and a huge inspiration to me professionally and personally.  Each afternoon for the past month I’ve enjoyed a new little ritual where I’ve sat with a cup of tea, even if for 5 mins (yes I do turn on ABC for kids for the boys, or send them outside to play, and lock the door, hehehe only kidding bout the last bit!) and enjoyed reading Flora’s daily post and then sitting with my journal and writing whatever has come to mind.  It’s been a beautiful healing process for me as I’ve addressed some of my own fears, again!  But, also just the process of taking a little me time each day, it’s so nurturing and just what I’ve needed over this past busy, way to busy month. 

So my message today is to simply savour some nurturing time for yourself each day.  5 minutes is all you need, really it is.  If you’ve got more though, don’t hesitate, take it! Then just be with your thoughts and inner direction.  If that means writing in a journal about absolutely anything, then do.  If that means taking a walk outside and breathing in the healing fresh air, then do.  Maybe it’s making a cup of soothing tea, or listening to your favourite music track up really loud, taking a photo to record the day, drawing or crafting something in your journal, or maybe even writing a quick card to a dear friend.  Anything that warms your heart, nurtures your soul and pops some healing energy back into your system.  Enjoy!

Liza xxx

PS.  Some more inspiration that’s warmed my heart and inspired my soul recently that I just have to share with you all, go check out these awesome souls!

Mary Parker Photography 
https://www.facebook.com/maryparkerphotography

Alena Hennessy Artist 
http://www.alenahennessy.com/

Anthia Koullouros 
http://www.ovvioorganics.com.au/

Easter, Perth & workshops…

Hello peeps (o:  I know I’ve been a little quiet in here this past week.  I may be a little quiet for this week to come too.  Soooo, I thought best I pop my head in here, send you all a big hello, post some inspiration, and let you know that I’m going on my first mini break this weekend.  My gosh the first break in about 6 years!  We’ve had a few trips to Tassie but this little break will be so different as I’m heading over to Perth all on my lonesome without Michael and without my beautiful boys )o:  Yes, I will be a little sad, a little homesick, and miss them terribly, no doubt about that!  But, the other little part of my is jumping up and down and so incredibly excited to take a little adventure off on my own.  You see I’ve never really done that before.  Michael and I even pre-kids have only ever spent one night apart.  So, for me this is a huge adventure in many ways.Last week I was also busy completing some artworks as well as creating this piece above for a dear friends birthday present.  I will have to get a better picture of it for you soon though!

I’m so blessed to have met Malini Parker last year and it is this beautiful woman whom I’m going to visit this weekend.  How lucky am I?!  I am also really lucky as I’m going to participate in Malini’s fantastic one day workshop, woohoo!  I’ll share all about it with you here when I get back next week.  Below is a photo of Malini and I taken last August.

In the mean time I hope you all had a fabulous Easter break.  We enjoyed a relaxing camping trip down at Point Leo with some of our beautiful friends.  The kids had a ball playing together in the fresh air, riding bikes, swimming in the ocean, eating chocolate easter eggs.  And we enjoyed some adult time chatting, telling stories, eating lots of yummy home-made food and enjoying each others company without so many interruptions from lil ones.  It’s so different when the boys have friends to play with and keep themselves busy.  It was definitely not roughing it camping, or like the old days when Michael and I would set off hiking for a week with just our packs and 2 man hiking tent and the basic supplies.  Each of the 3 couples who went prepared one meal for each night including pre-dinner drinks and nibbles, and desert to follow our main.  We enjoyed feast after feast!  We had homemade ravioli, goulash, Syrian chicken, beautiful cheeses, homemade dips, bruschetta, delicious cakes, home-made healthy biscuits and not so healthy homemade chocolates.  Spoilt beyond belief and beautiful local wines and French champagne to accompany the yummy food.  I used to think camping in a pre-booked camp ground surrounded by kids and families wasn’t ever going to be as much fun as the more natural and free camping remotely that Michael and I used to enjoy.  But, this new style of camping we could definitely get used to (o”  The only downer was poor Michael had an ear infection and could not go surfing.  Look at the expression on his face )o:

The countdown is on now for my very first Nature Nurture Workshop.  Woohooooo!  I am so excited about this and can’t believe it’s just a few weeks away now.  So, if you haven’t already booked a spot, get your skates on, and send me an email liza@lizazeni.com to reserve your place.  I know a few of you are still contemplating joining us.  We’d love to have you along, it’s going to be fantastic and I have lots of fun and surprises in store (o:

Ok lovelies, I’ll be off for a little while, but back here with a super post on my trip to Perth.

Love & Creative Light,

Liza xxx

weekly moment

Here is my ”weekly moment”.  A single photo (well, actually two this week as they were taken together but in separate photos and they go together well and truly) with no words, title or caption, from the past week that I want to remember and savour forever.  Something simple, yet special to me.

Liza xxx