an artful life

This year so far has  found us moving back to our old hood for awhile before we head off to do more work in Indigenous Health in Broken Hill in the middle of the year.  Actually we are not quite completed the pack up, but in the next two weeks we will be.  I do love the area of the Highlands, but for various reasons it was right to move on.  But moving is always an emotional time for me and I do find myself being catatonic at times and overwhelmed by feelings of hopelessness.  Thoughts such as "will I ever get my life together", "why am I always doing this" blah blah blah.

A saviour of working very part time and being at home with a little one is re-kindling one's creative side.  Actually I think I do most of my creative thinking wallowing around in my jim jams in the morning, feeling a bit feral, with wild looking hair and everything just hanging out, dogs scampering about and child demanding textas , scissors and weetbix.

I am still finishing off sewing and crochet projects from last year and trying not to start anything new.  Although inspiring books are piled high next to the bed.  I am completing a granny shrug from the vintage Panda book and my first little patchwork quilt.

Storage boxes have been re-discovered with my paints and pastels and brushes within.  Now that I  have crossed the line and doing the count down to fifty years young, I feel quite liberated.  My art dabblings are just for me and anything goes.

And thank goodness I have started reading a book.  It has been a post birth void in this regard.  I have only just started the story of Sunday Reed and her artful life in Heide.  I love a bit of history of what it was like in Australia for a woman.  Hard to believe young aristocratic Austraian women were still presented to the Royal Court in the early 1900's.

I would like a goal of reading a book a month.

Joining in with creative peeps here and also with dearest Felicity .  Click on image below for a literary feast.

Take care
x
j

my dreamer boy

It tickles your heart when you catch your little one in deep thought. Pondering the breeze, the birds, the afternoon light.  The change that you see in their eyes.  The world opening up to them.  This is such an adorable time.

Last Friday night we stumbled upon a opening at the local Art Exchange in South Broken Hill.  We had already been out for an early dinner.  The sun had just gone down.  Artists in residence were displaying their most recent work.  I impulsively put a red sticker next to one.  There were 2 older boys, brothers and they were so sweet in playing with Che Che.  Oh the joy of staying up late and running around in the moonlight.  I spotted Che looking at the boys who were doing push-ups on the concrete outside.  In the early hours of Saturday morning after the ritualised breast feed, I spotted him in the lounge room by himself trying this new manoeuvre.

Bigger boys have a big impression on him. 

dreams

Now we are getting a bit more sleep have noticed dreams are returning.  Only remember bit from last night; my little man walking and sitting on my lap and saying "you remembered".

There have been only occassional pockets of sunshine here but on our walks we have been enthused by all the lovely blooms and green.  Lots of inspiration.  My favourite little ramshackle house is the little red one.  I could live there.

In the wetness we visited the Sturt Gallery, Mittagong and made a little purchase of locally made ceramics. They were on special and this combination looked so sweet.  The gallery has a summer and winter school of wonderful art courses to partake.  3 years ago  one cool summer I relished in a whole week of making art, living in and talking and walking creating with many other inspiring people.  One day would love to do again.
Marty has been doing term courses from the school of wood.  Very smart bread board pending.