LET'S START AT THE BEGINNING
At school, the only subject that I was really interested in was art (much to my parents' disgust). I loved colour and I loved to draw. Give me a pencil and some paper and I was happy. I still have some of my drawings from back then and I'll always keep them as a reminder that art was my path, even as a child.
If you've ever had a passion for art, you'll understand why I was so drawn to it during my school days. Despite my parents' disapproval, art was the only subject that truly captivated me. I was always happiest with a pencil in hand and a blank sheet of paper in front of me.
Through my teenage years, I found other things to interest me, as does happen, but after those topsy turvy years passed and I got married and had a family, my art and craft came back to me, thankfully.
THE OLD JANOME SEWING MACHINE
In the late 80's I was given a sewing machine by a family friend and I still use that sewing machine today! It was an old Janome, but I was so excited to have it. As I'd never sewn before, I went and took Knit Wit lessons. Knit Wit was a very popular way to learn to sew stretch fabrics back in the late 80's and I absolutely loved it. Now I had the skills to make kid's clothes, my clothes, anything! The possibilities were boundless. My sewing later evolved into making children's soft toys, which I sold in the days before social media and online shopping. I did this for many years and loved the smiles my toys put on the faces of the children as they played with them. But little did I know that this old Janome sewing machine would become my ticket to a world of creativity and endless possibilities!
THEN CAME CROCHET
I also learned to crochet. My Grandmother taught me to crochet when I'd stay with her and I must have made hundreds of metres of chain stitch over time. In my adult life, I taught myself to make actual garments and this evolved into crocheting children's toys. I have a love for creating toys for children, which ties in with my love of colour and creating products that make people (young and old) feel love and happiness. With my years of experience and passion for crochet, I have honed my skills to create beautiful and high-quality products.
THE BEGINNING OF MY PASSION FOR PAINTING
Then painting came into my life.
I began going to Folk Art classes back in the early 90's. The classes were held on a Saturday afternoon at our local garden nursery (strange when I think about it now), but straight away, I loved it. I loved the colour, the mindfulness, learning how to mix colours and produce flowers, teddy bears, patterns that caught the eye. Folk Art was the catalyst for my true passion - painting.
Folk Art style painting, evolved into painting more classic style acrylic artworks. My paintings adorned my house and those of my friends and family. This style of painting taught me the importance of using good quality paints and brushes and my spare bedroom was soon taken over by countless tubes of paint and an array of brushes for every occasion. I'd go to our local art supply shop and return home with an array of paints, canvases and accessories - most of which I didn't really need, but oh the colours! It was like an addiction. I couldn't leave a paint colour in the shop if I didn't already have it.
MY WATERCOLOUR DAYS
I'd always loved watercolour painting. I loved the soft flow of the colours and how the artists manipulated the paint to create the most amazing works of art. So YouTube became my teacher. We all know that you can learn anything on YouTube and learn I did. My painting evolved over time, and I lost count of how many disasters I had along the way, but I persisted, and the disasters gradually became less frequent. A client who I looked after when I worked as an aged care worker, was an accomplished watercolour artist and he would critique my paintings and give me advice. He loved the fact that he could help me and encourage me and to this day, I'm so grateful that he came into my life.
MY ARTISTIC DESTINY
Then, around a year ago a friend suggested pebble painting. Hmmmm. This got my creativity working, as I'd never even considered painting on pebbles. So on to Pinterest this time. To my amazement, there were the most beautiful works of art painted on simple pebbles! One thing led to another and while searching on Pinterest I came upon Mandala art. It blew my mind! I loved the symmetry, the colours, the discipline it took to create these masterpieces.
And thus, my next and maybe deepest love was born.
As always, it was full steam ahead. I jumped in the deep end and watched countless tutorials, scrolled through Pinterest like a crazy woman and knew that this was my calling.
What started out as a whim, became my passion.
In little over a year, I now have my shed transformed into my Studio.
My house was taken over by my art. The kitchen table had become my drying table. My kitchen bench was where I painted. My laundry was where I cast my plaster moulds and my study became my storage room. Now that I have my studio, I've got my house back and it's nice to be able to separate my art from my living space. I'm so grateful that I've been able to create these spaces.
I truly believe that we all need colour in our lives. It reflects our moods. Our passions. Colour has the ability to lift our spirits, calm us, inspire us. In a somewhat beige world, a splash of colour can add so much to our personal space.
When I sit down to begin a project, I have an idea in my head of how the finished project will look. Guess what. My projects rarely end up looking like I thought they would.
I've learned to paint from my heart and to let my spirit guide me. Mandala art has taught me mindfulness, patience and how to truly connect with my art. It's also taught me the value of walking away from a project when my artistic flow isn't working. Some days I sit down to paint and it just isn't happening for me. You can't force it. You just have to accept that today isn't the day and go off and do something else. But then there are days when I paint for hours. I often lose track of time when I'm painting and it's only when Charlie (my miniature Cavoodle) comes up to me with his ball, that I realise I've painted most of the day away.
Mandala art is my true passion and I hope that the love that goes into creating my artwork is felt by all who choose to welcome my art into their lives.
