New Art works

I finished this one yesterday - was working on it at Stroud.
Also check out my daughters latest work in my side bar - bloody good eh?
I am very proud of her.

Brief weekend at Stroud

Well, I too spent some time at the Monastery at Stroud.
I had to put in some paintings to the Dobell Art show at Rathmines ( did not win )and hubby was going out for a work smoko night on Friday so I headed up to the Monastery on Saturday morning.
I must admit that the place is a little too quiet for me - I have come to understand myself as being more the "flashing lights and ringing bells" type of person - all that deep solitude does my head in...
but, none the less, we had a great time away and I had a marvelous game on Trivial Pursuit with Heidi ( while the other stick in the muds who would not play decided that they knew all the answers and kept on trying to butt in!!!)We certainly had a laugh.
Stroud is not the capital of "fun".
It has four main shops with a pub and grocery store that also sells spirits ( thank the Gods ).But the main intention to head that way is for the companionship of your friends and time to sit and think (or paint) or read in peace and quiet.
Not being able to text is a strange experience as is not having some "sound" on such as a t.v. or music....an interesting experiment indeed.

I chose mother superior's bedroom for the evening repose, but got little sleep with my bed being most uncomfortable, therefore requiring me to get up and choose a couch in the main room area for the rest of the night and proping myself and sore shoulder up on pillows...maybe the dear nun had it in for me and did not want me in her sanctuary in the first place...I DID dream of Tom Cruise...I think he was trying to convert me..

No holiday at all!

Hubby has been off for the past two weeks and with the help of my sister in laws boyfriend, they have created a minor miracle in the front yard and almost completed a retaining wall that has been waiting a considerable length of time to be finished ( about 15 years to be exact - but these things cannot be rushed).
I have decided to call it the "small wall of Fatima" as it is quite a miracle in my eyes and I must go out and buy a small statue of Mary to place at one end of it.
The front of the house is unrecognisable - I have been looking at mounds of dirt for so many years and there is now a pathway ( which will delight the local meter reader no end )and gorgeous wall.
Even though we have done it "ourselves" as such, these things turn out to be quite expensive...so that weekend at the Palazo Versace on the Gold Coast will have to wait while I spend my days thinking what I can do with a kilo of mince meat instead?????
We still have our main bathroom to work on when the man has more hoidays in a few weeks time but I would really love to get away somewhere even for a couple of days.
Meanwhile, what am I doing sitting here when I can be out the front admiring my new wall...off I go.

No Meme for meme....

Yeah I hear you...what a party pooper!!!!
But I have been in Sydney today in the energy zones of crazy people blurting ang spurting about spirituality and trying to sell me magical water and ion converters and totally silly shit ( please - I apologise if I have offened here ) but I am a bit over all the hype that goes into the sales side of things.....
I was at the Mind, Body, Spirit Festival and today is/or was the day to go - at least you could move around freely and there was a smaller amount of crazy people....
now that is my excuse for not doing the meme Wendt and by the way Jen tagged me a day or two ago so I have been just as "ignorant" there too.....
no offence girls...I may surprise you and still get it done..
but not today - I need to go and cleanse myself in my magical shower with some "magical water where my simple thoughts can just...blah..blah...blah......"

Pic No:18 for 2009

Initially I thought this was going to be easier than it turned out to be - feathers, water.....what a bugger but I am almost done here.

Great night last night!

There is awlays a lot of prep for a night like last night ( dedication night ) and even though I go over and over things in my own head to make sure that nothing is forgotten, I am sure glad when the ritual goes off without a hitch!
I was very pleased with last night - I am sure that Lisa and Diana feel equally thrilled about the evening as do all the Yaaders.
We tried to make it special.
The late night supper was a welcome relief - thanks for the pikelets and fruit Lisa!
It was lovely to see the effort in the gifts prepared..it goes to show that not always are the mose expensive gifts the most thoughtful ones....
now to set my students to task.....
I have to do you all justice...

Can you stop shopping for a minute please?

I think that Anzac Day is one of the most important days on the calendar for us Aussies and yet those arse holes that manage the big centres still feel the need to open up their stores even for just a few hours.
It's revolting.
Could we get by without a day of shopping?
Would we really starve?
Is there any cause left, at all, that deserves some homage and respect?
Obviously not - we have killed Easter, Christmas, New Years Day ......they are just another day in the year....
It amazes me how much people buy! I thought about it today, many times over, while I stood in cues at Woolies,Target, Kmart and the liquor shop.
Image our grandparents heading home from "shopping" 80 years ago with a bag of essentials only...and that probably had to last for days.
Now we just go and fill up till our trolleys are overflowing ( and you know how bloody huge the trolleys are getting now ) - its positively freaky....
Tomorrow...a day with family, a drink of thanks to the diggers, and an evening with my sisters at the Cottage - how cool!!!

Stop the world I want to get off!

Spent a few hours at the art exhibit today down at Waratah in the old Bowling Club but I must say that the patronage of it has been woeful!
We are lucky to get a few people in the door every day.
Oh well - still selling nothing!
Took Aleks to Borders where she spent $60 on two books and had coffee with a good friend.I also got a book called "The witch of Kings Cross - the story of Rosalie Norton" - it is full pics of her great paintings.
Cooked cakes and went to buy more paint brushes and arty shit.
Bought two herb plants yesterday as a start to my herb garden - a small bay leaf plant and some peppermint ( cause I loved the smell when I ripped off some leaves ).
They are currently on my kitchen window sill but will be moved to my "herb garden" which I plan to create in my back yard ( Oh I hear hubby laugh out loud, as, you see I cannot even grow dirt!)...
Tomorrow, I will go see another art teacher who has a class just down the road from me, I have go go pick up my paitings, clean up and entertain 5 x 15 year old for a "movie afternoon" - help!!!!!!

Pic No:17 for 2009 - Fort Scratchley

Just a little one to add to my collection.
Hubby called it "Pinnochio"..

Facing the oldies at the Newcastle Art Society

Today I had to present my works for appraisal at a meeting of the Newcastle Art Society so that I can become a member.
Hmmmm...this is a different group to what I already belong to - I am already a member of the Society of Newcastle Artists ( are you still with me???)

I need to belong to these things so that I can exhibit my art and get some sales - my paintings are of no use to me looking nice in the corner of my spare room, although I love them all like my children....
I had to sit through a whole meeting where photocopy amd stamp prices where discussed, motioned and seconded and my life force slowly drained away...
but the people ARE really social and nice and they had a good vibe, although I would have been about the youngest one there.
I will now have to keep my hair grey just to fit in!!!!!!

Have not done a lot of painting but am just about finished a small one which I will post in a day or two.Its of Fort Scratchley.

Doing a stint of volunteering at an exhibition at Waratah at the old Bowling Club building, near the Cottage tomorrow.
This is part of the second groups week long exhibit for the Ethnic Communities Council and I have donated my time tomorrow and Thursday to man the exhibit in case someone wants to make a purchase ( buy mine!!!! buy mine you bastards!!!)
Maybe if I am there I might talk someone into it....
Is that ethical????
My life is being guided at the moment, I just have to go with the flow.....I just wish it wasn't a torrent.....

A small show at "Sunny's"

I will be exhibiting some of my art works at "Sunny's" Cafe, Islington from 4th May.
I may even organise a opening of some sorts ( yet to talk it through with the owner )..of course you will all be invited!!!
One busy little painting lady indeed..
Have not done anything new over the last few days..too busy workng in a "real" job.
But this finishes tomorow and I can finally get some sleep and painting done.
How does one stop putting on weight? I seem to be doing a lot of that lately.......

Come on Mary!

Well did you hear about that poor Irish guy that got beaten up last year and went into a coma?
He has woken up!
A miracle!
And his parents claim that they have been praying to Mary McKillop ( see my side bar ) for over seven months!!!!!
Come on Mother Mary...is this the miracle we have been waiting for?
The Vatican refuses to make her a saint because we have needed another miracle...I put out the call quite some time ago...maybe I have been heard??????

All over the place like a dog's breakfast!

Have had a hard time getting going today - a day at home and a zillion loose ends to tidy up. Have to deliver lots of paintings at the end of the week ( a few to an exhibition and a few to a competition ).Maybe some sales will come from that...hoping!

Have just booked "The Zone" - laser force game place for my daughter's 15th birthday party for next month.Sheee!!!!
What do you do for 15 year olds????
I was not going to have them running round my house ( we really do not have the facilities ) so the alternative was to throw plenty of money at another venue...and everything else was 'so gay'...we finally compromised.

Ms.Monika

This is my Easter gift to my daughter - I hope she will like it.
I started this one on Thursday and it has been very hard work!
I have said to my hubby that I now appreciate the masters more and more when I sit down to try to put paint to canvas and make something look like it should - how DID they do it when one stroke of the brush can send everything up to buggery..

Crack of Dawn on Good Friday

The hounds of hell woke me at 6am this morning.
I threw them a bone each to shut them up only to have to get up again 15 minutes later because the useless walking throw rug had snaffled farty pug's bone and the small stinky one was letting all hell break loose.
To stop the neighbours coming round and chopping my head off, I got up to keep the peace.
Sometimes...I would rather be dogless.
Then came a session with the demented one, who forgot all her money and spent the next two hours looking in her bag for the missing $50 note that she had sworn she had put in there.
No matter how many times I told her that she must have left it at home, she would not believe me and had another look inside her bag just in case it had magically appeared in the last five minutes.
It is becomming quite evident that any time away from the home is causing her much stress and I am wondering what the next step will be.
Came home, and got my just desserts ( almond and orange cake with heaps of fresh cream ) and now I sit and digest.
Peace to the world...
P.S.The Pope was supposed to wash the feet of 'ordinary' people today but it cetainly looked lke a bunch of bishops to me...

Happy easter from the Circus Tent!

The amazing painting lady wishes you all a safe and happy Easter with lots of chocolate so that you all get a fat arse!

I will be painting tomorrow - have to finish a portrait of my daughter which I will be agonising over on very Good Friday.

Also have a date with the demented one ( my mother ) and with a slice of flourless orange and almond cake with a shit load of cream at some point when I can be by myself and drool in quiet solitude...

and a full moon ceremony tomorrow night, because witches do such things...

a day off to savour and enjoy life and to sleep in!
Blessings to you all!!

Excuse me while I swallow what's stuck in my throat.....it's called my pride!

Ooohhhh....how I hate sucking up to managers who are nit pickers and power hungry arse holes.....
how many days have I been working?
Two?
Yes..its been an ongoing saga with an old employer ( won't mention any names cause blogs are a bitch and I dont want to get sued for slander )....
So...
Last week, I got a phone call to do some work..
After the shock, I said yes of course ( money being the root of all evil ).
Today my state manager came to pay a visit and did the once over on the kiosk and paper work that I have been doing ( mind you I have had no refresher training and it has beeen two years since I did this job ).
After that, I was told other gems of stupidity that only someone who has not worked on a kiosk for any period of time could possibly dish out and told that I could only hope to get the dregs of work that no one else wants ( if I was lucky ).
This might mean that I could travel to Raymond Terrace, Greenhills ( not too far ) or the Central Coast (mmmmm...somewhat further ) as all of the top spots such as Kotara and Charlestown are already taken.
Oh and by the way...there are no guarantees that I would get anything at all, especially if I am silly enough to make any misakes in the mean time... ( watch that paperwork girl!)
To this I had to bow low and be thankful ( cause the ecomony is stuffed and no one wants a 50 year old has-been )...
So let me swallow deeply and clear my throat...

Pic No:16 for 2009

I am really happy with the way this on has come out.
This was taken at the same time and place that my seagulls were ( see last post ).
Went into town on Thursday and spoke to a guide at Fort Scatchley who gave me a terrific talk about the tunnels under the Fort. They were constructed in the very late 1800's! Wow, I thought they were dug up before WW2, but no, much earlier - seems like we were a very important place in the early 1900's with all that coal in our hillsides.
Newcastle has an amazing history - I might just go for a tour down those tunnels when I get a chance.I actually also saw a picture of the old Zaara street power station where now the housing commission flats are located near Newcastle beach - cant even remember that being there?

There used to also be coal loaders straddling King and Hunter streets so that the coal could be loaded directly onto the ships in port. How different it must have all looked back then!

Pic No : 15 for 2009

This was taken last Friday out near the Swansea bridge.
A pelican at the same location is my next project.

Busy Painting Lady!

Well my next art work is nearly done - just another day or two....
I have just been in contact with my art teacher talking about all the art stuff I am doing this month and I counted up that I will have 19 paintings on display somewhere around the area during this month!
Freaking 19!!!!!!!
Hard to believe, that just over a year ago I had not even painted one thing!

Please, please please let there be a sale somewhere......
Lisa has started me off for April - thanks Chicky babe...I hope the red family like your purchase!

First of April - I talked to my class about self realisation last night.
A mighty task for everyone to take on in their lifetime.
A call to arms - to become oneself and attain their full potential.
Indeed I have been doing this through my art work - trying to get to my full potential.
Better late than never...
Saw a guy on TV yesterday.
He was 75 and had the body of a 35 year old through exercise and weight training.
What a role model! Good on him!
Now back to my paintbrush and chocolate eclair!!!!!

2 NEW ANGELS

Goth Angel











Red Baby Angel










Just in case you thought I had not been painting!!!!

Good news - I am an exhibiting artist!

Well, I did not sell my artwork at the show.
Have just been to pick it up - but not many pieces sold, so it wasn't only me.
But,
the good news is that I am now going to be exhibiting three of my art works at a real fair dinkum Gallery at Tighes Hill from this Thursday for one month!
I went to see the owners last week and asked them to check out my web sight, and they did and got back to me on Thursday inviting me to take part in their next exhibition!
Wow!
I cant be any prouder!
We'll see how this goes eh?

TURN YOUR LIGHTS OFF!!!!!

8.30 tonight - be there or be square!
Someone's got to save the planet and the other bastards aren't interested...so its up to YOU and ME!

"House Angel"

I am sure I will burn out soon!But till then, I am painting!

Pic No : 14 for 2009

Almost done!

For Sale :"GOODNIGHT ANGEL"

I did this one today as a trial of an angel series I am considering working on.
Am happy to sell this one for $40 plus any postage and handling!

It is acrylic on Canvas
20cm x 25 cm
Gold edging and ready to hang.
Let me know if you are interested!

Whose a spoilt black doggie then?

Pic No:13 for 2009

This is my beautiful Aleksandra.
This was hard work. It was a great lesson and I was guided along the way by my teacher's advice. It did not come easy, but I am pretty happy with the result!
Portraiture is definately an art form that requires patience and skill.
I hope to get there one day!!!!

Hi Ho Hi Ho its off to "Hardly Normal" we go!

Gee... they just don't make things to last do they?
Our oven died a few days ago - we have only had it for 17 years!!!
Atrocious!!!
Could have lasted a few more years....but no, no, no...
so we had to make a mad dash around town to find a new one and I had not realised just how expensive they are?
For Christ's sake I just want to bake things...
so we ended up making a purchase at "Hardly Normal" ( better known as Harvey Norman )
and the man is busy trying to install the bastard!
I wanted to sleep in this morning after an awful night of waking due to being bitten to near death by mosquitoes but the small black dog has a built in alarm clock that rings at 6.30 every morning at which point I am to wake up and go downstairs and feed him and then entertain him.
I was not in the mood this morning and yet my darndest efforts at trying to ignore the constant barking could not be followed through as I was scared that one of the neighbours would come and complain about the noise..

Bad dreams and back pain

Had the most awful dream last night and am suffering a bit with pain the the neck and back - last night before I went to bed it became excruciating.
I guess it is a sign that the cooler weather is starting. I am always in more pain during the winter months and I had a brief reminder of it yesterday.

A tug boat is my next art project - as I managed to capture one yesterday when I headed into town for some inspiration.
I have been waiting for over a year to get a tug boat picture - never there at the right moment, so I was quite thrilled to see one tied up on the city side and flew out of the car with my camera.

My first art competition is on this weekend - The Newcastle Show.
I picked a big one to enter. There will be a lot of competitors so I am not expecting anything other than some exposure and, of course, the opportunity to sell the item.
We do get to go to a champagne and finger food night next Monday to meet the other competitiors and to see the winners get their awards.Quite thrilling.

Pic No: 12 for 2009 Lemon Tree Passage

A few weeks ago I visited Michelle at Lemon Tree Passage and took a photo of the moored boats.

Pic No:11 for 2009

This is my new one!
Newcastle Obelisk

Beautiful day at Bondi!

To tell you the truth,Bondi is just like an upmarket Newcastle beach...
It is an iconic spot in Sydney for sure, but does not outshine our beaches...one thing that was nice though was a patch of grass and trees to sit under and enjoy the view.
The shops are very average - but for a chocolate shop just opening ( heaps of these in Melbourne) - where everything is made with chocolate! The shop speciality is a spanish dipping biscuit and melted hot chocolate (YUMMMMMMMMM).They gave us a try of this delicasy and asked us to come back when they open up on Monday.
I walked passed a few of these when we were in Melbourne and never walked in.....wasn't I stupid???
We walked and walked and walked yesterday with baby girl spending stacks at Paddy's market and Sydney was inundated with sailors from all the war ships in the harbour - we watched the march past and gave them all a cheer!
All those mariners!!!!
Great fun.

Full Moon and Fri 13th - Messing with your head!

Yes...full moon does effect many of us.
I got up this morning with a new attitude and went straight into my 'studio' and finished a painting that had been sitting around for a few days..
I HAVE NOTHING TO WHINGE ABOUT.
ALL IS REALLY SO GOOD.
I am having trouble releasing fear about my art work still - I think that is where some crazy attitudes are coming from at the moment.
This step has been really big for me - for goodness sake it has taken me 30 years to make it!
So taking that into account, I should be not surprised at how I am reacting.
Talking with my 'teach' today was helpful too.
Have a good weekend folks - I will be!!!!!!!

Too boring for words...

Yes indeed I am.
Full moon and pounding headache.
faithless..
Tried to get some work this week - but failed.
Had a great day at Tanilba Bay yesterday with Deb and Maureen.
Felt some ghosties and was upset at the state of a beautiful heritage listed bulding falling apart and gathering dust.
Being ripped off $8.50 for admission ( including a "talk" about the House consisting of "the furniture is not original and don't touch anything" )and crappy tea with soggy biscuits.
None the less the company was great.
Heading to Sydney tomorrow -while the man goes to a conference I will be helping the ecomony by spending Kevin's money.

Pic No:10 for 2009 MY VERY FIRST PORTRAIT

This is a pic I took of the man about 18 years ago when we went out to Pokolbin - I gave him a Tiger Moth ride for his birthday.
Its almost finished - just some touching up to do and critique from my art teacher.
How did I go?????

Fanny Burney and the Ghostie at Tanilba House

Took a drive with Deb and Fanny Burney ( my new name for Lisa - because of a book she picked up at the bookshop with that name, plus it suits her )to Lemon Tree Backpassage to see another of the sisterhood - Michelle.
We had a lovely lunch, fantastic conversation and then headed to the local second hand book shop where Lisa was drawn to her name sake ( Fanny ).
After saying goodbye to our sweetie Michelle we decided to head out to Tanilba Bay house ( just turn right at Coles ) for a Capt.Cook.
It was closed.
Maybe a blessing?
Lisa was good enough to park while I went over the road to take a few pics of the outside of the house.
Its a well known historic site and looks quite beautiful - using the local stone in the construction.
While standing there on the grass in what must have once been a flower garden, I felt a cold shiver run down my spine, then up, then down, then all over.
I was enveloped by this..
Mmmmmm...
Yes...
A ghostie for sure!
He did not like me standing on that spot and was totally wanting me to get off.
I walked back to the car shaking him off with no success.
As I opened the car door, Deb said she felt something wierd and asked me what did I bring along this time, while Fanny motioned me out of the car saying "stay outside and leave your friend here!"
So I sat down on the grass and asked the spirit to leave ( betcha that would have looked a treat to anyone looking through their window), while Deb and Fanny locked the car doors.
Well, he left and then I was let into the car and we continued our journey home.

I think what I encountered was the old grounds caretaker and I was disrespecting his flower garden by stepping right in the middle of it, although it was just and empty patch now with uncut grass.

Any hoo, it may be worth another visit at some point a longer conversation with the ghostie of Tanilba Bay House!
Want to come along????

Pic No:9 for 2009

Catherine Hill Bay - the old Coal Loader.

Bonny Baby News

Congratulations to Helen who birthed a gorgeous new addition to her family - little "Olivia Rose".
Blessings to her and buby!!!!!

All quiet with me at the moment..
Head down and bum up - trying to finish a painting that has proven a challenge even for someone as anal as I am..
Going out to see "Judith Lucy" tomorrow night at the Newcastle City Hall.
I love her humor, so dry and ripping, and I will be sharing the evening with my sister- in -law's daughter and her partner.
We plan to go to a Vietnamese restaurant in Darby street - so a big and special night out for me indeed!!

At a low ebb...

My 50 year old brain has asked some questions to day for which there are no answers...

Niggly things that come up when I am feeling low...
Maybe my morning with mother sparked it....
Boy she must have screwed with my brain when I was little, cause it still has an impact on my life, my choices and how I view myself and the world in general.
I really do not think that it was a purposeful thing, just a survival thing.
The tactics used worked and manipulation and guilt were the way to go.
Phew..
About time I worked that stuff out of me, but sometimes it still sits there prodding me to make less than perfect decisions which then bear consequences.
Someone take the shovel from my hand and help me stop digging the hole I am finding myself in....

Was that a ghost in my room this morning???

Now, believe me when I tell you that I am one of the biggest skeptics that there is...it takes something to bang me over the head, twice, for me to believe it.
So this morning I awoke briefly to see who I thought was my husband walking out of our bedroom going off to work.
Indeed, not anything unusual.
I remember his distinct footsteps and his image was very dark, almost in silouette, featureless.
He came from around his side of the bed and straight out the door.

Trouble is, when I asked hubby about it this afternoon, he told me that he did not come to his side of the bed and when he was there the light was on and I had the covers all the way over my head...in no way would I have been able to see him go.
So therefore...
who was it????
A mystery!!!!!!

Trifle

Remember Trifle?
The last time I made trifle was about 15 years ago....
I think I have waited long enough...
Today,
I made trifle.

Pic No:8 for 2009

This is my first attempt at painting a fountain...and I picked a hard one..
Civic Park Fountain.
This one took some work with doing the background and then air brushing in water spray and overpainting water droplets..
How did I go????

The waiting is the killer.....

Cant say much today cause it all seems irrelevent considering what one of our sisters in blog land is going through today -
Dear Michelle - I ache for you and the waiting...
It throws me back to two years ago when I was sitting twisting myself into knots before finding out that the man had prostate cancer.
I am so sorry for your mum and what she must go through and for the family who have to sit back and watch it unfold.
It is truely awful...
I am hoping that there is some good news....

Meanwhile,
the small black dog is becomming a very naughty adolescent, causing fuss and mess and wanting to be the centre of attention all the time.
Cute little bugger....

Go! Hugh good thing!

Brilliant job done by an Aussie yesterday at the Oscars.
Hard pressed not to find something to like in Hugh - singing, dancing, eloquent and hunky....you just can't please some people.
Still the bashers and the critics had their say.
What spoil sports...
I loved the fact that he didn't have an American accent, but kept his Aussie style.
What a trooper.

In my quest for a photogenic Newcastle....

Ok...dont laugh all of you local people, but I am fast realising that there is a mass of Newcastle that I have never seen and its bloody beautiful!
I took a trip of discovery to Catherine Hill Bay yesterday - never been, and there is the old coal loader sitting there over the ocean.
What a great place to photograph!
What an amazing place miles of golden sands and clear water - we DO have the most brilliant beaches in the world right here.
If that spot were in Thailand, Vietnam or Indonesia there would be hundreds of hotel lining the beachfront and tourists galore fighting for a spot near the water.
In Newcastle, we want to keep it secret, shhh...... twenty people on the beach and two lifesavers....shhh too gorgoeus to share with the rest of the world for sure.

So I snapped away happily for a half hour and am hoping that I end up with one image worth painting.

Any other favourite spots out there, beaches or bays that I should be heading to girls?

By the way...
I did not sell a thing at the exhibition on Friday night.
Poo bah, humbug....
My teacher sold the lot ( 20 paintings )
What does that say?????

What a loss!!!!

This is an unfortunate tragedy of the recent bushfires.
The website is www.brunosart.com
This is from his from page..
Welcome to Bruno's Art & Sculpture Garden. Hidden amongst the trees of the small Victorian village of Marysville is a world full of fantasy, beauty and humour.

Surrounded by the magical rainforest setting, Bruno Torfs has created one of the world's most unique and deeply inspiring experiences for art and garden lovers of all ages.

With over three hundred paintings and sculptures to discover, a journey to Bruno's is one of Australia's most special attractions.
How tragic to lose a lifetime's worth of work.

Bruno is safe but over 200 paintings and his gorgeous gardens are destroyed.

D-Day for the Windswept and Interesting Artiste!!!

Well I have just got back from the Christian Den in town where they are holding my art works captive and I must say they look damn good!
There are three artists works on display plus a phographer.
All Newcastle stuff.
Tony and I and the photographer are all very traditional works and the other bloke does quite quirky very clouroful slightly abstract works.
All very nice!
They look like they will be having a packed house tonight, so I remain forver hopeful!
Must have a glass of wine tonight as I sit nervously thinking that a whole lot of people that I do not know are looking at my pictures.
Very exciting indeed.
The man's birthday tomorrow.
He is 44.
Still a baby.
We are doing pizza tomorrow night in Hamilton ( so sorry Diana that I will miss your Witch's Kitchen )probably coffee and cake at Euro Bar.
He must be pampered all day long...
I need to take some pictures of Newcastle...some really ice spots so that I can get inspired to do more paintings..
Anyone got any ideas or favourite spots that they can recommend??

Saying goodbye to the babies!

I went in to deliver my art works today ( to the Christians!!!! ).
My babies!!!!

They are going to be stared at,
Critiqued.
Snorted at.
Snoffed at.
Possibly admired.
Maybe purchased.

I cannot go to the exhibition night as it is "by ticket purchase only".
There will be a Jazz band.
And lots of Christians. Don't get me wrong -
Nothing against Christians by the way, I used to be one!

Looking up?

Just when you thought that your mighty good plan for the year ahead was looking solid...
things start going awry!
I dont understand why we have to actually pay our bills anyway..
what a stupid idea!
Just can't seem to make a living out of being windswept and interesting it seems...
maybe because I may be windswept...but not interesting.
Damn it!

So its been raining...may as well paint! Pic No 8 for 2009

This one's a little different.
Nobby's in the afternoon sunlight.














Well, can't really do much else.
Made a spinach and cheese pie.
Some washing.
Can you believe "Bewitched" is on tv?
The original.
Samantha was a doll wasn't she?
And Endora!
And the original "Ocean's Eleven" with Sammy Davis Jnr and Frank Sinatra.

Been feeling off!

Its been a painful few days with a headache developing over the last three with the meltdown coming last night.
Today I am better.
Nothing else exciting.
Applied to do some volunteer work for the Cancer Council.
Am creating a new painting.
Am wondering how Bee's tattoo went today.
I hope she is happy.
Might see some of you next week eh?
I will be in Hamilton next Monday morning as I have to put my car in for a service,
So,anyone feel like a COFFEE?????

ON
MONDAY 16th February
at 12 Noon at "The GOURMET GOOSE" (opposite Enigma) at Hamilton.
Be there or be SQUARE!!!!

P.S.Happy Valentine's Day.

Pic No:6 and Pic No:7

Well here are the last two that I will do before the art exhibition next week.
I have to take my paintings in next Wednesday for the set up to be done.

THE SEAGULL ( very original title isnt it! )













"THE PUMPHOUSE AT NEWCASTLE BEACH"









I have painted both of these on previous occassions.
And these were the two that I was doing while attempting the Cathedral picture when I was getting frustrated with it.

This pain is just too much!

I have been watching the coverage of the bushfire devastation and I just cant anymore.
Its beyond comprehension.
People have lost family
and home,
and pets.
God, its awful.
I cant think of anything else.
And there is a permanent lump in my throat.

A new week....some are starting with nothing

As I sit sourrounded by my comfortable home, fan on and doggy at my feet..I am cast into the devastation in Victoria where some people who have been through the fires are starting this week with ...nothing.
How do you do that?
I know that...you JUST DO.
But, hell, it bwould be like your identity was ripped away from you.
You are left with nothing that identifies you with who you are.
Imagine that...
We spent uears collecting our identities...this house is mine therefore I am ...a houseowner.
This child is mine...therefore I am a mother.
These clothes are mine..therefore I have bad taste in clothes ( in my case )
etc..
you would feel naked wouldn't you, without all of this?

My older daughter did a scuba diving course on the weekend....she loved it.
She's going again next weekend for some extra dives.
Maybe the man and her can go diving together.
He used to do it when I first met him 20 years ago.
Can we find a wet suit that big?

Floods and Fire

A bit apocalyptic here in the land of OZ at the moment.
Floods and fire.
Poor people.
Poor animals.
Brave volunteers and emergency workers.
I hope it all settles soon -
I dont think that they can take much more.

Spare a thought and send them your love.
IT DOES HELP!

Pic No:5 for 2009

The church is finally done.
Hallelujah!
What do you think?

ITS GONNA BE FREAKING HOT!!!!!!

The Cathedral will NOT get the better of me!!!

Well I have been working on a new pic - Christchurch Cathedral!
You probably could hear me swear from your place!
It seemed a good idea at the time, but it slowly dwindled into an exercise in patience.
It have put it aside twice now, saying to myself...bugger this!
But today I took it into the Cottage and gave it a good going over and I think I have turned the corner...
Will probably finish it by the weekend so will post it for your critique!!
Bloody Catholics!!!!!!

Frikken Fridge!

Our fridge has been on the fritz again ( this is the one we have had for onyl 16 months ). So the men came and finally taken it away to replace the compressor.
All well and good, but we now have to wait two weeks to get our fridge back.
We have received a replacement, but it is much smaller than our fridge and by the time I put back all the jars of shit that i had, the fridge was full!!!
Where do I put the actual food????????
And,
all the fresh food that we had bought over the past two weeks has slowly gone off as the fridge was never at the right temperature.
So things had to be thrown after only a day or two.
Total crap.
We have spent so much on food lately and much of it has has to be chucked cause we are too afraid to eat it.
Anyone any ideas on compensation for this loss???
I had to remove all the food from the fridge this morning and the removalists did not come till 11.30.
So all my food was sitting on the kitchen bench for 4 hours......not good.

There is certainly some deep thinking going on out there...

Boy, reading your blogs today has been a rollercoaster ride of emotions.
Such deep, deep thoughts.
You all need to be so proud of yourselves.
Really.
For not being shallow, or hollow ( even though some of you say that you may 'feel' that way ) it is not true, because you have dared to think below the surface and feel pain and emotion.
A good thing.
A very good thing.
I think so.
I rather feel pain than feel dead, cold and nothing.
It means that I am alive and dealing with my shit.
Not always pleasant.
Often horrible.
But the growth is always there.
Pain is a signal that you are a feeling, thinking person.
If you guys ever need an ear, I am about and happy to listen, but beware that I do not console for too long.

A life not felt.....is a life not lived.

A wonder filled Sunday.

An amazing day shared with amazing women who are really putting their heart and soul into their "Year and a Day" studies.
I will not mention the allocated "task" that we received today to complete, because I am not supposed to mention it, but the unmentionable thing has left me speechless..
how do I do this????
It was amazing to turn up on Saturday night and find my "Shave for a Cure" buddy from last year, Helen had had the same idea about cutting hair....great minds think alike!
Helen does look better than I do.
Then today Jane got in on the act with a head shave and she loks gorgeous too.

I look like someone has done one of those wierd photo manipulations with the computer where you can make the eyes look bigger or smaller etc...like "twisted whiskers" and someone has made my head almost dissappear..

Happy Birthday Deb

Tonight we are going to celebrate Deb's birthday. Deb is a great woman, someone who has been through a lot and has a lot of wisdom. She really adds so much to our little group. Welcome to the fabulous 50's!!!!!

I have cut off all my hair...
It just ws not doing anything.
It looked pretty dead and horrible, but beloved husband of mine did a number 2 instead of a number 3 and now I am almost bald.
Well,
its only hair.
It will grow...eventually.

Great News!!!

Well today has been a great day.
Not only did I have a full morning at the Cottage for our first "Open Day" for 2009 but I also SOLD MY FIRST ARTWORK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Am I excited and thrilled....?????????
Bloody oath I am!!!!

I want to thank Nat for being bold and making the purchase.
I dont think that she will ever know how much this sale meant to me.
My journey to paint again has been a very long one, full of avoidance and pain.
This is one of those things that I SHOULD HAVE done, many, many years ago...but found all the excuses under the sun not to.
I spent years umming and arring about it all ( you see....all I ever wanted to do was going to Uni and do a fine arts course when I left school but because of many things I never did ) and now I am so happy that I got off my fat derierre and got into it.
Just goes to show that its never too late to do what you are really passionate about..so what are you waiting for??????

Pic No:4 for 2009

This is my latest.
I am going to have an exhibition in February along with my teacher for a charity here in Newcastle to raise money...did I tell you?
I don't have any details at the moment, so i dont know how many pics I am supposed to have.
But, as I have not sold anything yet...I think that I have plenty available.

How to embarass your daughter...

Went to Kotara today.
Spent a fortune.
Now I am poor.
But I spotted a new magazine in the paper shop called "Groovy Grandmas" for females, forty and fabulous!!!!
So I bought it, to the great chagrin of my daughter who told me to stand somewhere else when I buy it.
Does anyone want a peek when I'm finished with it?
But,
you must be female,forty and fabulous.
Hmmmpfff.
I need a face lift.

Last day left before baby goes back to school!

Tomorrow I am out and about with baby girl getting the last bits together before she starts another year of school.
That is....
if I can get her off the computer.
I think she has grown into the seat, just like that poor lady in America who "grew into the couch" when she had not moved in years and they had to remove parts of her flesh as they tried to prize her off her beloved piece of furniture away from the tv set.
So we are heading to Kotara for some retail therapy.
I am still feeling rather weary and worn and am waiting for quiet solititude to force me to get into the house work.
I HAVE gone through all my clothes and sorted all the crap out, which will be going to the Smith Family.
At least that's a start.

Another new Blog

Well, I just created another blog for my paintings and have posted a few to start me off.
please go and have a look at:
Black Dog Artworks

Pic Number 3 for 2009

This one is of the new maritime Museum which is housed in one of the old buildings at Honeysuckle.
When my parents first arrived in Newcastle from Europe after WW2 they actually disembarked off the ship and walked into one of these old buldings for processing of passports etc.

Well since posting, I have had my teacher critique this painting and there are some improvements to be made.....mmmm..need a drink first!!!!

Oh the joy of staying at home and painting...

Yep that's what I did today.
Oh and spent a bucket load of money on the baby girl - she is going back to school next week and has decided that she needs EVERYTHING!!!!!
So we went to Kotara and Orificeworks.
My next pic will be finished in a day or two..
Can't wait to show you.

At last I got to see Monet

What an amazing day!
Not only was I able to spend the whole day with my family but we also headed to Sydney to catch the Impressionist Exhibition at the Art Gallery before it finishes at the end of the week.
It was amazing, moving, stunning ....
To see the real thing..
The real paintings created by these artists that I have heard about and admired ever since I read about them as a young girl.
The paintings are superb.
I had a ball.
There were still plenty of people about and sometimes it was was hard to have a good look without someones head getting in the way.

Ouch...a thousand paper cuts!!!!!

I have been stripping calendars all day and night.
This is one of those tasks that you have to do at the end of the season.
The back of each calendar has to be removed and counted and packed, then sent back to the company for reimbursment.
But, with so many to do, I have paper cuts all over my fingers.
They have bled and are ouchy sore.
They are shredded and will probably hurt even more tomorrow.
ouchy!!!!

I'M FREE!!!!!!!!!!!!

So another chapter of my life has finished.
I turn the page...
to begin a new one.

Pleased to meet you Nat!

Had the pleasure of meeting one of our bloggers today - Nat!
She came in and said hi.
Did you guys know that tomorrow is my VERY LAST DAY????????
I can finally rejoin the human race.
Then, well a break, painting, getting back into the swing of the Cottage and figuring out what my next step will be..
I have to de scale the house - three months of not getting into the housework is not a good thing..

DID YOU HAVE A BIG BOWL OF STUPID FOR BREAKFAST THIS MORNING??????

2 days to go.
I dont think I can do it..........................................................................
please pray for me.....

BOB THE BUILDER.........I WANT TO KILL YOU!

It's so loud.
Everyone dissappears.....except for all the mums and a thousand strollers with ear piercing, blood curdling screaming children.

Was it hot today?
Or what???
3 days to go....

The light may be on but nobody is home...

Today I noticed so many people with no life force in them at all.
They were going through some motions......but as I looked into their eyes, I saw nothing.
Blankness.
A void.
Like zombi - ish stuff.
Quite spooky really.
Not one, or two, but many.

Also I noticed that so many people cannot count.
I find this every year, but this year is a stand out not only amongst younger people ( none of them can count ) but older people too.
NO ONE can calculate a 75% discount.
NO ONE!!!!!!!!
Is it sheer laziness?
Or can they just not do basic math?
Everyone hands me a $50 note for a stuffing $1.25 or $3 calendar.
I am not a f#@$ing bank and neither can I get to one during the day, but, ask people for change....and they get that glazed over look on their faces and they just stare into the air as if the power has been turned off in their brains...

I think that they only know how much money they have by the colour of the notes.

I have four days left.
Four days people!!!!

Oh Lordy I cant wait.
I am suffering through two sessions of "Bob the Builder" daily.
Good thing that the man got me ear plugs.

Pic No:2 for 2009

Here is my new pic!
It caused me a lot of heartache.
Originally the pelican was on a total grassy background and it didnt look crash hot.
My art teacher suggested some ideas to improve the next one I did, but I decided to see if I could change this one...so I added the background, and I think it is a great improvement.
You can always learn from your mistakes....
This is a special painting for a very "special" member of the family that just loves pelicans.

JUST ANOTHER SHIT DAY

Well today was the icing on the Charlestown Square cake...
No,
The cherry on the icing on the Charlestown Square cake.

There was shit, human shit, on the floor near my stand and 50,000 people proceeded to step in it and drag it the length and breath of the stand so that I could gag and dry retch until the cleaners came to clean it up ( 10 minues later )...
Don't ask me how it got there - I just smelt something really bad then looked around to find.....it on the floor.

Did you think that was then end of that????
No, no, no!!!!!
Both toilet blocks, in reach of the stand were then blocked for hours, so I just had to hold on.

Then there was vomit in the closest one....
so I held on again...

dry wretch, gag some more...
then...

later that afternoon....
when it was quiet,
a cleaner approached me to say that she had just cleaned the biggest shit she had ever seen off the floor at the side of Gloria Jeans when we heard a scream coming from the other end of the stand...

Well there in the middle of Centre Court was THE BIGGEST, FILTHIEST, SHIT I have ever seen in my life.
Yes....right in the middle of the floor, yet again just a metre from my stand.
It was so huge I had to go and have a look.
It could not have been human but it was shit...it stank like shit.

The cleaners said that it must be a stray dog, but I had not seen a dog all afternoon.
I told them that this smelt like a prank by kids who had nothing better to do...

How vile and disgusting!!!!!

By the way, Gloria Jeans was FULL of customers who got an eyeful of the true style and carisma of the type of moron that comes to the Square.

Delightful......
Are you still busting to go there??????

There was an old woman who lived in a Calendar Club stand...

Only 10 days to go...
Puppy boy Maximus is in a routine where he starts to bark at 6.20 every morning and continues until I wake up and let him in the house.
NOT HAPPY JAN!
It has slowed right down again at the Square and I really do not mind.
I am back to reading my books.
Next week we will have a "Bob the Builder Show" twice daily in Centre Court to entertain me through my last days..
Boy, how thoughtful are they to do that?
I can hardly wait....
All those little kiddies running around and screaming like barbaric heathens.

Tired...

Hot night..
mosquito bites...
the man snoring..
early starts..
stock taking..
trying to finding missing calendars..
tired eys..
sick of take away food..
flabby arse..
sore feet..
awaiting a bucket load of stock..
next painting is not going well..
still getting over the flu.

Thanks guys...

Thanks for all of your positive comments about my painting!
I only have 16 days to go in my retail career and they I am FREE!!!!!!!!
I am getting more stock from a store which is closing on Sunday.
This means much work and a big headache.
Oh Goody....can hardly wait.

First Pic of 2009

I have been trying to finish this one for a few weeks now.
Thank goodness it is done.
Do you like?

Took time out today to get to it especially since the little black dog woke me at 7.15 this morning.
It was so quiet and peaceful I spent the first few hours of 2009 painting - what joy!!!!!
Am feeling better thank you all for your wishes - antibiotics have kicked in and the day off is helping!

Sick...

Very sick..
Blessed New Year to you all.

Sore, sore throat....

Can't get sick now...
Can't get sick now.....
Can't get sick now....
sore, sore throat.
Worked 8am to 5pm both Saturday and Sunday and am frazzled.

Can't get to my artwork and now the man has been busy and made me a paint/ airbrush station in the spare ( has not been finished cause we ain't got the money ) room.
It is super groovy with lights suspended from the ceiling and hooks and shit and a masonite board for hanging my canvases on for painting.
Can't wait to get in there and give it a go.....
at this point I can only look at it and sigh...

It happens every year that some arse tries to return this years' calendar to get a new one for next year claiming that we sold them this years calendar....well it happened yesterday.
It really shit me cause 1. they think I am that stupid to beleive them.
2. They have the balls to try it.
3. They are plainly tring tp rip me off.
They buy a calendar, use it all year long, keep it in good nik and then come back and try to get a new one saying that they just bought it off me and I sold them this years......
Arse holes!!!!
How tight must they be????

Christmas? It's over.....

Has everyone gone stark raving mad?????
What's with the mad shopping craziness????
Well Boxing Day sales went off with a bang yesterday - rest assured we have lost our holiday forever.
Thank you to all who could not wait one more day and have now cut the holidays short for everybody else.
Guess I won't have to worry about it next year anyway.

Today was a shit fight at the Square with normallly sane people becoming possessed by the devil himself...running and screaming.."Over there, over there"..."There's something on sale over there"...

May the Gods protect me!

Yay! I MADE IT!

FINALLY A DAY OFF!!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OF YOU -
I HOPE THAT YOU ALL GET A BIT OF A REST,
SOME GOOD FOOD
AND MAYBE A GIFT OR TWO.

ALL MY LOVE AND BEST WISHES!

Wall of Fame!

You can find this "marvelous" exhibit at "Sniddys" on Beaumont street Hamilton - by the way the food is great.
We have snitzels there tonight ( to celebrate ) and they were yummy.

So tired I can't stand straight...

Twas three days before I get a day off and I was soooooo tired.
My feet are ouchy and throbbing ( those nasty varicous veins ).
You can read my legs like a roadmap to hell at the moment.

Got my paintings ready for hanging tomorrow.
Heading off after work to "Sniddys" in Beaumont street to hang 6 of my paintings on one of their walls.
How super fantastic is that...
very excited I am.
Will post a piccy of what they look like after we are done.
Hope I sell a few..
Wish me luck on this new venture guys.

Stop hitting me with the ugly stick!

I am being beaten by the ugly stick.
Too tired to do my hair,
too tired to put on any makeup or shave my legs..
too tired to find a descent pair of undies..
(Oh, I have'nt got a descent pair)
was tempted to put on my birthday panties
as all mine were hanging on the line.
What if I'd had a car accident and had to be taken to hospital
and they had to cut all my clothes off and found me wearing THOSE undies???!!!!!
Even bigger hits with the ugly stick.
Do you ever get to a point where you just hate everything and do not see the point in what you are doing???
That was me and probably another 1000 people that walked passed me today.
I MISS MY FAMILY...

Wow! The Midnight shift is OVER!!!

Well I feel like i have been shredded and stuck back together with cheap glue.....
16 hours at the Square yesterday.
At least that is over.
That is my last long one - if I was at Kotara I would be up for a few more 10pm finishes and their late one is next Tuesday.
And have you heard...
seems that some of the bigger reatilers have SMELT MONEY... and are now opening on BOXING DAY..
What shits!!!!!!!
Have we not had enough?????
Its the big guys, Woolies, David Jones and Myers....
They are just all too greedy...

Good and Bad

The last few days have been very good and also very bad.
My mother in law's brother passed away with cancer.
He was very hard to handle for the family that had to take care of him, with some dementia and of course ill health making the last few years very difficult indeed.

My NSW manager appeared with her side kick ( a bit like Hitler and Goebbles )and proceeded to tear shreds off me for having such poor sales figures, stating that I am doing the worst of all the stores in NSW..(blah, blah, blah).
They were both hideous and condescending with a dash of humiliation thrown in.
They also proceeded to tell me how I can "improve" because obviously it is something that I am not doing that is causing so much damage to my sales figures.
(Lets not mention the down turn in the economy and that the Square is under major renovations ).

But hope is on the horizon with a small new side project evolving....but it's just a bit of shhhh.
I will let you all know next week.

Other than that, tomorrow is the last night at the Cottage for 2008 and also it means one month left of Calendar Club.
Also Thursday means working from 9am to 12 midnight.
Oh goodie....
can hardly wait..

Well if its not one thing then its the other...

Yes it's true - I am one complaining biatch!!!!
First I complain that things are slow and I am not making any money.
Now I am complaining that things are too busy and I am flat out.
Yes.
Tis true.
I am one, full on, bitter, twisted complaining biatch!!!

Today was Sunday and I actually had some nice people in buying my stuff.
(See? Not complaining....)

Tomorrow the count down starts..

10 days till the fat man has his day ( oh and it's Jesus's birthday too )
Although it's not REALLY his birth date is it???

I was up way too early this morning and watched somthing called Creflo Dollar, which is a pastor from America talking about the sin of man through using his...get this...senses....
For man does not trust the word of God but goes about the world using his senses of sight, touch etc...to make his judgements about the world around him.Fancy using your own brain and making a decision for yourself!!!!!

And then I swapped to Hillsong and heard all about encouragement. At least this bloke wasn't called Creflo Dollar.But they were selling DVD's available for " a limited time only" full of encouragement and love for only $21.

Needed two cups of coffee after being made to feel totally guilt ridden for actually having feelings and using my own head to make decisions....almost bought a DVD.

and the heavens opened...

and rained down the multitudes of humanity with their bonus Christmas cheques from Uncle Kevin and they spent heaps of money..
and it was good.
Now I am over it and I want them all to go away.
Cause they are all feral.
And they make a mess.
And they abuse me for looking at them the wrong way.
And for not knowing how to be in two places at the same time.
I have had three solid days of trade and this has helped somewhat..
I am over Christmas carols, after having heard them non stop from 10am to 8pm last Thursday.
I do not want to hear, "We wish you a Merry Christmas" and any songs about Jesus ever again.
All those people buying all that shit while listening to carols and children screaming like they are having their intestines removed through their arses and husbands yelling at wives for spending money on shit ....
and the joy of it all.
Ho Hum..
Bah Humbug...
back to the Pleasure Dome tomorrow.

New masterpiece

Integrating new thoughts

Well, well, well some interesting new ideas and feelings coming through for me. Things that I have to intergrate into my life and how I live it.
I am very aware that my current reading is greatly influencing my thoughts, and as someone has already commented, reading a book is only looking at someone elses thoughts and views - do I want to believe them?
Do they suit me?
Are they influencing me for all the right reasons?
Unfortunately this stuff I am looking at makes sense, a lot of sense.... and it changes many things.

Unfortunately this time of the year is when I lose faith in everything that is good...I see and hear too much horrid stuff and have to deal with ugly people.
I am tired of the energies that I feel around me -
I am tired of standing over power lines all day long and on a hard floor...my legs hurt.
but...I am happy to say that it is nearly Christmas and that means a day or two off and the down hill stretch.
Did you know that the Square is now going to be open on New Year's Day?
The big stores like Myes, Big W and Target are going to open up while the other smaller retailers will be closed...unless they make us open. Kotara is open too - all stores, cause obviously we need another day to shop don't we??????? And we are all going to rush in at the crack of sparrow fart on New Year's Day cause we have run out of alchohol, bread and milk.....nursing our hangovers.
Sucks.....

Taking the piss....

I must admit that I love a good book and am always drawn to get very excited when I am in the middle of a good read.
I am currently half way through one called "Spook" by a lady called Mary Roach. She is quite interested in what happens to us after death and has written another book called "Stiff" about what happens to the body when we die.
There are some fascinating chapters about experiments on weighing the soul, you've heard the 21gm shit haven't you, also about mediums in the 1800's in England and allegedly where they would hide ectoplasm, that funky stuff that came with every good seance back then.....seems fannys are good for many things...lucky if you were a lady medium - men had more difficulty.
She also goes to a Mediumship College in England failing to have made a connection after three days ( yet the rest of the class was certain to have spoken to a dead soul or two ). She cites experiments that have been going on for years using psychics and mediums and even the best of the best only seem to get it right 50% of the time ( so I guess I am right up there with the best!He..he ).
She is not a skeptic.
She really, really wants to know that there is more to us than a fundamental character residing in a body for a certain period of time and then....poof....all gone.
You know it has never been proven that there is no life after death, just as there has never been proven that there is???? Scientifically that is.
I find it challenging and nurturing to my poor befuddled grossed out by society's narssisistic individuals mind.
Something to ponder and think about...
Have a good one.

Last Art class tonight

Well, I have just been to my last art class with Tony for 2008.
I managed to finish one art work - a picture of Nobby's at sunset - will post it tomorrow.
This one has taken so long as I have not had time to work on it at home, so I really only had classes to do it in.
I dont really feel very inspired at the moment, and painting has been a blessed relief.
I will be glad to really get back into it after Calendar Club has finished.
Will also be selling, so if anyone is interested, please be in touch.
Tonight's class was a bit sad for me. I have enjoyed the comfort of a tutor and knowing that I can ask for help and assistance if I dont know what to do or really stuff it up.I cant believe that I have been going to his classes for 10 months.
I know I will still keep in touch with Tony but it will not be the same as sitting in a weekly class.

Also,
to those of you who encountered me in my "she -devil from hell" mode this morning (Thursday) at the Square, namely Ivy for one, I apologise I was more than slightly ruffled by a very bad morning encountering people who decided to think of me as their personal rubbish bin and my stand as their play area.

Can my head stop hurting now?????

Have had one of those persistant headaches again...this is day three and it is wearing me out.
I am out of patience and just want to lie in a darkened corner.
But,
instead, I get to listen to not one, but two school choirs today.

Two groups of kiddies who cannot sing or play musical instruments, but do so anyway for the entertainment and annoyance of everyone at the Square.

I was ready to scream - and of course, this stops any chance of any real customers coming to the stand during this time and actually spending any money as these horrible children are placed directly in front of ME....

So from 11 to 12 and then from 1 to 2.30 I just stood around with a throbbing head twiddling my thumbs......annoyed and hating Christmas with a vengeance....

Hormonal, swearing teenagers singing about baby Jesus when they really just want to drink themselves stupid and get into each others pants is just wrong...
JUST SHOOT ME.

Only 24 days to Christmas

The Christmas lights have been turned on!
The streets are starting to light up and look really pretty.
I love this time of the year - it looks gorgeous outside and some people really go all out to dolly up their houses.
We get to enjoy it for a whole month and to heck with the electricity bill!!!!
At the Square it is deadly quiet.....
like it's just not happening.

Even Santa sits on his own for hours.
Poor Santa!