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I’m sure you’ve all heard by now about the devastating floods which have hit my home state of Queensland.  I’m feeling very grateful right now to be one of the lucky ones – my house is fine, and my friends and family are safe.  Not everyone is so lucky.

I do feel quite helpless right now as it’s very hard to us to go anywhere because many of the roads near us are still cut off by floodwaters.

One thing I can do to help, however, is be a part of the fundraising effort for the flood appeal.

I’m holding an auction on my facebook page of this painting:

I will pay to post this painting (to Australia or overseas) so that ALL the proceeds can go to the flood relief appeal.

If you are able to, please bid – if not, please spread the word.

It’s fitting that the topic over at Illustration Friday this week is “Resolutions”, because one of my goals for this new year is to participate in prompts like this as often as possible.

To illustrate this topic, I’ve chosen to do a ‘zentangle’.  I found out about zentangling a while back through DUST (my fellow Aussie Etsy sellers), and have wanted to try it ever since.  Especially since I realised I’d been doing this kind of artwork years before it was ever given a name –  for example this artwork was completed when I was at uni, more years ago than I’d like to admit.

This fits in to the “resolutions” theme because it’s the first painting I’ve done in a long time that’s for me – and it was one of my goals for 2011 to have a go at some of the ideas that have been rattling around in my brain for the past few months.

I’ve called in ‘tangled’:

My plan was to add colour to this when it was finished, but after painting the background blue I decided I liked it the way it was with the patterns black and white.  I’m still interested in trying one with colour though.  What do you think?

It’s hard to believe a new year has already begun – 2010 flew by, but I’m really looking forward to a great year in 2011. I thought I’d share with you some of my goals and plans for this year:

– In 2011 I plan to start the year by painting for me again – I finished out 2010 with a few commissions, and while I really enjoyed the challenge of completing them and was really proud of the results, I had a bunch of other ideas in the back of my mind that I didn’t get a chance to try out.  So this year I’m going to try to get a few of those ideas down on paper or canvas.

– Speaking of too many ideas running around in my head (no wonder I’m having trouble remembering what day it is) – I also plan to keep an art journal close by, so I can put down ideas as they come to me, so when I don’t have time to paint they don’t end up getting forgotten.

– This year I’m also looking forward to starting a commission for some friends of mine.  Last year I sold one of my favourite paintings, Colours of Nature, and while I was thrilled to have made a sale I was just a little sad to see it go.  So I’m really happy to be painting a big version on canvas for friends – that way even though I’ll be saying goodbye to it I’ll be able to visit!  I’m looking forward to getting started on it.

– I plan to participate in prompts like Illustration Friday as often as possible.  It’s a great way to push me out of my comfort zone to try something new.

– I’m going to try to paint at least once per week, and update this website at least once per week.  OK I know this is the type of resolution doomed to failure.  Sometimes other things (like working full time in a demanding job) get in the way.  Nonetheless, it’s a goal I’m going to do my best to achieve.  Now just stay tuned to watch the excuses come rolling in.

– Finally, one of my biggest (and scariest) goals for this year is to actively seek out places to exhibit my work, and to consider doing a solo exhibition.

I can’t believe 2010 is over already!  Is it just me or did it just fly by?

Looking back, I think 2010 was a great year – there were a lot of new beginnings and achievements I am proud of, including:

Completing 4 large commissioned paintings

Presenting a talk about my art to the Springfield Lakes Art Group (I was so nervous but was happy I did it in the end)

Participating in the Etsy DUST team’s swaps – these were so much fun!

Using my art as a way to help the community – I donated works to raise money for The Variety Club, The Cancer Council and the Cerebral Palsy League

Participating in the Handmade Expo markets and the Soulful Spring Sounds market.  One of the best decisions I made all year was to participate in these markets – they’re a much more personal way to sell my work than online.

Participating in the Summer Salon Art Exhibition with other members of Art Salon.

I’m looking forward to 2011 being just as productive – In my next post I’ll share with you some of my plans and goals for my art in 2011.

I wanted to participate in one last Illustration Friday topic before the year ended, and well, I’ve left it a little late.  Luckily their topic this week is “Winter”, and I have the perfect painting for that topic.  I know I’m supposed to create something new, but I’m a little too late for that.

Here’s my painting:

This painting is available to purchase via My Etsy Store.

Happy New Year everyone!
I 2011 is all you could wish it to be.

It’s been a little crazy around here lately!  I’ve been busy working on a couple of commissioned paintings, creating jewellery for the Handmade Expo, and still somehow managing to keep up with my busy day job.  This website’s been a little neglected as a result.  But with one week left of school, I’m hoping to get lots of painting done, get a chance to participate in Illustration Friday again and maybe even post once in a while.

Today the set of three paintings I’ve been working on was picked up by the lovely lady who ordered them, who I met at Soulful Spring Sounds earlier this year.  It feels great to be finished and to have a happy customer.  Here’s how they turned out:

I’m also still working on a piece for a friend, which is the biggest painting I’ve done so far.  I’m enjoying the challenge – here’s how it’s looking:

With Christmas fast approaching, I doubt I’m the only one who’s busy at the moment!  If you’re on the lookout for unique Christmas presents, don’t forget to check out The Handmade Expo on Saturday 18th December – with 120 stalls you’re sure to find something perfect!  And of course, original art makes a wonderful gift 🙂

I just love participating in DUST swaps!  I was very slack with my partner this month though, just like I have been with this blog and with lots of other things – I’ve been so busy lately!  I didn’t forget her though, and I hope the set of wearable art jewellery I sent her made up for the slight lateness.

My swap partner was Carol from Neca’s Nic Nacs, and she definitely looked after me!  She sent a lovely set of note cards, some Christmas ornaments, and my favourite, a gorgeous knitted hat.  I’m going to have to wait a while before I can wear it though – we’re moving into the warm, humid, summery weather here in Queensland.

Many thanks to Carol for being so patient with me!  Please check out her shop, as she has some lovely goodies there!