☆ The Art of Intention [Life Book 2014]

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 Week 8 - The Joy of Intention with Alena Hennessy

This was an interesting lesson for me. Purely abstract, totally leading with my intuition, and a surprising out come from a meditation!

I am not great with abstract work, but I love the way that the circles evolved + the appearance of the feathers. And I am a bit surprised with the yellow - it isn't a colour that I use a lot of!

During a guided meditation, I was drawn to the words peace + harmony, answering the question of what I really wanted in my heart of hearts.

PEACE + HARMONY

Yup, I totally get the reason behind this! But it wasn't the intention that I went into the meditation with. 

What is it that you want RIGHT NOW in your heart of hearts? Perhaps you'll share yours with us below.

By the way: I have a little give away happening this month, but you only have till Tuesday to add your entry + be in with the chance to win 'WISH' original painting. Pop over here for more.

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☆ Carla Sonheim inspired drawings [Friday Art]

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I am totally obsessed with the ink blot doodles that Carla Sonheim shared during this lesson.

So during some down time I pulled out some index cards + squiggled some paint on them. Once they dried I started carting them around with me every where. Every now + then I have pulled them out to see if there is an image that leaps out.

I love some of the cute characters that have popped out. The have started appearing in my art work already (the unicorn can be seen here) And I adore the baby moose + the calf with the stars.

I had a page in my sketch book that had some scribbles + mess, so I dumped some water colour on it + let it dry.

This is such a relaxing way to be creative, with out the pressure of finishing a perfect painting. And count me officially obsessed!

So when your not feeling like pulling out your usual arsenal of art supplies, how do you achieve your creative outlet?

By the way: I have a little give away happening this month, but you only have till Tuesday to add your entry + be in with the chance to win 'WISH' original painting. Pop over here for more.

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☆ March Give Away [I need you help]

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This month I have a special bonus give away, in conjunction to my monthly LilliBean Love Letter Give Aways

'Wish' is a 4 x 4' painting on canvas, and will be on to her new home early next month...

To be in with a chance, I need your help...

You see, I have received emails from you guys, asking me how I paint faces, how I find time, how I started, how I create with kids, etc.

And I want to grow Listening to the Squeak, into a space which offers ways help you guys out.

But I need to know what you are interested in, so I am hoping you can help me.... please...

I would love it if you gave me a minute to tell me what it is you NEED to know, or HOW I can help you. Just write it in the box below.

And you can be in with a chance to win this little painting.

The winner will be announced on Wednesday 1st April.

Fill out my online form.

The easy to use Wufoo form builder helps you make forms easy, fast, and fun.

Thank you so much for your help + good luck!

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☆ Pop Up Positives with Jane Davenport [Life book 2014]

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Week 7 - Pop Up Positive with Jane Davenport

You know you are having a crappy week, when the most positive thing you can think up about yourself is that you are loyal.

Every positive thing I could think off was refuted by my inner bitch. 

So this lesson by the fabulous Jane Davenport, was just what I needed as well as one of the most difficult, because my little bitch was running rampant that day!

After lots of inner debate, I came up with 

                 ☆  Dreamer of big things

                 ☆  Open - Hearted

                 ☆  Believer of all things fantastical 

The next hard part was trying to illustrate them! They were such abstract positives that I had to be a little creative.

I think my unicorn is my favourite...

Thanks Jane, for not only a fun + beautiful project, but for making me reinforcing, after a crappy week, my positive qualities...

What are your top three positive qualities? Don't let your inner bitch tell you, like mine did, that you have none. You do! Some times you have to did a bit deeper... I would love it if you shared your positives with us below.

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☆ Paper Cut Princess [Friday Art]

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So last week I shared with you the work in progress shots from the Paper Cut Princess I had on my desk.

Last week she had me stumped. I wasn't sure of where she was going. Over the weekend, I painted the paper dolls. I didn't want them to be white, so I painted them grey.

But it didn't work.... I hated it.

So she sat for a couple of more days on my desk, until I decided it was time to forge on. 

Paper Cut Princess
mixed media acrylic painting
12 x 8"

I am so pleased I persevered. In the end, this colour worked a whole lot better. But I am still not sure of who she is or why she is the Paper Cut Princess. I just know she is.

And I love that sometimes, even my paintings aren't clear to me. 

What do you think? Who is my Paper Cut Princess? I would love to hear what you think.

By the way - did you know that I have a little give away happening this month? I need your help + by answering one little question you are in with the chance to win an original painting. Pop over here for more.

Have a fab weekend

[LINKING TO PAINT PARTY FRIDAY]

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☆ A some what Lazy but Creative Parenting Moment [Creating with Kids]

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Last Sunday, I was in my studio trying to catch up on some work, when Bug + Bean came barrelling in wanting to do something in my studio.

But I was half way through something, and only had a short time to do it - I was just about to refuse when they saw some sketches on the floor.

'Can we colour these in mama?'

I was just about to refuse, because I hadn't finished with these sketches, when I had an aha moment.

I could photo copy them.

And thus my some what 'Lazy but Creative Parenting' moment.

And as they were creating + I was working, I realised three awesome things about my lazy creative parenting moment.

1. For Bug + Bean drawing + colouring is their all time favourite thing to do, and being able to do it in the 'forbidden' room (my studio) made this moment incredibly special + fun. (Even though most of their down time is in front of a colour in book with pencils.)

        2.  By colouring my drawings, drawings they had seen become paintings, they felt like they were   

             artists like their mama, but by using their own colour choices they put their own stamp on the 

             drawings. They were happy + proud of their work. (a bonus out come really!)

        3.   My work time wasn't being constantly interrupted + I was able to stop feeling guilty 

              about working on a Sunday, because my kids were with me, we were interacting + 

              bonding even though it wasn't an intense one on one time.

So it had me thinking, how valuable taking something that is every day, and changing the location, the colours, the intent, can change the whole moment.

I mean, what if the girls + I took their colouring pages to a cafe, or what if we took their sketch books the park, or gardens. 

Simple changes + ideas, but I suspect that it would be one of their most favourite outings. 

And I wonder if there are other ways simple ways that we could make ordinary moments more special. 

Do you have any ideas about making simple changes? I would love to hear your ways to change simple ordinary moments into something sparkly + special. 

By the way - did you know that I have a give away happening this month? I need your help + by answering one little question you are in with the chance to win an original painting. Pop over here for more.

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☆ Spray Ink Love [Life Book 2014]

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Week 6 - Spray Ink Love with Tamara Laporte

Oh these lessons were so much FUN!

Spray inks, negative spaces, stencils, some washi tape + beautiful faces. My hands were dyed blue for days afterward!

The cool thing about this first 'warm up' painting, is how much satisfaction I have with its simplicity really speaks to me. And I am hoping that this will come out more in my painting - I need to remember that I don't need to fill every inch of my page.

I also love this painting. I always struggle with side on profiles + I was so happy with how my girl turned out. And all the drippy loveliness make me smile!

Have a great week.

By the way - did you know that I have a give away happening this month? I need your help + by answering one little question you are in with the chance to win an original painting. Pop over here for more.

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☆ Work in Progress [an Unfinished Friday Art]

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I was hoping to have this one finished before today, but she has me a little stumped. 

I haven't painted a painting that will eventually end up in my shop for a while, but this one came to me during a morning yoga session. (I tell ya - they strike everywhere.)

So instead of a finished painting today, here are some of the work in progress shots.

I usually start with a back ground, but this time I wanted to do something different, however at this stage I wasn't sure what that was going to be, so I went with the face.

I love painting faces, but my absolute favourite place to paint is the eyes.

Once I have the eyes finished, I usually know where my painting is going. And, okay, I know this sounds a little... well...out there,They usually tell me who the girl is, what her story is.

Not this time however. I am sure we will get there in the end.

So I loved the water colour play I did last week + have been inspired by Carla Sonheim's Life Book Lesson so I wanted to try something new for the back ground.

So this is where I am at the moment. Slightly stymied, I am hoping that inspiration will strike over the weekend, I would love to share the final painting with you next week.

What do you do when you are not sure about the direction of your art work? Do you take time away from it, or do you push through? I would love to hear how you create!

Have a fabulous weekend.

[LINKING TO PAINT PARTY FRIDAY]

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☆ LilliBean Designs Spotlight [March]

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WOW - Can you all believe that we are half way through March already? We are adjusting to the changes that have occurred in our home + I personally am relieved that the blistering summer sun is finally cooling off + Autumn is rolling in.

So whats in store this month?

There are only a few of these beautiful journals left...

Perfect for your daily notes, your journal pages, or for your shopping lists, these can be used everyday or for special occasions. They also make great gifts. My Nan is using hers for her daily to do's. 

They are soft cover, ruled line + are approx 12.5 x 20.5 cms (or close to A5 size). Don't see one you like? I can custom order one for you - please contact me for more details.

(edit 4/9)1. Pink Fairy available still

I have a limited number of these beautiful Kimmi Dolls in stock at the moment.

Totally hand crafted by me, they are a mixed media ornament, which you can hang with the ribbon they come with, or one of your own.

My girls (Bean + Bug) begged for one of these each for their bed rooms and they are now hanging from their door handle. But you could use them any where. My mum bought one to use as a gift tag on a special present for her friend.

They are approx 4 x 2" + are $8 each + postage.

"It's Time to Catch YOUR Falling Star"

This 3 x 4" (approx.) canvas painting comes with it's own easel so it can be placed any where you need to see a dose of daily inspiration.

This is one of my favourites from my easel collection, I love her big grey eyes + the message was very important for me when I painted her.

'It's Time to Catch Your Falling Star' [includes free easel]

"Uncertain Angel"

I painted this one after a period of uncertainty, I has so many ideas + plans + some of these had fallen through, and I was unsure of where I was heading. [You can read the whole story here]

Uncertain Angel is available for sale here. SOLD

I am ALWAYS happy to answer any questions you may have about any of the items I have in store. Please feel free to email me your questions, queries or custom orders.

Have a great week!

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☆ Sugar Sugar with Marieke Blokland [Life Book 2014]

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Week 5 - Sugar Sugar with Marieke Blokland

Oh. My. God - This was SUCH a fun lesson. Drawing my Candy Girl + painting her with the brightest colours I owned.

I love Marieke's style and her beautiful sense of fun. And this whole painting was fun!

I adore this page - one of my favourites so far.

Thanks so much Marieke!

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