☆ Mystical Magical Makings - Unicorns and Faeries

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It's a sad week this week... it's the last week of the fabulous Mystical, Magical Makings course run by Tam. Well actually the last week was two weeks ago and I have been procrastinating slightly.. ok a lot and have only just finished my painting. However I am not sure I am finished with the painting. I think I am just resting it.

It was such a difficult piece to start. Not because I was stuck on a composition - I had finished the sketch earlier, but whether it was because it was the last week and I wanted to keep the magic alive (so to speak), or because I had finished a large piece of work just the week before and was a bit lost, or because I have a really bad habit of not finishing things, I struggled.

So determined, and a new week with a positive start (see here) I made it into my studio and started. And once I started it just flowed.

The other artists in the group have been so supportive and so inspiring, and Tam is a fantastic instructor/ teacher. I will be signing up for another course in the future!

x♥x

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☆ Mystical Magical Makings - Mermaids

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I can't believe how long it's been between posts. I have been totally wrapped up in my art, every lunch time when the girls sleep, evenings once they've gone to bed. And I have been totally loving it, I have been really excited every step of the way, I think she is the best of me, and she has taught me a lot.

Bean calls her 'Mama's pretty mermaid painting, her pretty blue arial' (spoken of course with that adorable toddler voice!)

This week we were focusing on change, growth and transformation and incorporating element used by the artist Chagall. Unlike the angel and goddess weeks however, I decided not to embrace the movement associated with this week, I had intended to, but in the end I thought she was meant to be just the way she is...

...So here she is. my pretty blue mermaid.

Not a great photo I know, but I will update this when I can get her into natural light tomorrow.

The butterfly - a classic symbol of transformation

x♥x

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☆ Mystical Magical Makings - Angel Update

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I went back to my angel yesterday to tinker a bit more with it. After posting it on the course forum, the wonderfully supportive people who are on this journey with me, made some helpful and insightful suggestions and although I am still not 100% in love with the painting I am happier with it now.

Back to the painting - I added embellishments to her tiara/ headband thingy, (and yes that is its official name!), more detail to the dress and shadow to the ground under the angel and child. I also think they would benefit from being a bit larger - next time...

hmm.. I think I'm done with this one for the moment - bring on the mermaids!

x♥x

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☆ Mystical Magical Makings - Week 3

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So I have finally finished my M3 piece for week three. This week we were focusing on safety, protection, compassion, unconditional love and acceptance. All things which angels encompass. We were also focusing on the artist Mucha.

I love Mucha's work, the whole art nouveau movement is one of my favourites. I will never forget travelling through the Czech Republic and seeing his work every where, especially in Prague. Seeing his work on walls in cafes, on menus, in the galleries, really inspired me.

But as much as I love his work, I must admit, I found it difficult to finish my painting. I feel a bit meh about it. I don't love it - but I don't hate it... When I look at it I am happy I've finished and I really like some aspects of the painting, I'm just meh. Maybe I need to tinker with it a bit more...

The roses in the background piece are inspired by Charles Rennie Mackintosh - a fabulous Scottish artist and architect.

The finished piece..

Looking at it again maybe she fades to much into the background? Maybe it's too busy? Hmm will need to ponder it a bit more now!

x♥x

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☆ Inner Goddess

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It's week two of Tam's Magical, Mythical Makings course and I have finished my goddess. I decided to create my own goddess rather than take inspiration from the thousands from mythology and history partly because I didn't know where to start researching these beautiful women, (have you ever googled Goddess?) but also because I wanted her to embody some of the qualities I want to focus on myself.

Her name is Rainier meaning 'wise warrior' and she is the goddess of empathy and intuition. She is a reminder to carry empathy in my heart but to also listen to it, because it is wise and will steer me on the right path.

The swam symbolises intuition and the balm leaf empathy.

Sometimes I catch a glimpse and I can't believe I created her. I am really proud of this work, and although there are niggley little things I am not 100% happy with (don't most creators feel this way??) they aren't the things that I take note of. Maybe some personal growth occurred in the painting process - who knows ;)

Next week it's mermaids - I cannot wait!

x♥x

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☆ Mystical Magical Makings

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For Christmas, my gorgeous husband gave me a spot on the talented Tam from Willowing, Mystical Magical Makings course.

I have previously completed her free course - Art, Heart and Healing (which you can still join!) and I loved it so much. Tam has a fantastic teaching style, and the willowing network is a safe and nurturing place to explore your creative side - even for those who have never drawn before!!

The first two weeks of the course is about Goddesses - one who inspires you, one who speaks to you, or one who you have created yourself.

Mine is the goddess of intuition and empathy, she speaks to me on a very elemental level, she's being a bit coy with her name - I will tease it out of her yet!

She still needs finishing, I am hoping to get into my studio sometime over the next few days, but with Australia Day yesterday, and some of the hottest temps this summer, I have struggled to move more than 5 inches from the air conditioner!!

x♥x

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