☆ Expressive Florals [Life Book]

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Week 42 - Expressive Florals with Tam

I have learnt so much this year with Life Book - I have been loving the different styles, the different techniques, and I adored this weeks lesson, again with the fabulous Tam.

This is a painting that I adored the actual process. It felt loose, messy + abstract, but in the end there was a recognisable item in the final painting.

I love the bright pop of colour that they give off, especially in my journal that has lots of pastels, greys + teals!

By the way - I will be attending the Bathurst Christmas markets this weekend (nov 15th + 16th) so if you are in the Bathurst area I hope you will pop in + say hi.

And if you bring this voucher with you, you can receive 10% off everything in store.

You can download it by clicking on the voucher above or here.

The voucher is valid at all the markets I am attending for the rest of the year:

Until the end of the year you can find me: 

• Bathurst Christmas Markets: November 15th + 16th @ the Bathurst Show Ground
• Cowra Harvet Markets: November 29th @ Brougham Park Cowra
• Cowra Night Markets: December 12th @ Kendal Street Cowra
• Farmers Markets: December 20th @ Cowra Show Ground [still confirming]

I hope you have a bright + happy week!

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☆ Exploring Intuition {Life Book 2014]

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Life Book Week 36: Exploring Intuition with Tamara Laporte 

Painting intuitively sounds relatively easy, but for me it is one of the hardest things to do. I find it difficult to turn off the back ground noise sometimes.

And if the back ground noise has been muted, sometimes I find it hard to create outside my comfort zone.

But this week, I surrounded my self with about seven different mediums that were close to hand.

Tried not to over think my every move...

Used mediums that felt 'right' at the time....

Used colours that spoke to me...

And felt what I needed to feel....

And totally adore what came out.


And p.s. what I wrote is something that I definitely needed reminding of, but something that totally is true for me.

When I am vulnerable I can achieve great things + great things happen to me. When I am closed off, guarded that is when I struggle to connect, to feel beauty + have balance.

And as all Life Book lessons lately, something I have needed to have a reality check about...

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☆ Quirky Animals [Life Book 2014]

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 Week 15 - Quirky Animals with Tam

Do you remember last year when I shared the series of Quirky Birds that I had done as part of the Life Book 2013 classes?

Well that was such a popular lesson, with quirky birds are popping up all over the internet, that this year, instead of birds, we did a series of quirky animals.

I love drawing stylised animals. Besides my big eyed girls, it is one of my favourite things to draw, (check out my alternate alphabet). And I have been drawing stylised animals since I was in high school. (Mainly because I couldn't draw then realistically!)

In particular, my lion, (Lionel) has graced pencil cases, diary pages, folders, sketch pads, paintings + friends arms. 

If you have know me since I was a pimply faced teen, you will probably remember Lionel!

So it was hugely fun to choose animals, which mean a lot to me spiritually, emotionally, physically. Some who are new to me + some who are old friends

So meet my quirky animal team:

• The Monkey - because I need to remember to play more, have fun, life is not always serious.

• The Zebra - because although we may all look similar, we are all different, unique + gorgeous creatures

• The Koala - Because I really need to look after myself more + get more sleep. Candle burning both ends here guys!

• The Deer - Because I am a sensitive + I need to be reminded that my intuition is almost always  right. Trust in it.

• The Elephant - Because I need to just barge through the road blocks + obstacles that I put in place to obtaining my dreams.

• And Lionel, my lion -  a reminder to be constantly brave + grab my courage + let go. Also, he is the freaking king + no one talks shit to him, so a reminder not to take any shit - no matter how well intentioned.

So there you have it, my animal totem.

Do you have an affinity to a particular animal? I would love to know which animal speaks to you + why that animal is so special.

Oh, by the way - thank you every one who left a comment on Fridays Kimmi Doll post, with your fabulous suggestions + ideas for marketing them in the future x

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☆ The Tree of Life + Connections [Lifebook 2014]

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Week 11 - Tree of Life Bonus Lesson with Tam and Gracie

This week was all about celebrating our life connections. Connections with people, things, books. All the positive connections that we have.

And it turns out that I have a lot of positive connections.

Not only with my family, friends + acquaintances, but also with the things I surround myself with, music, books, art, the environment etc.

So this is my tree of life, and the stars are a representation of my positive connections.

Have you had a think about your positive life connections? I bet you will have more than you think.

By the way,  there is only a few days left to get any of my paintings in the LilliBean Designs store for up to 50% off.  

Do you know of any one who might enjoy one of my paintings? Please feel free to share the code with them.

Have a great week.

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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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☆ Life Book 2012 [week one]

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Goddess of Bravery
©2012 Kirstin McCulloch

Week one of Tam's Life Book 2012 had us claiming our goddess super powers, and so, in fitting with my year of being brave, I decided to make mine a goddess of bravery.

I gave her a tiger mask, as tigers are an animal symbol of bravery. And it wasn't until after I finished the painting I realised how synchronistic this painting had become!

(Some of you may recall a post late last year in response to an Illustration Friday prompt regarding fear, where I talked about my stuffed tiger tiffee, who I would clutch to my side when I needed some bravery. )

I think I'm going to make my own a tiger mask that I can wear when I need a little boost. As well as dig out Tiffee tiger out from under my mums house and put her somewhere to remind me to be brave!

So, anyway, back to Life Book, I have a whole year of creating and learning from so many fantastic artists, a year of exploring new techniques and different styles.

I know it's only week one, but it felt so good to be creatively learning, I totally enjoyed Tam's Mythical, Magical course last year, and I credit it for beginning the evolution of my art to where I am today.

I wonder where my art will have evolved to in a years time?

Are any of you on the life book journey? What are you loving at the moment? 

 P.S. Have you seen my very first give away? All you have to do is leave a comment on this post...

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☆ ATC Exchange March

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I have been hanging onto these since the end of march - I wanted to make sure my partner received them before I shared them with you.

Aprils ATC Exchange on the willowing network was Red Ridding Hood.

I had so much fun, that I made two extra for me!

These are the two I sent...

And I kept these two...

Some ribbon and home made envelopes for prettiness!

The back of the cards

This months is Umbrella - and all I have at the moment is that Rihanna song running a loop in my head!

Have a great day

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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