☆ Storm - AEDM Day 26

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Just a quick post today. I was lucky to have a few hours in the studio today. I had two very tired little girls, who didn't want to do much else but hang out in the town pool, or rest in front of the TV. A combination of a big weekend + the heat I suspect.

But that meant I was able to finish off my painting from yesterday..

STORM - AVAILABLE FOR SALE

I named this one Storm - I guess because the colours + her hair reminded me of these freaky storms we used to have in the summer when I lived in Sydney. I assume the pollution had something to do with the colours in the sky, but I remember a sky bathed in yellow, before a particularly nasty storm.

I also started a few back grounds, on some card stock left over from Mr Mac's + my wedding invites. (I have been hanging onto them for six years now, trying to decide what to do with them!)

 And today I wondered what they would be like to create some thing on. So far the hold the gel medium and layers of paper + paint really well. Which is quite exciting to find out.

So who know what will be on these tomorrow. I will paint as I almost always do, where my pencil takes me on the day!

Have you checked out the christmas tag swap I am hosting? Closing date for sign ups is fast approaching - check out more details here. 

Have a great day

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☆ STARS + BUTTERFLIES [AEDM - DAY 19]

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Usually on Monday's I would post a painting that has been inspired by an illustration friday prompt. But this weeks 'zoom' has me slightly befuddled. I have about three images in my head which could be appropriate, but, none of them are exactly shouting paint me.

So instead of joining Illustration Friday today, I finished off a painting I started yesterday.

Stars + Butterflies

Before I added the butterflies, she looked so sad and small, not at all who I though she would be when I sketched her.

I hope you are still enjoying AEDM, there are some amazing artists participating. And although I haven't been able to spend lots of time visiting the other participants, the ones I have managed to visit, are amazing in the beauty, talent and sheer creativity. They are so inspiring.

Have you been inspired by the amazing artists that are sharing their work, not just on AEDM but on other websites? I love discovering new styles + artists that I haven't heard of before + I would love it if you shared your favourites!

AEDM




PLEASE JOIN 
MY 2012 XMAS 
TAG SWAP 

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☆ Half Way There (Day 15 of AEDM)

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Can you believe that we are half way through November? Already?

But that also means I, (+ some of you) are half way through Art Every Day Month.

I think because this year I have relaxed into AEDM, and that I have given myself permission not to create every day, I have managed to capture something each day so far.

I am slightly odd that way - If I give myself permission to break the rules, (like over eating on pizza night, or not walking every day, or not worrying if I am not creating), I am more likely to adhere to the rules!

I am not sure who this girl is. And I can't even think of a title for her. So far I have named her 'Day 15'. And maybe that's ok. Maybe she is 'Day 15'

But I would love to hear your thoughts, if she has shared with you who she is. 

And if you are on the AEDM journey - I would love to know how you are going.

   

  AEDM         2012 XMAS 
                     TAG SWAP 

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☆ AEDM - Day 14

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I didn't think after yesterday I would make it into the studio today, after the pain I was in yesterday (according to my midwife, when your in your third pregnancy your joints + ligaments aren't what they used to be!) 

Anyway I am greatly recovered today + finished off the painting I was working on yesterday.

STAR GAZER 

I am not 100% sure she is done. But she is done for right now.

Have a great day.

AEDM

2012 XMAS 

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☆ AEDM - The end of a Journey.

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I can't believe its the end of AEDM. November seems to have speed past on wings.

Were did the month go?

Anyway to finish the end of AEDM, I wanted to do a bigger piece, a happier piece, and use a colour that I don't particularly favour.

Let your Dreams Escape.

Acrylic Mixed Media on Canvas
©2011 Kirstin McCulloch

Acrylic Mixed Media on Canvas
©2011 Kirstin McCulloch

Acrylic Mixed Media on Canvas
©2011 Kirstin McCulloch

Acrylic Mixed Media on Canvas
©2011 Kirstin McCulloch

I have had a blast on this journey. AEDM has definitely opened a few windows creatively. I am a little sad that the month had to end, but I have so much planned this month. If possible it will be busier than November!

Have a great weekend

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☆ Round

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What a hellish week.

Absolutely. Hellish. We farewelled my beautiful cousin and it was just about the most painful thing I have ever been through.

But we continue on, because we have to don't we? We move forward three steps, take a few shuffles side ways, and continue on.

We go round.

©2011 Kirstin McCulloch

Thank you those who left such lovely and supportive comments last week. It meant a huge amount, during such a terrible time.

Have a great week.
☆•*¨*•.¸¸


(Linking to AEDM)

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☆ AEDM - Day 20

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This week my family and I had some tragic news, one of my cousins, my beautiful, vibrant, twenty-two year old cousin, died. He was such a gorgeous soul, and he is so missed. My heart is breaking not only for a life cut short, but for his family, his parents, his brothers, his grand mothers.

My family has been such a comfort, Mr Mac has looked out for me, my girls, not sure of whats different, have been giving me extra hugs, and I love yous. And my art has given me comfort, a place to escape, but I feel raw.

I am raw.

'Hope'
©2011 Kirstin McCulloch

So give your loved ones extra hugs and kisses, tell those you love that you love them, and don't waste a single moment of this life that you've been given. Listen to your squeaks, your whispers and to quote Oprah 'live your best life'.

Have a great week.
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(linking with AEDM)

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☆ The Harlequin [Inspiration Avenue]

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Harlequins, Jesters, Clowns... they all seem so sad to me. Laughing on the out side, but crying inside.

I suppose their mask is more obvious than others.

©2011 Kirstin McCulloch

Have a great weekend.

☆•*¨*•.¸¸
(ALSO linking to AEDM)

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☆ AEDM - DAY 18

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AEDM is the most incredible challenge, just when I think I must have exhausted all my ideas I sit down with my pad and this is what ended up on the paper. 

Bird Song
©2011 Kirstin McCulloch

My own little princess wants this one in her room, but wondered - where the princess birds hair, dress and legs were?

Nothing like a three year old critic!

Have a great weekend
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☆ AEDM - Day 17

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Day 17 of AEDM...

Captain Midnight
©2011 Kirstin McCulloch

I don't even know where to start with ole captain here! I have no idea where her inspiration sprung from - but there is something about her that really speaks to me.

She needs a bit more pondering I think.

Linking to AEDM over at Create Everyday
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☆ AEDM - Check In Day 15

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Wow - I can't believe that its half way through the month, half way through the AEDM challenge.

It's amazing how quickly the month is progressing, and I am amazed that there is no resistance or procrastination on my behalf - because that happens a lot when I take on a challenge. Once I move through that phase its usually all good, but getting beyond it can be really difficult.

This is a princess that I sketch early on in the year, and decided that she needed painting.

Princess of Hearts
©2011 Kirstin McCulloch

Check out what the other participants of AEDM are up to here

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☆ Silent [Illustration Friday]

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I remember a time when I tried really hard to be silent. I tried to silence my thoughts during yoga and meditations, I turned off the radio and tv for ten minutes to collect myself, but I found these enforced periods of silence were awful. I hated them. Resented them, and they felt unnatural.

When I was studying for my HSC (my final school exams) my mum, who is a teacher, came back from a conference full of studies that dealt with how children with learning difficulties brains work and how traditional study techniques don't work for them/ me. So armed with a cassette of baroque music (oh I am so showing my age now huh!!) I studied with that music day and night and in the end I am positive it helped me pass my exams.

So instead of heading off random thoughts during meditation I encourage them, and followed them through. Instead of turning off the radio or tv, I turn them up. It feels natural.

©2011 Kirstin McCulloch

Ironically just after writing this we had our first power outage of the summer, so for 45 minutes I've had to actually talk to my husband eeek!

Have a great week x

☆•*¨*•.¸¸


(also linking to AEDM.)

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☆ Inspiration Avenue

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Before I begin on this weeks IA prompt I would love to thank everyone for their wonderfully supportive and lovely comments of late. I have tried to reply to everyone individually, but I encountered a few 'no-reply-blogger' email addys so I am not sure everyone has recieved a reply. But know that I am very thankful for the encouragement and support xx

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This weeks inspiration avenue prompt was paying homage to the seamstress and the crafts woman.

Well I am no seamstress, but I do love the occasional sewing session. Sometimes though, my projects  end up half done - like the owl mobile I made for Bug's birthday that took two months to hang up or the beautiful curtains I made that are still hanging unhemmed. (and thats a good 15" hem fyi- not just a few cm's!)

I have grand plans for a hand made and crafty christmas - there is the princess fiona plushie dolls, the art suitcases, the reciprocal home made gifts for my sister and brother in-law, the cake pops, the rum balls and home made pudding.

But these are all works in progress that haven't yet progressed from scribbled notes or even left my head!

So this is the piece that was inspired by this prompt.

'Princess Illona would rather eat cake.'
©2011 Kirstin McCulloch

Bean helped me with the final touches - shoes were a must, a crown obviously, and she told me that she was missing a baby - a green shrek baby. When I asked her what I should write - she said 'The princess wants a green shrek baby.'

Of course I said what about 'I'd rather eat cake?' and she said 'no mama - she'd rather a green shrek baby!'

Hmmmm...

(Linking with AEDM)
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☆ AEDM - Check in

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AEDM - Day Ten & Eleven....

I am having so much fun! I was slightly worried that I wouldn't have any ideas, that the creative spark would fail me but they have flowed continuously so far. I guess its like any muscle once exercised it continues to grow stronger.

So here is day ten:

Open Your Heart
©2011 Kirstin McCulloch

 And day eleven:

'your heart is a licious'
©2011 Kirstin McCulloch

'Your heart is a licious' is inspired by my eldest daughter Bean who couldn't say delicious, so she would say, while devouring chocolate or ice cream or broccoli (perhaps trying to convince herself) 'mmmm this is 'a licious mama!

Speaking of 'a licious, how cute are bean and bug dressed in their wedding finery?

Delish!

Have a great weekend
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☆ Stripes [Illustration Friday]

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I am feeling so much better after my weekend of excess and a good twelve hours sleep seemed to help!

So I am not sure where this one came from, only that she was in my head one morning on a walk.

Some drawings just flow, and others just are stubborn and take more time to appear on the page - this one took three hours of sketching, erasing, and re sketching. She just didn't want to appear... and in my heart I don't think she is finished.

So I think I will put her away, for another time when I have had a chance to ponder what it is she needs.

©2011 Kirstin McCulloch

She doesn't look all that impressed the christmas is only seven weeks ago... but then neither am I!

(Also linking to AEDM)

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☆ AEDM Check in

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I started off so well with AEDM - I was so organised and have heaps of inspiration, but my brothers wedding on saturday threw a bit of a spanner into the works.

So not much creating this weekend, I couldn't even find five minutes to post my painting I finished for the Inspiration Avenue challenge this week, but it was worth it - the gorgeous couple had the most glorious day with the harbour bridge as the back drop, lunch on the waterfront, and an after party over flowing with mojito's.

So as I am feeling slightly fragile, I will share a few photos of the art I have created this week, and start planning for next weeks.

©2011 Kirstin McCulloch

Have a great week.
☆•*¨*•.¸¸

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☆ Art Every Day Month

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Have you signed up for Art Every Day Month over at creativeeveryday.com?

Crazy person that I am I decided to challenge myself and join in. I am slightly anxious, very excited, and I have lots of ideas and a few new materials to explore.

But in between weddings, normal weekly schedules, dance recitals, the lead up to christmas, I may have to be more organized in finding some time each day to create.

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