Climbing mountains

I saw recently that @inlove_withlifehub has a themed tag called little things.

I love that idea. We get so hooked on the big things, but forget how little things can help us. In tough times those little things have got me through - lying in my bed at night in boarding school listening to my little radio, feeling the power of the ocean on a sunny day, talking to my dog as a kid and now, feeling the sunshine on my skin in winter while sipping a cuppa after completing chores. Filling my little squares and finding new ways to create and push myself is also a massive way to help me through. What are your ways of getting through life that doesn’t cost a lot and that fills your cup?

The  #2021_creativegrowth posts this month for the ‘mountains’ theme also helped to fill  my cup.

The mountains called Laura @laurariverwilson - who found that being up a mountain and seeing how the land lies, is so uplifting.

The Colorado mountains beckoned Ann @ald65walks who always lifts our moods with her kind words and stunning photographs (have a look at Ann’s feed for her new tags and join in!)

Marilou @mariloucadizmarshall reached the top of one of her creative mountains and was  published in the Somerset Studio Magazine Fall issue by Stampington. And there are doodle pages too. Well done Marilou!  

Bubana @bubanahavajima has upside-down cone mountains filled with wonderful summer fruits.

Thank you for your lovely contributions and hope you’ll continue to join in with the next one! 

And that brings me to this month’s #2021_creativegrowth theme - which is open to many interpretations and is ‘seasons’. 

How will you artistically represent ‘seasons’? What approach will you take … will it be

Seasons of your life?  

A change in seasons? 

Condiments for your food?  

What materials will you use? Paints, pencils, charcoal, flowers or your camera and artistic eye?

I’d love to see what you do for this month’s theme! So have a lovely month and as our seasons change and our pandemic persists, take care out there.

Claudia x

Food, glorious food!

The food theme for July for the #2021_creativegrowth challenge was fun. So much delicious food produced, processed and eaten.

We had some homemade ice-cream from Annie @creatively_annie

Bubana @bubanhahavajima showed us her fluffy slippers and delicious marshmallows in a playful pastel inspired scene.

Laura @laurariverowilson produced her own food this month with delicious produce from her garden

Ann @annld60 shared many photos of flowers from her outdoor meanders and whose wonderful blooms attract bees to feed on their nectar.

Thanks so much for participating – it’s always a pleasure to see what you are up to creatively.

Now for August’s theme.

When you hear 'mountains' what does that image conjure up for you?

In my formative years, I grew up in a valley, with high mountains to the north. So I love mountains. I also spent many years living between the mountains and the sea. Having the sea and mountains at my doorstep is my dream living scenario, but hey, either one does very well too, thank you, and in Auckland, I am surrounded by the sea and the mountains are not that far away. 

What is your favourite landscape?

So you may have guessed it! August's theme for the #2021_creativegrowth challenge is ‘mountains’.

How do they inspire your creative pursuits? What can you do with the theme this month? Perhaps your mountain is physical or perhaps your mountain is a hurdle you have had to conquer – share whatever feels like a mountain for you and captured in whatever medium, style or format.

Have a look at some of these artists for inspiration

@sophiemelville_artist watercolours of the southern Alps

@harrypope for mountain photography

@pheehudson acrylic and digital art

I’ll leave you with a little poem that is inspirational for the colours and descriptions it conjures up for me and which may help you with a little painterly play.

Vermont Hills by Hilda Conkling

The Vermont hills curve
Like a swirl of wind;
The last light shines . . .
They are like plums and grapes.
They have lights like coral,
Like April peach-trees in the dark.
I shall dream them again
When years have gone,
And I shall not have forgotten
You.

Remember to tag #2021_creativegrowth and @adiandbert to be featured in my Stories and to alert me to new posts.

Until next time - create your heART out.

Claudia x

 

 

 

And so, just like that, June is done for 2021.

If you follow me on Instagram, you’ll know that I love the sea and regularly post a story about my closest beach and coastal walk, sharing it’s beauty in all kinds of weather. So it can be no surprise that the #2021_creativegrowth June theme, was ‘Sea’.

In early June, I joined in with a free series of classes called ‘Find your Joy Starter’  run by Louise Fletcher @louisefletcher_art. It’s a pre-course taster to unlock creativity and it was fantastic. I so recommend you join in the next time she offers it. This little piece below came out of an exercise Louise come up with to help loosen up and encourage a free flowing style. 

Artists have to work hard promoting their workshops and courses by supplementing with free tasters, but it is a wonderful way to drum up enrolments and I heartily support their efforts. Artists like Louise Fletcher and Nicholas Wilton provide insights into their processes and principles and help you by explaining their lenses into creating art, which is so enlightening. I hugely appreciate them for so generously sharing their knowledge for free. Joining these courses is an obligation-free way of trying something new and learning new skills and techniques. You should try some.

I see that Marilou Cadiz Marshall @mariloucadizmarshall is running a weekend retreat on 10, 11 July if you are interested to learn about her art techniques creating contemporary botanically themed art and in preparation for a year long course.

Some of my favourites from the June ‘sea’ theme include these works.

This Emerson quote decorated in a joyful rustic way by Laura @laurariverowilson is bright and cheerful.

Ann’s @annld60 beautifully photographed peonies are like sea froth.

A few post-lockdown wee holidays inspired some creative interpretations too.

Sarah @sarah_dye_grace visited the Baltic Sea coast and curated her foraged and collected items in memory of her trip into a handmade box and a book - momentos to keep forever.

My favourite colours popped up in Annie’s @anniescraftroom interpretation of a seaside snap taken on a recent holiday 

And a holiday in France inspired Japan-based Akiko @akikojunistudio to paint tiny seaside vignettes. 

Thank you for participating and keep up the creative work. I enjoy checking in on the #2021_creativegrowth tag and seeing what pops up. 

 Onto July’s theme. 

This month’s theme is something everyone will identify with and that many of us love. You guessed it. That topic is ‘Food’. 

I gave up cooking (!) as my 2021 New Year's resolution and so far, my lack of cooking isn’t going too badly in my household. It doesn’t mean I don’t cook, it just means I cook a lot less and the interesting thing is that when it’s each of our turn to cook,  we make more of an effort, which makes the food more appetising. My cooking less makes everyone more creative :)

(Now doesn’t that just fit right in with the #2021_creativegrowth challenge! Who says it has to only be art ? And anyway, we’re all a little more rebellious these days and pushing out the challenge guidelines is actually ok!) 

So what’s your plan for this month’s food theme?

This quote below caught my eye in the #2021_creativegrowth tag this month and was posted by Marilou @mariloucadizmarshall.

So become creative and choose to pursue the activity mindfully - practice and play continuously and you’ll surprise yourself with what you can do. Half the year is over already, but there’s still time to start a creative habit. So, go on, join us! 

Happy arting. 

Until next time.

Claudia x

I must go down to the sea again ...

Another month, another theme.

‘Sky’ was our theme in May. I don't know about you, but I found it a tricky challenge despite seeing sky every day of my  life in some or other form, clear or covered, or wild or whispy, or dark and distant. I found it so difficult to replicate artistically. 

Wide sky, dramatic sky or tiny sky - these posts were some of the inspirations reflected in the #2021_creativegrowth challenge in May that I loved and why.

Laura @laurariverowilson painted this bold, bright coastal scene with the loveliest blues.  

And then on the other side of the country, Ann @ald65walks posted an azure sky with white blossoms - such synergy with Laura's painting above, and the blues so reminiscent of a bright, spring day heralding the promise of warmer days to come.

Rose @roserobertswriter  brings a calm to your feed through her #mydailydoseofcalm  tag. Rose celebrated sky and nature with her reel. Her soothing voice read Mary Oliver’s  poem ‘When I am among the trees” which was lovely interlude in my feed.

Sofia @fishearring, once again, invites us into her stories. This time with a peep of sky and bluebells to frame her carefully constructed collages, using a combination of text and images so perfectly positioned. Collages are harder to create than it seems, but Sofia manages the balance, colours and words, just right. And then pops them into beautiful surroundings.

And so onto the theme for June. Can you believe that we are nearly halfway through the year?

This month’s theme is ‘sea’. 

What will be your inspiration? Will a poem inspire or a visit to the beach? Or a moment of emotion you remember, that brings back memories of the sea? The pandemic has affected our lives in so many ways and not being able to walk along the ocean during lockdowns was something I sorely missed and don’t take for granted. 

Some Insta artists I’ve gathered to inspire for the sea theme this month are for:

• moody sea art @toritiptonart 
• realism @evejuliet_art (and who also does beautiful botanical paintings)
• 3D style resin art @amywalkerart
• fabric art @karolina.bkraft

Have a great creative month, but don’t stress if you can’t create regularly. Even a little attempt goes a long way. 

Art on.

Claudia x

When little things become big things

April’s theme for the #2021_creativegrowth challenge was ‘renewal’.  Did you feel or do something that was new in life or art?

I was very fortunate to have a short holiday in April- a good opportunity to recharge and renew. There were a few moments that stood out for me. 

There was a moment I was in a breathtaking beautiful setting at sunrise. All  alone in an alpine terrain. Windy and crisp, the wind swayed the long grasses back and forth like the swishy swashy “Going on a bear hunt” way and bringing back fond memories of my children when they were little.

There was the Anzac paper poppy left on a window ledge at a mountain hut in a faraway valley that made me think of soldiers marching in uncomfortable boots. The few hours I walked in unsuitable  hiking shoes made me think about how painful that must have been not to mention how frightened the young soldiers would have felt and the conditions they lived in. 

But back to the #2021_creativegrowth feed. Below are some featured posts that stood out because the work showed ‘renewal’ in some way.

Sofia @fishearring gives old papers new life and photographs her work showing her work set up surrounded by her tools and papers. Don't you just want to be there!

Marilou @mariloucadizmarshall has unending energy to create new beautiful products and has added strips of colour palettes for her students to use in her course. 

Laura @laurariverowilson celebrated spring and tried out decoupage for the first time using botanically decorated serviettes. 

Pam @buttons49 printed early spring daffodils for cards - delightful and simply designed.

I was challenged to do something new creatively - drawing the human form for the #areyoubookenough_bodylanguage challenge by Sarah Maker from @areyoubookenough. It was a thrill to try something new and turn it into a little book. and  also made a little Reel on Instagram if you want to have a look. 

Now onto May’s theme. If you remember from the January post, is ‘Sky’. 

Interpret it as you will - literally with beautiful clouds, or metaphorically, representing a feeling or memory. A few artists I follow who paint incredible skies are @thepennydrops  @jreid1031 @emily_jeffords - have a look at what they do for some inspiration if you paint. If you take photographs, or don’t have time to create, try taking a time-lapse night sky or if you are out walking in the early morning or afternoon, capture that beautiful light. Search ‘sky art photography’ on Instagram for ideas.

Do continue sharing your work on Instagram and tag #2021_creativegrowth and @adiandbert and I will share your work in my Stories and select my favourites for the blog. 

Have a happy, creative month and keep ‘arting’ on.

Claudia x

Earthquakes, tsunami warnings and lockdown

It’s one of those things with digital tools like an iPad. You write a blog post and then select all and oops, accidentally delete it. And it’s gone. Forever. I wrote a poem, but that’s gone too. Oh well... 

It was quite an eventful month, was March. There were earthquakes in the Pacific, tsunami warnings and a snap lockdown in Auckland. Someone also scraped my car in the work car park (luckily not serious). On a happier note, there were also some fun and creative things that I did. 

Luckily I do also remember what works I wanted to feature from the March Nature challenge on the #2021_creativegrowth feed. So here goes ...

Ann @ald65walks  shared a cup of sunshine in the snow and celebrated having her first Covid 19 vaccine

Susan’s @coombessusan__my_pics colourful and simple vase has a sweet charm to it 

Sofia’s @fishearing toolkit box of stamps and vintage papers makes one drool with envy

Bubana’s @bubanahavajima elegant petal and leaf portrait showcased International women’s day

Guatyen's @mettaville attempts at left hand drawing is pretty inspiring and a reminder to do more blind contour drawings.

Pam’s @buttons49 Lino printed flowers herald the call for spring 

There are many so many more posts on the feed, so do have a look and encourage each other to keep creating. 

Some fun and creative activities that I participated in last month included Liz’s @bookartstudio special tutorial for those who purchased her 'bestest seller' book Re: Create. I made two books: one for a collaboration and another for the @areyoubookenough March challenge, ‘Fenced’. 

I’ve also sent a few home made cards to various snail mail pals on Instagram and some new connections through @kickinthecreatives. 

So onto April’s theme.  This month the #2021_creativegrowth theme is ‘renewal’. 

The month has already started with a renewal vibe in my home, a clear out of clutter in the laundry and garage. I also cleared out some plant beds, sewed some seeds and planted some bulbs. Thinking of something creative with the 'renewal' theme, will be challenging, so I’d better start playing - as that's when the best outtakes turn into art. 

I hope you have a creative month even if only contributing a little time to creative pursuits - every bit counts. 

I look forward to seeing your posts on the #2021_creativegrowth feed and heartfelt wishes for a peaceful Easter too.

Claudia x

Nature is calling

‘March madness’ is what it’s called in Auckland when all schools and tertiary institutions return to studies and all workers are back at work driving to and fro in their cars. But oops, since this morning at 6am, we are back in lockdown. Lockdown 4.0, Level 3. So it’s back to working and studying from home. Hard for many, but for me not totally unwelcome, as I enjoy the slower pace.

March is also the time when the days here start growing shorter and when rising early for work, it’s a little cooler. It’s a time to start preparing the garden for bulb planting for spring blooms. Yet, on the northern side of the planet, it’s the opposite. In my IG feed I see snow and people wrapped in woollen hats and gloves and longing for spring. 

February’s #2021_creativegrowth theme was ‘compassion’ and as we head to the end of summer I’ve reflected and decided  I needed to show myself a little compassion. I  felt guilty and berated myself for not creating more or being more active on IG. But I decided I need to let that go and accept it’s okay to have a break. It’s been a social month and I have connected more with my local friends. I am so lucky to have been able to attend a librarian’s conference I helped organise in Wellington. Also I’m hoping that the lull will help my creative growth in March.

Scrolling through the #2021_creativegrowth feed, I came across a number of lovely posts with some beautiful quotes. 

Hannah @kompass.rauschen highlighted  the February theme word, with a definition in calligraphic style.

Susan @coombessusan__my_pics had a very simple message with an empathetic bent.

Ann @ald65walks is an icon of compassion, cheering others on and helping her followers to keep up their spirits in these challenging Covid times

Laura Ann @lauraann_streasures chose the word ‘courage’ as her word for 2021 and I think it’s a good one. One that many of us will need this year.

And on the subject of growing creatively, I did join in with Nicholas Wilton’s Art2Life workshop that he so generously shared for free. As a result, I  tried a new abstract painting style using some of his principles and now I see them in everyone’s art. It’s like he switched on a light. Only now I have to apply it to my own work - now there’s a challenge!

And so onto March’s theme. This one is a favourite of mine. Nature. 

What can we do that’s different and that’s a stretch? 

Have a look at my post for 28 February on Instagram to see some playing I did with a home-made stencil and acrylic paints with the theme of nature in mind.

I hope you’ll enjoy the new month’s theme and so look forward to your posts. If you’re in the northern spring, enjoy the unfurling of the bulbs and new growth and if you’re in the Southern Hemisphere, enjoy the cooler temperatures and the windless, autumn days. And if you’re in Auckland - keep strong and hopefully lockdown will only be a week long.

Here’s to changing seasons wherever you are.

Stay safe and art on. 

Claudia x