tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10051707374456573212024-03-13T21:48:49.777-07:00Intuitive ScribblingsThe thoughts and musings of an intuitive healer and artist who is journeying down a new turn in the road.Michelle Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10536162424897645357noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1005170737445657321.post-6414641811319458392011-06-28T22:01:00.000-07:002011-06-28T22:19:21.739-07:00teaching kids<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRK5UAuOjmkDGgJDNANhjeC4vIWbOgL1YtM4CiXjGOdQbKhZteex3HBA_gXs5EHusW8di9SqO_hw87hkJinq4thZae3eMjwYKI8gbXwAj2mnc634tVP8DBP4dFGMxtwBt-upi0wvt_qsc/s1600/Frank+Carmichael+October+gold%255B7%255D.jpg"><br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhebe2zAIWUIoJqhN9Uq7uPWGPeN9Fa7T6tkZfu11dpw4g96F_W6O32aESbqEDQ5tQu8yz7JcuVZa326QBlXVloIyf5iMQ2w220-Aw9UOSIkJvZfmBAy8-mnOKcYnd1Zm9kT7v-fNYr8ZY/s1600/the-wishing-tree-diana-plaisance.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 253px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhebe2zAIWUIoJqhN9Uq7uPWGPeN9Fa7T6tkZfu11dpw4g96F_W6O32aESbqEDQ5tQu8yz7JcuVZa326QBlXVloIyf5iMQ2w220-Aw9UOSIkJvZfmBAy8-mnOKcYnd1Zm9kT7v-fNYr8ZY/s320/the-wishing-tree-diana-plaisance.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623506453395655682" border="0" /></a><br />A few weeks ago, a friend of a friend, asked me if I would come in and teach her grade one class some art? Of course, how much fun is that? Well, it was LOTS of fun.<br /><br />The teacher had just been given some easels that her father had made and she was thinking that her class could go outside and use them.<br /><br />Being spring, there are trees everywhere full of beautiful green foliage - still so amazing after the winter barren that we get for so long here in Saskatchewan.<br /><br />So, what I did was take in a bunch of pictures of paintings of trees - to show the kids that trees doing have to be brown and green - hey, they dont even need to look like trees!!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ySrTl0FClEjAgUxOHRtvA4dYlZhafSSWmdMscc4yE-PhJAkcpAeY1oh5xX_XagtRWnidTlhCdh_fRBEbONxWO0AVV9Yd8pA0WOuqGJKskcDX4FjrUrKNkqxKFz0fEh5oYw7ltrk1Cq4/s1600/mondrian-grey-tree.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 237px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ySrTl0FClEjAgUxOHRtvA4dYlZhafSSWmdMscc4yE-PhJAkcpAeY1oh5xX_XagtRWnidTlhCdh_fRBEbONxWO0AVV9Yd8pA0WOuqGJKskcDX4FjrUrKNkqxKFz0fEh5oYw7ltrk1Cq4/s320/mondrian-grey-tree.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623503245259829298" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_n7635dOLS12wr7riwXxv93gybySfP_WbaM25aHYwNwFTAcTMi7M4f735k0qrFpd3FoNXruO_XD71MciAg6w8U3MBxLIt65VPP_wkOubFPAdlnBpgzVLmWtkLPnA4hIg1WphIZGw825g/s1600/tree+of+life+klimt.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_n7635dOLS12wr7riwXxv93gybySfP_WbaM25aHYwNwFTAcTMi7M4f735k0qrFpd3FoNXruO_XD71MciAg6w8U3MBxLIt65VPP_wkOubFPAdlnBpgzVLmWtkLPnA4hIg1WphIZGw825g/s320/tree+of+life+klimt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623503251751586178" border="0" /></a><br />These are two of my favourite pics - especially this second one by Gustav Klimt. LOVE it. Anyway, I was soooo excited to see the stuff that the kids made.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Jc0i1kKHJWyT7PO6TyHkDGlWmSXU5rt_dJQ2iFZPAMCf6esrN6ghiTQDwn_TqlpdE7jQSVZKLMvvkCZxVmeiGdZJb5bfcvX0J6f9ByQxnfYwOywJ7ckvp-C87W4hn6_RGzFM-7BZJzI/s1600/IMGP2381.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 274px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Jc0i1kKHJWyT7PO6TyHkDGlWmSXU5rt_dJQ2iFZPAMCf6esrN6ghiTQDwn_TqlpdE7jQSVZKLMvvkCZxVmeiGdZJb5bfcvX0J6f9ByQxnfYwOywJ7ckvp-C87W4hn6_RGzFM-7BZJzI/s320/IMGP2381.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623504452327926002" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuoroL750D1yRhFQMHPMo77O3NifguR3ycC8zv1pGcE6PPfkM6zTKkjloP21Q5wb1AcZ86Ixbzmj7VcZMXTr0NygVRlRzDNL8Jfx5VA3J02PqgtGXF2we_CCAX-3z7QsAH01KMSqbhyphenhyphenfQ/s1600/IMGP2379.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuoroL750D1yRhFQMHPMo77O3NifguR3ycC8zv1pGcE6PPfkM6zTKkjloP21Q5wb1AcZ86Ixbzmj7VcZMXTr0NygVRlRzDNL8Jfx5VA3J02PqgtGXF2we_CCAX-3z7QsAH01KMSqbhyphenhyphenfQ/s320/IMGP2379.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623504445290994498" border="0" /></a><br />But what blew my mind is this one by this amazing little guy.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFTID560C3XMVrsqengCUN-HA7oEMQjZXGniUULwsHmU7g_iEwSzJ3_w4mO7rlXjSVK8WdTHDCI36II4WkH1USbnP_EzIswnenB6M2UaTtLW-dlLrzP7TPN11m97rGzKQo3CmdmKOKDUM/s1600/IMGP2395.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFTID560C3XMVrsqengCUN-HA7oEMQjZXGniUULwsHmU7g_iEwSzJ3_w4mO7rlXjSVK8WdTHDCI36II4WkH1USbnP_EzIswnenB6M2UaTtLW-dlLrzP7TPN11m97rGzKQo3CmdmKOKDUM/s320/IMGP2395.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623505041012256002" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I cant tell you how amazing it is to have presented this artwork to these kids and for them to have seen that trees dont have to be straight or brown with green on top. And perhaps that will brew away in their little brains and they will think that you dont need to follow convention in art - hey, you dont really need to follow it in life.<br /><br />What feels right to you? What makes you feel good? What do you like?<br /><br />As for me, I LOVE TREES!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh1e7VqL1LEPU1-l7OK8ag0GPhfUz_n5XwpzDHzlg8DvKn-IyaWjCObQ89NS2ciYd3IhcUzwXvPl6COzsqgLw0TnblD8KeomZgMXwjhpacDjCRzCX1W0BSiMP6YHzNtYusvqhryIhL3EQ/s1600/windswept+tree.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 252px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh1e7VqL1LEPU1-l7OK8ag0GPhfUz_n5XwpzDHzlg8DvKn-IyaWjCObQ89NS2ciYd3IhcUzwXvPl6COzsqgLw0TnblD8KeomZgMXwjhpacDjCRzCX1W0BSiMP6YHzNtYusvqhryIhL3EQ/s320/windswept+tree.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623506478054391074" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRK5UAuOjmkDGgJDNANhjeC4vIWbOgL1YtM4CiXjGOdQbKhZteex3HBA_gXs5EHusW8di9SqO_hw87hkJinq4thZae3eMjwYKI8gbXwAj2mnc634tVP8DBP4dFGMxtwBt-upi0wvt_qsc/s1600/Frank+Carmichael+October+gold%255B7%255D.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 260px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRK5UAuOjmkDGgJDNANhjeC4vIWbOgL1YtM4CiXjGOdQbKhZteex3HBA_gXs5EHusW8di9SqO_hw87hkJinq4thZae3eMjwYKI8gbXwAj2mnc634tVP8DBP4dFGMxtwBt-upi0wvt_qsc/s320/Frank+Carmichael+October+gold%255B7%255D.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623506678865032770" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPH_y6kw6jsjLv8HIQpaoH5xx8cuumZEJTpHa-QmqX-_GcID_jEKAhnB6RwEYDpATZUqCLNxLn8stDrucy9sttzblFn32rj-27UH3_3jKWh7jHbRvk83peHV_znxEq0ijdQ6L310sjIvQ/s1600/cezanne+pine+tree.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 254px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPH_y6kw6jsjLv8HIQpaoH5xx8cuumZEJTpHa-QmqX-_GcID_jEKAhnB6RwEYDpATZUqCLNxLn8stDrucy9sttzblFn32rj-27UH3_3jKWh7jHbRvk83peHV_znxEq0ijdQ6L310sjIvQ/s320/cezanne+pine+tree.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623506674683630434" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfOT4WgFNb9WFZyKhfa95i25LAsnIN1-Yl5kvaI0nzf5cOM6b_A2S3lj4S0iCNDshFthcM_tWqrTh6-7Q_iTrlTkQm2FE-0uq2NIlp4lHboAgFqeqxeITMhAwWNWvgU6o7SoWmMJPCPlc/s1600/Aboriginal_Art-Manly.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfOT4WgFNb9WFZyKhfa95i25LAsnIN1-Yl5kvaI0nzf5cOM6b_A2S3lj4S0iCNDshFthcM_tWqrTh6-7Q_iTrlTkQm2FE-0uq2NIlp4lHboAgFqeqxeITMhAwWNWvgU6o7SoWmMJPCPlc/s320/Aboriginal_Art-Manly.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623506663953034642" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeiVFcl1yHs_ntFTiJ5smuUoTMvEtEg6mOwQ8MHvIirPxpSIU63DK4xh35zdAVyfHtM1JN-zGfCPppiigd9ZIuIQ3mHEes7LWACOPQtdRW59-_ti0J771mgplB_9ONj4hOzBHBfv2cdBM/s1600/autumn_birches+Tom+Thompson.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 264px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeiVFcl1yHs_ntFTiJ5smuUoTMvEtEg6mOwQ8MHvIirPxpSIU63DK4xh35zdAVyfHtM1JN-zGfCPppiigd9ZIuIQ3mHEes7LWACOPQtdRW59-_ti0J771mgplB_9ONj4hOzBHBfv2cdBM/s320/autumn_birches+Tom+Thompson.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623506464201759090" border="0" /></a>Michelle Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10536162424897645357noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1005170737445657321.post-34094262724556124492011-06-28T21:56:00.001-07:002011-06-28T22:01:04.100-07:00trees!If you look back you will see my post about the dark moon tree. The sketch that I drew in the dark. Well, I was hooked on that image of the tree enveloping the earth, protecting it, carrying it = and I wanted to draw it again. This time with lots of lines and details.<br /><br /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinhQqVBWWTQ18CLojcK3PacXt4RoNx5-HqGt_GpbJJQKrB8WTQpXGcl4EHtxCXe4UqkPJ_M7nyR_BDeBh-Um5ljGf0vAgxfThoKsIjCFT2pJiL1gwARXAPdjytQMAur9217F2yjwUzWlg/s1600/IMGP2409.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 259px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinhQqVBWWTQ18CLojcK3PacXt4RoNx5-HqGt_GpbJJQKrB8WTQpXGcl4EHtxCXe4UqkPJ_M7nyR_BDeBh-Um5ljGf0vAgxfThoKsIjCFT2pJiL1gwARXAPdjytQMAur9217F2yjwUzWlg/s320/IMGP2409.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623502170205454402" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This is the work so far - all without leaves. I have always drawn the bare limbs of winter trees - I dont know why. Easier perhaps? Anyway, this one now has leaves on it = in an abstract way that lends itself to the ink pens I'm using.<br /><br />I might try this tree again - with more detail on the leaves... we will see. But first of all .. this one. I'm really loving this tree.<br /><br />Enjoy.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1e4_eAALwetsdl3e2Jwti8574ho9esyCN20guf7qhvhRx-aWeWJ-D-AbPG4VPsaIsif4UzEiZKXIovKkNsCmZ1GyoKgQLFQpRyEBtuJcTn6eKOJO3Jw1gcU8m12ihk7lhiUr1r2gkPV0/s1600/IMGP2410.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1e4_eAALwetsdl3e2Jwti8574ho9esyCN20guf7qhvhRx-aWeWJ-D-AbPG4VPsaIsif4UzEiZKXIovKkNsCmZ1GyoKgQLFQpRyEBtuJcTn6eKOJO3Jw1gcU8m12ihk7lhiUr1r2gkPV0/s320/IMGP2410.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623502178178350722" border="0" /></a>Michelle Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10536162424897645357noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1005170737445657321.post-76900778973267905372011-06-13T19:52:00.000-07:002011-06-13T19:58:17.833-07:00my little exhibition<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjEsNOWNrmeDDxNjPmbMdMepvvcYJGpkQTejvhsZkHnk9osxWfbCfZEI2poHvg2iNDaf_Ah4apby6_8NhOYJoo_QJ1V4-6x86QgHiv3CvM0emFAH_zFug8h4jWiVOplx85kfjCJBhLC5w/s1600/Michelle+at+Shebam.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjEsNOWNrmeDDxNjPmbMdMepvvcYJGpkQTejvhsZkHnk9osxWfbCfZEI2poHvg2iNDaf_Ah4apby6_8NhOYJoo_QJ1V4-6x86QgHiv3CvM0emFAH_zFug8h4jWiVOplx85kfjCJBhLC5w/s320/Michelle+at+Shebam.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617903692730786210" border="0" /></a><br />This is me at my little exhibition. I was a bit embaressed to bring my honking big slr camera but my dear friend Mandy snapped this with her phone. ahh, where would we be without the cell phone? Anyway, ta daaaa. Here it is, hanging on a wall!!<br /><br />And now, it is at my place... will have to find a hook strong enough to hold it up!<br /><br />now, off to watch the hockey!!Michelle Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10536162424897645357noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1005170737445657321.post-63090861554441948192011-06-05T19:54:00.001-07:002011-06-05T20:13:24.855-07:00another little dittiThis Friday is my first art exhibition. Well, there was that one when I was a kid. The Dandenong Art show - I remember a certificate and going to see my art on the wall in a large gym somewhere. I had done a pastel piece and someone had touched it and then rubbed their dirty finger on the matt frame. Lovely!!!<br /><br />The pieces for this exhibition are framed though. Phew.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEbhqvUPsBtV5ahkK8AJQqk98V-qsbQ0UeBJfUZiq4IYoykakb-sJj0hyrFUUBOmEwaFH1zgJydl0fIv9kLYraHvMTZBe-vA5oNuXiQocGF2c9qN-BibjJRU6lTL5YMpu8UJ56Ar1mdVs/s1600/IMGP2354.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEbhqvUPsBtV5ahkK8AJQqk98V-qsbQ0UeBJfUZiq4IYoykakb-sJj0hyrFUUBOmEwaFH1zgJydl0fIv9kLYraHvMTZBe-vA5oNuXiQocGF2c9qN-BibjJRU6lTL5YMpu8UJ56Ar1mdVs/s320/IMGP2354.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614937072162557522" border="0" /></a><br />The first one is my long chakra piece. It is massive now that it is under glass.<br /><br />The second piece I entered into the exhibition was this one:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyEG4AV_KQ-FLQ_U2g2eRR6NBn36nZ9j11bgne-G6muOoJdpzv9sdMHt71dvBuAiFT6_CC7EseCyt4AlSrzT_sIqqN2DtFWjIil4RfwmdQ51T7QzHMwk9NtJdZDn1xrV5_SKcDEuCZGvE/s1600/018.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 237px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyEG4AV_KQ-FLQ_U2g2eRR6NBn36nZ9j11bgne-G6muOoJdpzv9sdMHt71dvBuAiFT6_CC7EseCyt4AlSrzT_sIqqN2DtFWjIil4RfwmdQ51T7QzHMwk9NtJdZDn1xrV5_SKcDEuCZGvE/s320/018.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614939043688408418" border="0" /></a><br />But after spending all my cashola framing the big bertha up there, there was no way that I was going to be able to frame this one as well. I know Monika, you are soooo right. Find the frames first.<br /><br />So, I took that advice and nicked a frame from one of my kids photos and painted this little number. I am so enamoured with the sap green colour of spring - the same colour my beloved tree ferns are. It always inspires me to paint the heart chakra. And then there is that, who cant love the heart chakra?<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDHoLSjzzusDKGNoUykCl5C6Qe8vz_Y-ZItOHfqdcSw0mK0PrxP6ZdFBMc93_nES-nGQ1UEmx8zdg_fu0_Tgh0c3j0az1wPVZWU1z4kPCmVRDX65YD2mg4tU-RWZAnX5OpzlLrv9nQqyw/s1600/IMGP2343.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDHoLSjzzusDKGNoUykCl5C6Qe8vz_Y-ZItOHfqdcSw0mK0PrxP6ZdFBMc93_nES-nGQ1UEmx8zdg_fu0_Tgh0c3j0az1wPVZWU1z4kPCmVRDX65YD2mg4tU-RWZAnX5OpzlLrv9nQqyw/s320/IMGP2343.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614935667691131202" border="0" /></a><br /><br />So, this is Anahata, the second piece going into the show.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5N3gpWDwviiTgTpnshwuQDRrAfN2ELWdFiVSBL1GwJTV-7f2HiMuoEfABzcegeS6qmzV7TGPKY75aiigl3s0hNvd2NscnF7JnqwBHmVtfd4Fm5e64q3-z6TcHOosfzvURQ6_MlNCS-vQ/s1600/IMGP2344.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5N3gpWDwviiTgTpnshwuQDRrAfN2ELWdFiVSBL1GwJTV-7f2HiMuoEfABzcegeS6qmzV7TGPKY75aiigl3s0hNvd2NscnF7JnqwBHmVtfd4Fm5e64q3-z6TcHOosfzvURQ6_MlNCS-vQ/s320/IMGP2344.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614935676385885186" border="0" /></a><br />Dont you love that green?<br /><br />And for those of you in Saskatoon - Friday and Saturday at the Refinery.<br /><br />See you there!!<br /><br />Love.Michelle Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10536162424897645357noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1005170737445657321.post-41018057803541793562011-06-04T11:08:00.000-07:002011-06-04T11:20:02.261-07:00painting in the darkThe other night, the night of the dark moon, I took up the call to paint in the dark. A friend of mine (my elvish friend who I have painted for before) was calling people to paint in the dark to see what would arrive without the direction of light.<br /><br />I crawled into bed with my sketch book in hand and my ink pens and some coloured pencils. I chose six colours from the chakras.. but was sure that most of what appeared would be the explorations with that ink.<br /><br />This is what became...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLUHGb_utx8uxKa7W-c_Rvy6G3waS8spjPMyWmJ2Di95g9aTDjivf8nOoLv_zIznCSX-96stJoivfmfw_yWudk6fYR5wdiNjjaXfvL4o1Vi61t-brmoDVXAsYZJvj_mOIdVDwSF9wV4So/s1600/IMGP2357.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLUHGb_utx8uxKa7W-c_Rvy6G3waS8spjPMyWmJ2Di95g9aTDjivf8nOoLv_zIznCSX-96stJoivfmfw_yWudk6fYR5wdiNjjaXfvL4o1Vi61t-brmoDVXAsYZJvj_mOIdVDwSF9wV4So/s320/IMGP2357.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614428880240536898" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I had been thinking of drawing a tree all week as we got ready for the night to arrive. But I didnt want to influence what came out - I love to draw trees and have done so for years. I have my way of drawing them - I didnt know if this would help or hinder the process.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUbpYUvZFiP5C_qE4kthxIxsZZbDX8FlB86yGZXIX2I3TALt98QSYIx-ULZ_Xx0kYdLbigHe4z1TLD2zlk7kLDFBLJ0BxIIO0uagU7pp2Wu-CowPX3rCXvS2foaSolFZytlhX0tjYkXzw/s1600/IMGP2358.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUbpYUvZFiP5C_qE4kthxIxsZZbDX8FlB86yGZXIX2I3TALt98QSYIx-ULZ_Xx0kYdLbigHe4z1TLD2zlk7kLDFBLJ0BxIIO0uagU7pp2Wu-CowPX3rCXvS2foaSolFZytlhX0tjYkXzw/s320/IMGP2358.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614429386639849634" border="0" /></a><br />Anyway, I sat in bed, turned the light off and closed my eyes. I let go of my intentions and opened up to the dark moon and let what wanted to come, appear on the page.<br /><br />Funny enough, a tree did arrive.. so I let it become. What was new to my idea was the way the roots went downwards to envelop and cradle the earth.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJDsjFsTLjhQ6G9ms1rGVQd3ZnSMp2s52bVE9q18123m0BYw6Clp-JfaT6VRaq1YyisfxCtNyZDzUmrY1DJ04dUz2Ajc_Lo5f3HHs0toS5a9j2nzXxRk7PcFvw97Y01EF6NIDUcSa8LWU/s1600/IMGP2359.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJDsjFsTLjhQ6G9ms1rGVQd3ZnSMp2s52bVE9q18123m0BYw6Clp-JfaT6VRaq1YyisfxCtNyZDzUmrY1DJ04dUz2Ajc_Lo5f3HHs0toS5a9j2nzXxRk7PcFvw97Y01EF6NIDUcSa8LWU/s320/IMGP2359.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614429825292914594" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I turned the light on when I was done, and fell in love with the image. It is haphazard and so much more about the process for me, but it inspired.<br /><br />This is the sketch that I drew last night with my waking eyes - still seeing the image that inspired the first piece.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigX5nNhIeDGxLGWeTDQ3djksfT0hEbBsuPNlWWsoISnmen4euOW4Ywp9ppISoWYu1qcxx-ExKlbqsMkn8uuo7brcq8OKvka7mUCAQLkS8KegHfBctZg_P0ZZTXdODTwCs9ih0DanV_Im8/s1600/IMGP2363.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 212px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigX5nNhIeDGxLGWeTDQ3djksfT0hEbBsuPNlWWsoISnmen4euOW4Ywp9ppISoWYu1qcxx-ExKlbqsMkn8uuo7brcq8OKvka7mUCAQLkS8KegHfBctZg_P0ZZTXdODTwCs9ih0DanV_Im8/s320/IMGP2363.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614430231488321074" border="0" /></a><br />And this piece ... well, I adore. It will become more I am sure.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Nkn7nuGv8ytLKNPWsPl0ugVerBIV8CEyu1XqW6P71CxD2AHAiZSbrq-h4hS0jBpj9dzIlWj7yv6PADBB1BBTuzhZw37CfManyJlOla_PHJdNLyQZ4phhYzXjWYluVBrfjOAFrsJ9BRU/s1600/IMGP2365.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Nkn7nuGv8ytLKNPWsPl0ugVerBIV8CEyu1XqW6P71CxD2AHAiZSbrq-h4hS0jBpj9dzIlWj7yv6PADBB1BBTuzhZw37CfManyJlOla_PHJdNLyQZ4phhYzXjWYluVBrfjOAFrsJ9BRU/s320/IMGP2365.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614430799542453442" border="0" /></a><br />A larger detailed sketch with every leaf and all the shading. I cant wait. I can see it now before my eyes.. just waiting. You know, for all of that uninterupted time that a mother of three gets!!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs9c4Yduqe1fTorejSOLhEKl_bgSmSmZtmipEKW9GhFLPpVSSl8KycfOZg3Wbehojm9vNWtppiKxsEaNisCnv9orl-WY9q7fUImTHx9X9zk9LY-xC8SP6yrDnStak6SbJ54zw8s9xUJqc/s1600/IMGP2364.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs9c4Yduqe1fTorejSOLhEKl_bgSmSmZtmipEKW9GhFLPpVSSl8KycfOZg3Wbehojm9vNWtppiKxsEaNisCnv9orl-WY9q7fUImTHx9X9zk9LY-xC8SP6yrDnStak6SbJ54zw8s9xUJqc/s320/IMGP2364.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614430807895853634" border="0" /></a><br />lol.<br /><br />have a beautiful if not cold, day.<br /><br />NamasteMichelle Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10536162424897645357noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1005170737445657321.post-4378779848718918832011-05-29T15:01:00.000-07:002011-05-29T15:08:45.525-07:00I know, I know....I was just out an an art exhibition with my friend Mandy - we were there to see our friend Monika's work. Stunning and sooo inspiring.<br /><br />Anyway, the comment was made.. 'you blog?' !! ha ha, point taken.<br /><br />I dont write enough. Well, I dont write on here enough.<br /><br />In my own defense, I've been busy. I'm writing my application for school - trying to get back for fall and needing to rework most of my research proposal by the middle of June. Two weeks... eh gad. I best get a move on.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">But, in the mean time, here is the lastest piece.<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIeiGqibIXCubV1QQbpqIVXxXY00oVw4Gg5nHZ0RQ2DV58vu5WAQH5ntrRFItv1au9yU18A5NPv4UB8xSbcgiDhukBGG_54lF4YD5YnK0ngMKtuMhpaUq_iE86henKt3ydt0g-jJdJ6ck/s1600/IMGP2336.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 126px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIeiGqibIXCubV1QQbpqIVXxXY00oVw4Gg5nHZ0RQ2DV58vu5WAQH5ntrRFItv1au9yU18A5NPv4UB8xSbcgiDhukBGG_54lF4YD5YnK0ngMKtuMhpaUq_iE86henKt3ydt0g-jJdJ6ck/s320/IMGP2336.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612262592903796290" border="0" /></a><br />It is a take on my traditional chakra series and it is for my good friend Joyce. I put the dragon in there because she is Chinese and to me, this is a very iconic Chinese symbol.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht6p1xAieodaOMsjTfkvj1j9KX7nyRcvMWiw9RLqoKEAyepiBq2bZUrxPGRs36RCrQdSgwzpAbDnune8A7RJxutikV97fQnkKCLBTa3ijmhVCavRpI7Xf9Nel_ZK8ETjq70Uh5KKCzgXE/s1600/IMGP2337.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 310px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht6p1xAieodaOMsjTfkvj1j9KX7nyRcvMWiw9RLqoKEAyepiBq2bZUrxPGRs36RCrQdSgwzpAbDnune8A7RJxutikV97fQnkKCLBTa3ijmhVCavRpI7Xf9Nel_ZK8ETjq70Uh5KKCzgXE/s320/IMGP2337.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612262598989977554" border="0" /></a><br />The piece seem to paint itself and I absolutely fell in love with the black ink with the colour in the back ground.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2G9N4BepO_h13HFgVFraZTbyympYjMkIrwveCPrLaVNvFK90y__pnKfdzdO4RdahMczucfKIKTxENShXr0uWeauutumicTACpvkVEWXLnar0SHPy-RA_ft5NKYLnLrWItdmeIhzRIqBo/s1600/IMGP2338.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2G9N4BepO_h13HFgVFraZTbyympYjMkIrwveCPrLaVNvFK90y__pnKfdzdO4RdahMczucfKIKTxENShXr0uWeauutumicTACpvkVEWXLnar0SHPy-RA_ft5NKYLnLrWItdmeIhzRIqBo/s320/IMGP2338.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612263086020215810" border="0" /></a><br />After it was done, I saw that the dragon was guarding Joyce's chakras. Very cool.<br /><br />There you go you two. An update...<br /><br />Now, if only I can keep it going!Michelle Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10536162424897645357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1005170737445657321.post-561358400969193492011-05-01T17:45:00.000-07:002011-05-01T17:55:26.928-07:00taxes done... its time to paint!It is a very good feeling to be done the taxes. I'm not what you would call a numbers girl... I can get them done, but I dont really enjoy it (does anyone?). And it is a bit tough doing them when the kids are home from school on holidays for the week... but, they are done!<br /><br />So, today, I got to paint.<br /><br />It was my reward for crossing another thing off my to do list since coming home from Australia.<br /><br />My friend Karen had asked me to paint a tiny wee little painting of Ajna - the third eye chakra.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjww08KFpj4yWUYEblA93EqsvQlUzYm4Uie_ZndmjdRLo5iFe1uMutp_6wPXLh_OHleyBb_GhyphenhyphenrlhdgsTucyfdU24EERwRY0uiO_Hjj0atqOSNLhWLpGJ2Q95QL9w6oitItshOdtu-gq_0/s1600/IMGP2323.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjww08KFpj4yWUYEblA93EqsvQlUzYm4Uie_ZndmjdRLo5iFe1uMutp_6wPXLh_OHleyBb_GhyphenhyphenrlhdgsTucyfdU24EERwRY0uiO_Hjj0atqOSNLhWLpGJ2Q95QL9w6oitItshOdtu-gq_0/s320/IMGP2323.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601914636868823554" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Here it is thrown into a frame just to see how it would look.<br /></div><br />She also asked me to paint a smaller chakra lineage painting - I love the way it turned out as well - lots of play with the movement within the whirling centres, linking the lines to each other, more so than what I usually do with the larger pieces.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCCPwr0x5hY5hxDuUDg-Nx-Kj426PvgAL3DKy5GXgyvBO-wBRfwlCFMbc5vzx0Ln5mo_tM8QfX6dU5Vjv_c95wIZENoUJMbQZhpnJAmX3Lqb8iltXXgTAyZEgXVHQ8kXIq2zNpECICbhQ/s1600/IMGP1898.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCCPwr0x5hY5hxDuUDg-Nx-Kj426PvgAL3DKy5GXgyvBO-wBRfwlCFMbc5vzx0Ln5mo_tM8QfX6dU5Vjv_c95wIZENoUJMbQZhpnJAmX3Lqb8iltXXgTAyZEgXVHQ8kXIq2zNpECICbhQ/s320/IMGP1898.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601915299900329282" border="0" /></a><br />I also finally got my contract and artist information emailed off to the Saskatoon Women's Art Alliance, SHEBAM festival. It is coming up in June. I can not wait to see my painting hanging on a wall with all of the other amazing work. Of course, first I have to frame it. So, putting it out there to the universe... Framing Needed Pronto!<br /><br />Now, that I have this painting thing up and running again, I think I would like to keep it up!!<br /><br />Ahh, spring. Amazing the difference it makes to me - I think in one week, I have written as many blogs as I wrote over the entire winter.Michelle Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10536162424897645357noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1005170737445657321.post-19608872026390754492011-04-23T12:14:00.000-07:002011-04-23T12:40:15.705-07:00BeachesI was just reading a friend's blog <a href="http://www.mysweetprairie.blogspot.com/">http://www.mysweetprairie.blogspot.com/</a> and she was writing about the grain elevators of the prairies. Beautiful, iconic giants that are becoming extinct as the world moves on. Spinning ever faster with sometimes barely a glance back at where we came from. Thank goodness for artistic souls like Monika!<br /><br />It made me think of the typical Australian view - our amazing coastline. Each beach seems to be different - and it can be different on any given day. If it is windy, then the bay will be whipped into a frenzy but if it is still, this same bay is as smooth as glass and people can water ski on it.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF70Gxjb5lMs73rTcmdNvW8ctH9UQ-d35SJl30EvJnAizlYdc_TtQDikcThTvCSI5wyZ0GVpvpfQLyP_dTJ0RLs1LaRg-UJIbHO37AMz2hUADk8JDv7We50NwGqUkNGjAHTu-AiabXRBM/s1600/IMGP2161.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF70Gxjb5lMs73rTcmdNvW8ctH9UQ-d35SJl30EvJnAizlYdc_TtQDikcThTvCSI5wyZ0GVpvpfQLyP_dTJ0RLs1LaRg-UJIbHO37AMz2hUADk8JDv7We50NwGqUkNGjAHTu-AiabXRBM/s320/IMGP2161.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598862673932986674" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">And the white sandy beaches...<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxiXGRvbFB8OOEMIm3zKU3ooSK6WH8Qv65wpaKJ-bR9iV1cczpFn40krQJIPmjoxT2cW16qkBa9KqfXXyVumgJjxYP90hvH2WtU5yfeO9Oe0cqHkWJCEWJVpXA640Lv8_qx3QizSJkAd8/s1600/IMGP2137.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxiXGRvbFB8OOEMIm3zKU3ooSK6WH8Qv65wpaKJ-bR9iV1cczpFn40krQJIPmjoxT2cW16qkBa9KqfXXyVumgJjxYP90hvH2WtU5yfeO9Oe0cqHkWJCEWJVpXA640Lv8_qx3QizSJkAd8/s320/IMGP2137.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598862683285704818" border="0" /></a>These are views from down the surf coast - Torquay and Bells Beach - made famous by Patrick Swayze in Point Break!!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEietXHjSYVQlC-QgYBE-Icf7BgIIQbm3sKIZ1cf44pbVQVMiLq8yIRK3XZtgz6PL6GsXdRxCHMdwzsUGAcWqnq_NPEcB7Q2k9zfYUs_fRsmVr9gPrcML_qrvHHSUsZ3KGO1p_Ons_5JUek/s1600/IMGP2174.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEietXHjSYVQlC-QgYBE-Icf7BgIIQbm3sKIZ1cf44pbVQVMiLq8yIRK3XZtgz6PL6GsXdRxCHMdwzsUGAcWqnq_NPEcB7Q2k9zfYUs_fRsmVr9gPrcML_qrvHHSUsZ3KGO1p_Ons_5JUek/s320/IMGP2174.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598864619776420530" border="0" /></a><br />I love the contrast with the colours in the grass that you find on the cliffs. Tough, stubborn foliage that has to withstand the lashings of the wind and salt spray.<br /><br />I was lucky enough to be down that way on a beautiful warm day. And of course, how could I not share some more Aussie pics!!<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3WcVpmkk9cDA0xlqprDVpaXmWiY6J4RDGe286vOTGuD2FkwJgmA6w2SE-yzBHYA84e5WL_nsqOqXIas5UoZvop3vW1LGN2UrLEFtiUXOK2pptMxskMVYq-EG1zim_n2I-ykwbP_JnJzg/s1600/IMGP2134.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3WcVpmkk9cDA0xlqprDVpaXmWiY6J4RDGe286vOTGuD2FkwJgmA6w2SE-yzBHYA84e5WL_nsqOqXIas5UoZvop3vW1LGN2UrLEFtiUXOK2pptMxskMVYq-EG1zim_n2I-ykwbP_JnJzg/s320/IMGP2134.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598864617568021218" border="0" /></a><br />For me this is a beautiful Australian landscape - but how ironic - now that Isee the grass and sky, it reminds me of a Prairie view. I wonder what my Prairie friends will think of it?Michelle Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10536162424897645357noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1005170737445657321.post-19841284282463488482011-04-22T12:54:00.000-07:002011-04-22T13:16:45.489-07:00I'm backI'm back - figuratively and physically. After three weeks in my beautiful Australia, I'm back to Spring in Canada.<br /><br />And what a trip - everything fell into place beautifully. I got to see mostly everyone and I spent a magical morning with my beautiful trees up in the Dandenongs.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Z3yJa3ExN0arAYekjbwLV7ALPR4TsmZtfK8524iOMMGUU0_TNOr_xC1YmCuShIreG3FShcx1osyPIlZOikLeCqesTlLI8w2HXfbCC6lDUbf9lyl2YeHvpJuvhTix5Jarg3JccePoQ7M/s1600/IMGP2046.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Z3yJa3ExN0arAYekjbwLV7ALPR4TsmZtfK8524iOMMGUU0_TNOr_xC1YmCuShIreG3FShcx1osyPIlZOikLeCqesTlLI8w2HXfbCC6lDUbf9lyl2YeHvpJuvhTix5Jarg3JccePoQ7M/s320/IMGP2046.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598500762671582098" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEhDJ_ROmoghp8-1oKGlExOXKROkIZmCrU4PntkLTenddQV4a4fmNshY4CoY9GUNAkPf_gqxSV7i3iF3ETm6QADxBuGxUPY0y8Q3QnGiywMrBqXjqH5gGpEalwJ0uhb1PKsodF6Namo_c/s1600/IMGP2034.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEhDJ_ROmoghp8-1oKGlExOXKROkIZmCrU4PntkLTenddQV4a4fmNshY4CoY9GUNAkPf_gqxSV7i3iF3ETm6QADxBuGxUPY0y8Q3QnGiywMrBqXjqH5gGpEalwJ0uhb1PKsodF6Namo_c/s320/IMGP2034.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598499581365754194" border="0" /></a><br />I have so many photos from that one morning, I can hardly choose which ones to share. The whole time we were there, I kept telling my good friend Nicki that there was no way that my photos could do what I was seeing justice. The feeling of these ancient trees and their friends, the ferns. The tree ferns up in the Dandenongs can be over 20 metres tall and I've heard it said that each 1 metre = 100 years of growth.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAdTXui0Ck4xzYhSkb1kjjq8YoXYn8OAsHL6jU4Ju0NzHcsufGMHGt4N4GruwYtd9kITGBcBCt99LKCMB-DX69dr_iwv3QEmkSbberhWiTMg5fWJTIWZEYRmHum9ZloBwL8zIygBxL1s8/s1600/IMGP2037.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAdTXui0Ck4xzYhSkb1kjjq8YoXYn8OAsHL6jU4Ju0NzHcsufGMHGt4N4GruwYtd9kITGBcBCt99LKCMB-DX69dr_iwv3QEmkSbberhWiTMg5fWJTIWZEYRmHum9ZloBwL8zIygBxL1s8/s320/IMGP2037.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598500757932473042" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggARra3ekIj4j9bA_Rj_i3yVkCxSVAEJ2mB8hk8LXXffPJG_WJ-yQl_Y5AlplUB9YZ8J8sdi6VkYKIIK8D32E-nN19-kT8gYBtGO3IBscQ43dbi2eCOs_QpBIPRs3lSwko5O8obY_8x4E/s1600/IMGP2035.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggARra3ekIj4j9bA_Rj_i3yVkCxSVAEJ2mB8hk8LXXffPJG_WJ-yQl_Y5AlplUB9YZ8J8sdi6VkYKIIK8D32E-nN19-kT8gYBtGO3IBscQ43dbi2eCOs_QpBIPRs3lSwko5O8obY_8x4E/s320/IMGP2035.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598501772816571714" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwaM2hxoU7X_nT1FLsmhqDawRDP_ssvP-66tvpCQti6ZyfVFK4On76MJvKOI1Ug34zp1g6hictpOl7m4HiyZgxmp5yh7Z5v4R5mhr37i6UVGsGh9JxLZSi1lE0dKW_iOz69OByk8xXks4/s1600/IMGP2054.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwaM2hxoU7X_nT1FLsmhqDawRDP_ssvP-66tvpCQti6ZyfVFK4On76MJvKOI1Ug34zp1g6hictpOl7m4HiyZgxmp5yh7Z5v4R5mhr37i6UVGsGh9JxLZSi1lE0dKW_iOz69OByk8xXks4/s320/IMGP2054.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598502954189350674" border="0" /></a><br />I learnt a new word that morning - Ombay. It is a traditional Aboriginal word for the smell of the earth after the rain. It is the spice and dampness and richness of the earth. For me, it evokes a visceral response - something so old and deep that I have no doubt it comes from a place older than my time on this earth. Ancient memories that connect me to that land. MMMMM I love it there.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicOdvdj3TCLK9C6Cot77iKYdp1W_ztnkOLJx2dvwj3K9azlPRte8vt-A1yfBvFBr4o4Iof3rfp6n5UTGsewSccJn-UVJ18JH8_jpOoVNukWmKSE-X_k8wYsgel07XncATTwDYoZxgUcQw/s1600/IMGP2045.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicOdvdj3TCLK9C6Cot77iKYdp1W_ztnkOLJx2dvwj3K9azlPRte8vt-A1yfBvFBr4o4Iof3rfp6n5UTGsewSccJn-UVJ18JH8_jpOoVNukWmKSE-X_k8wYsgel07XncATTwDYoZxgUcQw/s320/IMGP2045.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598501776265594898" border="0" /></a><br /><br />One morning of walking and breathing filled me with the most amazing peace.<br /><br />I hope it is enough to tide me over until my next trip home. Something tells me it might be a while!!<br /><br />This last picture is from a felled tree - the energy and power that came from the centre was amazing and so palpable. It reminded of my chakras spinning - I think there is a painting in this one.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNmaJgfVg2X0ZPEtGB86dNUc5Vs6n_fSBLzPO4AQOm9DKV87rXBxJbf6wTJIIpfJ6NXbX59ImRNhKGi3vcNPHRQ3z9g1gPASEg01gh0fzd5Sx_atCS5SRGBinkMHpwwmWNEY9l4i_ojJ4/s1600/IMGP2062.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNmaJgfVg2X0ZPEtGB86dNUc5Vs6n_fSBLzPO4AQOm9DKV87rXBxJbf6wTJIIpfJ6NXbX59ImRNhKGi3vcNPHRQ3z9g1gPASEg01gh0fzd5Sx_atCS5SRGBinkMHpwwmWNEY9l4i_ojJ4/s320/IMGP2062.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598502944593372850" border="0" /></a>Michelle Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10536162424897645357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1005170737445657321.post-1928954582648293782011-03-05T09:24:00.000-08:002011-03-05T09:45:31.593-08:00Yoga and art exhibitionsAlright, I think I have fallen off the face of the earth. Where have I been? - well, winter!!Need I say more? Seriously, my previous life in Australia is like another world away - rain and sunshine and the ability to still dry your clothes outside does not in anyway relate or compare to this. The minus 44 windchill, the pain in your fingers as you try to do up the frozen metal seatbelt buckles, the pain in your face as the arctic like wind drives into your face and the burn in your cheeks that night as you realise you have windburn from the cold. I crave the fresh air and the sunshine - thank God for Mandy's loungeroom and the afternoon sun.<br /><br />But, I have been pottering.<br /><br />Today my favourite yoga teacher (Vincent Lu) opens his own studio in town - Vidya yoga. Vidya means knowledge. I am so enamoured with the choice of name - to go and learn, to evolve and become.. well, to become your true self. I do LOVE yoga.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.saskatoonvidyayoga.com/index.html">http://www.saskatoonvidyayoga.com/index.html</a><br /><br />Anyway, it inspired me to paint again. And so, I did. I havent painted a chakra piece since before Christmas - so it was nice to revisit that connection to my art.<br /><br />I painted two pieces - the first is the name of the studio - Vidya.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnCP6F9eho9E0jbDauOrmp1d6C-hGDqZFzCdJEu3jR6jGUVr0xogmV8DiKTlxCS4I2lrcjoFW16gy4jkSqGyF9L3p1VIUSikcqQuiw42N80JKURaO5Tj0yXOg0SmY3LB6ZdlZc96TQ2u4/s1600/IMGP1868.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnCP6F9eho9E0jbDauOrmp1d6C-hGDqZFzCdJEu3jR6jGUVr0xogmV8DiKTlxCS4I2lrcjoFW16gy4jkSqGyF9L3p1VIUSikcqQuiw42N80JKURaO5Tj0yXOg0SmY3LB6ZdlZc96TQ2u4/s320/IMGP1868.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580650187020601282" border="0" /></a><br />I chose the orange/red and yellow palate because the studio signage is that colour. And that lead to Muladhara being the chakra behind the script. It made sense to me in so many ways - Muladhara is the base chakra. It represents foundation and support. I sent energy into my work with the intention that strong and peaceful foundations fill the studio.<br /><br />The next piece evolved from there.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKS1VkSrrnliPvLhNg1sWPZKYEBasb2EFfLQ3_7OejsMo0ibhobg8nV-v1eeErY3-iAjOAGTYw6-GKK6BxUBpem-O8JDkjVAxYeGlJzhwTwUCFBqVCV9uT87HHNnDqpDaPFCtVtlYWKC8/s1600/IMGP1869.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKS1VkSrrnliPvLhNg1sWPZKYEBasb2EFfLQ3_7OejsMo0ibhobg8nV-v1eeErY3-iAjOAGTYw6-GKK6BxUBpem-O8JDkjVAxYeGlJzhwTwUCFBqVCV9uT87HHNnDqpDaPFCtVtlYWKC8/s320/IMGP1869.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580651317160696194" border="0" /></a><br />This piece is the yin to the Vidya piece.<br /><br />The warm colours and sanskrit wording became balanced by cooler colours and an english translation. And to balance the base chakra, I painted the crown chakra - Sahasrara. It symbolises higher consciousness... an evolution of energy from the strong foundations of the previous piece. The Sahasrara chakra usually as one thousand petals - so I simply paint the entire chakra as one single petal. Infinity represented in simplicity.<br /><br />And then, as a special message from the universe, the very day that I delivered the finished paintings to the studio, I get home to a voicemail message that my art work has been accepted into an upcoming art exhibition. WHOOO HOOO!!<br /><br />It is an exhibition put on by the Saskatoon Women's Art Alliance. It is being held in June - I can not wait.<br /><br />Of course, a minor point is the framing of these pieces. But, since the universe is giving me a little feedback on my artistic meanderings, I'll take that as a positive sign that all will be taken care of. There is always a way!!<br /><br />This is a small piece of the painting that will be shown...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4p6UpZ3ybJL_ykiU9BvjHloh8rScTkhHWl-k-eERMyQcnlT0gbWa3xxQVsm2Tdp7rxvb2aLScEIdnV_0QBrRg9I_zR6ioROJ8hoAjv46NYz1PrJjkxgWsEdG24vK6OqUao7LJBRmtFh8/s1600/my+piece+-+heart+chakra+close+up.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4p6UpZ3ybJL_ykiU9BvjHloh8rScTkhHWl-k-eERMyQcnlT0gbWa3xxQVsm2Tdp7rxvb2aLScEIdnV_0QBrRg9I_zR6ioROJ8hoAjv46NYz1PrJjkxgWsEdG24vK6OqUao7LJBRmtFh8/s320/my+piece+-+heart+chakra+close+up.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580653105317474386" border="0" /></a><br />a close up of my heart chakra - brimming and overflowing as I embrace my artistic self.<br /><br />What a fantastic couple of days. Now, to get myself ready for yoga!!<br /><br />NamasteMichelle Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10536162424897645357noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1005170737445657321.post-52041886124793908182011-02-04T11:36:00.000-08:002011-02-04T13:09:27.483-08:00winter's slow paceSeems to me what I want to say in this blog is exactly what I said in the last one. So dark, so cold, so dreary. !! Funny how winter does that to me. While I do like watching it snow, and sledding is fun, I have to admit, that I do prefer three months of winter. The winters here are sooooooo long! Oh, and cold, but that goes without saying!<br /><br />For my friends in Australia - to show you what I sometimes wake up to here in Saskatchewan!!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6nfha1ADJUpHXN5dJSSluWPT3VLrlDDgPMy6yI5DY81VpatbGFnZsHlxECF_6WlKolSunxQhfjPlAye3YyP-K_28kpQVAOzPC0qBa3SGvF2IwJAnaLD7UBYuCFmSGYUXLZhZVIYPiZdc/s1600/minus+thirty.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 241px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6nfha1ADJUpHXN5dJSSluWPT3VLrlDDgPMy6yI5DY81VpatbGFnZsHlxECF_6WlKolSunxQhfjPlAye3YyP-K_28kpQVAOzPC0qBa3SGvF2IwJAnaLD7UBYuCFmSGYUXLZhZVIYPiZdc/s320/minus+thirty.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569941126035741698" border="0" /></a><br />That's minus thirty. With the windchill it was about minus thirty. brrr<br /><br />But there are some beautiful things to see when its winter.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7b8YRuteWiRRQKhpp1BYvPtRqglq1dBQOxaUrt3UOl4Yw_vW2OqPEsNsx5GdIjvE2HuDToOg4uhjK3vHl1l7WFoB6Qhbyqd6Lpa0Hb895peZDCIGp5ssMnHlmo6Zy9xz-Nq2cV9bXvz0/s1600/IMGP1780.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7b8YRuteWiRRQKhpp1BYvPtRqglq1dBQOxaUrt3UOl4Yw_vW2OqPEsNsx5GdIjvE2HuDToOg4uhjK3vHl1l7WFoB6Qhbyqd6Lpa0Hb895peZDCIGp5ssMnHlmo6Zy9xz-Nq2cV9bXvz0/s320/IMGP1780.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569921730495902674" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This is the view out of our back windows - sunset over the neighbourhood with all of the icycles that are hanging off the back drains.<br /><br />And this is the ice that formed on the car on one of the nicer days. It actually freaked me out a bit as I wondered about getting myself electrocuted next time I tried to plug the car in!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Ci9AkHa-ZRrlko3KGX8n5lBHhWZJUiXX_SsSoTeyOxqMVPURXPMW4Vu0bci1wRoNEP21PQAJO8iaYYcg3qKcG4FnqbLsvo2oRuCrQ-33IT0D8wvqKMe__2mlWMJSw6tzgSnvBKx_GpE/s1600/IMGP1732.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Ci9AkHa-ZRrlko3KGX8n5lBHhWZJUiXX_SsSoTeyOxqMVPURXPMW4Vu0bci1wRoNEP21PQAJO8iaYYcg3qKcG4FnqbLsvo2oRuCrQ-33IT0D8wvqKMe__2mlWMJSw6tzgSnvBKx_GpE/s320/IMGP1732.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569922423650965746" border="0" /></a><br />And some frost patterns from the back window - things we dont see in Australia and I love to look out the windows at them. You can never quite capture the beauty of them with the camera.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6QdVF6-fwxXiiEIDLbuEDeJwy-BBzrLiG6SaETRLH0udAd1JhFPj921GfNeMQQdv7gijtcHzDSEstbUtPWg6VV1Jl2fEdIZ17Nk_ExIoZlSBtpiXqPGUX0xug_U42mIeObJ3FYv_AB_Y/s1600/IMGP1766.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6QdVF6-fwxXiiEIDLbuEDeJwy-BBzrLiG6SaETRLH0udAd1JhFPj921GfNeMQQdv7gijtcHzDSEstbUtPWg6VV1Jl2fEdIZ17Nk_ExIoZlSBtpiXqPGUX0xug_U42mIeObJ3FYv_AB_Y/s320/IMGP1766.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569941767812536114" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCXza9ELjV6KGmG3ECjHgV_-Kv9IGLBAOgkcTcwObDp1CRFJ8B_NpAewEL0rc5qh44WgOv8BeurBzX4bb3dXkFimvl7Rhnq56BSMMfMEVVKP8QkgcEG5WDT9qCBhcp2hRohgD9i75CD1s/s1600/IMGP1767.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCXza9ELjV6KGmG3ECjHgV_-Kv9IGLBAOgkcTcwObDp1CRFJ8B_NpAewEL0rc5qh44WgOv8BeurBzX4bb3dXkFimvl7Rhnq56BSMMfMEVVKP8QkgcEG5WDT9qCBhcp2hRohgD9i75CD1s/s320/IMGP1767.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569923483227164306" border="0" /></a><br />Now, even with all of this winter beauty, you might have noticed a certain lack of colour in the landscape. Needless to say, I had to add some of my own in....<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi95tP1TTOJ0ALPZZmbfRGHML8eOj8ZCBeDE_Jy6sQ_bIBoGbuWFHwieAsIwF2MgYuSuZhmdBNTLEGtVmkN30hxBKtPZihNRcjjHgLoxlUCfTz_F3hzTIZg4x6FMVRM4SwBDsVnkG_9x_A/s1600/IMGP1720.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi95tP1TTOJ0ALPZZmbfRGHML8eOj8ZCBeDE_Jy6sQ_bIBoGbuWFHwieAsIwF2MgYuSuZhmdBNTLEGtVmkN30hxBKtPZihNRcjjHgLoxlUCfTz_F3hzTIZg4x6FMVRM4SwBDsVnkG_9x_A/s320/IMGP1720.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569942537329117218" border="0" /></a><br />my new hair! I thought I would go as red as I could get it. Just in pieces - I thought it would hide the grey (ha ha - I think it just accentuated it!) I love it - I dont even mind the red that is now on all of my collars, my towels and my pillow cases!! Thats the price you pay! he he.<br /><br />And finally, a sneak peak at my picture of Autumn. Part of me wants to just suprise everyone at the end when I'm done. I am really happy with how it is coming along - and absolutely amazed at how much this picture and Autumn herself, look like my sister. I think it is the freckles and the delicate skin.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5JqcexlVPW_ryFvslaulA1BPhK2JcymtaSRmehcdZ7k84CZbdKBDXRJvFHDr7T4oZRbuOEJHqZsvyhSTLCvizqXAVfLcsBGuaweEIM5TwoKSRyfZsLiZUOyjg4TO1vurFsdO2YwESy2k/s1600/IMGP1781.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5JqcexlVPW_ryFvslaulA1BPhK2JcymtaSRmehcdZ7k84CZbdKBDXRJvFHDr7T4oZRbuOEJHqZsvyhSTLCvizqXAVfLcsBGuaweEIM5TwoKSRyfZsLiZUOyjg4TO1vurFsdO2YwESy2k/s320/IMGP1781.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569943343159987154" border="0" /></a><br />Now, off to colour some more. !!Michelle Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10536162424897645357noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1005170737445657321.post-54953082324945736002011-01-21T10:06:00.000-08:002011-01-21T13:01:02.896-08:00Late Winter movementWhat a bleak and cold winter this is - naturally. It is winter, right?<br /><br />Well, I've been a little on the creative side - but mostly a lot on the cold and waiting side. Waiting for spring I think. Waiting for that trip to Australia perhaps?<br /><br />Ahh, to walk in the trees and see and smell the ocean and to see my friends. I cant believe I only have three weeks. I'm sure my husband who will be looking after the kids on his own is thanking God it is only three weeks.<br /><br />Anyway, I thought I should grease the wheels so to speak and actually get this blog going again - the post christmas, new year entries didnt materialise. I watch my friends write everyday or at least every week... and I feel inspired... but at the same time a little lacking in the get up and do it department.<br /><br />So, what I have done is to start something I have wanted to draw for a long time.<br /><br />This is the picture of my son Halyn. I did it a couple of years ago as a project for a breastfeeding advocacy group that I was working with. I was supposed to hand over the finished piece, but fell in love with it. So, I kept the original and we got it scanned and now a print of said piece, hangs in the breastfeeding room at West Winds Public Health Centre.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoUH-5A7NeYgvLWHYBlLPd_eChS9YZUytYJwU68bApHfXwMtO1W74wZ5p6h7Ck4pE6-d3xRDyueAyTzZs_FKgO0RWEXXvJcbETLQo8uZ5aNAfnEWrQH6yG360ehS_UQFlnLndhrP9jBcM/s1600/005.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoUH-5A7NeYgvLWHYBlLPd_eChS9YZUytYJwU68bApHfXwMtO1W74wZ5p6h7Ck4pE6-d3xRDyueAyTzZs_FKgO0RWEXXvJcbETLQo8uZ5aNAfnEWrQH6yG360ehS_UQFlnLndhrP9jBcM/s320/005.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564704028242816626" border="0" /></a><br />Anyway, being totally suprised and inspired by this work, I fell in love with the idea of sketching all of my kids and this is what I've started. A picture of Autumn - none of the photos I had of her were crisp enough or had enough detail for me to use for a sketch. So, I got her in front of the window for lots of light and started clicking.<br /><br />This is the photo I'm basing the sketch off....<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXa3wDaAZ1p56h2ZRaX0W2qIqyrHjhknvH9ysmnMBFzZXbKeuiA5dE_bRMruUvGJr9chxDm9cgXhonQ4q0Neal6-X-WaFBYgogchWnwvbJCVTUZpuhKY0hoMCbeXhG43FJil28og8L8hQ/s1600/IMGP1704.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXa3wDaAZ1p56h2ZRaX0W2qIqyrHjhknvH9ysmnMBFzZXbKeuiA5dE_bRMruUvGJr9chxDm9cgXhonQ4q0Neal6-X-WaFBYgogchWnwvbJCVTUZpuhKY0hoMCbeXhG43FJil28og8L8hQ/s320/IMGP1704.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564704442971048338" border="0" /></a><br />... and so far, I'm nearly done one eye!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYDRrTJzVj__iwEOm9BvZ-9stBqVOvCXCMwqw0cL6dEk-Y0pT7UGeWOCJzp9_qh6GBqNtIyakddKBSjytccY0Vl33zoc1VyRlv-IY6muYoi1uWezKO4HQoSh2I6TnQs-zJZuJakb5-ez0/s1600/IMGP1717.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYDRrTJzVj__iwEOm9BvZ-9stBqVOvCXCMwqw0cL6dEk-Y0pT7UGeWOCJzp9_qh6GBqNtIyakddKBSjytccY0Vl33zoc1VyRlv-IY6muYoi1uWezKO4HQoSh2I6TnQs-zJZuJakb5-ez0/s320/IMGP1717.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564745690025153906" border="0" /></a><br />Nothing like diving back into your art to get you feeling cosy on the inside. I dont want to put the pencils down... but I guess I had better go and take Autumn to school!!<br /><br />Now I just cant wait to get back to it this evening.<br /><br />enjoy the late winter sun on all of this snow.Michelle Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10536162424897645357noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1005170737445657321.post-50143263448282730622010-12-30T18:34:00.000-08:002010-12-30T19:19:37.687-08:00Amazing buttonsWhile things have been quiet on the painting front over the last few weeks, I've been filling my evenings with knitting.<br /><br />I've shown you the neck warmers that I've made... well, I had a few more that I'd finished but these were waiting for some amazing buttons that I found on Etsy.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX8Gvxa59HFhuR7ZB3ztW5hj50Lm358Aoo9rwNrUSyBLN1cLOUy71gOuBvx-wG53JiZIolddYv2ZcEqT1qwjFOjeE66kMjkzMAQDUKAkgLLj3Tez_dPPvrrPOWbMab8kA-nX5egr2-oeo/s1600/IMGP1607.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX8Gvxa59HFhuR7ZB3ztW5hj50Lm358Aoo9rwNrUSyBLN1cLOUy71gOuBvx-wG53JiZIolddYv2ZcEqT1qwjFOjeE66kMjkzMAQDUKAkgLLj3Tez_dPPvrrPOWbMab8kA-nX5egr2-oeo/s320/IMGP1607.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556670813316872114" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7pJK_T1SpTh3En8szlaH7kddQEEVhJhT-8FNvqg3hFbCXWi7WMeBbK0MJaY0H7bAutulFRD9K8NxBbJ6VxmiyYdYIXfy7Yao-M_NqyIl2of7XjKytxZYD7AcaYfO2XmII6jL_lBA4Lpg/s1600/IMGP1608.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7pJK_T1SpTh3En8szlaH7kddQEEVhJhT-8FNvqg3hFbCXWi7WMeBbK0MJaY0H7bAutulFRD9K8NxBbJ6VxmiyYdYIXfy7Yao-M_NqyIl2of7XjKytxZYD7AcaYfO2XmII6jL_lBA4Lpg/s320/IMGP1608.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556670808677981794" border="0" /></a><br />The buttons are made from oak and I absolutely love the rustic look of them, complete with bark and moss. Stunning! The green you can see in the moss, goes perfectly with some wool I found a few weeks ago. A couple of balls made two neck warmers. One for my sister in law for christmas<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguX34DzcBqGkyjLoayVIiZbye5aMTZ-x-AEyWWnvYKYCswvn2zVa1dxCnxttR0Sz5lIWOmQpL-k1V1MO2bMoZAwshNqe3RU7WEnTlbxPPpd75UsTK2ptnKgzXBo6EtWXbPrImsuLwc3NY/s1600/IMGP1614.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguX34DzcBqGkyjLoayVIiZbye5aMTZ-x-AEyWWnvYKYCswvn2zVa1dxCnxttR0Sz5lIWOmQpL-k1V1MO2bMoZAwshNqe3RU7WEnTlbxPPpd75UsTK2ptnKgzXBo6EtWXbPrImsuLwc3NY/s320/IMGP1614.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556676489995296082" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvFAnnx73FZZIykOZ1MhJTZc-NJbnHTvLWZ3tSN7PNDGLfb_YXTG-sbSXCcbx_u0PeSzB0XsejDaGJsxMyCFIIqMDHMsyWmBFFl2_qpJX21FouvR3VRy1YudOKXeT2X4x9rRq_cEfZA8Q/s1600/IMGP1610.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvFAnnx73FZZIykOZ1MhJTZc-NJbnHTvLWZ3tSN7PNDGLfb_YXTG-sbSXCcbx_u0PeSzB0XsejDaGJsxMyCFIIqMDHMsyWmBFFl2_qpJX21FouvR3VRy1YudOKXeT2X4x9rRq_cEfZA8Q/s320/IMGP1610.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556676483824228722" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> and one for me.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4YnGovtOqOFD5UoVYEsJzjlZ6Db54YN824Gm31n8wBhuyvoMfCKHPNQ3kcVphn7b7EAXX522aAJgTgt3g9Z1Il1C3cvxpyi2GsXJLEbKT_HuyRyNM9S5e8d5xjS0NqjwKnp5t16vgaDo/s1600/IMGP1626.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4YnGovtOqOFD5UoVYEsJzjlZ6Db54YN824Gm31n8wBhuyvoMfCKHPNQ3kcVphn7b7EAXX522aAJgTgt3g9Z1Il1C3cvxpyi2GsXJLEbKT_HuyRyNM9S5e8d5xjS0NqjwKnp5t16vgaDo/s320/IMGP1626.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556679114748966322" border="0" /></a><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ_zg6JjQn9ohffK8m6rOU4dS6trwlAZzc39hq5Eh9V5ipa1ZvjQFPhjv-r0IMgZC1ep8gVhA-jqhm87k0I_Arfmw2gj0a4XajQ7oWOAHJE_vMfVPal2dxh8-uO-SnlPSGzFwIMKvKgJ4/s1600/IMGP1618.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ_zg6JjQn9ohffK8m6rOU4dS6trwlAZzc39hq5Eh9V5ipa1ZvjQFPhjv-r0IMgZC1ep8gVhA-jqhm87k0I_Arfmw2gj0a4XajQ7oWOAHJE_vMfVPal2dxh8-uO-SnlPSGzFwIMKvKgJ4/s320/IMGP1618.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556679120179977346" border="0" /></a><br />I wore it today with the temperatures at around 20 below and it is sooo warm. I love them so much, I want to go and get more wool to make a few more. If it wasnt so cold, I'd be tempted to run out straight away to get some to knit up tonight.<br /><br />Tomorrow is New Year's Eve - a time for reflection and resolutions. I have had an amazing time experiencing the last few months of this year. I dont think I'll find it hard to think of things to wish for and draw into my year for 2011.<br /><br />Time for me to put little people to bed... have an amazing New Year.Michelle Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10536162424897645357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1005170737445657321.post-53806027845839687002010-12-29T06:27:00.000-08:002010-12-29T07:18:34.864-08:00Allowing<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuSusTHvWcnM9mLXatMExVesfd8NVLeM4UBXUjlzLcXI8WiBMuiNZrM7N2u-WYEzbfAh_U6iT4S8dBxAVAJsJSnT19_Xc0b9soq6GcfCJ8-6-FRlCEni8lqUEOemE00iBsoBtoJ0vFAGc/s1600/IMGP1587.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuSusTHvWcnM9mLXatMExVesfd8NVLeM4UBXUjlzLcXI8WiBMuiNZrM7N2u-WYEzbfAh_U6iT4S8dBxAVAJsJSnT19_Xc0b9soq6GcfCJ8-6-FRlCEni8lqUEOemE00iBsoBtoJ0vFAGc/s320/IMGP1587.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556123109740941010" border="0" /></a>the sky on Christmas morning.<br /><br /></div>Again, with the slackery. Or the busyness... well, it is Christmas.<br /><br />I havent been downstairs to paint for a while .. so last night, I made myself go down to get the creative energy flowing. Even if just to paint a few petals on the sunflower I've started. Just to get me moving and to see what would come. I thought the lack of commissioned pieces would open up the floodgates to get me moving.<br /><br />Seems I'm panic stricken and afraid to lift a brush and that is no way for an artist to be. Funny how your mental stuff can so easily get in the way.. of, well, everything. I've been reading my good friend Monika's blog and I love that she is always creating. It really is inspiring. I thought about the notion of just allowing, getting out of your own way. Of just letting it be, whatever it is that wants out!!<br /><br />I've been imagining a few things that I want to paint, so after I added a few petals to my sunflower, I grabbed a scrap piece of paper. With a palete full of wet yellow paint, this is what materialised.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilDYVstGsHPlPqshbI9gx0F6cBVOyQQdiX9MRBLY7ve78pY75Qs6k7UxdR1Ho1H7MblFAPhc9TcSBEfbPIRyPRUnHDx_IJfmgKBCNm8bVlFZv5VE_b9UFjXBg8X6luVwN_T3Kv-rwF2vM/s1600/preliminary+sketch+crop.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 166px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilDYVstGsHPlPqshbI9gx0F6cBVOyQQdiX9MRBLY7ve78pY75Qs6k7UxdR1Ho1H7MblFAPhc9TcSBEfbPIRyPRUnHDx_IJfmgKBCNm8bVlFZv5VE_b9UFjXBg8X6luVwN_T3Kv-rwF2vM/s320/preliminary+sketch+crop.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556118746413110242" border="0" /></a><br />She is a prairie spirit, floating in the grass. I have been trying to find a reference for her face - and I've had no luck at all. Nothing matches the image in my mind. Anyway, as I was just noodling around, I gave myself permission to just play. And what came out was an ethereal, watery face that didnt need the detail that I thought it needed. I realised my own mental gymnastics were going in the wrong direction. Not only did they stop me from painting altogether, they were over thinking a painting who's energy is spiritual and flowing and moving. And for that, there really wont be a lot of detail. What I want to convey is movement ... and I had a great time doing that with this little sketch.<br /><br />One little step at a time - but always lots of learning to be had if we just let go and and allow.<br /><br />Namaste.Michelle Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10536162424897645357noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1005170737445657321.post-83967832251633703382010-12-19T17:38:00.001-08:002010-12-19T18:28:08.198-08:00What I've been up to....Wow, its been about three weeks. I've been thinking about the blog and I've been reading lots of other blogs.. but I havent had two seconds to sit down and type on my own.<br /><br />So, here goes the catch up...<br /><br />What have I been up to? Baking!!! Well, it is that time of year.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZJZi7XidcnSL3GENtHiLnLQ0qqeFJW553tXytqh_m74vDxi_LUJpcEQ5dxoqAuhrk8y_AnRnlUmkb5HFvyqBRzpV4b8YvVO1li2aVeVIYshE-7qiMnZEFHUn3AUklfrELDUv4aWWTejo/s1600/IMGP1506.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZJZi7XidcnSL3GENtHiLnLQ0qqeFJW553tXytqh_m74vDxi_LUJpcEQ5dxoqAuhrk8y_AnRnlUmkb5HFvyqBRzpV4b8YvVO1li2aVeVIYshE-7qiMnZEFHUn3AUklfrELDUv4aWWTejo/s320/IMGP1506.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552574162166714306" border="0" /></a><br />I was having one of those weeks with my little three year old. He is becoming very precocious... ok, thats being nice. Anyway, I sat down to read a blog that my friend Anno had written. It was filled with words about grace and patience and the love of small people. haha. It reminded me how much I love these little people. So, after I took Autumn to school<br />I got out the brown sugar and chocolate chips and Halyn and I baked a whole whack of chocolate chip cookies.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRxp5Grl8D4mm-3SJh1DayX5uzfOuKRphR1xqHVUakCiqWYURQOmU_TX5KqI2Sl6O3pi0ReUyo003lj3SJ3BdLUodGLWxGW1WRaMAZG9MNDBGayHWgK6sPEVsHWlKqL6RlMzfAgipS24M/s1600/IMGP1500.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRxp5Grl8D4mm-3SJh1DayX5uzfOuKRphR1xqHVUakCiqWYURQOmU_TX5KqI2Sl6O3pi0ReUyo003lj3SJ3BdLUodGLWxGW1WRaMAZG9MNDBGayHWgK6sPEVsHWlKqL6RlMzfAgipS24M/s320/IMGP1500.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552573691897773330" border="0" /></a><br />This is the little fella inspecting the dough!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhPgxt-BSqltorkqTmEeOXqAyD2_clp66m9rKsHQEpU4rVCCKH4uGuCa8wK947gH1FOutBQ0qByh2HnhO9EeV9TM5rmYg_esRuMfehRkO8Pn7eg_253EHrohHW5d8aJccJxbEkSDivOIc/s1600/IMGP1502.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhPgxt-BSqltorkqTmEeOXqAyD2_clp66m9rKsHQEpU4rVCCKH4uGuCa8wK947gH1FOutBQ0qByh2HnhO9EeV9TM5rmYg_esRuMfehRkO8Pn7eg_253EHrohHW5d8aJccJxbEkSDivOIc/s320/IMGP1502.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552574658855385026" border="0" /></a>And this is him blowing kisses into the baking. Thats the special ingredient - LOVE!!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">It turned into a great afternoon - reminding me that even when you want to pull your hair out, you can find the most precious moments.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJeVCkkHSZqr8d7vtGf2euivFn7U6Bfj-AlUkwk7fSO7fwW6o6G18vW_6g4-tHV7ty8uu6f61q0lWw8ofN3Hm0-8rHa7jzsENS5X6xh-8Kx09Aia4g41VwVkApv3kHJ6P07oVBZ0-ri3Q/s1600/IMGP1508.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJeVCkkHSZqr8d7vtGf2euivFn7U6Bfj-AlUkwk7fSO7fwW6o6G18vW_6g4-tHV7ty8uu6f61q0lWw8ofN3Hm0-8rHa7jzsENS5X6xh-8Kx09Aia4g41VwVkApv3kHJ6P07oVBZ0-ri3Q/s320/IMGP1508.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552575760968468994" border="0" /></a>This is the taste test as we go back up to the school to get the kids.<br /></div><br />And while I'm talking about baking, I thought I'd post some pictures of the christmas baking we did today. I get all three kids on stools and we get a baking in our tiny little kitchen. It is a big lesson in patience and letting go... and so worth the effort. The cookies the kids make are sooo cute.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbEcaY2aqoPripcBwaaqT2Iq2ajxRu76_6LXK4lcpvftXNoqu5MqFAgYwA4sE9Bk1zxEE98qZ197ItJyO0J9FEP27yXMBWtxhDOrza34z3qfm9YuQxQxfuMFHZOKZs2cregtqqHf7jnjc/s1600/IMGP1541.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbEcaY2aqoPripcBwaaqT2Iq2ajxRu76_6LXK4lcpvftXNoqu5MqFAgYwA4sE9Bk1zxEE98qZ197ItJyO0J9FEP27yXMBWtxhDOrza34z3qfm9YuQxQxfuMFHZOKZs2cregtqqHf7jnjc/s320/IMGP1541.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552580000795551874" border="0" /></a><br />My new haircut - still wet so you cant see the new colour in it.<br /><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuRYXY-tZahf9So8q2cNg1ATtVbXuciims30tQcXyra4mQLQTbQyfueroVPefRwfjqlY0NUosSfK07afBTAy8dkjGuvP82VOHcV1OHAiohi2B23CykiJl5WV7aqm7HK859noL87eMQLEE/s1600/IMGP1544.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuRYXY-tZahf9So8q2cNg1ATtVbXuciims30tQcXyra4mQLQTbQyfueroVPefRwfjqlY0NUosSfK07afBTAy8dkjGuvP82VOHcV1OHAiohi2B23CykiJl5WV7aqm7HK859noL87eMQLEE/s320/IMGP1544.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552580007127503746" border="0" /></a>A mountain of cookies!!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj43_cRYdv8DCKfjnRmIkVjWpQ8GUvXve9h8ULhPFJGaL0495B4FLjPX3N9XqSi14F6RFDM1JuLhL3PyKi6gB_6eI8Ixj5wkhayn2po92K4VxfZlzAunGXtcP_i4hvH_laISqkkCzjI5GM/s1600/IMGP1546.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj43_cRYdv8DCKfjnRmIkVjWpQ8GUvXve9h8ULhPFJGaL0495B4FLjPX3N9XqSi14F6RFDM1JuLhL3PyKi6gB_6eI8Ixj5wkhayn2po92K4VxfZlzAunGXtcP_i4hvH_laISqkkCzjI5GM/s320/IMGP1546.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552580008448408434" border="0" /></a>Just one of the tins full of finished cookies. mmmmm.<br /><br /></div>And what else... well, I've also been knitting like crazy. I'm waiting for some wooden buttons that I ordered on Etsy - alas, the christmas rush has slowed things down. I have a few neck warmers that are waiting for a couple of little buttons. I havent taken photos of them yet... so stay tuned for the finished product.<br /><br />One thing I do have a picture of is a little tutu that I whipped up. A friend of mine had promised to make one for someone she knew and then forgot about it. She had to work the day she was supposed to deliver it, so she brought around the tule and away I went. These things are so sweet, I really want to make one for myself. I joke that seeing as I dont have anywhere to wear it, I might have to put it on when I do the vacuuming.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTHMMz5lXvo0gci218dKm3eh7bGO-ig1maKztF34kGMY039zSxy4PNZplLIAeOKv4QNFIOPfEayFxPbV3okozBaAIfhan8WksNEXv4e1fJhh7IjPIvT_ITkfb_DucsLYBIBVTgj6_L_vc/s1600/IMGP1535.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTHMMz5lXvo0gci218dKm3eh7bGO-ig1maKztF34kGMY039zSxy4PNZplLIAeOKv4QNFIOPfEayFxPbV3okozBaAIfhan8WksNEXv4e1fJhh7IjPIvT_ITkfb_DucsLYBIBVTgj6_L_vc/s320/IMGP1535.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552581327689977522" border="0" /></a><br />So, as well as the crafts and the baking, I've also done another painting. This one was for a couple in Australia - the inlaws of a good friend of mine. I've never met them and what I enjoyed about this painting was the way I could feel their energy despire the distance. I could sense that I was picking up the nuances from two people instead of just one. I could also feel that they were an older couple - all things I knew intellectually but things that I could sense from the painting when it appeared before my eyes.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqC9IMUC1aZaJ94VyM3e7myTFD1-D3dD3IQawfgXRdDrqp3fH4yuiFJW-QyEpp0SGyzxFMalIqx-MCilqKvuCPaub32cxq-6XOiSEljXFSDyTKwHEsuDILRrKLuAiqI1oYOUS3EML-UTI/s1600/IMGP1523.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 96px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqC9IMUC1aZaJ94VyM3e7myTFD1-D3dD3IQawfgXRdDrqp3fH4yuiFJW-QyEpp0SGyzxFMalIqx-MCilqKvuCPaub32cxq-6XOiSEljXFSDyTKwHEsuDILRrKLuAiqI1oYOUS3EML-UTI/s320/IMGP1523.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552581844383426962" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikezpZA5UFCwlLTdeAjw3bcyBK9K1d65Ru-niTKgsMxbzcyd8B-f6qEhSp_4H9eDH7ltAnfsryrEew7ZHB5s1c94czSP6Lalh8Dk7hzs2GvhYr-PTf1el1V95lI-z6qtkgDfGQWRE9aE8/s1600/IMGP1524.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikezpZA5UFCwlLTdeAjw3bcyBK9K1d65Ru-niTKgsMxbzcyd8B-f6qEhSp_4H9eDH7ltAnfsryrEew7ZHB5s1c94czSP6Lalh8Dk7hzs2GvhYr-PTf1el1V95lI-z6qtkgDfGQWRE9aE8/s320/IMGP1524.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552585179911167922" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQhknX72zvFcumPZeORuzDksz4Pen5e5oU6hlHn1IsquuZwjzkl6-i2Ln6Veo43uopk0W3LQ4GouBcVAZ4bRZw88FGwkzUOk11MqhbuSEba1-86lEaQic0yrOJplzMccBZEaRMkYBW63o/s1600/IMGP1525.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQhknX72zvFcumPZeORuzDksz4Pen5e5oU6hlHn1IsquuZwjzkl6-i2Ln6Veo43uopk0W3LQ4GouBcVAZ4bRZw88FGwkzUOk11MqhbuSEba1-86lEaQic0yrOJplzMccBZEaRMkYBW63o/s320/IMGP1525.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552585178222351410" border="0" /></a><br />I love the lines in this chakra - so fine and flame like.<br /><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif5qzYCchOQfid4b08kWei3uEQonKceJhTF-zxiLRrsm3oXSUeMhD8h1INLO6B4DpLoM9YlDxlnkDjRPfx52WxbjYIjyUEfM-jldVgYU5LHXwHdWFPztwNX_IU4fvtybqF5qL9ZaquFZw/s1600/IMGP1527.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif5qzYCchOQfid4b08kWei3uEQonKceJhTF-zxiLRrsm3oXSUeMhD8h1INLO6B4DpLoM9YlDxlnkDjRPfx52WxbjYIjyUEfM-jldVgYU5LHXwHdWFPztwNX_IU4fvtybqF5qL9ZaquFZw/s320/IMGP1527.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552585190925580690" border="0" /></a></div></div>That finishes all the commissions I have for the moment ... there are a couple of things on the books for next year... but now, that quiet time that lets me paint.. well, whatever it is that my heart wants to paint.<br /><br />And that will be the fodder for another blog entry.. hopefully not three weeks from now!!<br /><br />Enjoy the solstice my friends. And have a wonderful Christmas.<br /><br />xoMichelle Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10536162424897645357noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1005170737445657321.post-22721640528778320172010-12-01T12:18:00.000-08:002010-12-01T13:03:23.632-08:00experience and perspectiveLast weekend, I was involved in a light hearted debate with a friend of mine, back home in Australia. He made a comment on one of my facebook pages - he was referring to Deepak Chopra and I was quite suprised that he was so well read. Anyway, after sending him an email telling him as much, he gave me his opinion on Deepak - so I thought I would stir the pot and ask him his opinion on vaccines.<br /><br />Typically, I dont get involved in those debates. My kids havent been vaccinated - lots of reasons and at the same time, just one. I dont belive in them for my family. But I thought it would be interesting to see the response from my friend - and man, did it stir the pot!!<br /><br />He also included some comments about homeopathy and science, scientific research and ... well, a lot of other things. I had to laugh - it was nice to hear someone so passionate about their opinions. I replied - but really, who can argue articulately via email. You always forget what you were going to say and go off on a tangent.<br /><br />Anyway, I thought about how rusty my brain was and how I was finding it difficult to articulate my point of view. I guess that is what happens when you take a break from school for a year. So, I thought that I would write here - after all, this was one of the initial reasons for having this blog. To record my thoughts and musings. And so, I shall muse!<br /><br />My first thought is that it is interesting that the spelling for muse (the thinking if over, mulling and ruminating meaning of the word) is the same as that for muse - the inspirational, creative power behind an artist or creator of some sort. Speaks to the inherent, inspirational abilities of the mind - to create and to inspire oneself. Perhaps the ability is within all of us to think and dwell upon something, and if we do so for long enough, we would perhaps, unconsciously come to another place. A new place, the one with the answers!<br /><br />more on that later...<br /><br />Because at this point, this line of thinking conveniently ties into my original contemplative thought and one that I wished I could articulate a little better in my email debate with my friend in Australia.<br /><br />I was actually thinking this same thought a few months ago, and found this quote on a friend's facebook status update. It beautifully captues EXACTLY what I was trying to verbalise = and of course, I dont believe in coincidences. So, I copied it down and I know it will play a big part in my thesis.<br /><br />"Bring a bit of loving doubt to everything you are told... but radically trust every nuance of your direct experience." (Jan Henrikson, Yogini)<br /><br />I love it - it captures the entire essence of what I think may be the basis for my thesis. I know what I see and feel to be true, I know it because I feel it. My skin and my senses feel it, my heart knows it, my mind can not doubt it. And so, because I have experienced it - I know it to be.<br /><br />But of course, in the scientific community, the gold standard of the double blind study will always prevail.<br /><br />Of course, not being the most mathematically enclined person, quantitative research based on statistics was never going to be my cup of tea! Qualitative research has always been the direction I intended to walk in. And the more I think about my final research project, the more I see that my own personal voice needs to come through. And it is this point that I wish to explore.<br /><br />I have felt it and I know it to be real - and if this is the case, then by default, it is real.<br /><br />And by the 'it' that I feel, I refer to many things. I think about the intuition that led me here, the energy or qi that I sense through my finger tips, the prana that moves around us all. I see 'it' when my paintings materalise and I have a feeling or a knowing about what a certain sway in the paint might mean.<br /><br />I can imagine myself, with a passionate voice, describing the process behind my paintings and the knowing that I feel. But with equal certainty, I can imagine the perspective of those that read it - with a different epistimology - a view of the world.<br /><br />I can understand that - for most of my life, I've been the one with a different perspective. So, I speak the other world and I translate what I hear into my own understanding. So, how will what I have to say translate to those that dont believe?<br /><br />What I really want to know is, do they not hold what they directly experience up with ultimate faith? Do they discredit their own feelings and sense of things if these thoughts do not come with external scientific proof? And can I ever communicate with those that view the world as black and white? I guess that is the purpose of my thesis!<br /><br />Anyway, these are my thoughts today - the basis for a lot more contemplation. I feel like I should find a picture to go with these words - always my favourite part about blogs that I look at. The beautiful pictures...<br /><br />this is one I've used before. But I love it - something about the bright colour and juxtaposition of the snow and the summer flower. This does a good job of summing up my alternate perspective and how it might look odd against the snow of a quantiative world. But the two can and do exist... and boy, they look amazing together.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqK_v9ofYuvJmvZ34Z_szmsZ_LLlj9-N_-Izs6FPTSAARO9_A3kN-fklQJyokqjnho1Njy8k_Mfhdu-MSZIuSRYEYNWmCKltuIlRqYqbuSy8-FVl6L5yzIQszw9_IM288cMylNIKqHGq8/s1600/sunflower+snow+closeup.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 230px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqK_v9ofYuvJmvZ34Z_szmsZ_LLlj9-N_-Izs6FPTSAARO9_A3kN-fklQJyokqjnho1Njy8k_Mfhdu-MSZIuSRYEYNWmCKltuIlRqYqbuSy8-FVl6L5yzIQszw9_IM288cMylNIKqHGq8/s320/sunflower+snow+closeup.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545822280065510898" border="0" /></a>Michelle Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10536162424897645357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1005170737445657321.post-22010239032418097532010-11-28T19:21:00.001-08:002010-11-28T20:06:25.587-08:00button makingThis week saw me knit some more, finish another painting and start another. I also made some buttons for some of the knitting. I used a fallen branch someone had put in the back alley and my darling man whittled it down and dried it out for me.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixymxbJ9VQVC_gUYcWQJ5gKYz_-jAmi_bJEbiTnbpQ9CAOhyMFU_AwuErQe5_AXF1Fs2nLs489oYL54FEBtvijMR0gs6aZgnes_w-K5NIMrk8VtvJlJDfpeKe34YoKfrizbbOar3bPDtE/s1600/IMGP1470.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixymxbJ9VQVC_gUYcWQJ5gKYz_-jAmi_bJEbiTnbpQ9CAOhyMFU_AwuErQe5_AXF1Fs2nLs489oYL54FEBtvijMR0gs6aZgnes_w-K5NIMrk8VtvJlJDfpeKe34YoKfrizbbOar3bPDtE/s320/IMGP1470.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544812098579863538" border="0" /></a><br />I then cut off pieces and sanded them down - little round coins that were perfect button sizes. I then rubbed them with olive oil to bring out the grain and drilled some holes in them. Voila... buttons and beads for my neck warmers.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhddRz0jcjPDttbDK6fdaJBTfRKMiBrexKjG6v0VLM7S0ScFwIOUnjGPOo8IjisbZJhYDZRx1vTPLFmkKQFjIsf0MtWMdVM6f9f3cqsJcKhbm9Zpn2D7lpaxWXy6MrXUC7kv7j6A2wCX_I/s1600/IMGP1472.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhddRz0jcjPDttbDK6fdaJBTfRKMiBrexKjG6v0VLM7S0ScFwIOUnjGPOo8IjisbZJhYDZRx1vTPLFmkKQFjIsf0MtWMdVM6f9f3cqsJcKhbm9Zpn2D7lpaxWXy6MrXUC7kv7j6A2wCX_I/s320/IMGP1472.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544812777069360642" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU7lKkzSqEzj1T733yW9cQJudZP_6LgXWs_KLdtD2ohvdXtmfd2eCe5ZfbeOOz575P7A7vQeB0bQeCUdww4018Xwn1IJwTGaNy-wHI5QJpOKi9mS2nlYAUhJUX46qLle3i98jsC2K5C6w/s1600/IMGP1473.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU7lKkzSqEzj1T733yW9cQJudZP_6LgXWs_KLdtD2ohvdXtmfd2eCe5ZfbeOOz575P7A7vQeB0bQeCUdww4018Xwn1IJwTGaNy-wHI5QJpOKi9mS2nlYAUhJUX46qLle3i98jsC2K5C6w/s320/IMGP1473.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544813412466250146" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnSVci1voVIr5MuOTIkHoMRkBH-hlpQnnzat_WcgrZNUjJF2f45iFGmjxnmXraOQxVvnlZxYOpOmOh2xeZfzaZN4KeRbHzW_0kFuWjt0cPbTu4kL5uwkApQQrhZ33ExyMoZjLAOPdQE3U/s1600/P1040054.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnSVci1voVIr5MuOTIkHoMRkBH-hlpQnnzat_WcgrZNUjJF2f45iFGmjxnmXraOQxVvnlZxYOpOmOh2xeZfzaZN4KeRbHzW_0kFuWjt0cPbTu4kL5uwkApQQrhZ33ExyMoZjLAOPdQE3U/s320/P1040054.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544814123074828114" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">This is the painting I finished - again in the chakra tradition. It spoke so clearly to me of my friend, a homeopath that works with intuition and energy.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN9KhgeUkLzNNQEWV8ZbxIAKYYhAQdTPTUev933zZxUmUr4nXDt6SfzD_Ka2CPFexqEtxLY1aPxhr1LnfJzWp3taqr_vhYT4qfBD9xiLx23FwjEf5P3uI2AuTON42NAcrCrdvLhO-O0Sc/s1600/IMGP1482.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 104px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN9KhgeUkLzNNQEWV8ZbxIAKYYhAQdTPTUev933zZxUmUr4nXDt6SfzD_Ka2CPFexqEtxLY1aPxhr1LnfJzWp3taqr_vhYT4qfBD9xiLx23FwjEf5P3uI2AuTON42NAcrCrdvLhO-O0Sc/s320/IMGP1482.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544814509676191570" border="0" /></a></div></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNyN1iq3Ht2VQkb_KmV0m0gZ3T14eOopPmdd_ijxeeGHgDiXPpdNbzwbII_PJM3wzdDiYDqaZUFswVfrHsSZPGchKnqNo3E3VUWTt-upRzui1c8s-GgXGLmPtnFVb_zPfITXUCvrtUTP0/s1600/IMGP1475.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNyN1iq3Ht2VQkb_KmV0m0gZ3T14eOopPmdd_ijxeeGHgDiXPpdNbzwbII_PJM3wzdDiYDqaZUFswVfrHsSZPGchKnqNo3E3VUWTt-upRzui1c8s-GgXGLmPtnFVb_zPfITXUCvrtUTP0/s320/IMGP1475.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544815819645210002" border="0" /></a><br />I put a sign up in her office advertising my work - I've called the whole process 'intuitive renderings' - a process where I express the individual vibrations and nuances of those who commission the piece. I can see and feel these energetic patterns as they become manifest through the painting and I imbue the work with healing energy.<br /><br />It really is a humbling experience. Without fail, I stand back after a painting is done and I can not believe that my hand took part in its creation.<br /><br /><br />I am sure I have more to write, but it seems my kids have woken the sick baby up.<br /><br />more later.Michelle Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10536162424897645357noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1005170737445657321.post-38530894271703604232010-11-21T08:38:00.000-08:002010-11-21T10:44:28.367-08:00the creative muse and neck warmersI've been laying low for the week - I will blame it on the weather!! It has snowed here and then got quite chilly and instead of painting, I've been knitting!!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgphiA0MhkC0C3H787idMjivVfIlpT9IhT_tQYRp_EaGtgCyUoXEmuzaYdX9Ubl6oB_yvTNYTpzfD5tvapbCa4SDOVPmHK18x6tIm5D11KM5vpN0UbPku2MB5jdULySx66_BFjpatqpzJg/s1600/IMGP1445.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgphiA0MhkC0C3H787idMjivVfIlpT9IhT_tQYRp_EaGtgCyUoXEmuzaYdX9Ubl6oB_yvTNYTpzfD5tvapbCa4SDOVPmHK18x6tIm5D11KM5vpN0UbPku2MB5jdULySx66_BFjpatqpzJg/s320/IMGP1445.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542056629377306786" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I got the hankering for a neck warmer - like a scarf, just smaller. There are some beautiful pieces on Etsy, which is another past time I enjoy when it is chilly and I find myself with cup of tea in hand trying to keep warm.<br /><br />But then I got to thinking, I do know how to knit. How hard can it be to knit a scarf? Well, not that hard at all really. And now that my little people are a little more independent and I can put my knitting down and not have one of these little people pull it off the needles, what was I looking on Etsy for?<br /><br />So, I've been knitting. I made one for me out of some beautiful wool I had been given years ago. It was a skein of hand dyed, hand spun alpaca/merino wool. Gorgeous.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIeyi4ZYsPzwG7sr6psf-upcBadrYKA-Op7ChxetYlGnti7rnPObSRdnHROFkTh95xlcqMzIf6d9wc5-ZTwIcyJgonTZek9sd5GyhqlmTcu2jxOEL79A-lmGdV69ac8njtJAzK68ervxs/s1600/IMGP1449.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIeyi4ZYsPzwG7sr6psf-upcBadrYKA-Op7ChxetYlGnti7rnPObSRdnHROFkTh95xlcqMzIf6d9wc5-ZTwIcyJgonTZek9sd5GyhqlmTcu2jxOEL79A-lmGdV69ac8njtJAzK68ervxs/s320/IMGP1449.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542057224044859474" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Then my darling daughter wanted one...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih39dyg2D8_XYcS7NNIcwSBOyC9rqrBk2E10c8VU49ZIp5wYNdrEY6mPzEFpGx8XJrD5inNhi3pABJnNKdRxEsB3V71rIFLHMTx46BzISlx2gsHglOjXDgg3KxEZztsc5QvJ8Lr_d8BnU/s1600/IMGP1444.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih39dyg2D8_XYcS7NNIcwSBOyC9rqrBk2E10c8VU49ZIp5wYNdrEY6mPzEFpGx8XJrD5inNhi3pABJnNKdRxEsB3V71rIFLHMTx46BzISlx2gsHglOjXDgg3KxEZztsc5QvJ8Lr_d8BnU/s320/IMGP1444.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542061990401784082" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />and then a friend of mine who owns a consignment store in town,<a href="http://http//shopatlilsprouts.com/"> http://shopatlilsprouts.com/</a> said she would carry them. And before I knew it, I've spent the week with the click clack of knitting needles. I love that sound - for me it is very comforting because it reminds me of my mum. She has always knitted and I loved falling asleep with my head on her lap with the rhythm of the needles as they moved, clickety clackety.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxFy7qSfPk_oD0UdqlBkr4I6f1CpPFTheEyD3A90WpSBPfCbyeN0LviGcMaGaMh_8Un7S8dLRUVDWyxaGyLfYNaR6PF9LXYBwNlwRFiTxWlemWjvt2FQPxo8T6E0_vmkOO9L-o_LIc8PY/s1600/IMGP1441.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxFy7qSfPk_oD0UdqlBkr4I6f1CpPFTheEyD3A90WpSBPfCbyeN0LviGcMaGaMh_8Un7S8dLRUVDWyxaGyLfYNaR6PF9LXYBwNlwRFiTxWlemWjvt2FQPxo8T6E0_vmkOO9L-o_LIc8PY/s320/IMGP1441.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542061463864670658" border="0" /></a><br />So, here is what I've done after a week!! My fingers actually hurt!! Next project - to make some wooden buttons to add as decorations for future creations!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0TNcLAbWgYwt3XqF2UOhRaKJJVRcisTtp77FBP914ocvQaQ__R-XuLIUvpQ3tIs98UJ6lyv-WQro4ChWbN7pqNGqXgv3YpXcM-LtQN9ttKpeMOhQ2z64p_PJUX75AoKQELicMCjhNMa8/s1600/IMGP1448.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0TNcLAbWgYwt3XqF2UOhRaKJJVRcisTtp77FBP914ocvQaQ__R-XuLIUvpQ3tIs98UJ6lyv-WQro4ChWbN7pqNGqXgv3YpXcM-LtQN9ttKpeMOhQ2z64p_PJUX75AoKQELicMCjhNMa8/s320/IMGP1448.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542067487792038818" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWFFgqd0cVeYzIuiTG9Ciy_fmxCcvsYCYVucfywNj4YuD68cMW8plhfjFVfzf2ntN8cm5pYHxgasxf3I07MpOK0WGejo_uMwkluViULlWESU4Oim1zAlNFIBYJlDNu5l_RMUzBp7WBBp8/s1600/IMGP1438.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWFFgqd0cVeYzIuiTG9Ciy_fmxCcvsYCYVucfywNj4YuD68cMW8plhfjFVfzf2ntN8cm5pYHxgasxf3I07MpOK0WGejo_uMwkluViULlWESU4Oim1zAlNFIBYJlDNu5l_RMUzBp7WBBp8/s320/IMGP1438.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542059203236092738" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDy4Kbrhqvh2heli4cXGYaZKixkoOaaya_NNtKWlSYrabBt7ZUAt_Q44t8ivh6is7ZUg8JNxBhAaG9q2krS4TSGgzIitMCR0X5_Z-mha-Bf4iviXF9dpxCStwVUmN2yTJtkNQN_v9CB7Q/s1600/IMGP1447.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDy4Kbrhqvh2heli4cXGYaZKixkoOaaya_NNtKWlSYrabBt7ZUAt_Q44t8ivh6is7ZUg8JNxBhAaG9q2krS4TSGgzIitMCR0X5_Z-mha-Bf4iviXF9dpxCStwVUmN2yTJtkNQN_v9CB7Q/s320/IMGP1447.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542064881462363714" border="0" /></a><br />It really is interesting what happens when you invite the creative energy of the universe to flow through you.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtsI-pNGQ3mHc43v3T2oB0ih0T9qKrMrc3PG_ig_AFsL8pYxxLudNz4uKBDJdCOUxJr5G-F5_WSQiKCqOcPlSxlg1Nihcb5Tw0JERCmQwFr4OJqN4jUgrEy31nto-X2bBRE9ih8P2l48I/s1600/IMGP1453.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtsI-pNGQ3mHc43v3T2oB0ih0T9qKrMrc3PG_ig_AFsL8pYxxLudNz4uKBDJdCOUxJr5G-F5_WSQiKCqOcPlSxlg1Nihcb5Tw0JERCmQwFr4OJqN4jUgrEy31nto-X2bBRE9ih8P2l48I/s320/IMGP1453.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542067592137166786" border="0" /></a><br /><br />(Autumn wants to keep them all!! My hands will be busy if I have to keep her in neck warmers as well as make some to sell)Michelle Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10536162424897645357noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1005170737445657321.post-84562247441412826392010-11-11T10:58:00.000-08:002010-11-11T13:37:52.548-08:00sunset<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLSG8-_nDYH2772CWm82ToRq13waT02o8Bzo4q9c_owa44YLCFRmkNpq1Q5GxeWPx_QRXCNWZ6K9oxbhoMC81ZL0_CH4ynZT14H7foZd43x7ChaOAxeiUBOkZGfjnsDnkXUYn13Zplgfw/s1600/IMGP1391.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLSG8-_nDYH2772CWm82ToRq13waT02o8Bzo4q9c_owa44YLCFRmkNpq1Q5GxeWPx_QRXCNWZ6K9oxbhoMC81ZL0_CH4ynZT14H7foZd43x7ChaOAxeiUBOkZGfjnsDnkXUYn13Zplgfw/s320/IMGP1391.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538409513362504178" border="0" /></a><br />This is the view out of our front door the other night, just as we were sitting down to dinner. Of course, I had to grab my camera and take a couple of shots. So beautiful.<br /><br />I'm painting today - but feeling a bit restless. My star sign says to get detail orientated things done before lunch and then to give in to the wanderlust this afternoon.<br /><br />Might be a good plan.<br /><br />What adventures shall I have? MMMMMmmmmm????<br /><br />But in the mean time, I just had to share these photos.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlWl1w_Ne89qs5C0VXZnPru3om1SNOtaBZkiqq-6XmHamed94BRV4Bt5oLdub786OfJhEJ7sIKtjY9moPLSKMo-kmTAxH4Hn_N5SlF4yutKxnxiE0IdszFyMHHE19CfRjRzCkJ4kcbIg8/s1600/IMGP1392.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlWl1w_Ne89qs5C0VXZnPru3om1SNOtaBZkiqq-6XmHamed94BRV4Bt5oLdub786OfJhEJ7sIKtjY9moPLSKMo-kmTAxH4Hn_N5SlF4yutKxnxiE0IdszFyMHHE19CfRjRzCkJ4kcbIg8/s320/IMGP1392.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538369037348689714" border="0" /></a>Michelle Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10536162424897645357noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1005170737445657321.post-17238912818267110482010-11-09T11:13:00.001-08:002010-11-09T11:36:21.446-08:00feeling blah - but look out the window<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHDtpr61UqmbRQkGXy5fb76o-nsYrfhMLYzl5OWY82qWxPUGCeZvFOaxr9svHV-DKrVbOnji9hti5SKJVlXxDhDf01tLiXPcPOMkK2a8T12kTGiI4PUCEHggHovIizORMOWlssABd5LIw/s1600/IMGP1414.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHDtpr61UqmbRQkGXy5fb76o-nsYrfhMLYzl5OWY82qWxPUGCeZvFOaxr9svHV-DKrVbOnji9hti5SKJVlXxDhDf01tLiXPcPOMkK2a8T12kTGiI4PUCEHggHovIizORMOWlssABd5LIw/s320/IMGP1414.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537633920861799682" border="0" /></a><br />Today I'm officially on lazy duty. I have to have a small procedure tomorrow - a colonoscopy. And that means a total clean out of my colon! Not so fun. About an hour ago, I would have said the worst part was the no eating. I am so hungry and it isnt nice to have to feed the kids while being restricted to a clear fluid diet. But now that the bowel prep is doing its job and I have said goodbye to last night's dinner, that is now my least favourite part of the day. Of course, there is still dinner to be made and lucky me, I get to eat jelly. !! But JP (lovely man that he is) has promised to pick something up for him and the kids. Something deep fried and delicious smelling. Bastard!! I'm salivating at the thought of it now.<br /><br />Perhaps I will hide out downstairs when they eat.<br /><br />And in the mean time, to take my mind off how dreadful I feel, I have a frivolous magazine that arrived in the mail today. Full of design and pretty pictures. I never read a single word - I just look at the pictures. And for when I'm feeling a little ill, there is the view outside. Lots of sloppy wet snow. Even after 8 years in Canada, I still love watching the snow.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIzBACHgqalDhs6ri0fMFb2xMJ8t8eb92uwWCTorRZauncfw8d9s-JfBi-uh8_2e_Fn5qZw59HD09jV1szD_POw-G1ya5fk9IRxK8XwlKV7mYIwVwHFxUM24H2CTKxQGfCbQy0l00kVms/s1600/IMGP1416.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIzBACHgqalDhs6ri0fMFb2xMJ8t8eb92uwWCTorRZauncfw8d9s-JfBi-uh8_2e_Fn5qZw59HD09jV1szD_POw-G1ya5fk9IRxK8XwlKV7mYIwVwHFxUM24H2CTKxQGfCbQy0l00kVms/s320/IMGP1416.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537633649924798754" border="0" /></a>So, really, it is all about the perspective.<br /><br />Have a wonderful day.Michelle Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10536162424897645357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1005170737445657321.post-25946890123174679552010-11-09T09:18:00.000-08:002010-11-09T11:12:56.534-08:00Paper MakingOn Saturday morning, I found myself wanting to finish some projects. The ones on the 'to do' list - you know that list. So, I got all of the stale bread out of the freezer and turned that into breadcrumbs. I also made a batch of granola - enough to last about 8 weeks. mmm. And finally, I attempted the papermaking I have been thinking about for so long. All in all, a messy day.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNcXAWim-Q_-ETKfnuSFvMVGqgmg2ROE6b28WlNqI0Eg470wkfptNQULf66hnmXD0ZfSrt2njOQu_vf_S8JbtW8R6SalVWImvtYds6GoQgJz8LdEccIjWXw3JsXjit0gYafedc1MxdDXU/s1600/IMGP1393.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNcXAWim-Q_-ETKfnuSFvMVGqgmg2ROE6b28WlNqI0Eg470wkfptNQULf66hnmXD0ZfSrt2njOQu_vf_S8JbtW8R6SalVWImvtYds6GoQgJz8LdEccIjWXw3JsXjit0gYafedc1MxdDXU/s320/IMGP1393.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537601430744573570" border="0" /></a>With camera on hand, I jumped on in. I figured that photos of the adventure would be much more interesting that a dialogue on the mess!!<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I used an old photo frame that I had and a piece of fly screen that was left over from a summer project.<br /><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2dfK2sIcigtS4OdkT5TxETTjdVX9YxlIyMJMF11Lhw5sH0wtRStbUkCCeSHy-xFMMDnJrBr56gvunK1lb-Gaq6qsCohSb0sVPxUB2juBBkFPIa-qfsiY7eY-HMRBKXbRfxpKdfE_udgw/s1600/IMGP1394.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2dfK2sIcigtS4OdkT5TxETTjdVX9YxlIyMJMF11Lhw5sH0wtRStbUkCCeSHy-xFMMDnJrBr56gvunK1lb-Gaq6qsCohSb0sVPxUB2juBBkFPIa-qfsiY7eY-HMRBKXbRfxpKdfE_udgw/s200/IMGP1394.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537603270514292802" border="0" /></a><br />After I banged it all together, I pulled out the blender - old choppy and I filled it with torn up paper.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9_OsyyM_hef6S2vfTL6x4JSri3Me2KCVyZEGEBGonNp52X-TvB5Uq5bEyHdFX51jU3wl0QjLuJ38BTucgyqfKfy3L0XRYJF_aazhH7PxkdVg0hW0OQn_acAyBIoub6fLfzCSImKt5iu8/s1600/IMGP1396.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9_OsyyM_hef6S2vfTL6x4JSri3Me2KCVyZEGEBGonNp52X-TvB5Uq5bEyHdFX51jU3wl0QjLuJ38BTucgyqfKfy3L0XRYJF_aazhH7PxkdVg0hW0OQn_acAyBIoub6fLfzCSImKt5iu8/s200/IMGP1396.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537613877574922578" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd3Uv1pzDdsGjur4vOqgtoT6GZ909PQEb2Nuf1s_aGNXawUwVQCKpKyDd4TxQAAcEeVlGO8F31uPFjEz4peIdLSfCS94VaBGK-sT7_bt_AwftqGqM9kPd8X5hpQMlgrhelKWyW-jy3AYg/s1600/IMGP1398.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd3Uv1pzDdsGjur4vOqgtoT6GZ909PQEb2Nuf1s_aGNXawUwVQCKpKyDd4TxQAAcEeVlGO8F31uPFjEz4peIdLSfCS94VaBGK-sT7_bt_AwftqGqM9kPd8X5hpQMlgrhelKWyW-jy3AYg/s200/IMGP1398.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537603275374505954" border="0" /></a> - and what better paper to recycle than my statistics notes!!<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_bLk7LluzkUbGyh8AtjdVNAAWz5AqPsCNxP5qVQcKOnms4jIrt5dX9rPSzunixengY3zZt9L_ZH7UFskFthYIzp2xs_yWOLnFi694koAI5pSMPp6B7a2IcceP7bDtb7pF3DS7p4vrD38/s1600/IMGP1399.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_bLk7LluzkUbGyh8AtjdVNAAWz5AqPsCNxP5qVQcKOnms4jIrt5dX9rPSzunixengY3zZt9L_ZH7UFskFthYIzp2xs_yWOLnFi694koAI5pSMPp6B7a2IcceP7bDtb7pF3DS7p4vrD38/s200/IMGP1399.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537603279170919826" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhenxaW_JN8MjcWpTCz5PS-TDtEcPhk7F0Vph6WGoHubLiraS55h3ptMwR4gQPNuq-oo7DWDdoTZQf1YpZjOD4FlEk3ygv1NqCSxZmN7nE_L-1yVVUW2uxuMm7aBZ91pxPn7YKYaFf1AKs/s1600/IMGP1402.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhenxaW_JN8MjcWpTCz5PS-TDtEcPhk7F0Vph6WGoHubLiraS55h3ptMwR4gQPNuq-oo7DWDdoTZQf1YpZjOD4FlEk3ygv1NqCSxZmN7nE_L-1yVVUW2uxuMm7aBZ91pxPn7YKYaFf1AKs/s200/IMGP1402.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537614440155877762" border="0" /></a><br />I knew that the ink from the notes would come through - but I wanted to see the effect before I started ripping up good white paper that could still be drawn on.<br /><br />There was one minor glitch - remember the blender came with no lid. I had a tupperware lid over the top, but I very quickly learnt that you need to hang on pretty tight. Old choppy has quite the kick.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMWwXXdsmhvxr_QZE2rstMkwDs92sM06lkjLw499JcRtbUHF27c-43vjMw6sxaSrann1hi-WD0BARihZUwdwHhjIGjoA-XRzdxuCNEHD25OMqKUSDgEjvxKMakBSK9kjQ0uNw8Lq8vPlo/s1600/IMGP1404.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMWwXXdsmhvxr_QZE2rstMkwDs92sM06lkjLw499JcRtbUHF27c-43vjMw6sxaSrann1hi-WD0BARihZUwdwHhjIGjoA-XRzdxuCNEHD25OMqKUSDgEjvxKMakBSK9kjQ0uNw8Lq8vPlo/s200/IMGP1404.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537617995188555618" border="0" /></a><br />My first try was very thick - I just dumped all of the pulp into the screen.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOxb-LW6mPNdknz2N3rb1c9gsB_wwUv_xk7uW4KDlnvhndbWcgYt4Gnys17mLuX1FKK0Dr0EAObxkVJmohzl7tndrAGgXGZ4v9LwmblwNfYxlujYuW-CT6ip2vaJLSQoAxUSRwcg2QT1E/s1600/IMGP1405.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOxb-LW6mPNdknz2N3rb1c9gsB_wwUv_xk7uW4KDlnvhndbWcgYt4Gnys17mLuX1FKK0Dr0EAObxkVJmohzl7tndrAGgXGZ4v9LwmblwNfYxlujYuW-CT6ip2vaJLSQoAxUSRwcg2QT1E/s200/IMGP1405.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537618407891937922" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrYaJnl3grp1Yro9NsjF96Im3fFzn3m7BVjGku8Xnzwq1Cs0e_3Ik3btOpZ8eNEVp8cjQOQFgTdz_q_oQQodjHa502D_eqWWAAfbtRcnlg_b7zNqEhSOwQXFouXWuH-QjOxV8nva7IT30/s1600/IMGP1407.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrYaJnl3grp1Yro9NsjF96Im3fFzn3m7BVjGku8Xnzwq1Cs0e_3Ik3btOpZ8eNEVp8cjQOQFgTdz_q_oQQodjHa502D_eqWWAAfbtRcnlg_b7zNqEhSOwQXFouXWuH-QjOxV8nva7IT30/s200/IMGP1407.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537627936759098034" border="0" /></a><br />Then I played around with some colour and my flower petals. To my second batch of paper, I added the sunflower petals, the blue cornflowers and some yellow food colouring.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPrIuPoauKrn1U6LfBVCtM6UEOhqLCf9Crawpcq6T9QK8Ld1-NOZdQ9NuhYJA_Zg9rJ7_swDv53uG6U9QM9evO6x-TNwgckv-IPh2_W5uo3WhOSTlhK9hjvnNDrNoNyXGbmRpV_62vwRY/s1600/IMGP1412.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPrIuPoauKrn1U6LfBVCtM6UEOhqLCf9Crawpcq6T9QK8Ld1-NOZdQ9NuhYJA_Zg9rJ7_swDv53uG6U9QM9evO6x-TNwgckv-IPh2_W5uo3WhOSTlhK9hjvnNDrNoNyXGbmRpV_62vwRY/s200/IMGP1412.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537628316083935858" border="0" /></a><br />The yellow food colouring didnt really take - might need to start with yellow paper to see it in the final product. But I really liked the little blue cornflowers - they worked perfectly.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiChvcYXqlEQrXrMZHFEkZpwDBhUwZxusZT4z8L7_bNDG9yDZ7HX9N2ZbsZYHtgm2xCNdU_Cvdj2AEmKUYN25Halik7PkfAyKhbu6JerH3Hy0jUuy80edbY2p3nN1XZzqYvFIE_jlja3p4/s1600/IMGP1413.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiChvcYXqlEQrXrMZHFEkZpwDBhUwZxusZT4z8L7_bNDG9yDZ7HX9N2ZbsZYHtgm2xCNdU_Cvdj2AEmKUYN25Halik7PkfAyKhbu6JerH3Hy0jUuy80edbY2p3nN1XZzqYvFIE_jlja3p4/s200/IMGP1413.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537628738871079058" border="0" /></a><br />Seeing as the paper was so thick, it didnt dry fully in the first 24 hours - so I put it on the dryer. This worked really well and the paper was good to work with after another day.<br /><br />The paper is very stiff now =- and thick like cardboard. So a little more room to play with the consistency. And there is the slight issue with mess. At least working with watercolour, everything is contained and easy to clean up. I just tip out the jar of water when I'm done. Perhaps I need a little more room that just the corner I currently occupy. Do you think the kids would mind if I took over the computer table? mmmm<br /><br />Now, to make something with the paper. !!Michelle Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10536162424897645357noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1005170737445657321.post-51727295204855541962010-10-31T20:33:00.000-07:002010-11-09T08:54:24.040-08:00Tarot readingsWhen I started this blog, I thought it might be a way of recording my thoughts on my healing work and my art. I never really thought the two would be so intertwined - besides the fact that I was doing them at the same time in my life.<br /><br />But after the last few paintings and the realisations that they are very much entwined, entangled and perhaps conduits for the other, I thought I would ask a dear friend of mine for her interpretation on them. My friend Syrinx is an intuitive counsellor - she reads tarot cards and has an amazing ability to channel advice that I know is from my higher self.<br /><br />This is her address if you want to know more - she is AMAZING.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.syrinx.ca">http://www.syrinx.ca/</a><br /><br />Anyway, what I had beenwondering was why the energy work wasnt moving along as quickly as the art work? But of course, I had already begun to nut that out. The energy work was in the artwork - the paintings had become a way of sending healing energy for a longer period than just one hour of a treatment session.<br /><br />And this is what the reading said:<br /><br />The energy work is like 'work' while the artwork is like 'play' if you were to use these analogies as descriptors. While the energy work hasnt taken off like I thought and hoped it would, it was impertative that I travel that road. It was to reconnect me to my intuition. Ahhh, intuition. I love it!<br /><br />But, I'm at a crossroad. I need to choose a direction because I cant do both. If I am going to be a channel when I paint and when I do my healing work, then I need clarify my intentions and strenthen the messages that I receive.<br /><br />So, I have to choose!<br /><br />The cards that came when looking at the artistic side of things reflected a calling to my higher purpose. I think the choice is clear.<br /><br />There was a final message that came with the reading - I am not supposed to look at a change in direction as a failure or a mistake. I needed to take that road for however long I travelled it - so I could get to the next step. My pathway is a stepping stone pathway - it is my pattern or way of doing things.<br /><br />Those words are the so important - I am quite the typical gemini - I love the change in scenery and the adventure of new things. But of late, I am quite aware of how I look to those around me - changing my mind and changing my direction. I was extremely sensitive to this with my thesis work - I changed my topic maybe five times. Each time I came to a point that I just couldn't continue on the road I had taken - no matter what the advice. So many advisors tell you to just get the schooling over and done with. But my inner voice was too loud - for me, my masters isnt a piece of paper. It is an experience and a journey in learning... I need to make my topic personal and it needs to be important to me. It wont lead me where I need to go and I wont meet who I am meant to meet if I take someone else's journey and research someone else's agenda.<br /><br />And so, I'm delving into the esoteric, the rich and unique. I'm researching intuition and alternate healing... and now I know that this writing, these questions, these thoughts and musings, will also be about my artwork and the manifestation of healing through a visual form. From intention to the purity of energy and the utter surrender that comes when you allow Spirit to work through you. For the higher good of those around you and even more so, for your own higher good.<br /><br />I wish I had a picture to share - something ethereal and light, something that speaks of Spirit. A pressence that is gentle and yet supporting - omnipresent and omniscient.<br /><br />Oh, I know... J gave me this Autumn leaf - one of the first to fall this season. He also gave me this Buddha head - they sit in my kitchen with photos of my family. A little piece of the sacred where I cook.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgupgOM3BekBcKmcSl1WDCbn_mq16H4QFH0_Xqx7JWJDaCFFzJKUpJnkEtGOv2IuxxMAAD1cq3RSqpsK0cBsamCydywxbhJNybEJmPPJdzhiro9lTOJNhfpwFEnGdci5m0bnT77MtJStJ4/s1600/IMGP0956.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgupgOM3BekBcKmcSl1WDCbn_mq16H4QFH0_Xqx7JWJDaCFFzJKUpJnkEtGOv2IuxxMAAD1cq3RSqpsK0cBsamCydywxbhJNybEJmPPJdzhiro9lTOJNhfpwFEnGdci5m0bnT77MtJStJ4/s320/IMGP0956.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534431697112459634" border="0" /></a><br />In the mean time... I need a name. It was my homework after my reading - for want of a better word. I need something that describes what I do.<br /><br />I think to tie in with this blog - and my email address.. the intuive bit is a must.<br /><br />And to describe the painting - rendering.<br /><br />Intuitive Rendering !!<br /><br />I'm still working on a description of what that is for those that dont know me or havent read this blog.<br /><br />and for those that do, Happy Halloween.<br /><br />thanks for sharing this journey with me.<br /><br />Michelle<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj1ySb3Vks1TlAsjZr17atkfRkk_8xCmu3zu0mVYi2XLErkg5muCc2MsQpc1ibq4cxSiUp9TV2wDyB7m2UYcfkd4bKc704zmCi1CAfGQoV4YpbJ5M2HiyxbmDiIsO0h8a4J6Gf5SEYh3A/s1600/062.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 145px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj1ySb3Vks1TlAsjZr17atkfRkk_8xCmu3zu0mVYi2XLErkg5muCc2MsQpc1ibq4cxSiUp9TV2wDyB7m2UYcfkd4bKc704zmCi1CAfGQoV4YpbJ5M2HiyxbmDiIsO0h8a4J6Gf5SEYh3A/s320/062.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534429967426135762" border="0" /></a>(I thought this might work here - it is the first sketch I did when working on the vertical chakra pieces. It is in blue ink and I literally scribbled it on a piece of paper. But look where this little doodle led!!)Michelle Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10536162424897645357noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1005170737445657321.post-72175220401468870432010-10-28T20:24:00.000-07:002010-10-28T20:49:22.458-07:00silent auctionsThis post will be a little ditty about the other work that I have been doing of late. My partner is a Mason and last weekend, they had a fundraising steak night with a silent auction.<br /><br />He asked me if I would donate a painting. I was so honoured that he thought that much of my work - I still catch myself being suprised when I think of myself as an artist.<br /><br />Anyway, I thought my chakra paintings might be too ...well, abstract for a bunch of old Masons. (no offense J!!) So I had intended to donate the autumn leaf you have already seen.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhaCTEd6cdkB0SbV8ZEwdno9yTVNS7ccgfn-YdUDW4EwY_78uGEHzkt1fq11HsKK2qheHyb-Oybrq6w3XaIUZW_SzpjLdGYjElbPzpK5KwiXR4LqzNUFxyr8wlWGOzWwL8Mi9VCyx-6I8/s1600/IMGP1137.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 203px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhaCTEd6cdkB0SbV8ZEwdno9yTVNS7ccgfn-YdUDW4EwY_78uGEHzkt1fq11HsKK2qheHyb-Oybrq6w3XaIUZW_SzpjLdGYjElbPzpK5KwiXR4LqzNUFxyr8wlWGOzWwL8Mi9VCyx-6I8/s320/IMGP1137.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533304601233232978" border="0" /></a><br />But the day before the event, I realised that it wasnt going to fit in the frame I had for it and no amount of creative framing was going to work.<br /><br />Pick the frame first, then paint to fit the space. mmmm - good lesson<br /><br />So, I started another piece.<br /><br />This was literally four hours before the event and of course, what content do I know well enough that it will flow out of my brush without fear of me fudging it up? The chakra.<br /><br />And so, as J calls out that he is leaving to take the donations to the lodge for that evening, I open my heart and call on Spirit to create a painting. I ask that the person that it was meant for, would see it and would recognise it as their's immediately. I decided to paint the heart chakra.<br /><br />Here it is:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3zxL8CejTGIzTLetlMlYWCLSmXp3xh1uPbmedoQ7BcMdNAyn8VP6_eWlYdfx-xXDeXQMU3tPZ7eUef_0xQP9VjI0u4Bvwjqfsh4zH5c78cuiLID4BocPRA8QtVRRBuXrsMdU7V_cEmJE/s1600/IMGP1257.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 254px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3zxL8CejTGIzTLetlMlYWCLSmXp3xh1uPbmedoQ7BcMdNAyn8VP6_eWlYdfx-xXDeXQMU3tPZ7eUef_0xQP9VjI0u4Bvwjqfsh4zH5c78cuiLID4BocPRA8QtVRRBuXrsMdU7V_cEmJE/s320/IMGP1257.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533305795815207298" border="0" /></a>I am still amazed at how quickly it painted itself. I watched as it unfurled in about half an hour. I had it done and framed before J was ready to leave. It was meant to go to that fundraiser.<br /><br />Here is the quick pick I took with the phone of it sitting with it's bidding sheet at the dinner.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggSf09-wxNQZZZZJJLUIhWJ-mN6IUUHw761FEQQbRQbYHjkgpfGGqQTdCEM_acmRxzLg_qhavqWG86H-1Kb01ZiUEdf9TSHxq_ydgNrP3QHxMG2DrWR_bxk0bbmn-XKVCn2lqlBX6oiN4/s1600/GetAttachment.aspx.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggSf09-wxNQZZZZJJLUIhWJ-mN6IUUHw761FEQQbRQbYHjkgpfGGqQTdCEM_acmRxzLg_qhavqWG86H-1Kb01ZiUEdf9TSHxq_ydgNrP3QHxMG2DrWR_bxk0bbmn-XKVCn2lqlBX6oiN4/s320/GetAttachment.aspx.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533306777492106722" border="0" /></a><br />You will have to excuse the quality of the picture. I was a little shy taking a photo of it with everyone milling around inspecting all of the donations.<br /><br />Anyway, as you can see, there were bids on it. I was over the moon. Part of me was definetly afraid no one would like it and that it would come back home with me.<br /><br />But someone did. And that someone is my beautiful friend Ellen. She fell in love with it and took it home with her.<br /><br />Now, the amazing story of this picture doesnt end there. Ellen is a very sensitive soul and she has felt the energy of the heart chakra calling to her. It is emanating off her painting and is sending that healing light her way. I am awed that I am a conduit for this light and energy. It is an amazing experience.<br /><br />Now as it happens, my kids' school is having a silent auction in a week or so. And I was asked to do a painting for them. I had thought that it would be a chakra painting - that people in the neighbourhood would be able to see an example of my art and my own style with the curly, swirly lines of my chakras.<br /><br />But that isnt what came out.<br /><br />I tried.. but the piece looked dreadful. I should show you.. but I havent taken a photo of it and way too late and I'm way too tired to do that now.<br /><br />So, what I did was I got some new paper... you saw my post about the landscape... and from there, I found that the free flowing lines, the total surrender .. well, that was the lesson. And this is my second attempt.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgXG6wiztHpKIevUJIyVFjV6Wt2p2cQEskPeisi-_1rT0GJ9HYMn3jhRefXMYrRBBlM30091bx2B2Gf8YC5v2093SNy4BqG2zbTrF1rsoys55qHwR1v9QhSjX8HR5BlxsqfO-01Mbu7yE/s1600/IMGP1306.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgXG6wiztHpKIevUJIyVFjV6Wt2p2cQEskPeisi-_1rT0GJ9HYMn3jhRefXMYrRBBlM30091bx2B2Gf8YC5v2093SNy4BqG2zbTrF1rsoys55qHwR1v9QhSjX8HR5BlxsqfO-01Mbu7yE/s320/IMGP1306.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533308805272096386" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqukpw0P7TD79fX6r5VX9ekCA1znSkntAFVUwnt331adx_vBWjE5mvqIioxyiJiQjalCJ-9f794jZHh4KVRt4L9q5TRy3OS2RO4hhwCEakltaJJL0YKta_M9HBFrS9MT-iuo-8E4dctao/s1600/IMGP1309.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqukpw0P7TD79fX6r5VX9ekCA1znSkntAFVUwnt331adx_vBWjE5mvqIioxyiJiQjalCJ-9f794jZHh4KVRt4L9q5TRy3OS2RO4hhwCEakltaJJL0YKta_M9HBFrS9MT-iuo-8E4dctao/s320/IMGP1309.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533308465726543858" border="0" /></a><br />It reminds me of home - of our mountains that are too small for snow. Or perhaps that should be - where it is too warm for snow!! But most of all it is the purple of those mountains when the haze is coming off the valleys and fields in the foreground and you know they really arent that colour, but your heart sings that nature can be so mercurial, changing each day, each moment even. Then the sun sinks a bit lower and the purple hues become the dark indigos, and the sky lights up with millions of stars. I love the smell of the country at night. The smell that greeted me when I was a child, as I got out of the car when we arrived at our Granddad's on a Friday night. So cool and clear and filled with starlight.<br /><br />Home soon to smell that air.Michelle Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10536162424897645357noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1005170737445657321.post-2501911324516781252010-10-28T20:05:00.000-07:002010-10-28T21:02:06.223-07:00aha!!Last week I was giving an energy treatment and as my mind contemplated all things esoteric that dwell in this amazing space between thoughts, I had one. A thought that is. It occurred to me that the paintings that I have been doing are a little more than I had originally conceptualised.<br /><br />And while I say a thought occurred to me, I readily acknowledge that someone let me in on a secret - the thought never had its origin with me... it felt as if I was being awakened to somethign that was always there.<br /><br />Anyway, back to afore mentioned thought!<br /><br />It occurred to me that while I set the intention to connect my paintings energetically to their recipients so that the pieces are a visual representation of their chakras, there is more going on than just the production of the painting.<br /><br />When I painted the chakra painting that had the missing petals from the solar plexus chakra and then found out the husband in the couple that was getting the painting, had stomach health issues, I realised that this is why the petals were missing.<br /><br />Well, this happened again when I painted the horizontal piece. I left off half of the petals. Half of them!! (there are supposed to be ten). As with the first painting, I caught myself after I realised what I had done. All with no thought, it just came out that way. But I painted the ten petals anyway, fitting them in but noting that there was something afoot.<br /><br />When I delivered the painting to my friend, she told me that she had just had a bout of the worst gastrointestinal bug she had ever had. No wonder half of the petals were missing.<br /><br />But what has just occurred to me, in this inspirational thought that comes from the space between thoughts, is the fact that by painting the full complement of petals, I am engendering the healing energy of the universe to flow into the chakras of the recipients of the painting. What was deficient and in need of more prana, is now being rendered in full health and spinning with the force of a life inspired vortex. While the painting alerted me to an area where energy was needed, by painting it I am actually practicing my healing work through my art.<br /><br />I'm speechless of course. It seems so obvious now. I guess I'm a bit slow on the uptake!!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAYV-HQhDWI-pHLF3gOF62fQsYhu0mgu1xUt1B8eBk2Z_wmVSU2-nW0QJszwMYDvAL56TCbId2DGKOa_IMdPu8oKkMTY-qQzgJGrFLU8ywYitnm69AlzO3NoGuyXy5PXNdmB0lxhg57f8/s1600/IMGP1265.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAYV-HQhDWI-pHLF3gOF62fQsYhu0mgu1xUt1B8eBk2Z_wmVSU2-nW0QJszwMYDvAL56TCbId2DGKOa_IMdPu8oKkMTY-qQzgJGrFLU8ywYitnm69AlzO3NoGuyXy5PXNdmB0lxhg57f8/s320/IMGP1265.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533302974173189858" border="0" /></a>I just realised that I havent posted a picture of this piece completed. Well, here it is.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr25yeYv0ZSgmb9DohoB_EV9kFNavO629n9OyUZJcBZMcs6zZZe9_JhQsGmRTrAJpNVSWAT0i9ZMNrGiH0kjrSlRlcxg4pFkpulHzbJRd3AMJ3DwEtaR1nax5akYYmrD03voXcaumbNfM/s1600/IMGP1261.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 130px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr25yeYv0ZSgmb9DohoB_EV9kFNavO629n9OyUZJcBZMcs6zZZe9_JhQsGmRTrAJpNVSWAT0i9ZMNrGiH0kjrSlRlcxg4pFkpulHzbJRd3AMJ3DwEtaR1nax5akYYmrD03voXcaumbNfM/s320/IMGP1261.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533312855930230194" border="0" /></a><br />Dont you think the sanskirt script for Visshudha (the throat chakra) looks like the word IRIS?<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGSCpUk4AHYA2ZVOvvdSyu7nO9y6H3Q6Ua_pzayOhhzj0-EPaz6usT2mjfF1YiwBS4g-vkCsARqPC0DNY-J1-MRBA1EaICpqBAwZT9-TGKLALEdUVrQAbYIlF9AIf20-vt2IXBbyBXAiI/s1600/IMGP1273.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGSCpUk4AHYA2ZVOvvdSyu7nO9y6H3Q6Ua_pzayOhhzj0-EPaz6usT2mjfF1YiwBS4g-vkCsARqPC0DNY-J1-MRBA1EaICpqBAwZT9-TGKLALEdUVrQAbYIlF9AIf20-vt2IXBbyBXAiI/s320/IMGP1273.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533313210931120130" border="0" /></a><br />My sister's favourite flower (and mine too) is the dark blue iris. And her favourite colour was blue. I used to tell her about the throat chakra being blue and how it didnt suprise me that she liked that colour so much. She was a writer.. the throat chakra is all about communication. mmm. Nice memories.<br /><br />NamasteMichelle Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10536162424897645357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1005170737445657321.post-65865719381826356682010-10-26T15:08:00.000-07:002010-10-28T20:50:14.302-07:00a little explorationI got some new paper yesterday - it is very rough and textured and I love it. So I thought I would play around with it.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjimqg1z8ibczOpzNh5Ogus04e0N87R5vU4oI53azA75_VFHn0MrJahKBFMcDGEaQfMZr3K-b6tf9XBjgSIg8_ypDwYmVsu09KDNO6h0XI0RHrOYWXe7Oz2PogPcZjlr-HcYb5QvfJH0S4/s1600/IMGP1299.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjimqg1z8ibczOpzNh5Ogus04e0N87R5vU4oI53azA75_VFHn0MrJahKBFMcDGEaQfMZr3K-b6tf9XBjgSIg8_ypDwYmVsu09KDNO6h0XI0RHrOYWXe7Oz2PogPcZjlr-HcYb5QvfJH0S4/s320/IMGP1299.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532481313496426242" border="0" /></a><br />I threw around the paint on this one... and what I found is that I really like the really rough lines that I scribbled down without too much thought as opposed to the carefully placed ones.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmrHW-e1FEhBo5gIPtFiSG6qAHDWVT-ZhTe7hNuEtvqXGgoHO4SwtTQI1z8UZKVIRKuyIC_p0PRsoO5XQNvyzyft1yUCgJHWXuRtfLjugynT_61cDLa-82bNFVleqeWqxpYtfkC3BMIlg/s1600/landscape+closeup.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 238px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmrHW-e1FEhBo5gIPtFiSG6qAHDWVT-ZhTe7hNuEtvqXGgoHO4SwtTQI1z8UZKVIRKuyIC_p0PRsoO5XQNvyzyft1yUCgJHWXuRtfLjugynT_61cDLa-82bNFVleqeWqxpYtfkC3BMIlg/s320/landscape+closeup.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532482185976299666" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">swirly - mmmmm<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsi65Yh9f7NJTe2yV9OY2_3Un5pbZJAXEDMP0XfYmwcSEeoyq4ZwkEDRofhnRK0btlO3mpLZWXPHXdZWx6-XNU9OPxAw00c5igjKlnPSatHn8Lf0_tX1uNiKWoTh1gAgZumJvFWzcCIug/s1600/tree+closeup.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 126px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsi65Yh9f7NJTe2yV9OY2_3Un5pbZJAXEDMP0XfYmwcSEeoyq4ZwkEDRofhnRK0btlO3mpLZWXPHXdZWx6-XNU9OPxAw00c5igjKlnPSatHn8Lf0_tX1uNiKWoTh1gAgZumJvFWzcCIug/s320/tree+closeup.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532482480438191746" border="0" /></a><br />I think I will play around with this image some more... but remove the caution and control. Something to be said for surrendering.<br /><br />More later.<br /><br />!<br /></div></div>Michelle Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10536162424897645357noreply@blogger.com1