negotiating transitions - over 8,000 page views!

 

finished hottie cover, with reverse applique, embroidery and buttons

This is a group art project initiated by CurlyPops, whose blog the link above leads to.  I love these mini challenges, as it makes me do something creative to a deadline. Last year I did an apron swap, namely making an apron for someone selected at random from Rhonda Hetzel's extremely popular Down to Earth blog, which was really fun. In this project the finished hotties will be exhibited at Open Drawer in Melbourne. Cool, or, er, hot, hey?

 recycled textile art from Brisbane City Council exhibition in May

collage

I've been thinking a lot about women this week, so much  sexist commentary around, it seems to be endemic at the moment. The Socceroos' coach said that women should shut up outside the house, and Julia Gillard was insulted (again) in the menugate affair. I am so over this...and then there was the furore over the very public assault on Nigella Lawson, who apparently was condemned for not speaking out - whoa, do people who think up this stuff understand the dynamics and impact of domestic violence? Perhaps not.

aerobics class embroidery...designed by Kate Pudney, embroidered by me

I have rejoined the BCC gym at Hibiscus Gardens, and I remembered today what is great about it: the gardens! Fernwood had no windows at all, except clouded glass at the front, and it felt quite strange for that reason. I have been sampling classes; so far I have been to yogacise, (whacky) body attack and body balance (already love this class). Body attack is loud and full on, but I will try to stick at it until I have a better idea of whether I really like it - sadly, its not body combat!

I also had a fitness test today, which turned out to be more about taking measurements so I have a baseline, but I will also be getting a gym program to follow... its been weird making the transition, as I had got into a routine...so hard to establish new routines. And Hibiscus is a mixed gym - now that takes some readjustment.

So excited, I have now had over 8,000 visits to this blog! This seems amazing, as I have been blogging so intermittently recently. Welcome, so glad you came by, and please come again sometime. Leave a message if you'd like to. 

Now, I am going out to dinner at Boucher, to celebrate the end of another long semester, and my son J's fantastic year 12 semester one results.

more later.

inbetween times: the power of intervals

 'grateful for today' - pastels (April)

I have not been writing this blog much recently, for a variety of reasons, alluded to in my last post. Strangely, since I didn't remember doing that much this semester except STUDY, I now have a small 'backlog' of drawings, some of which I have posted here. This one (below) is what most of the past semester has felt like: a big race through meteorite (ok, then, rain) storms, to get through to the finish line.

 

'study deadlines' - pen drawing (May)

 'letting go of the thoughts - river of awareness' - pastels (June)

Clearly, it has been difficult to keep up the momentum of blogging, with all my other writing tasks:  not really that surprising. What is surprising, is the fact that I have still maintained some helpful routines, in addition to the occasional drawing, for example:

• daily meditation
• regular Lifesprint cycles at gym, 
• PT, and 'auditioning' new yoga classes
• walking the dog
• Fast 5/2 'diet'
  

What most of these activities have in common is intervals. 

Meditation is about trying to find a space between thoughts and busyness to just be. Noticing the spaces between the thoughts, however small, is a mindful act. 

The lifesprints exercise, similarly, is based on alternating periods of fast cycling with periods that are slower and less intense. Intervals are the key to more efficient fat burning, apparently. 

Lifting weights (and any other exercise) depends on rest periods as well as reps. Yoga needs a relaxation period afterwards, or I feel cheated. Walking the dog is an interval of  easy exercise, before the day really begins. 

The fast diet has intervals of calorie restriction, interspersed between days of normal eating. 

Intervals.

The power of the interval seems to be, to experience a small recovery period, regularly. In the case of lifesprints, every ten seconds or so. I haven't had much time off in the past year, due to studying through the summer semester, when most people are on a break. So the intervals have been really important, in terms of staying on track.

Another interval coming up soon, I am going to Sydney for the World ACT Forum in early July. Despite being called for jury service, being asked to 'verify my student status' for conference registration, and semester 2 placement starting the same week, I am ignoring the obstacles, and am hoping it will be really good.
 

brown horse - felt

 hottie-cover challenge -  fabric, work in progress

Obviously, creative challenges also provide great opportunities for (arty) intervals. This one is for a good cause. I hope to do some more embellishment, perhaps embroidery, before sending it to Melbourne.

Just had another cool interval experience: a visit to the Sunshine Coast, (in the pouring rain, with intervals of drizzle), for two days, to celebrate multiple family birthdays. Probably the most home made cakes I have seen on one table, at the same time, ever. Delicious.

more later.

red and pippy on the inside...*

Hi, apologies for a long gap between posts, in fact its the longest gap so far by miles...

So what's new? Not much, its the tail end of semester, which is good and bad. Good because its nearly over, but bad because it means more work to do before I get there. This is the main reason I haven't been writing here much.  My art work has been put on hold as well, hopefully it will be easier next (and final!) semester. But I do think about blogging a lot, and miss it! And I only have two more assignments to go now. With the emphasis on ONLY.

I have tried to be very open in this space, which is tricky when things get difficult, and they involve other people. As they usually do. So yes, there has also been some difficult stuff going on, involving other people, in the work arena. Which I am therefore not really able to discuss. Sorry. Perhaps later.

Anyway, enough of the explanations.

I am still trying to keep to the 5:2 fast. Its going pretty well, and I have lost about 5kgs, which I am happy about. I am also 'doing a knee study', which means I am participating in a randomised controlled trial of green lip mussel tablets for osteo-arthritis of the knee, which I appear to have. Of course, I probably got the placebo. Half way through now, and if I have got the placebo, well the placebo effect is real! It does actually seem a bit better. I will find out in three weeks if I got the actual green lip mussels.

I have resigned from Fernwood gym, because the yoga teacher/manager told her class that cancer was caused by anger. Guess what, if that is true, I just increased my risk of getting cancer! I felt so strongly about it, I resigned. But had been ready to go anyway, it was clearly the last straw, proverbially speaking. I just need to find another Body Combat class...essential for my well-being - as long as my knees can take it anyway.The endorphin effect is also real.

I saw Colin Friels in Red at QPAC a couple of weeks ago. That was cool. He was Rothko. In his studio. Being cranky and overbearing. But still pretty cool.

I need to go outside and collect groceries. I am relieved I have broken the ice that was forming over this fishing aperture/windscreen/blogging metaphor of choice... And grateful for the people who keep reading, anyway. Thanks!

More later, but hopefully not so much later.

* meaningless title, sorry. Its actually a salt cellar.

happy long easter weekend, april fool's day, etc.

 soft flowery cow on purple chair

I have given myself a break from studying, over the long weekend, and have had fun making and drawing stuff instead. I also struggled with the usually easy task of recharging my camera battery and downloading some photos. It made me smile when I heard Billy Bragg's new song, Handyman Blues, from Tooth and Nail, in which he sings: I'm a writer not a decorator, (so don't ask him to put up any shelves....).

Well, I'm an art therapist/blogger not an IT expert...clearly, I did eventually figure it out with a bit of help..I even found some photos I had 'lost' on my camera, from last December's trip to Melbourne, wow! (How can that happen?). 

However, if anyone can tell me how to reduce the 'view size' (does that even mean anything?) of my Blogger dashboard - suddenly over-magnified and hard to navigate - so I can see the whole thing in one view again, please let me know, that would be great. Its so off-putting.

 persimmons and chillies - watercolour and pen drawing

One of the great things about our vege box delivery is never knowing what we will get - I would probably never have bought persimmons, but they are beautiful in all their yellowy orangeness, and surprisingly delicious. 

 vase with chrysanthemum buds - pencil drawing

'Mums' from my mum, 'cos I was sick. V. nice.

two-tiered hand-made book

Hard to do justice to in a photo, but this two-tiered book is made with three different sized covers, all collaged with upholstery offcuts from Reverse Garbage. I made half of the paper 'signatures' (sheets of paper folded in half and grouped together, to form part of a book) the size of the smallest cover and the rest of the signatures the size of the largest, and sewed it all together with dark red and lilac waxed linen thread. The  recycled paper includes architect's drawings, old scraps of cartridge, wrapping paper for the endpapers, and other odds and ends from my supplies. Its got an open spine, sadly not visible in this shot. I love using old paper, it makes it easier to reuse, less of a blank sheet scaring me.

 Melbourne street art

Melbourne soft street art

Two of my retrieved photos from Melbourne...last December. 

Stopping studying for a break has been really good, just not sure if I can get back into it again, doesn't take long to lose momentum again. I am ahead with one social work assignment, but there is an exam on the horizon...and I got my lowest mark so far for Political Economy, oh well. Only two more months and this semester will be pretty much over. I have an interview for my final placement next week, I think I may be going to Queensland Health...well that could be interesting. 

more later.

reasons to be cheerful - part one

Apart from always really liking the Ian Dury song, its important for me, when working with people who are distressed, to be able to stay positive, and maintain hope.These are some of the things that help me to stay cheerful.

1. quirky embroidery

 

2. a young client this week saying she realises that her negative thoughts about body image come from reading women's magazines, and although they may never go away, they are no longer going to get in the way of her doing what is important to her in life. And that may include choosing not to go to the gym...

3. the sun is shining today, after what seems like weeks of relentless rain!

 rainbow beach

4. I have completed my political economy unit, and passed! Phew.

5. another young client (11) saying he feels grateful for what he has.

6. its fig season!

7. I received an email sent to me by someone I knew many years ago, who found me through this blog.

8. Unlike my young client, I love going to the gym, and my knee is just about up to body combat again. On in half an hour. 

9. Going OUT tomorrow night to celebrate International Women's Day. And on the same topic, I like this Facebook campaign, Destroying the Joint.

10. I started another assignment yesterday. Sorry that is a bit dull, but exciting for me...

more later.

Five years since the National Apology - and Study!

 my favourite food - tomato, from 'drawing a day' series

Feeling rather guilty, as I haven't posted here for three whole weeks!! As you can tell from the title, which is now rather old news, although still very significant.

Yes, its five years and a bit since then Prime Minister Kevin Rudd (whatever happened to him?) made the National Apology to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians for past injustices (such as land stealing, child stealing, and in many cases, genocide). Well said, Mr Rudd.

 exploring Burnett Lane, in Brisbane's CBD

 from our Wotif voucher Christmas present weekend.

The reason for my slackness: its the start of full time study season again, whilst still being embroiled in the aftermath of my summer semester, which is over, but has assessments outstanding. I have found it hard to get back into the full time mode, although the last workshop on Sociocultural Contexts, was pretty cool. So much so, that I asked the lecturer if I could do my next placement with her. She didn't respond yet, saying she has to 'consult her colleagues' - (It was worth a try). Plus, I have got into trouble before for trying to organise my own placement. Clearly I am not a fast learner.

So, just for the record, I am currently finishing off one unit, enrolled in 4 units, and teaching one unit. I have a student on placement with me, and my workplace is implementing a big change in our work practice. I have to keep up with my students' readings and blogs, and do my own readings and blogs, argghh. I have been dreading this semester. I am applying for Advanced Standing (credit) for one of the units, which would be fantastic if I got it. It could make all the difference, or at least it would feel like a gift at this stage.

So I am expecting I won't be posting that often in the next three months. Until this semester is over. But I will do my best. 

I was also interested to read this blog, called 'the subjects', about a sleep deprivation experiment involving 4 artists and writers, staged as part of the Adelaide Festival. You can still read their stories here.

Its good to be back, if intermittently.

more later. 

Emoticons for the real world

  holding it lightly: pastel drawing

Louise Hayes of ACT fame (not the OTHER Louise Hay) started a blog this week, to assist with the launch of her new book Get our of your mind and into your life for teens. I don't have the link to her blog here, but it reminded me of my first blog post, which really scared me. 

'Holding it lightly' is a great ACT phrase for not taking things too seriously/literally/to heart. Or for de-fusing from difficult thoughts or rigid rules, and making room for uncomfortable emotions. 

Speaking of emotions:

 emoticon fridge magnets: moulded and painted polymer clay

These fridge magnets were moulded using an emoticon ice cube tray (which I got for christmas from a colleague!) painted, and have magnets glued on the back. I will use these in my work: these are prototypes so I can assist children to make them, in aid of developing emotional literacy. 

I have made stuffed fabric emoticons before. The fact that I had time to make the fridge magnets is due to work being exceptionally quiet. This was the first week back at school, and there was storm damage to slow things down further, with lots of people still without power until later in the week.

The drawings of my dog, Jess, are part of the 30 Day Drawing Challenge I blogged about in January:

 'draw your favourite animal' #1: pastel drawing

'draw your favourite animal' #2: pastel drawing

One thing I noticed is that Jess does not stay still for long. The first pose is a very characteristic one, catching the breeze on her stomach!

The next challenge is to draw your favourite food. Since I am changing my relationship with food at the moment, via the Fast Diet, this is going to be an interesting one.

more later