{come paint with me, half price sale}

 

Come Paint With Me starts next Tuesday 24th July and there are still a couple of spots left.  

I've been a complete slacker about promoting the workshop.  I think I was feeling like a bit of a fraud while I wasn't painting and was feeling so uninspired.  You know the thoughts "who am I to think I can teach and inspire others when I can't even get myself going".  Oh the ways we self-sabotage!

Anyway, I'm putting the past and the self-doubts firmly behind me and the workshop will kick off here in my studio on Tuesday evening 24th July.  It is going to be incredibly awesome I promise you.

If you'd like to grab one of the last few spots you can do so between now and Friday for $175, which includes 5 weeks of classes and all your supplies and materials. You can read full details about the class over here.

If there's anyone out there who really wants to come along and needs to make a payment plan then shoot me an email.  I am truly passionate about creating opportunities for people to paint and I'd love to have you.

And just fyi... this will be the only time that class runs this year so if you want to paint now is the time.

{lost}

In The Wildnerness

Collage and acrylics on canvas

11 x 14 inch

*My latest commission in development

Lately I've been feeling pretty unmotivated and uninspired.  Everything feels a bit forced and somehow not quite right.

So I'm taking a little break to recalibrate my soul.  I'll be back in a couple of weeks.

*****

I've decided to push the start date back on 'come paint with me'.  Class now starts on Tuesday 24th July, so you've got plenty of time to sign up for the few remaining spots.  I've also added an extra payment option.  You can put a $50 deposit down on the class to secure your spot and then I'll contact you directly to make a payment plan for the balance. Head on over to the page to sign up.  I promise you, it's going to be something pretty special.

*****

I'll be at The Square in Bendigo this coming Saturday {16th June} with prints, cards and teeny tiny originals for sale.  If you're in the hood pop by and say Hi.  If you head over to The Square's Facebook page you can put yourself in the running to win a $50 voucher to spend at the market.

{things i'm diggin'}

 Image courtesy of Rand Papele Jewelry

I've been completely obsessed with pennants lately.  I am sooooo getting one of these gorgeous necklaces sometime soon.

And what about these gorgeous pennants.

Then there's Emily Green's work.  I already own a few of her pieces, but I'm thinking I may need to add Jane to my collection.  My best friend's name was Jane.

Image courtesy of Emily Green

And who doesn't want one of these.  I hope they become a reality someday.

This post by Tara Gentile really got me thinking about dreams and goals.

And you?  What are you diggin'?

*****

 

Places in come paint with me are filling fast.  I can't wait for class to start.  If you'd like to be part of my first in-person painting workshop grab your place now. If you need to make a different payment plan to the options I've given just shoot me an email and we'll work something out.

{will you join me}

In my world of colour and play?  Where the cares of the world are put aside for a while?  Where creative souls gather?

Class starts in 3 weeks.  Places are extremely limited.

All the details, including sign up, are right here on the {come paint with me} page.

{what do your fears tell you}

a glimpse of my new teaching space

Do they tell you to do it anyway?

Are they a sign that you're on the right track?

Do they drown out your hope and confidence?

Or are they fire in your belly?

I said to Ms L at the start of the week "I don't think I've ever felt quite so scared shitless" and she replied "well you must be on the right track then".  She's a gem that woman.

I'm running a little behind schedule but I hope to launch details of my first in-person painting workshop next Tuesday.  This is going to be an amazing journey with painting, suitable for beginners or the seasoned painter.  It's going to be intimate, joyful, playful and colourful, just as painting should be.  There'll be inspiration, conversation and exploration.

This is a dream come true, and the beginning of a much, much bigger dream. Which is why it probably feels so scary!

I hope you'll be able to join me in the studio.

Have a lovely weekend peeps.

{baking treats of different kind}

Little nuggets of magic for Your Awesome Year

We have just a couple of spots left for Your Awesome Year and have decided to extend registration until 12pm Sunday {tomorrow}.  Just in case there's anyone out there who has been thinking about joining us but hasn't got to doing so yet.

All the workshop info is here and you can sign up here

Dreaming and planning for this workshop has been such an incredible experience.  It's been amazing to watch it come to life and to watch me come to life with it.  Combined with the Hello Soul Hello Business course that I'm one week into {it's totally life changing my friends} I feel like I am taking off at the moment.  And it feels fan-fucking-tastic.

For those of you coming along next Saturday you are in for one absolutely awesome day.

See you tomorrow for {sunday snippets} peeps!

{sharpening pencils}

Image courtesy of my talented friend Darren Freak {yep, that's his real name!}

Just wanted to let you know that today is your last chance to register for Your Awesome Year.

When I first dreamed up this event I imagined a day of absolute indulgence.  A day of gorgeousness.  A day of great food and beautiful surroundings.  A day of visioning your most amazing year.  A day of connecting.  A day of being spoilt like you deserve to be. I've been working on it for months now and I've put so much of my heart and soul and creative energy into it.  I wanted it to be something extraordinay and that's exactly what it's going to be.

You can join us here

{dear 2011}*

 

What a crazy mixed up kinda year you were.  Truth be told I'm so very glad to put you behind me.  You were full of twists and turns that's for sure.  And yes there were good bits and gifts alongside all the crap, but I will always remember you as the toughest of the tough.  A year that nearly broke me in half.

Here's what you brought me 2011

January

• I made a list of all my dreams and hopes for the year
• I found the word that would carry me through the year.  And it so did.  I had no idea when I picked 'resolve' just how much I was going to need it.
• Had a gorgeous staycation
• I watched in horror and disbelief as floods ravaged Queensland and Victoria
• Returned to full time work and boy did I thank god for Fridays!
• A dream came true when I discovered Flora Bowley was coming to teach in Australia in 2011
• The gift of love and a new camera

February

• I celebrated 3 years of blogging, remembered tradgedy and finished an important painting
• I struggled to find balance alongside full time work and missed my artful journey pals
• I fell madly in love with Fridays

March

• Cracks started to appear as I continued to struggle with balance
• I took tiny steps
• I realised I was going to be OK

April

• I had a life changing and soul stirring art experience when I attended the Flora Bowley Bloom True workshop in Jervis Bay.  I had an incredible trip with my dear friend Jay.  I also met the amazing Tracy Verdugo.
• Ms L and I celebrated our 11 year anniversary in amidst a whole lotta stuff
• I chose happiness
• I was published in a real live book

May

• I made Cam a pretty awesome birthday present {if I do say so myself}
• We found a new home
• I turned 40, moved house and Ms L lost her job all in the same week!
• I said farewell to my beloved first studio

June

• I had two Mondo Beyondo dreams come true and learnt some things about the power of dreaming
• I held my second solo exhibition at Chair 14.  It was fabulous and exhausting and amazing
• I found a resting place
• I discovered a few things

July

• I started {sunday snippets}.  Wow, can't believe it's been 6 months.
• I struggled some more to find balance alongside full time work
• I asked some questions and reminded myself of my truth
• And then I got blocked

August

• I made friends with winter
• I published my 500th blog post
• I rode the waves
• I dreamed of escape and indulged the fantasy
• I celebrated the success of my exhibition and renovated my studio
• And celebrated a major milestone.  So proud of this one.

September

• I delivered hope to a good friend
• I showed off my new studio
• I got the dreaded lurgy
• Saw myself in a new way
• Had the perfect mini-break
• Got ready for Blogtberfest with hundreds of amazing peeps signing up to play

October

• Kicked off Blogtoberfest with a travelers guide
• Acknowledged the role that grief plays in my life
• Started work on a very exciting collaboration.
• Celebrated Ms L's birthday
• Got really, really, really sick and bailed on Blogtoberfest.  I hated having to bow out.
• Wrote a list of good and shit stuff
• Said farewell to another blogtoberfest

November

• Launched {finkigirl} in collaboration with Jay and totally changed the way I saw myself as an artist and my plans for the future.  I have so much more to say about this. It was a major highlight for 2011.
• I disappeared
• Played with self-portraiture after being blown away by this photo of Danielle.  Treat yourself to one of Vivienne's courses peeps. 

December

• I quit my full-time job after finally acknowledging the negative impact it was having on every aspect of my life
• I painted and then painted some more
• I hosted my annual open studio
• Got ready for Santa
• Enjoyed a quiet Christmas with Ms L and Mumsy
• And painted some more

Yep, 2011 you were one crazy mixed up kinda year alright.  Thank you for the hard lessons and the moments of joy.  Thank you for teaching me that I am strong and brave and kind.  Thank you for helping me understand my truth and find my path through life.  Thank you for the love and the friendships that you bestowed on me, that kept me afloat throughout all the crazy.

2011 I declare you complete!

*I love that my Canadian soul sister Danielle posted the exact same post today!  We must be totes in sync at the moment.

************************************************

An update on the 2012: Your Awesome Year Workshop

We are about two-thirds full so if you've been thinking about joining us now is the time.  We would love to have you.

I've been working today on the content and some of the treats we've got in store for participants.  It is going to be a seriously amazing and special day for everyone who comes along.  I'm so proud of what Louise and I have created.

Sign up here to pay in full or here if you'd like to go the pay-by-installments option.

{you are held}

in your hopes and your dreams

your moments of strength

as you reach for everything you know is possible

in your fear and overwhelm

in all your self-doubt and uncertainty

you are held

the universe has you firmly in her arms

these are the words i needed to hear today

i thought you might need them too

***********************************************

Looking for an amazing way start to your year?  Join myself and fellow dreamer Louise Gale for an imtimate one-day visioning workshop in the lush surrounds of CERES Community Environmental Park.

More details here or register right here.

{2012 YOUR AWESOME YEAR}

I've been absolutely busting to spill the beans on the super-secret squirrel business that Louise Gale and I have been working on for the past couple of months.

I first met Louise when I traveled to the USA for An Artful Journey Retreat.  By a stroke of good fortune we sat at the same table and spent an incredible 3 days painting, laughing, eating chocolate and connecting.  Louise is vibrant, funny, warm, engaging and full of the most fabulous energy.

We've been friends ever since the retreat and share a passion for art, for dreaming and for inspiring other souls in their journey.  When Louise told me that she was coming to Australia I was so excited.  I am so looking forward to soaking up some of Louise's amazing energy.

It occurred to both of us that it would be fantastic fun for Louise and I to organise special for Melbourne peeps {or anyone who can get to Melbourne to join us}.  I'm so pleased to unveil our very exciting project:

Are you ready to create your awesome year in 2012?

Vision your dreams and plan an amazing year ahead in this one day in-person workshop with artists and dreamers Louise Gale and Cathy Kirwan.  Join Cathy, Louise and a lovely group of creative souls to get 2012 off to a great start.  Through visioning, meditations and creative exercises you'll leave the workshop full of energy and focus.

{the details}

Saturday 28th January 2012

12 - 6.30pm (includes lunch)

CERES Environmental Park

East Brunswick

Cost: $125

Limited places available

The workshop includes:

• A beautiful day at the gorgeous CERES Environmental Park with instruction from Cathy & Louise.
• Guided visualizations and meditations
• A light lunch and sumptuous afternoon tea
• Time to explore, relax and let your dreams unfold
• Reflections on 2011 – celebrating success, farewell to the year
• Affirming ourselves – creating positive messages to carry into the new year
• Creation of your 2012 Vision Board
• A goodie bag of tools & additional resources to take home with you

 

By the end of the workshop, you will have:

• A clear vision of your dreams and goals for the year ahead.
• Reviewed and celebrated 2011.
• A vision board to pin up at home to inspire you throughout 2012.
• Let go of any negative thoughts or feelings so you can move towards your dreams.
• Met other creative souls to be inspired, share and have fun with.
• Set the wheels in motion to see your dreams become reality in 2012.
• Found your truth, positive affirmations and courage to move forward and make 2012 Your Awesome Year.

What to bring:

• Poster board (A3 or larger)
• Glue stick
• A photo of yourself looking happy, that you really like. This will go on the centre of your vision board.
• Any magazine images, quotes, inspiring words you might have already gathered
• Additional magazines to share and use
• Any additional favourite art materials you may like to use (pens, markers, glitter, stickers) (please note: due to venue restrictions no paints)
• Any snacks or drinks you’d like in addition to what’s provided
• An open heart and mind
• Extra money for any café purchases
• A small item to contribute to a gift exchange (more details in the registration pack)

Payment Options
You have the option of paying in full for the workshop now, or making 2 part-payments, one now to secure your place and the balance in 2 weeks time.  Please note all payments must be made in full by Thursday January 19th 2012.

Join us to make 2012 Your Awesome Year?

To register and pay in full click here

To register for the installment plan click here