The blog will be moving in an exciting new direction

I realised recently that part of the reason I haven't been blogging is because I was trying to keep it mainly focused on art, which I'm struggling to get done. I didn't want to be one of those blogs that suddenly goes all 'mummy' once a baby is in the picture. Truth be told, being a mum is the biggest part of my life now and I would be a fool to think that I could, or would even want to, just blog about art. There are many parts of my life as a mum that I find exciting and want to talk about but refrain from doing so. So I've made a decision to move the direction of the blog to include all of the aspects of being a mum - including my sewing attemps for Aria, Modern Cloth Nappies and thoughts on parenting in general.

If this isn't your cup of tea, I totally understand. Until I became a mum I had no interest in blogs about kids and parenting and unfollowed them frequently. But I hope you'll stick around as I will still be blogging about my art as it is still a big part of my life. If you choose to unfollow, I want to thank you for all your continued support to this point. This blog is for you as much as it is for me. But if I can't convince you to stay, maybe this gorgeous face will ;)

I know this is the right decision because as I'm writing this I'm getting excited about blogging again. I have some great idea for posts, how-to's and helpful articles. It's clear to me now that I was trying to keep this blog going as the old me. I'm not that person any more. I've changed and grown and it only makes sense that this blog changes and grows with me.

Over the next week or two I will be redesigning the look and feel of the blog to more accurately represent it's new focus so keep an eye out :)

Love Rhiannon xxx

On loosing my artistic self when I became a mum

Becoming a mum changes everything. That's obvious. But I never expected it to affect my (lack of) art as much as it has.

When I was pregnant I read blogs of artists who became mothers and didn't miss a heartbeat. They kept on making art! It gave me hope- I thought 'If they can do it then so will I.' Then Aria was born and I tried the tricks I had read about. Drawing in bed while feeding (I wasn't sure when my third arm was going to appear so I gave up on this one), painting/drawing while bubs has a nap (the exact same time I'm supposed to keep on top of the washing, cleaning, eat something, tidying etc). Eventually when Aria started to go to bed regularly at 8pm I would have the evening free but by that time I didn't want to do anything. I'm exhausted. 

So I've been feeling guilty. If they can do it, why can't I right? 

Because I'm not them. I'm not the sort of person who can juggle all of that. I need to rest. I want to spend the time Aria is awake playing with her. My priorities are different. That's not to say theirs isn't their children because of course it is. And believe me, I'm so jealous of them. But I can't do the juggling so I have to pick one of the two. And my brain is too scattered to even think of what I want to draw or paint.

So while I mulled over my thoughts above, I had another realisation. The inspiration and motivation to create anything is actually gone. I'm guessing partly from being tired and adjusting to a new way of life. So instead of making art, each day I now look through old photos I've taken, research other artists, collect tutorials, re-read online classes and make notes of things I come across that I like. Colour palettes, patterns, shapes, subject matter etc. One day soon that spark I used to have about art will re-ignite and I'll be back.

Until then I vow to love who I've become, instead of feeling guilty. I will do what I can when I feel like I can. Sometimes I will need to force myself to do something, other times I won't.

Whatever happens though, it's ok. I don't have to be super mum. I don't have to be able to do everything flawlessly. Or at all. The most important thing to me now is being there for my daughter and watching her grow into an amazing person.

12 weeks old and already giving me attitude hehe <3

Rhiannon xx

Becoming a full time student at 24

On Monday I announced that I have decided to become a full time student which is a going to be a huge change for me. Most people I know have done their three/four years at University or a Private Tertiary Institute and are now working in their field of expertise  But one thing I know (& my family can vouch for this) is I tend to do things backwards. It's not a conscious decision but it usually ends up that way. I guess I like to do things differently! 

I dipped my toes into the study thing in 2010-11 when I completed my Certificate in Art and Creativity with TLC (which is how this blog began) but never really thought I would get the chance to do it full time. Then the opportunity did present itself, although it took some convincing that this was the path to take.

A drawing I worked on this week using Cretacolor watercolour pencils. 

For someone who said at the start of the month I will be taking each day at a time and not looking and planning for the future, I have done the complete opposite and made a big decision. But I do know that the week or so where I did follow my day to day plan, was what I needed in order to decide. 

The school is in Wellington so sadly I can't attend onsite (which I'm quite gutted about as there facilities look incredible) but I'm not the only one. I have already started chatting with another student working on their Diploma and I'm looking forward to meeting more like-minded artists doing the same thing. 

At the moment I'm wading through the student loan process along with the application for the school. Fingers crossed I will be able to start in the next few weeks and I am really looking forward to sharing what I get up to over the course of this year.

-Rhiannon 

Art Journal Page #33 + A life changing decision

#33 - Expand on last weeks Art Journal page

I really enjoyed creating last weeks page and wanted to develop it further this week. It's a refined experiment with basic shapes and patterns using pastel colours, finished with some pen detailing and doodles. I would say it's an accurate reflection of my state of mind at the moment - calm and content. The reason being that last week I made a big, life changing decision that has given me direction that I've been searching for since being made redundant 2 months ago.

I have decided to become a full time student with The Learning Connexion, where I will achieve their Diploma in Art and Creativity. I will write a bit more about this tomorrow but suffice to say I am ridiculously excited and I while I am still nervous about being a student with a mortgage (eek) I know this is the right decision for me.

-Rhiannon

A look inside an Artists Studio

Today I want to share a peek at where I work each day. Since moving into our own home I have been slowly working on decorating and getting the space set up exactly how I need it. I used to dream of having a studio that I could set up how I liked, with no landlord limitations. I dreamed that it would be drenched in natural light (check), super comfortable (check) and be an ongoing source of inspiration (double check). I still have a board on Pinterest that I add to if I find something that I think I could set up or use in the future.

Below is the desk for today, in all its messy glory. I have been working really hard to create inventory for the launch of my store in less than two weeks. While I'm on that note, if you are on Etsy, pop over here and follow me to be notified as soon as listings go up. Trust me, it's going to be rad!

It is essential for me to create a space where I feel happy and inspired; a place where I can have all my weird and wonderful trinkets on display. The two handmade skull figurines below are gifts from my wonderful mum and aunty all the way from Tucson, Arizona where my aunty lives. They are insanely cool! The bowl is full of all my favourite shells that I have collected this summer, and I sketch them daily as a warm up exercise in the morning before I start my days work.

Another place I store my trinkets and knickknack's is on my bookshelf, which I have nearly finished arranging. I have a little collection of bee things, some of my living dead dolls (from the Alice In Wonderland set), a little snow globe from San Francisco (a gift), a mini big planet figurine, a tacky porcelain cat I bought from a second hand shop for $1, a tiny dinosaur, and a small painting I did for my TLC course a few years ago.

I have also create a small area next to my desk that I store all my crystals, as well as some lavender from the garden. They create such a positive energy in the room and lets be honest, the colours are incredible!

There is still a lot I want to do in here; paint one of the walls, hang (maybe even sew) new curtains, get a better light system set up and build my own desk just to name a few. However they are more long term goals- right now I am making it as cosy and user friendly as possible.

I hope you enjoyed a little look at where I work. Next week I will be sharing a few of my favourite books, and I have some really great ones so until then my lovely readers, have a great weekend!

-Rhiannon

Made Redundant at 23

Those are a few words I never thought I would see in the same sentence...but there they are.

I was made redundant on Friday last week. I'm still in shock a bit because it really did come out of nowhere. Fear and anxiety spread through me like wild fire- "what am I going to do?!"

The longer I sat with that fact, the more it made sense for the universe to push me in this direction. It was becoming increasingly obvious I wasn't going to change my path on my own.

I am still scared, but I know that this is going to be a good thing for me. I am seeing this as an opportunity to actually do what I've always dreamed of doing- and that is to sell my art. I am also working on an e-course on using art as therapy which I am so excited about. It's something I have been doing on my own for years!

I feel like this post should be longer than it is. Like I should have more to say but I guess there isn't much else. Maybe in days to come I will write more about it but I'm going to focus all my time and energy into launching my Etsy shop, improving this blog and writing my e-course so who knows. We will see.

P.S: If you know of any jobs going feel free to email me :)

-Rhiannon

Change

This week everything has changed. I will have a blog post about this on Monday but for today I guess I just wanted to remind myself (and maybe anyone else who needs it) of the following:

-Rhiannon

6 Year Anniversary

Our anniversary dinner was very Kiwi - we went to a famous Auckland Fish and Chip shop in Mission Bay and ordered (of course) Fish and Chips which we proceeded to devour while sitting on the beach (and fending off giant seagulls). A perfect evening with my favourite guy-

-Rhiannon

52 Weeks of Instax ~ Week 5

6 years ago today this guy I had my eye on at a local tattoo shop came up to me and we started talking...and the rest is history. I can barely believe it's been 6 years- in that time we have been through a lot and I'm sure there is plenty more to come. But most recently we bought our house together and it feels like a new chapter for us. I am so excited to see what adventures we get up to in the future and I'm so grateful to have such an amazing partner. He really is my soul mate and I couldn't be luckier :)

-Rhiannon

What if Money Was No Object?

The answer to this question is what creative people from all walks of life dream of becoming a reality. The idea of spending your life doing something you enjoy has always made more sense to me than the alternative. Even when I was a lot younger I didn't understand why people would spend all this time doing something they complained about. I'm also very aware that my stance on this drives a few people I know completely mad. I would make a great PA (even I know this) so I get told more often than not that I should do that..."and you would get paid a lot more." Unless it's for someone I know, or a cause I'm passionate about it's really not going to happen. I wouldn't enjoy it... regardless of what the money is like.

Recently things have been falling in place and I feel like I am finally figuring out my purpose- what I'm supposed to do. I'm incredibly excited to see how 2013 plays out. And it's not just me who is feeling this big change in energy - a lot of people I know are feeling the same. This is going to be a good year!

-Rhiannon 

Art is Therapy

Today's post started out with simply wanting to share two pictures. As I began typing it somehow turned into a very personal post but I put it out there in the hopes that it will help at least one person. And if it does, then it was worth sharing.

Some days are hard- like really hard, and there isn't necessarily a reason for this. Accepting that fact alone is hard enough. I know that it is a chemical imbalance which causes me to disappear into a dark hole. And I also know that I need to work hard to claw my way out again. But I have gotten to a point in my life now where I can work through a dark patch. It might only take a few days, sometimes it can take weeks (even months) but deep down I know that it will get better- with time.

 

Over the years I have tried different things to cope (some more healthy than others) but now I know that art is my therapy on those days. It is my saving grace when I need to be alone. It is my main method of coping and a huge part of how I reach the light at the end of the tunnel.

I wouldn't be where I am, or who I am without my mountains of sketchbooks/notebooks that I've used to work through my thoughts and emotions. Many notebooks from my teen years I have watched burn with great satisfaction- knowing that that part of my life is over. These days the colours are brighter, the words are less scary and I tend to accompany it with a cup of peppermint tea. That alone proves to me how far I have come.

-Rhiannon

Want to know a secret?

Christmas is over, and the new year is but hours away and have there been some big changes. I have been dying to write about it for a long time now so I'm super excited to announce that...

It has been a long time in the making but we have finally done it! And it's perfect for us. 

But you want to know a funny story? The first time we came to the house for an open home, I walked around it quickly once and decided I didn't like it. I was already thinking about the next open home- Dan convinced me to come back for another look and when I did, I realised that this was actually an incredibly amazing house that had everything we were looking for- lots of bedrooms, a garage, big garden to be developed and all in a good area and filled with lots of nature around us.

I am happy, relieved, excited and tired.

The whole things still feels a bit surreal. This is the start of the rest of our lives. 

I hope everyone has a phenomenal New Years~ stay safe and see you in 2013 with a load of new blog post ideas! 

Rhiannon xxoxx

P.S.- Did I mention that we have the coolest, most amazing back garden!! 

Dumb Ways to Die

I have been MIA recently~ do you miss me? I miss keeping my blog updated weekly but it seems I have reached a cross roads for the rest of this year. Option 1) Ignore real life and keep my blog updated or Option 2) enjoy the hectic bustling that is my life at the moment and update when I have time. I have chosen the latter which means that until I finish work for the year (mid December) I won't be posting regularly.

In the meantime check out this super amazing animation called Dumb Ways to Die (it's actually educational~ I promise)

I will be back intermittently with bits and pieces and I promise that I have some super rad stuff to share at the end of the year.

Rhiannon xxoxx

RIP Little Max~ We love you!!

Today is one of the saddest days of my life.

Our dearest little Max passed away after being hit by a car early this morning.

Because of this I will be doing my Art Journaling Monday post tomorrow instead. Today I want to dedicate to Max and all the joy he bought into our lives.

He was the smoochiest, most loving cat I have ever come across. He would cuddle up with me anywhere and everywhere. Most mornings I would find him sleeping on my head, ready to lick my face good morning. He liked nothing more than to have a sleep next to me on the couch when I got home from work. 

I haven't shed this many tears in a long time. Right now I find it so hard to believe that it will get easier, but I know it will. I just have to remember the good times, the kitty kisses and cuddles. He was only 8 months old, but I am the luckiest girl to have even had him for that long. 

He stole my heart the day I saw him and he has been my little man ever since. It's going to be so hard to let go but he will never be forgotten. We love you Max, forever and ever!!

"Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal."~ Anonymous 

Rhiannon xxoxx

I'm trying to move forward

Right now I have about 5 half written blog posts that I cannot seem to finish. Something about they way they are written doesn't sound right. I can't seem to find the words I need to articulate what I really want to say. I have felt like this for a while~ stale might be a good way to describe it. Anyway I have pinpointed that the move has seriously thrown me off course. It may sound strange to some but this move was a big deal and something just isn't working at the new place. It doesn't feel like home and I have finally realised why.

I am angry and I am resisting with every fibre of my being this becoming my new home. Because of the move my baby girl Spaz has run away and it's broken my heart. The last time I saw her was on the 6th May. At first I thought she might have been sulking somewhere; a bit pissed off for being kept inside for a week. But after a couple of days I realised that she wasn't going to come home. Something told me that she was gone. (Please don't mistake this for being pessimistic or loosing hope. I will always hope that she comes home to me). I miss her so much that it hurts to think about it. I actually begin to cry~ she was my first cat and I love her. I keep expecting her to be there when I get home from work and she isn't.

This, amongst other things, has made me resist turning this house into a home. I have noticed a change in myself too, not necessarily for the better. But I will not bore you with more details- let me get to the point. 

Whilst pondering upon all of this last night I got an email. I saw who it was from and decided to have a read through. I love getting updates from the amazing Leonie and thought it might give me the 'cheer-up' kick I needed. In a round-about kind of a way it did. You see Leonie is going to be making some changes to the pricing of her Goddess Circle. I have always wanted to join but kept putting it off because (amongst many other excuses) I had other things I should to pay off first.

The change in the pricing for this incredibly delicious collection of resources made me realise that Leonie was offering quite a remarkable deal at just $99 for e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g- for an entire year!! I didn't need to think about it for a whole lot longer before I decided I wanted needed to do this. There are still things I should pay off first but you know what? Screw it! It's only money- and this could be the start of something incredible. I have nothing to loose and a whole load to gain.

And guess what the first thing I will be doing is? Reading through the Sacred Space Crearing Kit. From there I have no idea where I will begin because there is just so much to read but I am excited. Very excited to see where this takes me.

Rhiannon xxoxx

P.S. I am convinced that Spaz is still alive, but has chosen to do her own thing. I will continue to hope and pray that she comes home; nothing is impossible.

The big Move ~ Part 1

What a week it has been! 

We have been packing, moving and unpacking since last weekend and what an gargantuan mission it was. I won't bore you with details~ it really wasn't that exciting. But a dropped pane of glass, one giant cactus in a bathtub and 6ft fish tank later, we have moved everything into our new house.

What I did try to do whilst we were moving is make a note of any thoughts I had or comments made. It was to try and continuously motivate myself to appreciate the right now. Moving isn't fun, everyone knows that. But despite how dull and monotonous it may have been, I wanted to try and remember it. It is my first big move without my parents so it's quite a milestone for me. It's also really exciting because I see it as the start of our life for Dan and I. This will be the first time just us two will have lived together, and it's really exciting to be able to set up our own space.

(Side note: I have a new found respect for my parents for organising out entire house to be moved around Asia every 3 years. I don't know how they did it!)

Here are a few things I have realised or appreciated whilst moving:

• I felt like a prison warden most days with up to 5 sets of keys connected together: old house keys, car keys, Dan's car keys, new house keys & truck keys. Goodness me!
• While packing I have discovered that I am a chronic scrap paper scribbler. I found 20+ pieces of scrap paper with notes, scribbles and ideas in our bedroom alone. I need to find a better way to make & store these notes!
• Having takeaways for dinner all the time is not as much fun as it sounds when your a kid. 5 days in a row of pizza, McDonalds & other assorted crap has made me feel quite icky and I am desperate for a big salad.
• You know how we all blame our washing machines for eating our socks? Well turns out it's not their fault. These 'missing' socks are actually hiding under couches, behind tables & bookshelves. Don't ask me how they get there, all I know is that the washing machine is no longer to blame.
• I love that feeling of accomplishment you get when you manage to drive to your new house without a map. Yeyahhh!
• I am super happy with the bus service (one every 10 minutes during rush hours) and it has a shelter. I don't have to worry about standing in the rain on a windy winters morning waiting for the bus now. 

In part 2 (which probably won't be posted for another week) I will show you the new work space. It's so beautiful! My desk for painting is right underneath a strikingly gorgeous bay window with light flooding in. It's the way I have always envisioned it and I am already inspired and can't wait to get creating!

P.S. how cute are these little mushrooms I discovered in our back garden at the new house. 

P.P.S We have really enchanting flowers too.

Rhiannon xxoxx

What would you say if you weren't afraid?

I edit myself a lot before I type, before I speak and even before I paint. Editing yourself isn't bad, it doesn't change who you are. Most of the time editing yourself is a good thing. It saves you from being too impulsive or rash. But sometimes I wonder what I would say or do if I didn't edit myself because of fear.

Fear of not knowing how people would react. 
Fear of being made fun of.
Fear of changing how people see you.
Fear of  sharing too much information.

When I look at these reasons, I notice something thing. I am far too preoccupied worrying about what other people think!

So today I have decided to share a bit more about the REAL me- not the edited internet version of me... lets begin!~

Y I think this is hilarious...



Y I love movies where stuff blows up, and there is lots of blood and gore. I am most fond of 80's action movies though (Predator, Demolition Man, Commando....the list goes on). There is something about the music they use hehe. One of my favourite scenes in The Expendables is when Terry Crews uses the automatic Shotgun! As you may be able to guess; I don't do girly movies often.



Y I have recently started using the most gorgeous deck of oracle cards and am really excited to learn more about them and my spirituality.

Y I try not to watch TV dramas because I get far too invested in the characters. I stick with good old comedy's such as Black Books, Blackadder, Monty Python & Bobs Burgers. The one reality show I am addicted to though- Project Runway. A secret love.

Y I talk to my cats~ A tad crazy? Yes, I am aware of this but I do it anyway and I am not ashamed to admit it. Don't worry, they don't respond hehe.

There it is! It may not be much but this is a better representation of who I am.

What would you share if you weren't afraid?

Rhiannon xxoxx

Something Great

I have the bounce back in my step.

I want to dance,

jump,

run

and hula-hoop.

Photograph Credit: 'Clover Hill' by Rowena R

I want to smell fresh flowers,

sit in the sun,

sing along to Girl Gone Wild by Madonna

and blow bubbles.

Photograph Credit: 'Touch of summer' by Matthew Heptinstall

Filled with excitement,

curiosity

and exuberance

for what lies forth from here.

Photograph Credit: 49.365- This is a Brand New Day by Nikilynn

A new start,

a fresh beginning,

a new chapter.

We have a house!~ and we move in next week.

This is the start of something great.

I can feel it.

Rhiannon xxoxx

I didn't see that coming...

The last two weeks have been strung with one piece of bad news after the next and finished off by someone crashing into the back of my car on the motorway on Thursday. [Aside from being quite shaken up I'm fine; but my car isn't :( ] 

Dan and I are very unexpectedly having to find somewhere else to live before the end of April. This is in the middle of a massive increase in rent for most of Auckland, as well as there being a shortage or rental properties- so it is proving to be very difficult to even get a viewing of any of these places.

This is pretty much what I was like for a few days~ Took a while to get my head around everything that was going on.

So whilst house hunting, we have a long list of things that need to be sorted out; get cats micro chipped, close rent account, cancel internet & phone plan, organise a skip for rubbish, find free boxes for packing, actually pack, sell things we don't need, find somewhere to store an overflow of stuff...it goes on and on. 

At first I was reluctant to see how any of this could be positive- I mean who has time to find a new flat, pack, move, unpack. Then add in the massive extra costs and it just looked like a concoction for making me poor and unhappy. The place we are in (were in? I'm not sure whether to talk about it in past or present tense. Lets go with present for now) is the only other home I have known. I have never done the proper flatting thing. I lived at home with my parents and moved out just before I turned 18 and moved into the flat Dan was in. And I have been there for 4 1/2 years. Granted it is a crappy house that is falling to pieces, and we've had many things break/burst/peel/leak, but it was spacious and a place we had made our home.

// Fast forward 8-10 days & quite a few cute cat naps //

With a bit of time, and the shock wearing off, I have come to realise that this move may be a blessing in disguise. I have always dreamed of having a home for just us two. When I moved in with Dan more than 4 years ago , the flat was already established and it was (and will be until the last day) a 'boys' flat. I didn't mind this at all, but now we get to have a place that it just ours. Where we can be a couple- and this is what is getting me quite excited! 

I have seen so many simple and fun DIY tutorials for home-y things in the past that I made a mental note of to do at some point when we get a place for just the two of us. I had envisioned it being our first house (bought) but a new flat (rented) is just as good of an excuse. 

It's the little things we don't have at the moment that I am looking forward to the most; a cute door mat, colourful chalkboards on the kitchen walls, framed photos, DIY light shades

I reckon I have a bit of goddess or mermaid going on here~ What do you think?! Did you know that the name Rhiannon is actually from a Welsh Goddess?

So there are going to be lots of changes in April; and I really don't know how it is all going to play out. All I keep telling myself is that it's happening for a reason and things will fall into place, despite how unsettled we are feeling at the moment.

Rhiannon xx

100 things to do in 2012

I want to make 2012 THE year! It will be the year that my dreams and goals start to come true and so I needed to plan. What better way to plan for 2012 than with Goddess Leonie's 2012 Workbook &planner. Included in this workbook was a task to think of 100 things to do in 2012. The list isn't supposed to contain just your big goals like travel overseas (unless you wanted it to). So it was a task my best friend and I worked on in December last year and with 2012 already speeding by, I thought it might be time to share a few. 

Go to the zoo Y Go on a girly road trip Y Try a new vegetable Y Buy someone a present for no reason Y Do something to pay it forward Y Have a picnic Y Get a manicure & pedicure Y Swim in the sea Y Climb a tree Y Watch the original Godzilla movie Y Listen to a whole jazz album Y Knit a scarf Y Finish a large painting (larger than A3) Y Fly a kite Y Watch Marry Poppins again Y Play in a playground Y Blow bubbles Y Draw on a side-walk in chalk Y One random act of kindness a month Y Jump on a trampoline Y Buy a board game Y Watch ‘Game of Thrones’ Y Compliment a stranger Y Make an anklet Y Wear bright lipstick Y Write a short story Y Start a dream diary Y Tie-dye something Y Buy a pair of socks with a face on it Y Roast marshmallows over an open fire Y Make bread Y Learn yoga Y Build a fort Y Frame a picture Y Make a handmade card for someone’s birthday Y Make a dream catcher Y Discover a new band Y  Go rock-climbing Y Play Frisbee in the domain Y Have a water balloon fight Y Do a finger painting Y Enter a competition Y Cook dinner for someone you don’t usually cook for Y Eat chocolate dipped strawberries Y Go for a bike ride Y Play in sprinklers Y Drink a luxury Hot Chocolate with marshmallows Y Read a book from your childhood Y Research about something you never got round to doing Y Learn to knit Y Make something you can wear Y Make a curry Y  Buy some awesome tights Y Make home-made ice-blocks Y 1 date night a month Y Do a cartwheel Y Wear ribbons in your hair Y Take burlesque lessons Y 

Is there something you want to achieve this year? Knitting is a big one for me, and I've been saving it for winter when I can cuddle up inside on the couch. I really want to be able to knit my own scarf for winter :)

Rhiannon xxoxx