Tintin and Snowy - for World Book Day

World Book Day is celebrated annually in over 100 countries around the world. It's a celebration of Reading. A celebration of books, authors and illustrators aimed to encourage children to explore the pleasures of books and reading.

Many schools celebrate by having a dress-up day, where children go to school dressed as their favourite book character.

Today our son, who is in Grade 2, went to school dressed as one of his all time favourite characters...

TINTIN,

accompanied by his loyal companion, Snowy.

Tintin and Snowy off to school for World Book Day.

Tintin and Snowy
(A hair gel and acrylic paint experiment. I hope it washes out easily !! :) )

 

Tintin and Snowy off to school for World Book Day.

 

 

And... you know how much I Love coincidences and synchronicity...

 

After dropping our son (aka Tintin) off for school,

my husband (who is a photographer) arrived at his location for today's shoot and was met by these gorgeous sculptures.

Tintin, Snowy and Captain Haddock

 

Captain Haddock, Tintin and Snowy.
Painted wooden sculptures.

 

 

Great snakes! and Blistering Barnacles!

 

Now get off the computer and go and read a Book!

 

 ...

(Tintin is a character from The Adventures of Tintin by Hergé)

 

 

A long silence

I can't actually believe that it's been 8 MONTHS since my last blog post.
Where did the time go!?

It has been a challenging few months with much sadness.
My father passed away a few weeks ago after a long and difficult illness.
We were very close and I will miss him terribly. My heart will never be whole again.
I take comfort in the fact that he is no longer suffering physically, and will hold all the special memories we have together close to my heart.

 

A special moment captured... first game of Chess with his beloved Papa.

A deep love shared between a grandson and his 'Papa'.

 My husband took this very beautiful and moving photograph of my dad with our son a few weeks before he passed. You can feel the love...

 

 

 

Comforting words in this poem by Mary Elizabeth Frye

   A Thousand Winds

    Do not stand at my grave and weep.
    I am not there. I do not sleep.
    I am a thousand winds that blow.
    I am the diamond glints on snow.
    I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
    I am the gentle autumn rain.
    When you awaken in the morning’s hush
    I am the swift uplifting rush
    Of quiet birds in circled flight.
    I am the soft stars that shine at night.
    Do not stand at my grave and cry;
    I am not there. I did not die.


Rest in Peace Dad.
You will be with me always.

Refusing to Fly

Last week I started an ASTAR course where we will be working with “ARCHETYPES” and the roles we play in our lives.

According to Carl Jung, founder of analytical psychology, Archetypes are ancient, universal patterns of behaviour that are embedded in the "collective unconscious."
It is believed that every person has been encoded with a set of 12 primary archetypes. Four of these are universal archetypes related to survival: the Child, Victim, Prostitute, and Saboteur. These four Archetypes are said to be vital to our growth and functioning as adults. The other eight are drawn from the vast storehouse of archetypes dating back to the dawn of human history. They play valuable roles that relate to our work, relationships with individuals and society, as well as to our spirituality, finances, values, and our highest potential.

Author Caroline Myss has created a unique set of Archetype Cards which we used in this process art class. Each card is designed to provide the basic Light and Shadow attributes of the different Archetypes. We started by each choosing a card from the deck. The card I pulled, the Saboteur, read, "Highlights your fear of self-empowerment and the changes it would bring to your life" and "Induces self-destructive behaviour".
I could totally relate to both.

 

We worked in clay in this first session. We held the ball of clay in our hands and did a lovely, relaxing, guided meditation which always helps you to get into the session and to leave your busy day behind you.
We then had about 2 hours to created our sculpture. Working freely without any preconceived ideas or plans, my sculpture started off as one thing and then change direction and end up as something else. My tall, confident, standing figure ended up as a kneeling angel, with exaggeratedly long arms which were folded in her lap.



 

At the end of the session we took time to reflect on each person's work, leaving them a short message on a piece of paper.

When reflecting on my own work I wrote, "I have been given the wings of an angel but I am refusing to fly."

 

I called this work "Refusing to Fly"

 

   ...

From the Caroline Myss website:

"The Saboteur"
This may be the most difficult of all the archetypes to understand, because its name is associated with betrayal. Yet the purpose of this archetype is not to sabotage you, but to help you learn the many ways in which you undermine yourself. How often do you set new plans in motion, only to end up standing in your own way because of the fears that undermine those optimistic plans. Or you begin a new relationship and then destroy it because you begin to imagine a painful outcome. You begin a working relationship with another person and find yourself once again in a power struggle that could be settled peacefully -- but you fall into the same destructive pattern because you fear the other person.
The Saboteur's fears and issues are all related to low self-esteem that causes you to make choices that block your own empowerment and success. As with the Victim and Prostitute, you need to face this powerful archetype that we all possess and make it an ally. When you do, you will find that it calls your attention to situations in which you are in danger of being sabotaged, or of sabotaging yourself. Once you are comfortable with the Saboteur, you learn to hear and heed these warnings, saving yourself untold grief from making the same mistakes over and over. Ignore it, and the shadow Saboteur will manifest in the form of self-destructive behaviour or the desire to undermine others.
To learn how to become aware of the action of the Saboteur within, ask yourself these questions:

• What fears have the most authority over me? List three.
• What happens when a fear overtakes me? Does it make me silent?
• Do I allow people to speak for me?
• Do I agree to some things out of fear that I otherwise would not agree to?
• Have I let creative opportunities pass me by?
• How conscious am I in the moment that I am sabotaging myself?
• Am I able to recognise the Saboteur in others?
• Would I be able to offer others advice about how to challenge one's Saboteur? If so, what would it be?

   ...

If you are interested in reading up further about Archetypes, I can recommend visiting the Caroline Myss website where she has a list of over 70 archetypes, including a detailed description of each. There is also a section that can help you to determine your own Archetypes.

The Colour VIOLET

In the Colour Energy Course that I attended last year, we did an in-depth exploration into each spectral colour. Each week we focused on a particular colour and it's associated energy Chakra. We explored the colour's energy through senses, meditation and painting using only the tones and hues of that colour.
 

For each class we were asked to dress in the colour we were exploring that week. A still life, made up of various objects in the colour was set up in the studio. Little bottles of essential oils associated with that Chakra and colour were set out on a tray for us to smell. Even the food and drink that we had during our tea break was in the colour we were exploring.

The Colour VIOLET

The session where we explored the colours Blue and Indigo made me cry.
This session, exploring the colour Violet, made me laugh out loud! :)

The Crown Chakra (Sahasrara), situated at the top of the head, is the seventh energy centre in the chakra system. It is associated with the colour Violet and is often pictured as a lotus flower with a thousand petals. The crown chakra connects us with the universe and the Divine source of creation.

Purple and violet are not my favourite colours, but I did find the still life that was set up in the studio very pretty. The colour purple is often associated with royalty and nobility and can create an impression of luxury, wealth and extravagance.

We took time to soak up the colours, shades and tones of violet and purple and smelled essential oils like lavender, jasmine, frankincense and rose geranium.

 

The still life that was set up in the studio.

 

 

 

During the meditation we were asked to draw a circle, using one finger, on the very top of our head. Slowly, moving our finger round and round, we visualised creating an opening that wold allow a beam of light to shine upwards and connect us with the 'source', to our 'creator'.

After the meditation we used the six shades of violet paint that we had mixed earlier and painted freely onto our canvas page.  Painting round and round, I made a number of swirling brushstrokes, followed by some splashing of water and stamping of wooden printing blocks to add some texture onto the page.

 

Splashes of water and wooden printing blocks were used to add texture.

 

When we stopped for tea, I saw something in my picture that made me laugh. It seemed a bit silly at first, but I decided that after tea I would add to the painting and help 'bring out' what I could see.

 

And here he is... my little purple alien :)



 

Final painting for the colour Violet

 

Close-up of my little alien :)

 

So...

Violet.

The crown chakra.

Connecting us with the universe and the Divine source of creation....

 

hmmmmm

Do you think they speak Huttese?

lol

 

 

 

The Colours BLUE & INDIGO

In the Colour Energy Course that I attended last year, we did an in-depth exploration into each spectral colour. Each week we focused on a particular colour and it's associated energy Chakra. We explored the colour's energy through senses, meditation and painting using only the tones and hues of that colour.
 

For each class we were asked to dress in the colour we were exploring that week. A still life, made up of various objects in the colour was set up in the studio. Little bottles of essential oils associated with that Chakra and colour were set out on a tray for us to smell. Even the food and drink that we had during our tea break was in the colour we were exploring.


The Colours BLUE & INDIGO

I have been struggling to write this post about Blue and Indigo. This session was a very emotional one for me. It left me questioning many things... I've been struggling to find the words...

We combined the Blue (Throat Chakra) and Indigo (Brow Chakra) sessions because when mixing paints in various shades and tones of Blue and Indigo there is an overlap in the colours, Indigo being a dark blue reaching towards purple.

The still life was beautiful as always. It made the studio feel cool, calm and relaxing. If you closed your eyes you could imagine walking through a gentle mist, or into the darkness of the night. Some blue shades could leave you feeling a little sad or 'blue' however.
 

 

 

 

 

We sat around the still life soaking in the colours and smelling essential oils like Cypress, Eucalyptus, Myrrh, Patchouli, Pine, Geranium and Peppermint.

We then mixed up our paint, making six different shades and tones of Blue and Indigo.

 

After our meditation I started off by painting quite calmly, covering the canvas paper with lovely teal and light turquoise paint. When I started adding the darker shades (Indigo) my brushstrokes became more frenetic. I then, rather energetically, added all the shades I'd mixed, creating a lot of texture and movement on the page. I grabbed the wooden printing blocks and a plastic scourer and continued to add even more texture onto the canvas. I was working freely and loosely, with intuitive spontaneity, just as we were meant to.

 

Texture added using the wooden printing blocks

 

After our tea break, it was time to take a look and see if my painting had anything to 'reveal'. I saw a face and a seahorse. They didn't make a very good composition so I turned the page 90 degrees. And again. And again. And again. I had to then remind myself that this wasn't about a pretty picture with a carefully considered layout and composition. I needed to paint what I saw. So that is what I did.

My final painting

 

 

At the end of the session we did another meditation. We had been given a piece of paper and were asked to write, without thought or hesitation, the first thing that came to our mind. Like a message from the universe.

 

I wrote: "Meet me down at the bottom of the deep blue sea."

 

We then had to go around the class and, stopping at each person's work, do the same for them. So without thought or hesitation we wrote the first thing that came to mind when we sat in front of their painting.

The messages that had been left for me by my classmates were:

"Holy Communion"

"Beauty and serenity can be found"

"Looking intensely"

and "Serene beauty - your spirit guide"

 

We took turns to share our 'messages' with the class. One person said that my "spirit guide" made her think of the clay sculpture I'd made in my first Astar class 9 months earlier. As she said it, I experienced a wave of emotion and could not hold back the tears. (It was rather embarrassing, I must say)

My clay sculpture had been about a dear friend who had gone missing at sea in March 2010. His boat and his dog, who was still alive, had been found two weeks later but he was not on board.

 

Detail of the seahorse

 

When I got home that evening I did an internet search to find the symbolic meaning of a seahorse.

This is what I found:

"The seahorse is thought to have mystical significance among the Ancient Greeks, Europeans and Asians. The Ancient Greeks and Romans believed the seahorse was an attribute of the sea god Neptune and as such, the seahorse was considered a symbol of strength and power."

"Chinese cultures believed that the seahorse was a type of sea dragon, and as such they were revered for their power and thought to be symbols of good luck. Sailors have long viewed the seahorse as a good luck charm too." (source)

 

And then I read this, and my tears returned...

 

"The ancient Eurpeans believed that the seahorse carried the souls of deceased sailors to the underworld - giving them safe passage and protection until they met their soul's destination."

 

 

Blue is the colour associated with the fifth Chakra, the Throat Chakra. It deals with issues of communication, expressing our own personal truth, creative expression and symbolic thinking.

 

The colour Indigo is associated with the sixth Chakra, the Brow Chakra. It is also often referred to as the third eye or the mind center. As the 'source' or center of psychic knowledge, this Chakra produces our Dreams and Fantasies, as well as such advanced psychic states as Clairvoyance, Telepathy, Clairaudience and Spirit Communication.

 

 

xxx For Paul. In loving memory. xxx

The Colour GREEN

In the Colour Energy Course that I attended last year, we did an in-depth exploration into each spectral colour. Each week we focused on a particular colour and it's associated energy Chakra. We explored the colour's energy through senses, meditation and painting using only the tones and hues of that colour.
 

For each class we were asked to dress in the colour we were exploring that week. A still life, made up of various objects in the colour was set up in the studio. Little bottles of essential oils associated with that Chakra and colour were set out on a tray for us to smell. Even the food and drink that we had during our tea break was in the colour we were exploring.

The Colour GREEN

 

 

 

Once again, the still life that had been set up in the studio was absolutely beautiful. It made me feel relaxed and at peace. I had a strong urge to disappear into a forest or somewhere where I'd be surrounded by nature.

Of the lovely essential oils that we smelled, Clove, Lavender, Sandalwood, Rose, Cedar Wood, Peppermint, Basil, Geranium and Pine, Peppermint was my favourite.

 

We sat quietly around the still life soaking in the colour green. 

After a short meditation, we mixed up our paints in six different tones and shades of green and began to paint. 

I applied a base coat to my canvas paper and then found myself painting many wavy lines in various shades and tones. They soon began to look like blades of grass. I painted a circular shape in a lighter green, almost like a sun. The blades of grass seemed to all reach up to it. I grabbed a couple of the wooden printing blocks that I love. One of them looked a bit like a flower, so I started stamping flowers onto the page. I felt like I was lying in a field of flowers looking up at the sky. In my mind a white butterfly fluttered by. So I painted it in. 



 



My painting of the colour green.

 

Detail added with the wooden printing blocks that I love so much.

 

At first I wasn't sure how my painting related to the Heart Chakra at all. Was it the butterflies in your tummy when you fall in love? Flowers given as a romantic gesture? It seemed a bit silly. So I took time to read up about the Heart Chakra and the symbolic meaning of butterflies.

A butterfly is most often associated with symbolism of change and powerful transformations. Elevation from earthly matters, turning into emotional or spiritual.

In many cultures the butterfly is a symbol of the soul or soul world. For the Japanese, a white butterfly symbolises the soul of the departed ones.
 

In Greek mythology, Psyche (meaning "soul") was often depicted as a butterfly winged goddess. She was linked with love as she shared an endlessly passionate bond with Eros, the god of love.

Green is the colour associated with the fourth Chakra, the Heart Chakra, also known as Anahata.

It is located in the heart and chest area. The purpose of the Heart Chakra is to give love, to receive love and to find balance. It deals with issues of self-love, relationships, intimacy and devotion.

This fourth Chakra is also the middle point of the seven chakra system.

It acts as a bridge between the lower three Chakras which deal with the physical world (earthly matters), and the higher three chakras which are to do with expression and spirituality (soul).

So it seems that my painting does in fact tie in with, and illustrate the purpose of, the Heart Chakra quite nicely. :)

Links to my blog posts about colour: RED  ORANGE  YELLOW GREEN BLUE&INDIGO VIOLET

The Colour YELLOW

In the Colour Energy Course that I attended last year, we did an in-depth exploration into each spectral colour. Each week we focused on a particular colour and it's associated energy Chakra. We explored the colour's energy through senses, meditation and painting using only the tones and hues of that colour.

For each class we were asked to dress in the colour we were exploring that week. A still life, made up of various objects in the colour was set up in the studio. Little bottles of essential oils associated with that Chakra and colour were set out on a tray for us to smell. Even the food and drink that we had during our tea break was in the colour we were exploring.


The colour YELLOW

I was never a huge fan of the colour yellow until my son was born 7 years ago. Right from when he was a baby it was clear that yellow was, and still is, his favourite colour. Because of this I have over the years bought him yellow toys, items of yellow clothing and a bright, sunshine yellow bath towel. In the meantime, I have fallen in love with (certain shades of) yellow to.

The still life that was set up in the studio for our exploration into the colour yellow was an uplifting, energising, warm and happy sight.

 

 

We took time to smell some essential oils like Bergamot, Chamomile, Clary Sage, Cedar wood, Clove, Geranium and Lemongrass (my favourite).

We mixed up our six shades of yellow paint. I found it hard to get tonal variations without going too green or too brown.

After a short meditation, I painted my canvas sheet with a warm sunshine yellow. This then lead me to painting a large, round sun in the top right of the page shining down onto a landscape of yellow hills. I was going to stop there but we weren't even half way through the class yet, so I decided to add some texture using the Indian printing blocks that I love so much.

I started to see a close-up of a sunflower in my picture. At first I resisted changing from my original landscape. But the sunflower wouldn't go away, so I decided to go with it. The sun became the centre of the flower and the landscape became petals. My end result, a bright, sunshiny yellow sunflower.

 

 

I love the textures that the Indian printing blocks add to a painting.

  

It's not surprising that I ended up with a painting related to something "sunny".
The third Chakra is also called the SOLAR Plexus Chakra.

solar¹

ˈsəʊlə/

adjective

adjective: solar

1. relating to or determined by the sun.

   "solar radiation"

   • relating to or denoting energy derived from the sun's rays.

     "solar heating"

The Solar Plexis Chakra is located between the navel and solar plexus. It is your power centre - your Core Self - and is all about who you are. It is the centre of your self-esteem, your willpower, self-discipline, as well as warmth in your personality. By consciously harnessing the energy of the Solar Plexus Chakra, it helps you to be proactive rather then reactive or inactive. You have the power to choose. You can choose to achieve your life purpose.

 

The Sunflower has been adopted as a symbol of happiness and strength. The flower always turns its face to the sun and is therefore considered by some to be a symbol of faith. Some believe that the sunflower represents a constant search for light, or enlightenment.

It reminded me of a saying that I used to love and often wrote in cards and letters to friends and family...

 

 Always turn your face towards the sun

and the shadows will fall behind you.

 

Maori Proverb

 

 

 

 

Links to my blog posts about colour: RED  ORANGE  YELLOW