Tara Winona Art

Tara Winona webpage has launched! www.tarawinona.com

2012-01-16T14:32:00.000-08:00

This week has seen the unveiling of www.tarawinona.com!

It is with great pride and slightly square eyes that I launched the Tara Winona webpage. It is wonderful to see all my work together in one space.

Soon I will migrate this blog over there and have the shop all on the one site.

A very big thank you to a dear friend and talented lady Kat - without whom I would never have got here.

And now I am off for a creative writing sabbatical... to return brimming with the next sequel to my book! See you in March ...

Tara Winona webpage has launched! www.tarawinona.com

2012-01-16T14:14:00.000-08:00

This week has seen the unveiling of www.tarawinona.com!

It is with great pride and slightly square eyes that I launched the Tara Winona webpage.

A very big thank you to a dear friend and talented lady Kat - without whom I would never have got here.

Tis the season to paint folly!

2011-11-12T03:48:00.000-08:00

Tumbling amongst my paints I decided to create Christmas cards slightly different from the norm ...

What if a flock of butterflies were to magically create a Christmas tree I asked myself...

And what if I was to sketch them gainst a sunset sky?

And what if they were to fly on wings of gossamer lace?

Off to the printers on Monday!
Mwah!

Be the someone .... a story about planting flowers

2011-10-10T01:59:00.000-07:00

A few years ago I moved in with my darling into his bright beautiful flat. Inside everything was vibrantly coloured and alive, a gorgeous welcoming space. Outside was a different story. The garden of the old manor house had been neglected and lay drab and bare. There were echoes of the glory it must once have been and yet no one had loved it for years.

And so I spoke with the neighbours. They all agreed 'someone should do something' and yet no one wanted to act.

'You don't want to plant anything, it will get nicked!' said one neighbour.

Each morning I would look out the window at the grey garden and think what a shame it was. Then I remembered a story about a couple who every day jogged past a bedraggled rose bush and every day said 'someone should prune that rose bush!'
Until one day they became the someone, and they pruned it...

... And so my darling and I went to the garden centre and came back with plants and seeds and bulbs. We began digging and planting and sowing and weeding. The sun set and still we had not finished.

'Oh, you don't want to leave them out! They'll be gone in the morning!' said the neighbour as he walked past. We decided to trust and lined the unplanted flowers up against the house.

In the morning we rushed down eagerly. The plants were still there. Again we dug and planted and sowed. Neighbours came with cups of tea and biscuits for us. People from down the street came to stop and admire our work and encourage us.

When we had finished, with aching backs and dirt smeared faces we looked at our efforts and felt a warm glow in our hearts. The old manor house with its flats seemed to stand prouder in the evening light. We dreamed of what it would look like as the bulbs came up and the vines grew.

A few weeks later we bought garden furniture and sat eating our cereal in the sunshine surrounded by flowers. 'Oh! That will definately get pinched!' said our neighbour staring at the new table as he went to get his morning papers.

The next day other neighbours were sat at it in the sun looking happy. 'It's fantastic!' they exclaimed and cooked us dinner that night.

As it grew warmer we had BBQs with neighbours who became friends. People from down the road would stop to chat as they passed by. Our bulbs flourished and our flowers multiplied. We learnt alot, what to plant, when and where. Each of our plants became like our children. We even grew tomatoes! A sense of community grew as neighbours began to use the garden and get to know each other.

---------------

One day a miracle happened ... the neighbour who had been sure everything would get nicked was out in the garden ... watering seeds. And he was smiling.

More Art on Walls!

2011-09-26T11:49:00.000-07:00

Whilst I was away a lovely lady bought some of my cards for a friend and framed them. They look so beautiful and I feel so proud and humbled ... had to share!

When I opened my shop last year, an old friend was one of my first customers. Found this photo on his facebook page and had to share it as well. Thanks Ollie!

I'm BACK!

2011-09-21T02:42:00.000-07:00

I have been away for weeks, working on my 'other' job and playing with dancing light.

My blog has been sadly neglected - it takes all my molecules and globules to create in my other world and I had none left over for blogging. I laughed when I thought of what I might say - another day of not enough sleep, working all night long, grateful for lovely sensitive technicians who help keep it all together and bring much needed cups of tea at 4 in the morning (manna from heaven!), pulling particles of light together to create something that wows ... and trembling at the thought of the huge audience the show will pull!!!

Oh how I love it and wish it could be less all consuming sometimes!

This is a pic of programming it up in the studio...

It was wonderful to be home in Oz and create something to give back to Brisbane after the tragedy of the floods earlier this year. Driving around the city with friends and having them point out where the water level came too was chilling - so many lives touched. I felt moved to hear of the helping hands that came and the way that Brissie came together. What a magic city!

There are some rather lovely photos of the show here -
http://www.flickr.com/photos/19663023@N00/6108993368/in/photostream/

Photo update! This is what it looked like!

My art is hanging on walls!

2011-07-27T04:15:00.000-07:00

I can't tell you how awestruck, priveledged, giddy, joyous and blessed I feel when I see my art is a part of others lives!

I am thrilled, humbled and even strangely shy to see something I have created, with all the highs and lows that encompass the process of creating an artwork, hanging on a wall.

I tell you a secret. When I first got my studio I wouldn't let anybody in. NOBODY! I wouldn't show my work to anyone at all! I was having my own private dance with myself and I felt incredibly, painfully shy.

I think after creating huge shows for years with thousands of people watching them, I didn't want anyone else to participate, judge or tell me what to do. (I still have some paintings that no one else has seen, that are just for me.)

Somewhere along the way I inched open my door, invited friends in, then strangers, took part in my first exhibition. And then one day I opened my Etsy shop. I still feel naked - my art exposes me in a way that nothing else ever could. My paintings are little pieces of my heart and soul.

How blessed I feel!

Thank you Leo! x

Gorgeous We Make London pop-up shop!

2011-07-12T05:10:00.000-07:00

The lovely 'We Make London' pop-up shop in Hampstead was running all this past week. Crammed full of unique hand-made objects up a gorgeous cobbled alleyway in Hampstead it was a truly inspiring occasion. From artworks and prints to childrens clothes, lampshades, jewellry, cookies and toys, it was a huge success and a great opportunity for us creatives to meet, mingle and share ideas!

I met some very inspiring people and we spent a very enjoyable opening night with pimms and brainstorming. What a range of creative talent! I was very proud to be a part of it. A big congratulations and thank you to Mary and Julie for all the hard work.

Sharing the work of some of the inspiring folk I met -

Sarah from Shark Alley is an extraordinary jeweller, creating papermache shapes which she then bejewells - just divine! http://www.sharkalley.co.uk

Tanya from Strikk makes incredible knitted creations and is also a fab photographer (borrowed this photo from her!) http://www.strikk.bigcartel.com/blog,

Utterly inspiring Vanessa from Lovely Gorgeous things who makes totally utterly natural vegan body products. www.lovelygorgeousthings.co.uk

And Chloe from Hatastic, who creates hats to die for! www.hatastic.folksy.com

We Make London Summer Boutique in Hampstead

2011-07-01T05:49:00.000-07:00

Just been visiting the quirky streets and alleyways of beautiful Hampstead, delivering my work to the 'pop-up' shop which will be there over the next week.

Over 200 designers, crafters and creatives applied and 40 of us were chosen. Very exciting to be a part of it! I will be there tomorrow, Satruday 2nd July for the afternoon and into the evening for the fabulous opening night extravaganza. Come and pop your head in if you are around!

You are all invited to the Opening Night tomorrow (Saturday, July 2nd) Come and join us for drinks, nibblies and lots of original objects of art, jewellry, cookies and textiles.

Lots of my prints will be there ... from the Leap of Faith series ...

... cards and bookmarks ...

... to some dreamy transformingbutterflies....

.. and a powerful winter bird in flight ...

Here is a link to the We Make London site with lots of info on the designers and other tit bits.
http://wemakelondon.blogspot.com/

The shop is up a gorgeous little alleyway, with a fab coffee shop next door that I sampled this morning in the morning sun!

Oak Studios
8 Perrins Court
Hampstead NW3 1QS (2 secs walk from Hampstead tube)

I have been flat out preparing for the past exhibitions and this shop... my home and my studio look like a cross between a market stall and an art installation!

Balance and Blogs

2011-06-28T14:58:00.000-07:00

I have a wonderful friend who makes hand bound books, sketches beautiful things and is all round talented! (last year we teamed up and she made those incredible leather hand-made note books)

Each week she cleverly has a word which she writes or creates about. In her busy life I don't know how she does it!

A few weeks back her weekword was Balance and she chose my painting...

http://thegiftshed.wordpress.com/2011/06/11/weekword-balance/

Here is the link to her blog - she is a prolific blogger - puts me to shame!

Things which inspire me

2011-06-13T15:02:00.000-07:00

Painting Butterflies!

2011-06-08T16:20:00.000-07:00

In preparation for our two big weekends of Open Studios, I have been painting and dreaming butterflies. Simple paintings of beauty...

They are not quite finished yet ... looking good in my frames so far though.

Creating a simple Facebook name

2011-06-07T05:34:00.000-07:00

Today I had an epiphany!Thanks to fellow etsians, I discovered how to change my horrible long Dalek style address to a simple https://www.facebook.com/tarawinona.

My facebook address used to look like this
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Tara-Winona/119511181442274?v=wall

Once you have 25 likes you too can create a simple name! Go to -

www.facebook.com/username

Make sure you go to the page section and type in your page name and the name you would like.

Thank you to Sleepy Hollow folkart and Dab Hands for the helpful tips (-;

Open Studios in London

2011-06-04T07:28:00.000-07:00

'Open Studios' is coming up down on the island and across south-westish London (loosely the Richmond Borough). It runs over 2 weekends, the 10th -11th and 18th - 19th June. Loads of studios are opening their doors so come exploring.

And for all you lovelies, we are having a private viewing on both the Friday nights, the 9th and 17th, so if you are free come join us for drinkies along the canal!

It would be great to see you, tis gorgeous down there in magical hobbit island arty land this time of year.

For those of you who are interested, here is the link to the global site

http://www.richmond.gov.uk/arthouse_open_studios

which details all the studios which are open across London with a map and titbits of information.

Creativity Unmasked Blog - Coping with the Critics

2011-05-10T01:45:00.000-07:00

I awoke to the lovely surpise this morning of being included in a fabulous blog called Creativity Unmasked! An amazing team 'Moags and Smeet' have created a series of blogs especially for us creative types dealing with everything from coping with the critics to describing their own creative process and great bits of advice. I feel very honoured that my 'Listen' print is featured!
http://creativityunmasked.blogspot.com/2011/05/coping-with-critics.html

Coping with the critics is something that all us creatives struggle with. When to listen to others and when to hear our own inner voice and follow our unique path is a fine line.

When I am not painting I work as a creative in events, where our critics can number in the 1000s - the audience, the crew, our clients and ourselves! It can be challenging...

I once worked with a brilliant man who approached the process with the eyes of a child. It was as if we were all sharing a creative adventure together. Midst all the stress, with each critisicm he would reply 'that's interesting!' approaching it as part of the creative journey we were sharing. I learnt alot... sometimes I am even able to apply it!

Tree of Life Inspiration

2011-04-29T13:03:00.000-07:00

Working away on my 'other job' and inspiration that crosses both my worlds struck!

A Tree of Life created from dancing joyous limbs...

When all is well in my world and I am cycling home from a day of painting, filled with inspiration and creative contentment, this is how I feel!

... I am itching to turn this into a painting.

My clever client came up with the initial idea ... Love it when my worlds cross.

Beautiful Angel Art

2011-04-26T23:40:00.000-07:00

I have fallen in love with a jeweller's work - Robin creates exquisite angel pendants. Each has it's own meaning and message - just divine.

I feel this one singing to me as I seek to unlcok more and more of my creativity ...
'Angel Kiara keeps the Keys'

And this one - it's called 'Angel Lauren opens her Heart and Soul' - what a talented lady!

Robin hangs out here
http://robinwade.com/
and here
http://www.etsy.com/shop/robinwade?ref=pr_shop_more

Butterfly Transformation paintings are up in my shop!

2011-04-15T16:20:00.000-07:00

It was an exciting day today. I picked up my paintings from the photographers, managed to get them home on the tube (imagine how happy the commuters and sardines were at the sight of my A1 art folder whatsit!!!) and have got their photos in my hot little hands.

They are sitting in my shop, dreaming of transformation and beauty...
http://www.etsy.com/listing/72242137/african-butterfly-print

Seasonal flight

2011-04-14T23:19:00.000-07:00

Every year as winter descends on Europe, it reminds me of a bird drawing a huge cloak over the land ... of icy tendrils and frosty breath. And then Spring comes and pulls back the veil to reveal a kaleidoscope of colours and vibrant life.

I have spent the past few weeks in Australia and thus missed winter rolling over in its sleep and beginning its transformation into spring. When I returned and walked through my garden gate, it took my breath away. My wintering garden of browns, greys and skeletal twigs had magically become an eager frenzy of life and colour and abundance.

In a wild dance and dash of watercolour and salt crystals I have tried to capture this feeling.

Art, daffodils and wine along the canal

2011-04-04T06:06:00.000-07:00

What a gorgeous success our exhibition was! Such a diversity of talent and a constant flow of visitors coming to our island, I was very proud to be a part of it. We had a rocking opening party and the weekend passed in a blur of interesting conversations, croissants and many cups of tea..

It was lovely to share our little piece of paradise and wonderful to get feedback and comments.

Art needs the vitality of being seen and rubbing up against life and humanity otherwise what is the point of it?!

I haven't talked so constantly and smiled so much to so many people since getting married! I awoke this morning with aching cheek and a happy heart. How blessed I feel to have a studio in such a magical spot. My little Aladdin's cave...

The next exhibition will be weekend in June as part of the London Open Studios. Better get cracking!

Spring into Spring with an art exhibition!

2011-03-28T12:43:00.000-07:00

In celebration of daffodils, tulips and the joy of splashing paint in the afternoon sunshine,we artists down at the Hideaway Studio have decided to put on an exhibition this coming weekend!

Bring eyes that love colour, a bicycle or a picnic to enjoy the canals and a camera in case the kingfisher appears!

Here's the blurb -

Brentford’s artists’ quarter - Johnson’s Island at the end of Catherine Wheel Road - is putting on a show of its resident artists’ work the first weekend of April.

Set among the houseboats of the Grand Union Canal, the pint-sized island once formed part of Isambard Brunel’s Brentford Dock.

Now it is home to a vibrant community of artists and artisans. For most of the year it is closed to the public but over the weekend of 2-3 April the doors will be open and a wide variety of artistic work will be on display.

If you are an art lover, or looking for a unique gift - and whether your thing is painting or puppet-making, sculpture or mosaics, book-binding or bicycle bags - come to this magical corner of Brentford.

The studios are open from 11-6, Saturday and Sunday.Nearest tube:Gunnersbury. Nearest trains:Kew Bridge or Brentford. Buses: 65, 195, 235, 237, 267, E2, E8, H91

Hope

2011-02-06T15:10:00.000-08:00

Hope, for me, is the light that shines deep inside when I despair and feel I can not possibly go on. In the darkness it is that which gives me strength.

Mother Nature has unleashed such fury on my beloved Australia in this past month. I watch the news in growing dismay as floods follow cyclones which follow floods - and now a bushfire raging.

I felt I had to paint a painting to give something back to those who have lost their homes, loved ones, their lives in turmoil.

50% from the sales of 'Hope' prints and cards will purchase essential goods to donate to 'Operation Angel', an incredible non-profit organisation giving back hope and dignity to those who have lost so much. Each time someone buys a print or a card of this painting, I will post pictures of the items sent to Operation Angel. For the moment they are needing undies (underwear).
http://www.facebook.com/OperationAngel?v=info&ref=ts#!/OperationAngel?v=info

The prints are listed in my shop on Etsy here http://www.etsy.com/listing/67581921/hope-print
The cards are listed here http://www.etsy.com/listing/67717321/card-of-hope

Whilst I was painting 'Hope' I thought of friends who are touched by illness, for whom it takes huge courage every day just to get out of bed. This painting is for you also, with my love.

Handmade cards or playing with paper indulgence

2011-02-04T15:38:00.000-08:00

Continuing my love affair with all things paper and in an act of sheer self indulgence I just simply played today and created lots of cards.

What an excuse to browse my favourite paper shops and buy oodles of delicious papers... Japanese rice paper, handmade cotton rag with petals, leaves and bits of grass poking out, papers made in Tibet with gold leaf and dreamy clouds, papers made of scrunched up recycled plastic ... yummm!

I have played with magical copper burnishing flakes - like an Aladdin's cave of golden copper flakes which have to be burnished onto the paper. They have so many delicious hues and hidden colours in them.

There are many more cards waiting in the studio to be photographed and listed but today was a wild and blustery day and I want to wait for the sun to come out and dance its magic on the copper flakes. For now there is a small selection of my paper frolics in my Etsy shop

http://www.etsy.com/listing/67450530/unique-handmade-valentines-day-card

New Cards with Inspirational Words

2011-02-02T16:06:00.001-08:00

When I was doing the markets, a lovely lady asked me why I didn't have the sayings I had created for my bookmarks on my cards... so obvious!

Finally I have created them - introducing a new set of inspirational cards with poetic words.

Faith ...
"We can not know what the future holds for us once we take the first step. We must trust... and take the step anyway."

Listen ...
"Listening to the inner self requires stillness and courage ... sometimes the inner self is wilder that the outer! This is where all first steps begin."

Fly ...
"Once we step out in a leap of faith we often realise that the imagined was much more fearful that reality could ever be."

Balance ...
"True wisdom comes in knowing when to balance the passions of the heart ... with the reason of the head."

Clarity ...
"Sometimes when we search far and wide for the 'answers',we discover that we knew them... all along."

Bookmarks for Thought

2011-02-02T15:36:00.000-08:00

Way back before Christmas, when I was standing proudly selling my art at the markets, I created a set of bookmarks which put into words some of the thoughts and feelings behind my paintings.

I get great delight in both writing and painting, so it felt natural to take the images into a poetic form...

I have created words for 5 of my paintings

Listen ...
"Listening to the inner self requires stillness and courage ... sometimes the inner self is wilder that the outer! This is where all first steps begin"

Faith ...
"We can not know what the future holds for us once we take the first step. We must trust... and take the step anyway."

Fly ...
"Once we step out in a leap of faith we often realise that the imagined was much more fearful that reality could ever be."

Balance ...
"True wisdom comes in knowing when to balance the passions of the heart ... with the reason of the head."

Clarity ...
"Sometimes when we search far and wide for the 'answers',we discover that we knew them... all along"

Freedom!

2011-02-01T14:31:00.000-08:00

Cycling to my studio today after days of working on my other job I felt a most delicious sense of freedom!

Like a kid let out of school early coupled with the smug satisfaction of having worked really really hard, the reward earned, the contentment of a job well done filling me up, the eager feeling of the wind on my cheeks as I fly along the canal to paint in my hideaway world.

My other job is intense, fulfilling, a different rhythm to painting, demanding all of me for the time it calls. At times I resent it for taking me away from my paints. Today I am grateful for the different sense of perspective it provides, for taking me to the outer world and allowing my imagination to soar into other realms that I would not normally touch in my studio.

And I am grateful grateful grateful for my studio, my paints, my solitude and the swirling river that flows outside my window.

I have often wondered how to define happiness. Today happiness was my every breath.

A butterfly almost ready to fly!

2011-01-16T14:21:00.000-08:00

I have spent a couple of glorious days getting my fingers messy and playing with my paints. My African Butterfly is almost finished...

For now I am leaving her to look at her and contemplate. I am so frightened of ruining her essence at this stage that I must stop and collect my thoughts. At the moment I think I will draw just a couple of simple lines to denote her hair.

I have loved bringing her to life.

More butterflies work in progress

2010-12-19T04:01:00.001-08:00

And some more butterflies!

I thought it was interesting to show the progression of a painting and the nail biting angst in the decision making process... Here is the current piece I am working on - first I create the face and the butterfly.

What colour? How detailed? What style? Will I ruin it if I add this? Have I captured what I set out to achieve?...
.... there are days when I leave my studio and I feel as if a hippo has been sitting on me!

It was a difficult decision whether to keep the eyes of the girl as they are or to use the butterfly markings. I decide to keep her eyes, as a window into her thoughts.

Then I paint her neck, upper torso and jewellry. Again a decision - intricate jewellry or simple? What colours?

I almost went for a turquoise neck piece, however I love the orange warm sunset hues in this and when holding up a turquoise coloured piece of paper to her neck, it was just too disctracting. The focus must be her eyes and the butterfly combined with her regal poise.

My next step will be her hair ... I love the hints of strands of hair and the incompleteness of the first butterfly picture I did back in November ( http://tarawinona.blogspot.com/2010/11/i-have-finished-my-painting-oh-what.html ) I feel I should do that with this one also. There is a spaciousness to it. And what of her hair style? Should she have a coiled head piece (my current preference) or little dreadlocks? Or be shaven? And then I must move to painting her eyes and finishing the butterfly...

Oh sometimes how I miss the pixel pushing of my computer! I notice that my once sharp brain has become sluggish in making the decisions - to used to my undo button enabling me to test many options. Now I must learn to use my creative intuition again!

... some weeks later
Returning post snows, Christmas and adventures in wild Wales I have finally got my fingers messy with oil pastels and paints and almost completed my African Butterfly goddess.

A nude butterfly work in progress ...

2010-12-18T15:42:00.000-08:00

Butterflies have always been special creatures to me, symbolising transformation and beauty. I wanted to play with this further, using them as masks on portraits, replacing people's eyes with the markings on the butterfly wings, questioning what beauty is, what transformation is and looking at masks - do they hide or reveal?

We have life drawing at the studio and thus I decided to create a nude butterfly painting.

This painting has been a challenging one ... It started out with great promise and I loved it. And then, when i should have gone home and come back with fresh eyes... well you will see. I am still not sure if it is finished or not...

First I paint the torso and face using oil pastels.

Then I ponder how to create the butterfly mask.It must be painted as the oil pastels are too thinck and hard to control for the delicate finess of butterfly wings. I have a moment of doubt and so I do a practise butterfly.

She just zings off the paper - the dance of colour between the blue and the red is breathtaking! This photo is taken with a crappy old camera, I promise to get some better shots soon.

OK, take a deep breath and paint the mask on!

And then, rather than leaving the hair and allowing it to be a few strands I went and got excited (stepped away from the painting and consider!) See the difference in the two? The later one looks somehow constricted and cheapened ... oh NO!!!!

I then went through a thousand different hair colours searching for the solution. Black, grey, white, brown, blue... I have scraped so many layers of oil pastels off and tried so many different techniques. I want an UNDO button!

Anyway, perhaps I have rescued her. She is not as I had hoped, however she is something different and it does seem to work. Her hair is a blue quite similar to the paper, sort of zings and looks quite interesting, which this photo doesn't show very well. She is wild and gypsy-like....

And then after many months of staring at her and pondering if she was finished ... a creative frenzy swept over me. Tis strange, I barely remember what passed. Suddenly there were shadows on her face, defining her features and making her look as if she was lit from below. I touched up her skin and made it glow more, added some wind swept hair strands and let myself go in the joy of oil pastels and their wildness.

Look how thick and chunky the oil pastel is! Tis edible... although hard to get out from underneath fingernails

Frames Glorious Frames!

2010-12-18T14:05:00.000-08:00

For the past few months I have been scouting the shops, internet, everywhere (!) looking for frames for my prints. The criteria was good quality, affordable frames. After much research, I found that metallic/vintage ones seemed to suit the leap of faith series of Little Red paintings the best.

I found some really gorgeous frames and of course couldn't pick just one!

Finally after weeks of buzzy busying, I am ready to launch them. Smooth, sleek and modern, metallic clean lines chic, a sumptuous vintage look - which one takes your fancy?! .. I just adore them.

Here is the link to them in my etsy shop -
http://www.etsy.com/listing/64544071/frames-glorious-frames-with-a-6-x-4-fine

My favourite one is still to be revealed - a luxury frame with a beautiful mirrored surround. I just adore it with my 'Listen' print, it seems rather fitting to see the reflection of yourself whilst looking at a painting about inner self and reflection. I also have a lovely stock of wooden ones for the children's paintings to come...

... however, the snow put paid to any photography today! (as the bench amongst the snow drifts is where I photograph my works!)

Dreaming Elephant

2010-12-16T15:46:00.000-08:00

I have a gorgeous nephew who when he was born he didn't like to sleep! So I painted him a 'dreaming elephant' to gaze down on him and accompany him in his dreams.

My husband, mature and handsome fellow that he is, was jealous that my nephew had got the painting and not him! So I painted another and decided to share it with the world.

Weeks later in my busy buzzy bee pre-Christmas buzzing I am finally listing him on etsy and posting him here for you all to giggle at.

Here's to sleep my darling nephews and niece! xx

Dreams

2010-12-12T12:23:00.000-08:00

I did my second markets today. What an idyllic spot the Duckpond Markets are! The medieval barn is such a fairyland with so many talented people gathered under one roof.

I stand there with my paintings and my heart and soul on show and it takes alot of courage.

The thing with dreams is they can involve long and rocky paths.
A helping hand and a moment of inspiration makes all the difference ...

I surveyed the ancient barn with exposed beams and breathed a deep contented sigh. Balm to the soul of a slightly homesick aussie at Christmas time, grateful to be amongst such ancient splendour.

How blessed I feel to have friends along the way who help and support me. Thank you thank you to the Noddy Mobile! The tardis conquers again! And its driver a wonderful friend who drove across London in his busy life just to be there and transport 4 boxes, a table, a chair, an easel and myself .... home.

Feeling blessed for precious friends and happily tired.

Tomorrow is back to paints ... YIPPPEEEE!!!!!

The elves have been making notebooks!

2010-12-04T14:43:00.000-08:00

I share my hideaway studio with other artsists, one of whom makes utterly beautiful hand-crafted notebooks. We were chatting over a cup of tea and decided to collaborate. I got so excited I hardly slept that night!!!

So voila! Together we have produced these beautiful notebooks. The leather on them is soft as soft and the colours she has chosen are gorgeous. She is one talented lady and the needles she wields are the scariest things I have seen in a long time! She showcases her talents here
http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheGiftShed

I imagine people sitting and writing their innermost thoughts, sketching ideas, creating poetry and dreaming dreams into them and it brings a feeling of deep gladness to my heart. I have written journals and poetry since I was a child and I have kept every single one of them, marks of my voyage through time.

Here's the link to them in my etsy shop
http://www.etsy.com/listing/63602048/balance-handcrafted-notebook

I made up bookmarks to go in each one with some words about each painting.

"Listen ...
Listening to the inner self requires stillness and courage ... sometimes the inner self is wilder that the outer! This is where all first steps begin"

Faith ...
"We can not know what the future holds for us once we take the first step. We must trust... and take the step anyway."

Fly ...
"Once we step out in a leap of faith we often realise that the imagined was much more fearful that reality could ever be."

Balance ...
"True wisdom comes in knowing when to balance the passions of the hearts ... with the reason of the head."

Sending love

2010-12-04T05:52:00.000-08:00

My family and many close friends are in Australia and I will be far from them this Christmas, far from 'home'. Sometimes following dreams can be hard!

I was thinking about them all and sometimes wish I could magic myself there, just for an afternoon cup of tea. Or attach some little wings to my heart and send it.

In this exciting creative adventure of highs and lows, they are my base and help me to make sense of what I am doing.

So I painted them 'Love' and send it on ... knowing I carry them in my heart even when we are far away from each other.

This little piggy went to market!

2010-11-22T10:56:00.000-08:00

Once upon a time I took a leap of faith and began painting again...

which led to printers ...

and selling paintings on etsy ...

and opened up new worlds ...

and then one day a lovely lady saw my work and invited me to her markets.

With a deep breath I took another step, spent many sleepless nights printing, painting, preparing, nail biting and with 4 hours sleep (arggghH!) went to market.

What a beautiful magical place, set in an old medieval barn straight out of fairytales. I laid out my 'wares' and took another step in opening my art and my heart to the worlds. What a gorgeous place to do so.

Everyone was so kind, helpful and welcoming of green, nervous me! I had fascinating conversations with many interesting people, sharing my little red angel world and adventures and listening to theirs, marvelling at so much talent collected together in one market. I learnt so much.

Wonderful friends came along to support me. My lovely photographer friend got up early with her two gorgeous boys and off we trooped. I couldn't have done it without her. She encouraged, directed and helped in a truly wonderful display of deep friendship and love. The boys were amazing, so well behaved and courteous (so proud of you two - drawing classes at the hideaway studio soon!)

Other friends arrived, my heart jumping with joy and surprise each time to see their smiling faces. One for whom it is not so easy to get around, who touches my heart with his joy and his courage (JL & G, you are truly angels!) Another significant friend who originally found me the hideaway studio appeared with her mum.

Another turned up to take me home in a little Noddy-mobile - into which we managed to fit all of my boxes and paraphernalia, which proves that the Tardis is real!

I sold prints and cards but more importantly I came home rich in heart and spirit.

searching for clarity

2010-11-10T16:30:00.000-08:00

Sometimes in life, I have searched far and wide for the 'answer'. I have looked in many many places and asked many many questions. How funny to discover that the key was at my feet all along - in my heart and my fingertips (and my paints and my words)!

My Dad used to tell a tale of a monk who was searching for something late at night, in a circle of light cast by a lampost. Another monk saw him searching and asked him where he had last seen his lost object.

'Oh round the corner back there' replied the first monk.

'Why arent you looking over there then?'

'Well, there's no light over there.'

www.tarawinona.com

2010-11-10T09:04:00.000-08:00

I have launched Tara Winona Art to the world!

I feel incredibly grateful for all the feedback, support and encouragement I have recieved. Thank you to you all for taking the time to look at my creations and send me your messages.

It is a strange and wonderful thing to swirl away into my paints and my heart. Recieving so many messages after finally summing up the courage to share my work truly means alot. It gives extra purpose to my step, strength to my courage and joy in my creating.

Thank you!

know yer onions

2010-11-01T15:59:00.000-07:00

Onions are simple - right?!!?!

Right ....

Smooth yet rough...

shiny yet dull,

brown yet orange and gold and green and russett...

As I tumbled into my painting I discovered why they say "know your onions!"

A little bit of a different path from my usual meaning-filled paintings. And lots of fun!

sharing a leap of faith

2010-11-01T07:48:00.000-07:00

A few days ago I shipped off my first consignment of prints from my Etsy shop. It was such an exciting, nerve wracking and wonderful experience - like sending my babies out to the world.

All parcels have landed safely and so we cracked open a bottle of champers!

I recieved two beautiful messages and I feel so proud and humbled I wanted to share them ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

'Am so excited with this purchase! You are so soulful and very talented which shows through these works.

Thankyou for sharing your heart!

Mitchxx'

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

'My print arrived last weekend and I am sooooooo happy to add her to my collection!!!!!

Your artwork speaks to me on many levels...I am a redhead and right now I'm at a point in my life where I'm trying to make smart choices but still hold on to my inner 'magic'. The clarity and clean lines of your work causes me to take a deep breath and be still but it also gives me a lovely dose of joy as well. Faith reminds of a Grace Potter song, "Falling or Flying"...

Thank you for sharing your vision and know that your treasure has found a good home here in the states!!

Good luck and have a wonderful November!
Mary

a day in the studio

2010-11-01T07:14:00.000-07:00

I am blessed to have many creative friends. One came and joined me for lunch and a spot of photography! She is so talented, I wanted to share...

butterfly transformations (or the samba!)

2010-11-01T07:09:00.001-07:00

I have finished my painting!

Oh what a wonderful rush of exhilaration I feel when I finish a painting! Oh the smugness of it!!

This one has certainly been all about dancing the Samba. It has been a wild dance - from joy to despair in seconds as I overeagerly dashed something down or lost the feeling I was seeking for.

I have inked and painted and painted and inked. I have dotted like Seurat and dashed like Van Gogh. I have painted so many layers that it could almost get up and walk by itself!

At midnight last night I was ready to let it go ... another one bites the dust... Today I came in with fresh eyes. Some insights from fellow artists in the studio and within a couple of hours it was transformed! Now I feel cheshire-cat smug and as if I can climb any mountain.

The inspiration behind this painting has been all about transformation. Hidden layers that lie beneath, blossoming and bearing fruit. Beauty which is more than skin deep. A different way of seeing the world. From pupa to butterfly. I feel like I have been incubating a very long time and am finally truly waking up and stretching my wings.

For this idea to work the butterfly had to be strong and almost realistic (eek said she in the grips of a wild oil pastel samba frenzy!) Oil pastel was not the right medium for the delicate feathery feeling of butterfly wings. It is so deliciously lumpy and wild, like painting with gelato in its lusciousness - perfect for portraits, difficult for delicate. I had to find a different medium. Gouache and ink!

Pablo Picasso once said 'The artist goes through states of fullness to emptiness.'

Onwards!

from bach to the samba!

2010-11-01T07:07:00.001-07:00

The images of my 'Little Red Angels' are so simple. When I dreamt them, I wanted their symbolism to be powerful and to speak louder than my arty technique.

It has been so challenging creating them in the free and yet incredibly constrained medium of watercolour - one wrong blob and you are out! They dry so differently to how they look as you paint them. It is always a sigh of relief when I open the studio doors the morning after a creative frenzy and see that they worked!

In other media you can paint over and hide any mistakes. In watercolour it is the juxtaposition of wild freefall comnbined with military precision to get it right. You can not hide!

My Faith series are so different to anything I have created before and I have learnt so much about myself, about persistence and willingness to learn, taking a leap and often getting it wrong (and then do it all over again!)

Watercolour for me has been like playing a complicated Bach sonata - all technique and controlled passion.

Right now I am working on my next adventure in the wild rhythms of oil pastels and ink. It feels fabulous. Like I am doing the Samba with swinging hair and a thumping beat! I eagerly dash down to my studio each day with such joy in my step. I am bursting at the seams with ideas and have to force myself to slow down.

I will return to watercolour and am determined to find my voice in its wild untameable beauty ... for now though it's samba on! (a little peek of a work in progress above)

cards! cards!

2010-11-01T07:04:00.001-07:00

I have always loved cards. I collect them and stick them on my wall, the images and messages on them inspiring me and becoming part of my 'courage armour'. I look at them to remind me of things I want to do, paintings I admire or ways I want to be.

And now I am creating my own. I have put my little red angels onto them and they look GORGEOUS! I gave one of 'Faith' to a friend about to make a big leap of change in her life. I was so touched by her response - I dream that they may inspire others.

On the back of the cards I have written -

I got a bit teary when I wrote it (call me a big sop!) as I remembered the times when I needed a helping hand to see the rainbow through the clouds. I do hope my paintings make a difference.

I took my first printed cards carefully down to my studio to take photos of them for my etsy shop page. I was concentrating so much I didn't notice that the tide had risen and overflowed onto the banks - wet feet for me! Luckily I made it to the safety of my doorway and had a lovely afternoon watching the swans float by as I painted.

dancing stars

2010-11-01T07:01:00.000-07:00

Some stars tumbled out of the sky to dance on the walls of children's bedroom and help them have sweet dreams.

How precious is sleep! My 'little' sister just had twins. They joined my darling nephew at 16 months. She is my hero!

These stars danced into my imagination for them... I loved the way the watercolour paint ran and congealed into dreamy swirly puddles. An excercise in freedom and control - rather like children it seems!

Sending lots of love to those awake in the wee hours attending to little angels.

my hideaway studio

2010-11-01T06:57:00.001-07:00

Because the universe is full of grace I was one day gifted with a studio. Somewhere in London on the river, full of magic and ripples of light sent scudding across the water. Herons sit looking like old wise men and if I am very lucky I catch the blue opalescent flash of a kingfisher.

I wanted to share it with you - this magic space which enriches and inspires me.

angel boy

2010-10-31T14:48:00.001-07:00

I sat and thought one day of the love, patience and resilience it takes to be a mother. I am in awe of those around me who are parenting.

And so I drew this little angel in homage to my sisters, friends and all those raising little boys whom will one day take on the mantle of the world and have their own adventures.

Sending you an angel - for your courage and to help you both as parents and someone fulfilling their dreams.

And to little boys as they grow, hoping they keep their hearts open and their spirits strong.

my etsy shop!

2010-10-31T14:37:00.000-07:00

I am so proud of my little shop. Each time I put up another image it is as if I am sending one of my babies out into the world.
It takes so long to scan and colour correct each image (the perfectionist in me!) and I feel a glow inside as I finally get each one into my 'shop'.

Here is one of my latest I have posted - my painting to remind me about balance.

http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_570xN.188250954.jpg

The more I look at her, the more I grin somewhat ruefully. Tis 10pm and I should be in bed and asleep as part of my new, better balanced lifestyle! Less late hours, more self discipline, time with my husband, in the garden...

I have a couple of new paintings sitting staring at me, wanting to be released into the world. Not to mention all the others that are clamouring to be painted!

inspiration

2010-10-31T14:32:00.001-07:00

Just back from Barcelona and in awe of what one man's vision and commitment to his passion has done to inspire thousands of people. The Segrada Familia, all of his work, is a monument to creativity and self-belief.

Gaudi you are one of my heroes!

balance

2010-10-31T14:20:00.000-07:00

One of the things I have often struggled with is the balancing of the passion of my heart with the reasoning and logic of my head.

Which one is the correct one to follow?

Often one will pull more than the other, as though I am in the middle of a balancing act walking through my life. When they are in balance I am able to walk straight and with confidence. When I allow one or the other to pull unreasonably I can veer off in the wrong direction and fall off my path.

Rather like a tightrope act finding the right balance in life! I had to paint it...

oh how exciting!

2010-10-31T13:56:00.001-07:00

One of my prints got added to an Etsy 'Hidden Treasures' page! Jumping around in excitement!!!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4c9ff38deb1e6d91e39274ec/nautical-pounce-cn-treasury-challenge?index=0

I am torn between painting all the ideas thrumming in my veins and getting more of my paintings up on Etsy ... A sunny day pulls me to my hideaway studio - an idea wakes me in the middle of the night calling out to be painted! After so many years of pushing pixels behind a screen it takes an enormous amount of discipline to do the computer bits.

Oh my heart is singing. I am having a wonderful time. How delicious is life when one creates the space to follow ones heart! (lucky I painted 'Faith'!!)

a journey

2010-10-29T15:55:00.001-07:00

A triptych of a journey...

First, the idea.

Then the leap of faith to bring it to reality.

And thence the flight into completion.

'May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back.'

Irish Blessing

listening ...

2010-10-29T15:54:00.001-07:00

On this journey of painting and drawing and sketching and dreaming furiously I have been listening to myself intently.

There is the inner me who dreams and the outer me who puts it into action and creates. The inner me is braver and wilder than the outer... with her anything is possible and where all my creative leaps of faith begin.

This feeling of listening to myself made such a powerful impression on me that one evening that I had to sketch it out.

It has felt as though I have come out of a deep forest into the light and am able to see my reflection again.

So here is a painting which I hope will inspire others to stir their deep well of creativity and see what emerges...

i can fly!

2010-10-29T15:53:00.000-07:00

As I sat looking at my finished 'Faith' painting I realised that she needed a companion to describe what happens after the leap ... and so I painted 'Fly'.

I wanted her to by flying amongst the stars, each one representing another limitless possibility. No longer blindfolded, she is looking calmly into her future.

A close friend of mine always used to say 'take the step, the ground may be closer than you think'. I ruminated that often the fear of the unknown, my imaginary dreads, are greater than the unknown itself.

Each of these paintings has about 20 attempts behind them to get them feeling right! Watercolour is so challenging. One little mistake and it's all in the bin - there is no undo button and I am often bamboozled. How ironic that I am encouraging myself to be fearless with this painting and even in the technique I must practise this!

So here is my reminder to 'Fly', in fearless serenity, blindfold shed and fluttering away.

this journey

2010-10-28T10:41:00.001-07:00

And this creation is a journey into the unknown parts of my soul

And that is what holds me back.

The unknown.

Rather than allowing the passion of my soul to push me forward.

I hesitate.

Afraid of where this path of uncommon steps may lead…

My talent takes me to the cliff edge

But it is I who must choose to jump

Into creation.

I do not know where it may take me.

It can be frightening, these swirling mists of creativity

Waiting to be deciphered, calling out to be heard.

It leads me to a place that no one else can go.

It is I, solitary, at the cliff’s edge.

Contemplating the leap.

Alone.

And yet …

…replete with abundance.

This colourful world.

My soul.

The rainbows of my imagination

Are my communion with Life. My expression of humanity.

They are my response to the world.

I want to take them deep within me

Re-capture them and then fling them back out in joy.

I am not truly alone here. I am surrounded by many jewels.

It is the knowing of which one to pluck.

And the courage to follow the journey to its completion.

And so I leap into the unknown and discover

Can

Fly

leap of faith

2010-10-28T09:15:00.000-07:00

Many many moons ago I was lured away from my art by the pull of bright lights and overseas adventures. For as long as I can remember I have been saying 'one day when I get a studio'...

... then, one day, I got a studio.

And I had to put my money where my mouth was. In a deluge, all of the ideas I had promised to finish baking 'one day' came flying at me. In the downpour I stared into the limitless expanse that is creativity and felt a little afraid. What would I paint? Could I paint anymore?

In a daydream I saw myself poised on the edge of a cliff, blindfolded, about to step off. Not knowing what the future held once I took the first step, trusting that something would catch me as I flew or fell. The feeling I always get when I am about to make a big change in my life. Taking a leap of faith, I was stepping out into the great unknown of my future.

I knew I had to paint this feeling, to make a visual concrete reminder to myself that would help me should I falter - to give me courage, creativity and fierceness as I uncovered my old talents.

And so I painted 'Faith'.

I painted her 20 times until she felt right. Rusty skills becoming cleaner with each use, tears of frustration mingling with the paints.

'One day' I breathed a sigh of contentment - she was done!

As I continued in my new artistic adventure, I listened to my friends and the women around me talking. I saw many of them teetering on the brink of making big changes, taking great leaps into the grand adventure of their lives. They kept reminding me of my painting. And so I plucked up my courage and decided to share 'Faith' with the world.

On a momentous day I went and bought an archival printer, some gorgeous inks and the most delicious paper I could find. I took a deep breath, pressed the print button and flew!