Blog
Celebrating Samhain
As April turns into May, millions of people across the globe are observing the sacred time of Samhain Samhain, means"Summer's End" and pronounced saah-win or saa-ween, Samhain is a celebration of the end of the harvest and the start of the coldest half of the year....
Creating a home yoga nest
In my home, the two most important rooms in the house are the art studio and the yoga room. My yoga room was in need of a bit of a make over so last week I got stuck in to it. I wanted to create a space that has an overwhelming sense of calm that washes over me the...
Burial traditions around the world
Do you have your funeral planned? Maybe you have heard a song on the radio and know that is what you want played while throngs of people cry and wail at your passing? Maybe you have decided you want to be buried in a cemetery, or maybe you’ve decided to be cremated?...
Finding freedom in commitments
Among other things I am a marriage celebrant, so I regularly see couples who are committing to each other for the rest of their lives. For many people, just thinking of the word “commitment” can evoke a wide range of emotions. Some people greatly desire commitment,...
Rolling up from standing forward fold – is it worth it?
If you have been following me on Instagram or Facebook you would know that I joined these wonderful yoga practice intensives taught by the highly skilled and just plain wonderful Julie Smeardon at Shri Yoga in Brisbane. I am learning so very much in these workshops...
Creating Creative Ritual
I love the quote by painter Chuck Close: “Inspiration is for amateurs. The rest of us just show up and get to work.” Real creative professionals know that creativity isn’t about a spark, or inspired moment. Sure those things happen, but they’re rare and can’t be...
Finding inspiration
It can be so hard to find inspiration at times. Especially for those of us who have a 9-5 job outside of art. We may be too tired to think straight, or distracted by our daily routine. In such situations, we have to search for sources of inspiration and creativity....
What is a funeral?
A #funeral is the word we use to describe the whole ‘event’ in which we honour some one who has died. A funeral comprises the rites, rituals, ceremonies and/or any other meaningful observances that we carry out in order to honour or memorialize a person who...
Rituals to increase passion and embody love
Since the very beginning of time, people have attempted rituals that induce love and stir desire. Some of the best stimulants of this type are naturally occurring foods like avocados, onions, ginseng, and ginger. These have a very subtle effect, so if you want...
Finding your artistic passion
Making art is part of the human experience. Whether it is painting, sculpture, poetry, cooking, even the way you dress each day, it doesn’t matter, its part of who we are. I really believe that anyone who says “I am not creative” is wrong. Its more likely they haven’t...
Open your heart chakra pranayama
Yoga postures, or asanas, are often the first thing people learn when they start yoga. Depending upon the style of yoga you are learning you could also have the pleasure of learning pranayama. [bctt tweet="Prana means life force energy, or energy of the universe. It...
Atelodemiourgiophobia
Can you believe this word? This is real – this word (that I cannot pronounce) means the fear of imperfect creative activity. It fits so perfectly with my thoughts of late. Its January, I am making a million plans about how much more I will paint, how I will start new...
Ritual to usher in a new year
I want to share with you a simple way to bring in the new year. A simple ritual to cleans your environment and soul perfect fro the ending of 2017 and what ever it held for you so that you have a fresh space to bring in 2018. You can do this at any time, day or night....
Resolve to Evolve: Set Your Yogic Intentions
Set an intention and infuse the new year with positive change. On New Years Eve I did a yoga workshop with the wonderful Julie Smerdon at Shri Yoga. I used this time to reach deep inward and look for what it was that I intended for myself in that class and in my life...
Drawing Inspiration
How do you find inspiration for your pen drawings. It’s a huge world out there and there are a gazillion things to draw, - that’s right, a ‘gazillion’. It's really a matter of picking something and getting started. It doesn’t matter your skill level; if you are just...
The Ritual Walk
I have always enjoyed walking – a gentle stroll. It allows me time to stroll deeper inward, one-foot strike at a time in the outer world. Walking, wandering, strolling; these gentle movements bring me closer to my humanness. We live as we move, a step at a time, and...
Indian Wedding traditions
A colourful occasion with elaborate decorations, music, dances, superb dresses and solemn ceremony.
A momentous moment in Australian history!!
On 7 December 2017, the Australian Parliament passed the #Marriage Amendment (Definition and Religious Freedoms) Act 2017 to change the definition of marriage and provide for marriage equality in Australia. The right to marry in Australia will no longer be...
A beautiful ceremony reading
Have you read this?? Oh, how utterly beautiful! Neil Gaiman is an all-time favourite of mine and he has just added this beautiful #wedding reading to his blog... This is everything I have to tell you about love: nothing. This is everything I've learned...
If you are an empath, you already know
You know those online quizzes that are really popular nowadays? The ones that tell you if you are an empath or not. Well, I think they are a bit redundant because like most sensitive souls, if you are an empath you already know it. You soak up others’ moods and...
Mindful listening to re-calibrate
A missed connection today left me standing in the street, sun blazing down, holding my notebooks and realizing my planned meeting wasn't going ahead. Instead of returning to the office, I wandered into the near by park and took a moment to listen. Do you do this?...
The sweetest surprise
I had the most delightful surprise. I recently went to the Sunshine coast looking forward to a relaxing weekend by the beach. I arrived to find my own artwork adorning the walls of this newly renovated apartment. If you like the look of this, and want to stay...
Dedicate a star to your deceased loved one.
Looking for ways to celebrate your loved one? Companies in Australia, such as International Star Registry, offer packages that include a certificate with a dedication date, telescopic coordinates, and your loved one’s name. Gather family and friends together to...
How to be conscious
Below are some simple “practices” that have become themes in my consciousness throughout my days—they are the threads that weave my day together and infuse my day with a connection to what is. Morning intention. Before I get out of bed, I set an intention for my day....
Bring spirituality into your life – connect with your higher self.
Many of us want to bring spirituality into our lives but don't know where to begin. Or we think we have to sit in silent meditation for an hour each day in order to be “spiritual.” But this is just not true. Here are 5 easy tips to begin to decrease stress, calm your...
How to make your own smudge stick
Smudge sticks are derived from Native American culture, where they were used in ceremonies to cleanse and bless people and places. Smudging, or smoke cleansing is used in many other cultures too. Indigenous Australians use native eucalyptus leaves in smoking...
A Norse funeral?
Looking for ways to celebrate your loved one? You could try themeing the service. A viking-style funeral could be a spectacular send off, while Star Wars has influenced the life celebrations of a number of fans. I have officiated a Star Wars funeral service - and I...
Art as meditation
Many of us have heard about the benefits of meditation, but sometimes find it hard to do. Fewer of us know about the profound benefits of artistic expression. Creating art, however, is another way to access a meditative state of mind and the profound healing it...
Writing your own vows Part 1
History tells us that prior to the 13th century, vows were likely not to have been part of the marriage ceremony. But nowadays, your vows are one of the most important parts of your big day.
Painting to music
We all need a passionate boost in our creative process once in a while. Creative writer Julia Cameron makes the point, "When I am afraid of my own creativity (which may be to say I am afraid of my own passion), I turn to passion and creativity of others whose hearts...
Each of us have the ability to deepen our intuitive knowing.
When we develop this deep sense of knowing, we can make use of it to help navigate through the sometimes stormy waters of our daily lives; use it to help is make decision that are fulfilling; and most importantly, use it to discover a path that keeps us living in a life we love.
When we learn how to hone our skills and start to pay real attention to our inner voice, we soon discover that it points us in the right direction. Developing a strong intuition and learning to trust it gives us a new way of knowing or seeing the truth without need for explanation, double guessing yourself.