Being Inspired

Years ago I read a life changing book called The Artists Way by Julia Cameron and one of her suggestions for re-fuelling our creative tanks was to have regular "Artists Dates".  That's not exactly what I did this week, but I did have two days out visiting with family, shopping and just generally browsing.  The effect was similar, however, and I have come back to the workroom with my head bursting with new ideas!  Yah!  I just cant wait to get back on the torch and convert some of those mind pictures into form.

 I stayed with my darling big sister and we spent some really special time together.  She took me to a new cafe in Nelson, situated in an old historic house on the Nelson foothills called Melrose House.  We had lunch there, served on beautiful china and drank an artisan tea from a gorgeous tea pot in china cups.  Not only was the food amazing, but the staging and setting are to die for! 

I had a fresh fish cake - YUM!

Jane had Chicken Liver Pate with Toasted Walnut Bread and Caramelised Onion Relish

  We've decided that we will take our little sister there when she comes to visit next month. - oops!  Did I let the cat out of the bag?  Was it to be a birthday surprise? Maybe the treat will be magnified by anticipation!

There's a tea wagon loaded with cups, fresh flowers and a gorgeous old garden to wander

I Fell Off!

No, I didn't fall off my perch, just felt a bit out of sorts and was fully occupied with just getting through the days with absolutely no added extras.

 "So go ahead. Fall down. The world looks different from the ground."
Oprah Winfrey

I've had a bug - yes, the one I picked up in Invercargill and it has been very hard to shift.  I think I'm on the tail end of it now - I have the chesty thing going on. but am getting back into my yoga and morning walks - a sure sign that I'm feeling better.

Meanwhile there have been lots of fun things happening in the studio - the Raindrops series is moving along nicely with the new Palest Emerald Green Raindrops just finished and uploaded to the website today.

The Palest Pastel and Watercolours sets of Raindrops are also now gracing Red Gallery in Nelson for their exhibition celebrating the launch of the latest Nelson Arts Guide book.

And..TaDa...we have the new signs up at the workroom!  But more of that later.