thank you for the inspiring insights Natalie. yes to "Art doesn't solve the world's problems, but it nourishes the part of us that can face those problems with courage, compassion, and clearer vision." so much soul nourishment in this post.
Loved this essay and totally agree with all the truths around what we notice and give most attention to as well as the ability of art to heal esp in trying times. Thank you. 🖤
Thank you so much Jen. We can only really be right here and right now, can’t we, and there is so much we would miss out on if we didn’t take time to be present (and full of wonder!) xo
Natalie, I do not know where to begin in honoring what you have written here. How you connect with nature, her animals, plants, all of her, is simply so real and heartwarming to read of. How you connect with the birds in your immediate area, to interact with them and their presences with your own is what living is all about. I love how you respect their end of life times, as well as Jake with one leg and his partner Lady. Beautiful. Congratulations on your first solo exhibition! How exciting! The concept is wonderful, and I am looking forward to seeing your work emerge. 💚
Well, Natalie, you know that I am cheering you on for this adventure.
What you say here about connection with place and its beings is so important. I never felt connected to the land in the US, though some of my ancestors there came before the Revolution. I did feel home and the calling of and claiming by the land in the UK. I was fortunate, through may trials and tribulations to be able to at last make my permanent home here. I have embraced it and as it embraced me.
I believe that this exhibit and the work you are putting into it will embed you more deeply into the land of your birth and that will be, perhaps, its greatest gift to you, my friend.
As this exhibit grows, and you grow with it in skill and understanding and connection, I look forward to both following you and walking beside you prepare for what I know is so very exciting and terrifying. You can do this. You have the example of Jake - resiliant and feisty when he needed to be. For you it may not be about survival but the lesson is there. As you supported him and Lady on their journeys I am honoured to be able to support you.
This is a life changing event you are preparing for. You will step out further than you ever have as an artisit, but remember you are ready. The Universe would not have presented you with the chance if it didn't know you were ready. Trust that knowing and all will be well.
Thank you so much for your beautiful words my dear friend, I appreciate you so, so much, and am so honoured to be walking the wild with you beside me. Thank you for reminding me I am ready! xoxo
Thank you for this. I just love your art. All that you paint, is certainly a work of art. I just wish that I could afford one of your precious pieces. Like you, I have always loved the Magpies warbling. They welcome me to the day, when I do my meditation in the morning. But it is getting much too cold for me to do so, it was down to 10C this morning.
Where do I live, you may ask. I live in Meningie in South Australia. We have a view of Lake Albert or Yarli, in Narrindjeri language. I love it here. It is so peaceful. And I can play my beautiful recorders as loud as I wish.
We bought the block and built our lovely Kookaburra house. Why Kookaburra, you may ask? It is because the builders name is Kookaburra Homes, and we have a couple of Kookaburras on the front, above the door.
I am rabbitting on now, so I'll stop. I just wanted to say how much I appreciate your work, especially when you paint the Australian Flora and Fauna, especially the magpies.
Thank you so much for your beautiful words Andrea, I am so honoured to be walking this wild land with you! I am on the Central Coast of NSW, on Darkinjung land, right between Sydney and Newcastle. I have not been to SA, but it is on my (very long) list. I am jealous of your 10C this morning though! Autumn can't come quick enough for me :)
I love that your home is Kookaburra house. I have three that regularly cackle away in the mornings in my backyard, and they are such a joy - it is wonderful to bring that same joy into your home. xo
I love this. I have been living in Hobart for the last 3 months and am so enchanted by the wildlife and the immense, fragrant gum trees. Every day I pass flocks of cockies and masked lapwings and galahs and I always stop and watch them. My heart bursts with love for them, and for the pademelon Joey I got to feed, for the echidna who waddled on the beach I visited. I’m from the USA and this is all wonderfully new to me and has inspired my art in so many ways
Oh Martha, you are in my most favourite part of the world! I would love to live in Tassie - one day. I will be spending a week in Hobart in May, and I cannot wait! It is truly a beautiful place, and I am thrilled that you get to sink your toes into this lands sand, see our wild beings, and smell the Australian bush. It is truly a beautiful place to call home, and such a place of inspiration for our creativity! xo
thank you for the inspiring insights Natalie. yes to "Art doesn't solve the world's problems, but it nourishes the part of us that can face those problems with courage, compassion, and clearer vision." so much soul nourishment in this post.
Thank you so much for your kind words Anne, I really appreciate you!
Loved this essay and totally agree with all the truths around what we notice and give most attention to as well as the ability of art to heal esp in trying times. Thank you. 🖤
Thank you so much Jen. We can only really be right here and right now, can’t we, and there is so much we would miss out on if we didn’t take time to be present (and full of wonder!) xo
Natalie, I do not know where to begin in honoring what you have written here. How you connect with nature, her animals, plants, all of her, is simply so real and heartwarming to read of. How you connect with the birds in your immediate area, to interact with them and their presences with your own is what living is all about. I love how you respect their end of life times, as well as Jake with one leg and his partner Lady. Beautiful. Congratulations on your first solo exhibition! How exciting! The concept is wonderful, and I am looking forward to seeing your work emerge. 💚
Thank you so much for your kind words and support Jenny! I am really excited to be sharing all of this with you all too - doing it together!
I am also looking forward to sharing the same!
Well, Natalie, you know that I am cheering you on for this adventure.
What you say here about connection with place and its beings is so important. I never felt connected to the land in the US, though some of my ancestors there came before the Revolution. I did feel home and the calling of and claiming by the land in the UK. I was fortunate, through may trials and tribulations to be able to at last make my permanent home here. I have embraced it and as it embraced me.
I believe that this exhibit and the work you are putting into it will embed you more deeply into the land of your birth and that will be, perhaps, its greatest gift to you, my friend.
As this exhibit grows, and you grow with it in skill and understanding and connection, I look forward to both following you and walking beside you prepare for what I know is so very exciting and terrifying. You can do this. You have the example of Jake - resiliant and feisty when he needed to be. For you it may not be about survival but the lesson is there. As you supported him and Lady on their journeys I am honoured to be able to support you.
This is a life changing event you are preparing for. You will step out further than you ever have as an artisit, but remember you are ready. The Universe would not have presented you with the chance if it didn't know you were ready. Trust that knowing and all will be well.
Thank you so much for your beautiful words my dear friend, I appreciate you so, so much, and am so honoured to be walking the wild with you beside me. Thank you for reminding me I am ready! xoxo
Thank you for this. I just love your art. All that you paint, is certainly a work of art. I just wish that I could afford one of your precious pieces. Like you, I have always loved the Magpies warbling. They welcome me to the day, when I do my meditation in the morning. But it is getting much too cold for me to do so, it was down to 10C this morning.
Where do I live, you may ask. I live in Meningie in South Australia. We have a view of Lake Albert or Yarli, in Narrindjeri language. I love it here. It is so peaceful. And I can play my beautiful recorders as loud as I wish.
We bought the block and built our lovely Kookaburra house. Why Kookaburra, you may ask? It is because the builders name is Kookaburra Homes, and we have a couple of Kookaburras on the front, above the door.
I am rabbitting on now, so I'll stop. I just wanted to say how much I appreciate your work, especially when you paint the Australian Flora and Fauna, especially the magpies.
Thank you so much for your beautiful words Andrea, I am so honoured to be walking this wild land with you! I am on the Central Coast of NSW, on Darkinjung land, right between Sydney and Newcastle. I have not been to SA, but it is on my (very long) list. I am jealous of your 10C this morning though! Autumn can't come quick enough for me :)
I love that your home is Kookaburra house. I have three that regularly cackle away in the mornings in my backyard, and they are such a joy - it is wonderful to bring that same joy into your home. xo
I love this. I have been living in Hobart for the last 3 months and am so enchanted by the wildlife and the immense, fragrant gum trees. Every day I pass flocks of cockies and masked lapwings and galahs and I always stop and watch them. My heart bursts with love for them, and for the pademelon Joey I got to feed, for the echidna who waddled on the beach I visited. I’m from the USA and this is all wonderfully new to me and has inspired my art in so many ways
Oh Martha, you are in my most favourite part of the world! I would love to live in Tassie - one day. I will be spending a week in Hobart in May, and I cannot wait! It is truly a beautiful place, and I am thrilled that you get to sink your toes into this lands sand, see our wild beings, and smell the Australian bush. It is truly a beautiful place to call home, and such a place of inspiration for our creativity! xo