Denise Daffara

Recovering the Studio Flow... with Help!

2012-01-12T14:37:00.001+10:00

Thursday January 12 ... 2012...

What a remarkable morning I've just had... I had the absolute blessing and gift of an amazing woman come and help me to create the shift I needed for my studio to become a place of energy flowing... we stirred up all the corners... shifted everything into zones.. and threw out some things... and shifted out anything that didn't belong... including... I'm quite flabbergasted to say... my chaise lounge! It has two broken legs at the moment.. so it is in need of repair.. but aside from that... it was taking up too much valuable space... and I was firmly (with love) reminded that this is my WORK space.

Who? might you ask is the amazing woman of whom I speak? Well her name is Lyn Moes... you can find her here... http://www.buderimyoga.com/ she has a Yoga studio with classes held in Buderim. And she's also an artist..... hence the reason I was able to let her loose in my sacred studio space! She's one who knows about these things.!!!

There is a whole lot of energy spinning around in my mind/heart/centre/body now after this... I am ever so grateful.

Here's a few before and after pics ... it wasn't a devastating mess before... but it definitely wasn't an efficient, HAPPENING place either.

General mess... clutter and boxes of 'I don't know what to do with you stuff'

more of same

cleared ..... left is a table for dreaming, playing creating, diary and planning work. Right at the end is a stack of canvas's ready for ME.

Central line of easels... work end of the room

A shop!!!!
For all the things that are finished... most of these are canvas prints.. it's time
for them to move out my door, bring on the flow... ready for the new.

bye for now,

I've got more work to do.

love Denise xo

RAAK's .. random act of art kindness

2011-11-30T09:26:00.001+10:00

I learned about RAAK's from Milliande Art Community for Women

you may rememeber an earlier post of my first RAAK's received in the mail... I was sooo excited by them.

now.. it's my turn... this is just one sgraffiti patterned one... that I took several fun pics of.. so I could keep a copy ... sometimes its hard to part with something you've made and quite like the look of. haha

I heard on a podcast recently ...

"We're here to Love the World Awake"

It is a little bit strange to share what is meant for someone else... but you know that idea of giving the gift you wish to receive yourself... well this way.. i get to post it digitally to myself to re-visit in a place where it's easy to find... :0) and if by chance you're visiting here... you can receive this as a little 'random act of art kindness' for you too.

if you feel to . . .

this can be done out in public... secretly, as well.

bye for now,

love Denise xo

Gifts of ordinary days

2011-10-07T09:50:00.001+10:00

I am thrilled to share about a lovely book I'm almost finished reading, it's called "The gift on an ordinary day" ~ A Mother's Memoir by Katrina Kenison

Anyone who knows me will automatically see a kindred spirit right there on the front cover, I LOVE tea, teacups and all things tea related. Not that this book features tea in a huge way but I've been enjoying reading it with my many cups.. either with toast in the morning or later in the days.

And... I also wanted to share the magic that is 2011 .... I read a piece in this book that moved me so much it brought tears to my eyes speaking of the love that can be shared when caring for a friend who is unwell.
So, I wrote a little email note to Katrina last week telling her so, and this morning I received a response, how DELIGHTFUL is that, to reach out to an author who has touched my life... from the other side of the world... and to have her respond... is no ordinary thing to me... it's a beautiful blessing that's gifted me a smile and joy.

I'm doing some self care things today like giving myself a pedicure and painting my nails red... and I'm off to a music festival ... where on Sunday the band 'Icehouse' will be playing... my sister Min who died in 1997 was the one who introduced their music to me... so I'm thinking she'll be with me in spirit.

I've had a couple of not so easy years these last two gone by... so I'm so happy to sense a shift ... an arrival of what feels a whole lot like 'Spring' .... not only in the seasons here in Australia, but in my step and spirit as well.

I hope you have a little Spring in your day too no matter where in the world you happen to be. If not.... have a cup of tea.

love
Denise xo

http://www.katrinakenison.com/

I received my first Random Acts of Art Kindness!!

2011-08-16T11:54:00.005+10:00

Ohhh, the joy of it... I squeezed out every drop of excitement I could.

RAAK = Random Act of Art Kindness...

I know this, only because of the fantastic Milliande Art Community for women

milliande.ning.com or Find on Facebook too

On Thursday morning last week (11 Aug 11) I was on my way to the beach for a morning walk, (which is my favourite and best way of starting the day) and thought I might just check the new PO Box.

I was surprised and delighted to find two envelopes addressed to me!!!

I placed them lovingly on the passenger seat next to me... and proceeded to the beach with a feeling of such glee I felt like a little kid at Christmas time, they were like unwrapped presents with a secret waiting for me inside.

Even the beach was picture perfect

I left them til Sunday afternoon to open!!! I was busy on Friday and Saturday and simply did not want to squeeze them into a 5 minute window.

Inside I was delighted to find

from Ruth ... www.etsy.com/shop/InspireDailey a gorgeous zen-gami crane and an explanation of the 'Thousand Crane Legend' to go with it, and a delighful delicately decorated design on Ruth's note card.

and from Emily a gorgeous hand made card with magical words in it and wishing me a Happy Birthday for later this month!!! how special... and my very first received and seen Artist Trading Cards, Em said to 'celebrate YOU!' How extraordinary!!!!

you can find Emily's work at www.etstudio.net and also via her blog http://creativeartjournal.blogspot.com/2011/08/why-do-we-journal.html

and LOOK AT that poem by Mary Oliver so lovingly and perfectly placed on the outside of this beautiful envelope, I wonder how many people in the postal service were blessed with the carriage of this letter, if they had a quick moment to read this verse.

Gratitude bubbles over with the receiving of these heart art gifts from two wonderful women across the other side of the world from me.

Blessings,

love
Denise.

p.s. I got so much joy from this... I even went so far as to create my very first 'vlog' and raved on in front of my web cam as I opened the envelopes... haha

you tube clip ... me opening my special RAAK mail xo

Survival Kit for Artists

2011-07-06T15:39:00.001+10:00

I'm a bit lost at the moment, it's a boring story... so I'll focus on something really cool I just found via a bookmark I made last year sometime during the Flying Lesson's e-course . . .

This is by a very clever lady named Keri Smith she has fabulously and bodaciously created an 'Artist's Survival Kit'

You know that saying ... you had me at 'hello' ... well she had me at "when you feel like everything you do is shit"

This is a snippet from the intro to her fabulous kit...

"For the really bad days, for the days when you want to quit, when you feel like everything you do is shit, when you feel your self-esteem plummet, when you decide that you would rather wait tables for a living, when you start to think you will never make a living making art, when you are working on something and feel like you hate it more than you’ve ever hated anything in your life, when someone makes an offhand remark about your work and afterwards you feel dejected, when you wish you had gone to school for accounting, when you start to believe that maybe your family was right, when you want to lie in bed for a month and eat chips.

It pays to have a sense of humor.

The artist’s survival kit offers some help .

I'm printing it out for myself now!

so now, at least I can feel like I did one useful thing today... I shared a cool thing xx

love Denise xo

Simply Sunday

2011-07-03T18:21:00.000+10:00

My day began slowly... I woke with a pounding headache in the back of my head, so I just lazed in bed hoping it would just go away... my dear partner brought me breakfast in bed, including a magic pot of tea that always cheers me up no matter what. And also our little dog, wrapped in a blanket was placed lovingly on my bed... because she's not really meant to beee on my bed ... but how can I resist those eyes?

Aura

Slowly does it... and a visit to the beach with my banana lounge to sit and listen to the waves and finish reading a wonderful book that is now overdue back to the library.

"Don't keep searching for the truth,

Just let go of your opinions"

Man: Doc, my brother's crazy. He thinks he's a chicken.

Psychologist: Well, why don't you turn him in?

Man: I would, but I need the eggs.

~ Woody Allen.

Elizabeth Lesser in "Broken Open - How difficult Times Can Help Us Grow" was referring to the point that we know or feel that something isn't quite right in our life but for some reason we hold on to the perceived reward, instead of letting it go and fully embracing the next chapter or learning that is meant to be for us.

I wonder... Maybe we slow down our process but then that negates the fact that everything is perfect just as it is... and in perfect timing. But... if i didn't read things like this in the first place I may not question the very thing I am shifting and moving away from...

enjoying a simple Sunday?

mmm, maybe not simple enough, haha!!

love Denise xo

A little bit of Cypress Sun in my day

2011-06-20T14:24:00.001+10:00

I was delighted to receive my little parcel in the mail today....

I have been looking over at http://cypresssunjewelry.com/ for months now...

ever since I saw some of Amy's beautiful work and got to know her a little via an online course we both took... 'Flying Lessons' with Kelly Rae Roberts ..

my self gift... is a pair of Forest Green drop earrings... not very well shown here,

but I wanted to remember the delightful packaging and sentiment that came all the way from San Marcos today.

Thank you Amy

love Denise xo

ps. you'll love her blog... the photo's are delicious, and the temptation to spoil yourself with one of her gorgeous creations is very likely too.

http://cypresssunjewelry.com/blog/

http://cypresssunjewelry.com

Friday...changing things about

2011-06-03T16:43:00.000+10:00

Sometimes I've heard it's better to 'leave well enough alone' ... well I didn't take that advice, and have gone ahead and changed my header today...here on the blog...

I wanted to make a distinction between the new blog I've made as part of my new website... it can be more about the artwork and things... but I wanted a place to just be quiet... or say whatevertheheck I like.

fragmented human being that I am... compartmentalising things sometimes helps... being someone who lives far too much in her head... over thinking ... is it any wonder I have 'header trouble' ... and being a perfectionist is annoys me greatly that the darn header is narrower than the body of this blog.

Yep... BIG deal ... it's not I know....I'm just blurting... because I've given myself permission to do that!

I used to move all the furniture around in my rental house years ago... to make it feel better... I wonder if it works for blogs too.

love Denise xo

Free Spirits re-visited...

2011-05-28T11:43:00.017+10:00

I have begun a new blog over on my newly created website... but for those of you who prefer to be here... I'm repeating the post... and may do so for coming ones.. xo

Yesterday I made my first little video... I had a bunch of photo's from my second solo show back in 2008, that were waiting for me to get to them. As I worked my way through it's creation I was moved by the smiles on the faces of my family and friends and visitors to the opening, it was an incredibly celebratory day for me, and the gallery in which my work is represented shines beautifully thoughout the pictures.

Free Spirits Exhibition

On a more personal note... I felt like I was making a movie about someone else... someone I actually love and admire, but have not been so in tune with for the last 18 months or more, with the global financial crisis in late 2009 came a bit of a jolt and a personal artist/life crisis as well. Various things have contributed to bouts of depression and the fact I had allowed myself to become anemic once again, have brought me to a big check point where I am taking a long hard look at my life and health and wanting very much to clear out the rubbish and embrace my true self once again... with renewed strength and clarity.

I’m not quite there... I’m somewhat confused about my work... but more ok about that lately than I have been these last months... after all, beating up on myself for not doing enough, not being enough, and not having enough is really the most unhelpful I can be for any kind of progress to come out of that same scenario.

This little video actually made me feel genuinely happy, the music by Frou Frou is such a gorgeous accompaniment to the feeling I had for the artwork. It is my pleasure to bring something joyful into the world.

Love Denise xo

.... no reading... listening...

2011-05-04T11:24:00.000+10:00

can i just say... it's not working.... don't know if I can ever do such a thing...

but... I am much more aware of this need to read!

I am being selective, and I couldn't help it that my local library emailed me the very day after I began this 'challenge' to tell me my reservation of "This Is Not The Book You Think It Is" by Laura Munson was there waiting for me!

I read that book immediately, because I felt an instant connection to the writer and there is nothing like meeting a kindred spirit along the creative path, one with whom you feel connected simply by the sharing of your story... I am so grateful for people who share from their hearts... if you want to find out more ... visit Laura's website

I'm actually very busy creating a new website... from scratch.... I'm still not sure if I'm extremely clever or stupid to undertake such a task... but oh well.... I might also have to dive back into my Flying Lessons by Kelly Rae.... for some help on this.

bye for now fellow creative traveller,

love
Denise xo

Day 1 of 30 - without reading/listening to books or articles

2011-04-18T17:25:00.000+10:00

I thought it might be interesting, to keep a little bit of a note about how this process goes for me.

I am a bit of a junkie when it comes to self help/psychology, uplifting, inspiring... kinds of books and podcasts... so much so that I think I may over do it... so on the weekend when I was having a day where my head felt it might explode with the sheer volume of thoughts running amock in my head... my partner challenged me to go without reading and listening to 'my stuff' for a month! I was slightly resistant... well a lot resistant at first, but knowing how I had avoided the week of 'reading deprivation' in the Artist Way course I am taking myself through (a bit slowly I might add) I thought there really might be something in this... for me, that I am missing by not doing it.

So... apart from keeping up with email, and a little bit of facebook * but not reading the long articles on there... I have been only listening to music today...

it felt strangely 'peaceful' in my head... I pondered... perhaps that is because every wonderful speaker I listen to... although I am inspired by what they are saying/teaching, I am constantly checking and judging whether I measure up! Underlying all this is the constant question am I good enough?

So.... that's only day 1 mind you...... many days to go yet... and I even started a little painting...

bye for now,
love Denise

Friday... hi..

2011-04-15T19:44:00.001+10:00

Hi there creative souls and friends,

Well... I listened in live to SARK's call today... and I am consistently amazed by her. For example, when she speaks about inner critics... she suggests using creative and fun ways of working with them... or 'without them' actually... like... she sent a bunch of her inner critics to Japan because there is a lot of work to do there... and just before her call today... some were popping up to say things that were not all that helpful.. like... will she be good enough for such a large call ... etc... and so she sent those ones... "down to the back overgrown garden, there is plenty of work for them to do there, and they're still down there" she said with a giggle..... i LOVE that!!!

She's the funnest most colourful bodaciously creative inspiring soul I know of!!

I've jokingly thought of putting 'SARK' as my *religion... on facebook... because whenever I read her books or listen to her speak her words inspire me, make me feel loved, accepted and ok....just as I am... and quite frankly my experience of regular religion never did that!

*i changed it haha!

I spent a little bit of time with my chicken 'Lucy' today... she's looking very old and has gone all quiet and maybe has a little cough... I'm wondering if she might cross over to chicken heaven quite soon... so I took some photo's of her...being a Sussex, she is one of the most pretty breeds of chickens I've seen. Not however a very good layer... so we may not buy any more like her. I have featured her in several of my paintings, because her little black lacey collar is just special.... and I love her.

She's got her little eyes closed...

she looked like she was meditating.

"Setting off for a picnic" (c) Denise Daffara

Goodnight lovelies

love
Denise xo

I am extremely happy to be an affiliate of SARK... and she has a new session of Dream Boogie starting soon if you are interested ... www.planetsark.com I did Dream Boogie last year and LOVED it very much!! Especially wonderful if you are a bit lonely and in need of some colour filled inspiration and a new wonderful group of creative friends, which you'll meet online, from all over the world. - i blogged about Dream Boogie in a previous blog. x

note.... Tuesday 19 April 2011

My lovely Lucy Lou died last night, I found her this morning

... and then the most bazaar thing happened a couple of hours later... our little dog Aura who occasionally visits the chooks; whimpered at the screen door and when I opened it... she went straight outside across the wet deck and lawn to the chook pen...(she absolutely hates getting her feet wet so I was quite puzzled) ... I took some photo's.

Who knows.... curious animal behaviour...

Week 5, Recovering a Sense of Possibility

2011-03-25T13:23:00.000+10:00

Hello there,

I'm slowing making my way through the Artist's Way.... I think some of my weeks are lasting as long as 10-15 days? hence... I'm only starting the Chapter marked Week 5...

I decided at the start it was going to take as long as it took.. so long as I stick with it til the end. I am happy to say it's made all the difference to have a check-in buddy, my friend Xanthe who's joined me for this adventure she's into the Dramatic Arts and a prolific writer of reviews and articles and attending performances and acting, directing and teaching... and a Mum to a dear little girl... she has her own blog http://www.xsentertainme.wordpress.com Xanthe has her creative plate very very full, and I admire her tanacity and courage to follow her dreams.

So.... how am I doing with this 12 week course? I'm enjoying it... and well... failing a little bit too... eg. last week was meant to be 'reading deprivation' no reading... of anything!! And while I can see that could actually be very helpful for my creative self... it seems I'm a bit too insecure in myself at this moment to rise to such a challenge, I'm addicted to my self help books and astrology newletter info, not to mention email and friends on facebook and affirmations by Louise Hay.. or any number of the various books I have surrounded myself with... and the Color Wisdom Cards... the list .. goes... on.... mmm, I may have to try it a day at a time... the thought of no reading for a week just freaked me out.

and the Artist Dates? I'm not really having much of a go at those either! It's interesting to be telling 'the world' this... as I reread my words I am reminded to not be ripping myself off so much! I'm doing this course for my own benefit... not to prove anything to anyone else... so when am I going to show up for myself?

... with that... I think I'll sign off,

here is a few pic's of our new little family memeber, "Aura" a 2.5 year old Chihuahua x Foxy.

Aura and her best friend

she's very well behaved in the car

sitting on the towel after a big run around at the beach.

bye for now creative ones,

Love,
Denise xo

... Puppy Love...

2011-03-06T21:56:00.000+10:00

We've got puppies... well dogs on our minds at our place, we're looking into fostering a little one which will then become part of our family when we adopt it.

This is a new painting I've been working on all last week ... and I actually took some snaps of it with my iphone along the way... and you can see how much it changed... I could have painted two paintings.. but instead there are half a dozen underneath the one!

I quite liked this chair, but it looks too much like one of those

egg shaped ones.. in which case her head would not be

in that position... I did't quite figure that out early enough....

It'll go into the gallery soon... once it's completely finished and varnished.

bye for now,

love Denise xo

sadness.... and inner critic...and sea gulls

2011-03-03T18:12:00.001+10:00

Today I felt plain old sad... a bunch of things happened in the morning to throw my time into a bit of chaos... so after I had done the things I needed to do for others, I took myself off to sit by the seashore to write my 'later in the morning' pages.

I felt agitated and knew that if I didn't stop and write it out first I would just continue to bring my agitation throughout the day and into my painting... which I really didn't want to do. So while having a deep chat with myself, and hearing the sound of the crashing waves and the fresh salt air.. i had a bit of a funny thought...

"Darling Denise... how about you take those awful inner critic comments, the ones that beat you up and make you feel like a hopeless artist and write them all down.. and put them on a little raft or boat of their own and send them out to sea where the sea gulls can shit on them!"

the visual idea of this gave me a smile on my face as I thought about what that would look like, having bird sh*t all over my pieces of paper with negative self talk on them... if that's not creative then what is I thought!!

The day actually turned out much better than how it started... I have made progress on a painting, a friend called and I met her for a chai and one of my dear daugters is cooking dinner for us tonight.

Life is good really.

love,

Denise xo

Woodford Folk Festival street friends, Dec 2010

Recovering a Sense of Power

2011-02-27T14:29:00.001+10:00

I'm up to week 3 of The Artists Way. . . "Recovering a Sense of Power"

So far I'm doing morning pages most days... sometimes at all different times of the day if I didn't quite make it for the 'morning'. I listened to the tail end of a podcast Cheryl Richardson interviewing Julia Cameron and she really does strongly encourage first thing, stream of consciousness writing in the morning before doing anything else... well... I like to go for a beach walk first thing.. so aside from getting up at 5am... I can't quite see my way around this one.

last week I painted a lot more than I have been able to for ages, so that's a bit of a shift.

If you'd like to hear that interview, go to "Change Your Life with Cheryl Richardson".. in itunes. When I've got time I'll find the link...

I love what Julia says about anger : "Sloth, apathy, and despair are the enemy. Anger is not. Anger is our friend. Not a nice friend. Not a gentle friend. But a very, very loyal friend. It will alwyas tell us when we have been betrayed. It will always tell us when we have betrayed ourselves. It will always tell us that it is time to act in our own best interests.
Anger is not the action itself. It is action's invitation." p. 62

A significant part of me has been dancing with the enemy for a bit too long (sloth, apathy and despair) it's time to harness that anger and get the hell on with it!

I'm off to see "Hereafter" , the movie with Matt Damon as a psychic, I laughed when I heard him interviewed recently and he said there are more psychics per capita in LA than anywhere else in the world, .... probably joking, but yeah.
..... I thought the movie was 'ok' nothing, nothing like I'd expected, a bit slow in parts and quite sad. Would totally be ok to wait for dvd in my opinion.

bye for now,

love Denise x

clean...clear....spaciousness... not

2011-02-13T12:46:00.000+10:00

I'm currently endeavouring to find some sense of order and clarity... so I think to be in a well organised space will be so helpful...

Maybe if I speak it out loud... I know I've told the Universe... and actually.. while I think of that I send out a prayer... I NEEEED HELP.... no, not physical help really... but that elusive inner strength and get-up-and-go stuff that makes wonders happen.

Contemplation Corner
(those are some canvas prints hanging behind)

Contemplation Corner with groovy hipstamatic app :0)

I've bravely shown you the BEST first haha... so below it's not quite so 'acceptable' but there you go.

Chaos ...

and more chaos!

I am reminded of Oprah shows with the groovy Aussie guy with the blue glasses, if he were to look into this room right now what would he say (haha, he wrote a book called "Does This Clutter Make My Butt Look Big?") Well, to that I'd say...no... but it does 'p' me off!

I've been working on the first week of Julia Cameron's book... 'The Artist's Way" and am uncovering some of the creative monsters that lurk in my memories and subconcious.

So ... I guess I better get back to it.. hopefully I'll bounce back on here very soon and show you the rest of the completed lovely space... what next.... a clean clear desk space is always nice.

love Denise xo

The Artist's Way... again

2011-02-06T08:36:00.000+10:00

... The Artist's Way... by Julia Cameron http://www.theartistsway.com/

I was gifted this book many years ago and it was definitely a road map that got me on the path to follow the dream of being an artist. Last year I feel like I lost my way.. and am no longer sure where I wish to head, and whats happening on the inside to make me feel this way. So after a year of struggle and some challenging health I have decided to take the little 'life changing' course again.

I've got a travel buddy.... so we hope to encourage and support eachother along the way.

I forgot how hard it can be to drag three pages of long hand writing out of my head each morning... and still want to fit in a beach walk... and return to my yoga/well-being class at least once per week.

the Chinese New Year began this week.. year of the Rabbit so I am very curious to observe the changes that brings.

I've also found a very helpful naturopath.. and will recover my health too!

Week 1 - Recovering a Sense of Safety.

love Denise xo

Salt Magazine Article... the first Solo Exhibition

2011-01-30T15:30:00.000+10:00

I've tried several ways to publish this to my website, but as yet have been unsuccessful,

Salt Magazine did this gorgeous feature article which kicked off a very successful first solo show held at Tiffany Jones Fine Art Gallery, on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland.

Add caption

Burlesque, Fabulous Frivolous Sexy Movie

2011-01-24T12:10:00.001+10:00

I went to see 'Burlesque' the movie last night, OH WOW!!!

I absolutely LOVED it!!

There was however an interesting little thing that happened, and on reflection about it this morning, I could probably have handled it much better than I did... you see, both my husband and myself are quite particular about where we sit in the cinema (ok... partly due to the fact I can only see well out of one eye, so this creates a small problem with judging distances.. but also renders 3D movies a waste of time on me), so anyway... we were passing by the cinema early in the day so we pre-booked our tickets, choosing to sit right smack bang in the centre of the cinema. Our most preferred seats!

So... we made our way leisurely to the movies not needing to be early to buy etc etc... and when I wandered nonchalantly up the stairs to find my allocated seats... I was perplexed and surprised to see two young women had decided to sit in them! So I just politely asked, if they could just check their tickets... were they in the right seats... and they said "OH... IT DOESN'T MATTER... YOU CAN SIT WHERE EVER YOU LIKE.. IT'S JUST SEATS" mmm, well, that didn't really sit well with me.. so I kindly asked them to just please move.. and after them making quite a loud protest and mini drama out of it... they did in fact move..... so I was left wondering what the heck was that about... could I have avoided that? ... I guess I could have chosen new seats... but guess what... we kept hearing displaced people for the rest of the time because they just went from our seats to someone else's. I could also have explained how anal I am and they would have perhaps understood my need for that seat... but whatever.. I really do like the idea my dear friend gave/reminded me of this morning... of sending lots of love out in situations like that... and not joining in or adding to the already negative vibe someone else has created.

It's a totally new way of being.... I choose it some of the time... but imagine.. I think to myself... Imagine... if I chose to live like that all of the time. To not instantly think of the negative aspect of a potentially usually annoying situation.. but instead... flick the switch over to a more loving response... it's not just woo woo nonsense... It's actually the highest and purest form of self preservation and self love you can offer to the world.

So... I'll give that a blast... not to be taken advantage of... but to allow a different response to the first quick thing...

I forgot how amazing Cher's voice is... and also thoroughly enjoyed Christina Aguilera's character and voice, omg, her VOICE it's fabulous!!! and also... a short but significant mention should be made of the HOT co-star... who usually plays the bad guy... he was very easy on the eyes too. and the COSTUMES!!!! WWooooohhww!!

haha,

so.... I'll give that ***** 5 stars!

bye for now,
love Denise x

Christmas done...

2010-12-28T03:11:00.000+10:00

Hi there,

Well, I'm awake in the middle of the night... 3.00am right now... so why not do a little blog post.

I hope you all had a very happy Christmas if it is something you celebrate, and if not, then a Happy Holiday time with friends or family. I was very lucky to have two close friends choose to join my family for Christmas Eve and then followed by an amazing seafood lunch... must find some pics to share... cooked by my 'very good cook' friend Sarah.

After the splendid lunch my daughter and I drove out to the Woodford Folk Festival to set up our hired camper trailer for the week to come, wow, what an ordeal it turned out to be... we've had a LOT of rain, so the camping grounds are saturated, making for some very muddy and unfriendly camping situations, I drove around looking for the right spot.. and steadily felt more stressed and less excited as the time went along... we almost got stuck a couple of times... and when I was about to give up and drive back home, I actually said out loud "I need Help!" .... right near the exit I saw a large grassy area and just pulled over... we un-hitched the trailer and just decided.. HERE. We will camp right HERE. it turned out to be a very wonderful spot indeed! (Thank you Angels or guides or whoever was on duty and heard my call for help, seriously, I believe it)

I'll take some photo's of that too...

We actually headed back home the next day to have a couple of comfy home days before the festival really kicks off, but our temporary home is there all ready for us to go back to today.

only a few more days left of 2010.... I'm wondering what the New Year will hold... and what my heart desires to bring forward. What are your hearts desires for the New Year? Share if you feel like it. x

Take care, bye for now
Love,
Denise.

Oprah's here ...

2010-12-14T22:26:00.001+10:00

Today I feel like offering a tribute to someone who seems like a dear friend to me... unusually for me... I actually dreamed about her last night... I got to hang out with her for a night and a day... we chatted and just hung out like old friends, it felt so real that this morning it truly felt like it had happened!

Her name is Oprah... and I've been inviting her into my home for over 21 years now, via her show on tv, she has brought me so much information regarding life, health and harmony and many other wondrous things too many to name, what a profoundly awesome woman she is. I see her as a truly magnificent example of what a beautiful open hearted person can bring into the world.

I am so pleased she's made it down to Australia, the energy people were talking about feeling at her shows this morning in Sydney is a testament to the positive addition she has made to so so many lives.

I was surprised by some negative comments I heard while out at the bank and doing errands today.. but I guess not everyone resonates with Oprah's kind of vibe... sometimes it takes a certain amount of self control to not tell them what I think! I so wanted to tell them to SHUT UP! DON'T THEY REALISE HOW MUCH GOOD SHE HAS DONE IN THE WORLD... that's why this little blog is helpful... I get to say my piece here.

I wasn't lucky enough to go to the show, but I felt the joy of it watching bits and pieces as they came on tv today... and I'll look forward to the shows early next year.

She has made the world a better place by offering herself in service to humanity, I salute her.

Bravo to you Oprah!

love,
Denise xo

Full Moon in Gemini

2010-12-05T18:51:00.000+10:00

Wow!! I receive a great email update from www.chironewitsen.com and to my delight and surprise, this month one of my paintings... done last year comes to life in a very special way ... well the name and idea of it do!!! LUNAR ECLIPSE / FULL MOON in GEMINI: Tues 21 Dec 2010, exact at 6.13pm Queensland time (AEST) at 29 degrees Gemini

it can be hung either way.... it's a representation of harmony... yin yang... with a Gemini Full moon twist, with the twins making the shape of the yin yang symbol.

Gemini Moon

Beautiful canvas prints can be made of this painting too, so if you love it, don't hesitate to enquire about having your very own copy of it. The original painting is also available and is valued at $2,950.

New moon is on Monday 6th December... for anyone who likes to set their intentions for the coming weeks, that's a great time to do so.

Love Denise xo

Envy... Cafe display

2010-11-09T22:09:00.001+10:00

I have my prints on display again, funky 'Cafe Envy' this time at Mooloolaba, visit during November if you wish to see these ones xo

The Shabby Chic, fun ones

3 of the Yoga Series, holiday fun, and some red delicious

These are canvas prints

... you'll find my original artwork at

Tiffany Jones Fine Art Gallery

I took a delightful 'mental health day' off today, a hot stone massage with gorgeous Angela, and then a couple of hours at the beach, I didn't do any 'work' and I accepted that that was OK!!

Self acceptance.

Denise xo

"You need to play"

2010-11-01T09:08:00.000+10:00

Good morning,

It's a bright sunshiny morning ... I've been for a beach walk along Mooloolaba earlier.. and on following my own inner voice I did not take my ipod today. So while walking along I asked myself... what do you need from me today? The answer was quite clear - "I want to play" ...

It may come as surprise to hear that despite having a studio filled with paints, materials, and a bunch of spare canvas's I rarely, if ever, make time to play.... because I am a 'professional artist' it all gets a bit confused for my Virgo Time Manager Self... that part that always thinks I should be working towards something worthwhile, or not at all. It's quite a sparse way of thinking... because intrinsically I know better.... when we allow ourselves to have fun and play; that life giving energy spills over into the rest of our life, work and mothering or whatever else we show up in the world to offer.

So that is the message for me this week... make some time to play.

I thought of using a pale blue with some red... and some patterns...

Oh... speaking of colour.... I'm totally loving the The Color Wisdom Cards that I ordered recently... they've come in the post from USA... and I did myself a 4 card reading on the weekend - about being 'Blocked' ... some great insights were given to me, I'll have to ponder that a bit more before I can put into words. You can get a free reading online anytime if that tweaks your interest too. Today I've chosen to write in blue... that's all about communication and the Throat Chakra. (Two of the cards that showed up in my spread were Blue November and Brad Blueberry)

"Blueberry Tartlets" on display now at

www.tiffanyjonesfineart.com.au

I went to see the movie 'The Social Network' last night, WOW... those programmers are very passionate about their work... it's amazing what effort goes in behind the scenes for a platform like facebook. I love Michele Meiche's take on it that the internet and the social networking abilities are a divinely inspired tool that can be of great use for us to connect with other like minded souls. She has a great radio show Awakenings I listen via podcast regularly to. Here's her blog http://consciousinspiredliving.blogspot.com/

So... I'm going to sign off for now...

Have a great week,

Love,
Denise

SPArkle event... phew 'Spring Things' ready at the last minute

2010-10-25T16:17:00.000+10:00

... goodness me... this blogging thing really needs far more attention than I seem to be prepared to give to it!

I was in a big flurry last week... wanting to finish a painting in time for display at a Breast Cancer Fundraising event..Pacific Kia SPArkle Night Oct 2010

Gorgeous friend Rachael Donovan, Kim Morrison,

Denise Daffara & Fleur Whelligan

"Spring Things"

120 x 85cm

now on display at

www.tiffanyjonesfineart.com.au

and here is the gorgeous Tiffany Jones looking stunning at the SPArkle night, where she, Rod & Stefan set up an absolutely fabulous display of artwork especially for the viewing pleasure of those who attended; featuring very special Australian artists, pictured above is a luscious red pastel by Kate Smith. It's a rare occasion to have such a high standard of artwork on display at a local event, and out of the gallery, so I really appreciated Tiffany's hard work to make this happen.

"Bon Jour" is available as a petite print on canvas

rolled $75 (easy to post)

or stretched ready to hang $125

One lucky lady won a print of 'Bon Jour' that I donated for the night...

So.... that was last week... and this week I'm thinking of what new paintings I can do for the coming holiday season, the local toy store is so kindly telling us with their outdoor signage... only 9 weeks 'til Xmas!! Oh my gosh!

My youngest daughter and I will be taking off to the Woodford Folk Festival right after Christmas day... so I'd better get things very organised before that... I'll be off the air for a couple of weeks in January for sure.

I was chatting to a very dedicated blogger & client who became a friend Nikki Parkinson of Styling You at the event.. and she recommended I really try and blog at least once per week! So I'm going to try to get here... ok... She even does vlogs now!!! omg... I am sooo going to do that one day... I could pull up with a cup of tea and chat for a few minutes... surely??

Perhaps I could ask for topics that might interest you?

Thanks so much for stopping by...

Love,

Denise. xo

a month later . . .

2010-09-30T20:16:00.002+10:00

Helllloooooo

I can't believe it's been a MONTH since I last dropped in here... I had thought I'd be telling you all about my progress in my Feminine Power Telecourse... well... it's been so jolly fabulous I've not even thought of blogging!!!

With this course we've been listening in to a 2 hour session on Thursday mornings (Wed night for the USA peop's) then that goes on to a shared time of about an hour, where we have been able to speak to women from all over the world sharing our inspirations and learnings from that particular weeks topic... it has been truly life changing!

Since beginning this course..

I have joined in a co-creative partnership with a friend to create a website (she did most of the work on that...) called Luscious Lunches we hosted our very first Luscious Lunch on Friday 17th Sept.. with 29 guests!!!! and launched a gorgeous meditation cd of a beautiful friend of mine Linda Ireland of Mountain Heart Meditations... which I did the cover for!

I have taken myself out for my birthday lunch... met the owner of the restaurant I chose to dine it... to find that she was ready for a change in the artwork in there... offered to show her some of my works that are available as prints... and two weeks later had organised them to be printed and stretched and they are now hanging in a prestigious gorgeous restaurant space on the Mooloolaba Esplanade, in Queenland, Australia....

Me, Linda and Nik

just over a week after my artwork was hung in that restaurant... http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=202898&id=135083163527&ref=mf

also at that Lunch... I was able to speak and share the little story about taking myself out for lunch and then being invited to hang my artwork in there.... I was so thrilled about this experience.

Our Lunch was a fabulous success... and later that night I got a call from the staff at the restaurant to say one of my large prints had sold!

... you know... I 'm going to sign off for now... there are more things but I have to go back to a painting I'm working on...

bye for now,
love Denise xo

Smashed to pieces

2010-08-30T15:55:00.000+10:00

“There are very few human beings who receive the truth, complete and staggering, by instant illumination. Most of them acquire it fragment by fragment, on a small scale, by successive developments, cellularly, like a laborious mosaic.”
- Anais Nin

How very interesting . . . I have had that quote on my website for years now... ever since it's beginning, the words of Anais Nin resonated within me so well. So... it is with some perplexity and a certain amount of acceptance I faced a small creative dilemma . . . probably over a year ago now I went to some mosaic classes, this art form has always fascinated me and I was busting to break stuff and turn it into something gorgeous for my garden... but interestingly.. I did the project to about 90% completion... I made a beautiful bird bath... but had not permanently fixed the platter to the top, and I had NOT GROUTED the finished base.

So... earlier this year when we had builders doing our home renovation my 'almost complete' bird bath got knocked.. and the platter on the top fell and lost some of it's tiles.. this was ok I thought... no harm was done to the base... I'll get to it one of these days... "Nooo, don't worry about it" I said. "It doesn't matter"

Okay... so now just a couple of weeks ago my husband dragged the hose across the path of my 'ac' bird bath.. and this was the result :

it's quite "shattering" really... I have learned I need to follow through and complete a job...

I abandoned this project before it reached it's full potential and beauty.... and I am learning through the Feminine Power course that I am taking... I have actually been abandoning the girl inside me all of my life.. and now I am the woman she needs me to be to take proper care of her. This is a huge realisation, and only came to me today thanks to the amazing facilitation of the course . .

Deep emotional wounding is apparent in us all . . . it's how we come to terms with loving ourselves out of it, and being true to our wonderful selves that is one of life's mysteries and blessings all at the same time.

I'm putting myself back together again...

with love

Denise x

Feminine Power week one...

2010-08-16T21:29:00.000+10:00

I have begun a very interesting journey along with over 800 women from 24 Countries around the world! I think that in itself is remarkable!!!

Here are some figures, for those of you who like numbers ... Australia 49, Canada 85, Chile 2 China 1, Denmark 4, Finland 2, France 4, Germany 5, Guam 1, Hong Kong 2, Ireland 3, Italy 1, Netherlands 7, New Zealand 3, Norway 2, Kataar 1, South Africa 3, Spain 3, Sweden 2, Switzerland 1 United Arab Emirates 1, United Kingdom 34 and USA 572!!!

So.... to begin with we set our personal intentions for the course.. I'm not sure about sharing it here just yet... I may prefer to just talk about the course, and leave the contents safely in their cocoon of the group.... I'm finding that these online courses (this being my third) really can become a magical nurturing and inspiring little place of safety. When you listen to an inspiring speaker, and are invited to join a group of women... a little door of your heart can experience a little knocking... sometimes a still small voice can be heard whispering to you to ... trust... let go... leap...

this is an example of something that can happen... when you listen to that little calling... and take that leap...

An Amazing Synchronistic Magical little Story...
Just since our call at the beginning of this journey (Thurs 12th August)... I heard the voice of a lovely who said she lived on the Sunshine Coast... she actually lives in the next suburb to me.. minutes away! we had never met... and during that call when we were asked to say hello from anywhere around the world, I thought.... ok... this course is about stepping into my power... so I quickly pressed ‘1’ before I changed my mind... so I too got to say hello to all who were on the call from all over the world.. and I felt so privilaged and happy.
...so.. this Lady on the phone and I saw eachothers faces on the forum, and connected very briefly in writing, saying we would soon be able to have a little local group.. and another lady has popped up just 20 mins away in Noosa...!
ok... so here’s the magical moment...
my husband and I were walking along through the cafes at a little place called Cotton Tree on Saturday... I was feeling particularly good this day, and I was thinking about the course I had just begun, the sun was shining it was a brilliantly gorgeous day .... and at that moment I looked across to my right... and a lady was sitting at a cafe table smiling straight at me, I instantly recognised her as the woman I had heard introduce herself on the phone, and who's picture I had seen on the forum... we embraced like old very special friends immediately and introduced our bewildered husbands... and then my new friend wisely said “To Be Continued” ... it was one of the most enlivening, beautiful and lovely things I’ve had happen in a while.
and that’s only two days after the course started!!! What will these next six weeks hold I wonder? xoxo

the view from a little seat in a rock wall at Alexandra Headland,

from the same seat.. looking across to Point Cartwright.

I am deeply grateful for the place I live.

and for the potential for miracles in the every day.

love Denise xo

goodness me...

2010-08-10T21:03:00.001+10:00

Good evening ...

it's a New Moon in Leo today/tonight, it's an important time for setting intentions, wishes, dreams and plans for the coming days/weeks. I had a full day, highlighted by meeting with a like-minded dynamic woman who I am so happy to have met. Another intuitive friend pointed out... the first two weeks of the New Moon time are for setting intentions, and taking ACTION, and then the second two weeks you get to sit back a bit and see the fruit of your actions playing out. Something about that made me feel the urgency to quit mucking around and get a bit more serious about doing something! I must admit, I sometimes get a bit flakey on it and hope/wish/day dream it's all going to work out... well... I have come to realise that I owe myself a bit more of a commitment than that.

I begin the 7 week tele-course this week with Feminine Power (facebook page fyi) and I'm feeling the rumblings of something being stirred up.

here's another interesting post I happened upon... as I went googling for a 'New Moon in Leo' pic to share : planetaryapothecary.com ... unfortunately, I haven't quite figured out a super fast way of finding an image, getting it onto here and including where I got it from.. mm, yeah, need a bit more practice on that.. and now is not the time for such things!!

ok... so I'm off to set some intentions.... oh... and it looks like I've made the new banner WAY TOOOOO W I D E !!!!! mmmmmm, I'll fix that as soon as I have the inclination!

Denise xo

Dream Boogie with SARK new session starting Sept 22

2010-08-06T16:10:00.001+10:00

I am absolutely thrilled to be an affiliate of SARK's products and courses... I love her work so much, and can relate to her realness and effervescence and magical sparkly spirit.
if you need a little boogie boost... check this out.

Denise x

SARK is very colourful xo

Big news! Best-selling author and artist SARK (aka Susan Ariel Rainbow Kennedy) has just announced a new session of Dream Boogie with SARK, starting Wednesday September 22. If you sign up by August 15, you save $20 with the "Early Dreamer Discount", and you also get a bonus jump-start workbook called "SARK's Purple Dream Crayon: A Playbook for Naming Your Dream"

SARK has been teaching workshops all around the world for over 25 years, and now you can work with her directly in this a dream productivity program that is packed with inspiration and innovation to help you move from dreaming to DOing.

You can enjoy some fun, free "Dream Boogie" samples, including interview audio snippets, plus colorful SARK videos, workbook downloads, and other funky little goodies for your dream.

Red, red, rEd, rED, ReD

2010-08-05T21:48:00.001+10:00

RED is my favourite colour, this is a mixture of paint in a tray I used yesterday... I wished I could have created that very same pattern to keep for ever... I guess that's where photo's come in a little bit handy.

I visted the amazing website of Tori Hartman today and when I did the "free colour wisdom card reading" I got "Rose - Red" ... and yesterday I tried it and got "Cherry Red" haha, there must be something in it!! I have decided I'd love to own the deck... maybe it could be fun to give readings to people and have them create a painting also relating to their card and hearts desires.

It's shifting and changing times around here... the energy lifts and then falls... some days it all feels like its running along perfectly.. then crash... something out of the blue seems to floor me. I would like to embrace the shift, release the fear of change and go with this flow that seems to be taking me whether I like it or not. It's not a devastating blow.. I've had a couple of those in my life so I know how that feels.. this is different... it's growth, but unseen possibilities glisten in the distance.. I have snippets of sparkles showing themselves daily,

amongst the mundane and the usual... I often receive much needed peace from just watching birds, especially my chickens.. one of the red ones flys up onto the gate to be the 'first to glimpse the scrap pot offerings', but I take the opportunity to place one hand under her little round chest and the other to give her a head to tail pat... she endures the outrageous misunderstanding and then flutters back into her territory as soon as she possibly can!

I've never seen a Robin red breast in person, but I do love them so, hence I popped one in to a painting recently... see in previous post here

'A Night To Remember'

(c) Denise Daffara

Well dear ones, I'll sign off for now...

Denise xo

Quiet Times, Winter, Going Within, and Cakes!

2010-08-02T19:35:00.000+10:00

Seriously... this winter has been all about cakes and tea and self nurturing and going within... it can be so disappointing and disquieting to have such few painting sales, it's a 'sign of the times' but still I feel I want to paint. So I'm working on a series of yoga/meditative poses, with a strong vibrant tree in the background, these paintings are feeding my soul which is far more important than the bank balance. I realise I live an extremely fortunate life, I cannot complain of lack, and besides I prefer to remain optimistic and know 'this too will pass'.

petite lime meringue tart at Montville patisserie

Moroccan tea at 'Moroccan restaurant near the Emporium in Brisbane, when I went to collect some unsold paintings from a show... rather than spending the time alone and disappointed I arranged to meet a friend and we spent several hours chatting, laughing and had cake & tea... and a divine havarti & pumpkin pizza.. alongside this roaring gas heater with a flame higher than I've ever noticed before on a gas heater, it made us feel so cozy and nurtured, the staff at the restaurant were so attentive and fabulous.

Cranberry tea & lemon tart, yet another 'treat' on a friends deck overlooking the ocean... just because.

"Peace for Me" (c) Denise Daffara

And here is my latest .. the beginning of a series I mentioned above... yoga/meditation type poses that feed my soul and nurture the chakra's their colours relate to. This is one that is aimed at the heart chakra,

I used this passage from a helpful website about the Chakra's

what-are-the-7-chakras

"HEART CHAKRA"

"located in the centre of the chest. It's function is: love, its inner state is compassion, love. its colour is green and its planet is Venus. Its stones are Green/Pink stones - Peridot, Rose Quartz, Malachite. Meditation on: I Love. Balancing this chakra is important for the circulatory system, heart and thymus. It also affects spiritual love, compassion and universal oneness. Energies: Water, Calming Soothes, Relaxes."

So... today as I woke with a headache for the third day... and realised I'd made a big mistake with our internet provider and therefore had caused us to have no connection for a few hours, which was not appreciated by those in the house who need it for their work... and then received a call 'had I forgotten an osteopath appointment for 5 minutes ago?'... heck... I was so pleased to hear the word 'osteopath' I said, "see you in 2 minutes" and dived into the car with no shoes on and went and had my neck fixed... 2nd vertebrae twisted makes for very uncomfortable headaches, it's so strange that my love of painting creates such bad posture habits that brings me sore neck and headaches??? maybe its too much time at the computer as well... hence my gaps in blog posts...

So.... it's been a somewhat challenging time this winter for me... I'm so grateful I have great friends around me to bounce things off now and then and to laugh with and walk with and drink tea with ... simple things like this help so very much.

take care,

Denise xo

Melbourne Saturday

2010-07-27T11:04:00.000+10:00

Just this weekend gone, my partner and I went to Melbourne for the weekend, my main reason for planning the visit was to see a dear friend, Chelsea perform the lead female role in "The King & I", we saw that on Sunday night... she was fantastic!

I recently did a painting of beautiful Chelsea for her website :
www.chelseagibb.com

So.... on Saturday, we went along to some very cool markets "Rose Street Art Markets" actually. I bought a new dress that a clever lady there makes.

Me at the Funky cafe area at the market for lunch.

pumpkin, coriander & coconut soup, mmmm!

new bracelet made from an old silver fork!! the other side is pretty with flower designs, and a new ring, that red one there with a flower in it, I happen to love daisy flowers... actually they're all over my dress too!! It's quite strange seeing my hand like that... I have big stick out veins just like my Dad's hands.

I took some pics of the street art.. I'll have to post that separately, maybe tomorrow as I really need to get back to painting now,

Denise xo

OH Wow! Feminine Power Course

2010-07-22T12:27:00.001+10:00

I have just listened in live to the introduction to this course... and have signed up!

Femine Power Tele Course

This is what was covered in the call :

The Keys to Awakening Power Base #1:
THE POWER TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE
Why most popular approaches to transforming core beliefs don't work for women, and the brand new, leading edge process that really does
Liberate yourself and others from the tyranny of old disempowering patterns, graduating forever from the dynamics of the past
How to have a generative, empowered relationship with your feelings and emotions, and why you absolutely must know how to do this in order to realize your greater potentials
The Keys to Awakening Power Base #2:
THE POWER TO REALIZE YOUR DESTINY
Experience the joy of being radically alive and dynamically engaged in the co-creative process of life
Master the ability to discern your inner guidance such that you begin navigating life from an assured sense that you are on your "destiny path"
Learn how to access the unlimited support and resources of All of Creation to cause the full flourishing of life everywhere you go
The Keys to Awakening Power Base #3:
THE POWER TO TRANSFORM THE WORLD
Learn why we cannot be become ourselves by ourselves, and how to create evolutionary partnerships that will unleash the full realization of your unique gifts and contributions
How to harness the power of the collective field to cause unprecedented transformations in our lives and in our world
How to become a powerful agent of change and consciously join with others to co-create the future of our world

it begins August 11th, a couple of weeks from my birthday.. so I decided the course would make the perfect birthday gift to myself.

It's interesting to note, even though I am living my dream life, and doing what I love, still I find myself wanting to be and do so so so much more, and just not grasping exactly how to do this. So it's at times like this, when something calls to me to give it a go... I am much more inclined to listen to those whispers than many years ago... I see this as huge progress in itself.

I may come and add more to this post.. must get back to painting at the moment,

Denise xo

p.s. I'd love to hear if you've decided to do this course too xx

Scooting the Breeze

2010-07-21T19:28:00.000+10:00

"Scooting the Breeze" (c) Denise Daffara

Over a year ago I went for my auto motor bike license, and passed ... just. You see during the test I scared the living daylights out of myself by almost heading into oncoming traffic, forgetting the NUMBER ONE rule of bike riding, LOOK in the direction you want to go. I was pretty shaken up but had to keep on going as I was in the middle of the practical test ride. We did end up purchasing a brand new fabulous scooter a short time after that, and my partner has been the one to use it and I had avoided it completely. It's been eating away at me as, it was my dream for years, to own a 'Vespa" and scoot to the beach for walks and swims, and to visit my friends etc. being a one car family has its challenges, so this was to be my freedom, on two wheels! I remember having a plastic motor bike when I was a little girl and riding around the path outside my house back and forwards all the time and LOVING it.

My sister even bought me this super cool key ring!

So, last Sunday morning I went for a beach walk with a dear friend of mine who has recently spent some time in Sedona and had some amazing experiences, she is truly an inspiration in my life. You can read much more about Raelene at her website medicineforyourspirit.com and she encouraged me to go and get on my scooter that day, so I did! My dear partner rode it over to our local school and I went up and down the car park several times... it wasn't much in terms of distance travelled, but it was a huge break through for me. I've got a way to go with the scooting thing, but I'll keep at it, and look forward to mastering it to a point where it's a breeze, just like driving. I can still remember freaking out on the inside when I first learned to drive a car, I wondered when would I ever get that hang of being in charge of this huge machine... so it's just practice I guess.

bye for now,

Denise xo

Heron on the bridge

2010-07-13T22:39:00.001+10:00

"Heron ... the bridge"

This gorgeous creature was sitting casually on the bridge when my partner and I took a walk this afternoon... and he stayed right there and let me take a photo... only about 1 metre away! Wow, I admire these graceful feathered ones, and of course as one does these days ...

I googled meanings of 'grey heron' and found a bunch of things... going with the flow... patience... and grace were are few things

I found a fabulously informative blog here : Symbolism of the Heron or Egret

"Most Native American tribes took note of the heron’s inquisitiveness, curiosity and determination. As such this set the heron as a symbol of wisdom in that this creature seemed to have good judgement skills."

I was doing some thinking over these last two days as my head has been pounding with yet another head ache! and I decided to take some time to check in and ask myself some questions in relation to it (as was a wise suggestion I read in Christiane Northrup's book just this morning!!!) "Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom" so... I've realised I can't be giving from an empty cup... so it's time for lots of tea (haha, I already do quite a lot of that)... and tender loving care of myself... and taking time to play! There's probably a bit more to it... but enough said for this tired artist for now...

on that note... I better get to bed... a good night's sleep is marvellous for repairing cells and things!

Denise xo

from little things, big things grow

2010-07-10T20:59:00.001+10:00

'Lyn's Family Tree'

It's Saturday night, our home is very quiet, I've just been working on this painting above, and listened to a podcast about the 'Pachu Mama Alliance' and the importance of the Amazon rain forest, very humbling ... it's a special painting done for my daughters tutor and been a couple of years in the fruition. It's inspired by my 'Tree of Wisdom" painting, I can see I would like to play in these branches for a while longer and daydream about painting many more tree's, spirals delight me.

I had a wonderful visit from a dear friend yesterday and she had a 'sleepover' at our home, we enjoyed a delicious meal, omg, even if I do say so myself... have a look at that!!!

It's "Spicy beans with Baked Sweet Potato" and since my coriander is a baby plant in a pot thats Italian parsley pretending to be coriander, with sour cream and cheese sprinkled lovingly on top. Mmmmmm, I'm one of those boring cooks who does the same dishes almost every week/fortnight, and so I am so excited to have found a new thing I can make that's super yummy and easy.

This was followed by a lemon meringue pie... but I won't speak much about that except to say I will definitely use a different recipe next time.

Having my friend over was such fun, we stayed up late laughing and sharing til late and solved many of our own inner worlds problems... 'de-briefing' is so helpful for women I find.

I have to stay up late and go and pick up my youngest daughter and her friends from an under 17 dance party at midnight... so it's going to be a loooong night.

good night,

Denise xo

p.s. I am very grateful and relieved to say... when I rang the Dr's a few days after my mammogram, and held my breath while the receptionist looked up my file and came back to tell me "no further action required".

mixed media for the first time!

2010-07-07T22:29:00.001+10:00

Hey... today was fun... I had a wonderful friend come over with her two daughters, to hang out with one of my daughters and me... and we made our first mixed media paintings/collages, inspired by the fabulous book by Kelly Rae Roberts... see in the side bar.

Mine is the black & white one ...

and that's me right there...

I actually painted my lady on a separate piece of canvas because I had already glued down the 'flocked' paper and I didn't want her face to be all bumpy! Yes.. the words 'control freak' often come to mind.

I happen to love all things Parisian, and black & white... and have an absolute love of chandeliers ... Alex found this one as we were working today and gave it to me which makes is even more special... the handbag comes from a birthday card from my dearest special friend in New Zealand... (we've been friends since we were 12,) and the dress is a piece of fabric that already had the black & white design on it.
I'm not sure if it's finished... but I might leave it for a little while.

Alexandria's creation looks all soft and 'vintage' I love it!

I noticed later on... the younger girls were much freer with using paints over the top and layering... Alex & I might play with that technique next time around...

by Billie

By Ellie

By Billie

By Katherine

For a spontaneous school holiday activity it was fantastic... we all enjoyed ourselves... and ended the day with a bunch of new artwork ... and watched 'New Moon'.... I'm looking forward to seeing 'Eclipse' very soon.

team Edward btw haha.

love Denise xo

Monday... with a difference.

2010-07-05T17:32:00.001+10:00

I had a new experience today that was quite eye opening... I went and had my first mammogram, it's just a precautionary one, I expect it to be all clear. What was amazing was the thoughts that flowed into my mind as I was in the waiting rooms, and undergoing the various procedures... thinking how so many other women had come there before me and in a day or two received devastating news that would change their lives.

It's given me a bit of a kick... to think... why do we wait until devastating news to make significant changes in our lives... are we not worth making good healthy positive changes for ourselves regardless...

So... I'll ponder that some more in the coming weeks... as I work on the lessons learned from Flying Lessons, and SARK... and the love from dear friends I have in my life.

"Full Bodied"

by Kate Smith

I went to a beautiful art exhibition last weekend, www.tiffanyjonesfineart.com.au this is where my own art is represented... but the show currently on is a beautiful display of luscious rich pastels by the very talented and delightful Kate Smith.

I was lucky enough to attend the opening and hear her speak about her artwork and some hopes and dreams she has for her future.

Kate Smith & Me.

I'm quietly working on a couple of paintings... one new one for the gallery which I hope to show you soon.

Bye for now,

love & light

Denise xo

Life imitating Art

2010-06-28T15:33:00.000+10:00

One Crazy Spring Day (c) Denise Daffara 2008

One Crazy Winter Night! June 2010

One of our chickens lost her way home on Saturday night and came to roost under the shelter of the house, too funny! I took this pic then gave her a little cuddle and took her home to her place. I can't help but love my chooks they bring me many funny moments, and little gifts in the form of eggs are great.

On the same night we also had an amazing full moon and a lunar eclipse as well! My husband and I sat outside for some hours watching the moon and burning a little fire... mmm, most disappointed in those heat beads and fire starters.. it's definitely not as good as a wood fire... lack of flames caused me to rip up a cardboard box to get the thing looking a bit more like it!! We wrote some things to let go of and let them burn on the paper they were written. I love sitting in the moonlight, taking a little time for introspection, it's a very peaceful and self nurturing thing to do, it's also very fun to gather with a bunch of 'succulent wild women' and celebrate full moons too... that's on my wish list.

I didn't have time for a beach walk today.. but here are a few pics from the local pathway...

two grey herons on a branch

this spot feels like a stage, I sometimes like to stop here and just stretch my arms above my head...
if I could remember the moves this would be a perfect spot for Tai Chi. or Qi Gong (*sp?)

'dietes' flower in my garden.

A pretty good start to the week... school holidays are on here in Queensland, so a slower pace will be nice.

A good snippet I heard today ... in the field of personal growth

use the word expand instead of change

... your subconscious responds more favourably.

Mmmm, I think so too, it just feels a little bit easier, and possible,

it means you're not doing completely hopelessly as you are right now...

there's just room for growth, that's all.

love Denise xo

is that the time?

2010-06-23T12:55:00.001+10:00

You know what? Some days it all just feels a little pear shaped... I had a little more bubbles last night than was probably best... I have felt lousy all morning, and been unable to paint.

"Is That the Time" (c) Denise Daffara

That's just today's 'legitimate' excuse, but for some time now I've just not felt like painting much at all,...the 'not good enough s', the 'you can't paint that agains' the 'who do you think you are' s', the 'perfectionista mean b*tch', the 'tired, and really can't be bothered anymore' there's a whole bunch... this is a big fat yucky squirmy confession, and well, I'm owning it, releasing it and allowing it to pass, however long that takes.

I listened in to SARK's inspiration line today, it's the first time I've tried it, ... as usual she says just the right thing to give me a loving little nudge, just to look at something in a different little way.. can and does make such a difference.

she said some times she take a "miracle walk", she walks outside, raises up her arms to the sky and says "Miracle find me Now" I love this idea. And, another snippet was the description of taking a little time to speak to a smaller weaker part of yourself, not the big part that takes over and gets everything done, or takes charge of all the stuff in your life... but one of the smaller hidden parts... and how by giving that part just a little voice to speak you can learn something about yourself... something you may have been missing amongst all the 'should be's' and 'wannabeeee's' etc., and therefore you've changed the course of things.. and created a little shift... where things take a different little track... which could easily lead to something wonderful that you weren't expecting.

415-546-3742 (EPIC) 24 HOURS

SARK invites you to take pleasure and inspiration from her FREE 5

minute recorded message. SARK changes the message when the

spirit moves her so check back regularly. The Inspiration Line is in

its tenth year of welcoming over 5,000 callers from all over the world

each month.

I also got a call from an artist friend who wants to come and hang out and learn some of

"my magic".... and so I've said, sure and you can teach me some of yours.

and then I came here... thinking, guiltily, it's been several days since my last post... I'm meant to be doing this more regularly... and wow, I happened upon two magical posts from two other fellow creative dreamers...

Life is funny like that..... by my new delightful friend Dana Sparkle, and from Nic Hohn, self validation + self promotion

It doesn't always seem this way, but just as well I believe...there is a huge, beautiful, sparkly, delightful, wonderful, full-of-love, enduring, courageous, strong, inspired, talented, kind, soft, gentle and warm-hearted Self that longs to come out and play and be and she is also me.

So, I'm feeling a lot better now... thanks for visiting, I hope to come back soon.

Denise xo

donating a painting

2010-06-17T14:05:00.000+10:00

We're in week 3 of our flying lessons with Kelly Rae... wow, so much information, I've been painting and selling for a while now... but I'm learning so many new things especially about having a presence online.

I've just done some errands and can tick a couple of things off my 'to do' list, it's amazing how just that in itself creates a little relief when you feel like some days/weeks you're just not getting enough done!
I've donated a painting to be auctioned next Wednesday for our local hospital children's ward. www.givemefiveforkids.com.au. Last year I spent a couple of nights there with my daughter while she had her appendix out, my heart goes out to the little ones who are sick and their families taking care of them.

Joy Riders (c) Denise Daffara

120 x 90cm valued at $3550

I found an email in my inbox this morning at 4.30am when I couldn't sleep... my mind was so busy I just had to get up and write stuff down... de-cluttering the mind onto paper/journal works for me, and there was a link to this blog : theorganizedartistcompany.typepad.com

how ironic considering I have been feeling SO FREAKIN DISORGANIZED lately it's not funny!

I really appreciated being able to read something that made me feel completely normal in my artistic weirdness... I am after all not alone in my pursuit of creative bliss.

better go and pick up a paint brush!

Denise xo

SARK Dream boogie - Free tele-class,

2010-06-15T11:32:00.000+10:00

This is the thing I've been raving about.... so if you want a taste of it for FREE!! go for it xoxo Denise

This is huge! Best-selling author and artist SARK (aka Susan Ariel Rainbow Kennedy) has just announced that she is inviting anyone to attend the first class of the Summer Session of Dream Boogie with SARK for free, just so you can experience "Dream Boogie" first-hand and see what it's all about, without any cost or obligation. It looks like space is pretty limited for the complimentary call, so I encourage you to reserve your spot to attend the class on Wednesday, June 16, or to request a complimentary recording of the class.

Min, aka, Maria, Marie, Faye ... my sister

2010-06-14T19:07:00.000+10:00

Today I had a special time with a whole bunch of my family visiting to share a lunch, it would have been our sister's birthday if she was still with us... she died in June 1997, we remembered her today.

I liked to call her "Min" I think that name came about because she was petite, and 'mini-mouse' seemed to come to mind for some reason, I can't remember a time she wasn't 'Min' to me... a few things I recall about her are her love of the beach and sun-bathing she loved to have a tan, she always planted flowers wherever she lived, creating a beautiful garden was one her priorities and an obvious outlet for her creativity.

I remember shopping with her and buying little pots of Lobelia

She also loved to paint, she did some wonderful china painting on plates of delicate flowers and landscapes, as well as oils on canvas.

This is one of Kapiti Island off the West coast of New Zealand's North Island.

I guess I'm thinking of her a lot this year because I am the same age she was when her life tragically ended, and whenever I think of this I am reminded that life is precious, and you never know how long you'll be here. It's so important to do and be with the things and people you love.

So today was a perfect way to do this, by spending some time over a meal with my family. Pizza's were the order of the day... gluten free ones for those who needed, my lovely husband kneaded and rolled all the dough, and about 13 pizza's later... everyone was satisfied.

I feel very grateful

Denise xo

nostalgia for my DrEAm Boogie experience

2010-06-10T20:10:00.004+10:00

Wow, who would have thunk it... only 8 weeks ago I jumped head first into an online course called DREAM BOOGIE WITH SARK, I didn't know much about Susan Ariel Rainbow Kennedy before this, so I watched the little 'cup of tea with SARK' video... (which I so love and actually dream of creating a vlog - 'cup of tea with Denise' one day...) she loves purple btw.

Want to have a cup of tea with SARK? Here's a fun tea party video from SARK's home in San Francisco where she talks about dreams and the Summer 2010 Session of Dream Boogie with SARK, which starts June 16!

and instantly I got an intuitive boost of energy that just bubbled up inside me... I knew I had to do this for myself... not just at a head level, but my heart and soul could feel it... and the little girl inside me was so happy. You know, that part of you that remembers what it was like to play all day, and lie down on the back lawn watching clouds make shapes and scoot across the blue blue sky, and the one who loved to make forts (I made forts all the time as a kid, with a friend from across the street, she and her family only came to stay at their beach house for Christmas/summer holidays, and we made the best forts out of reinforcing wire which has lines and lines of squares, so it makes perfect walls with ready made windows, and blankets over the top) and dandelion seed blowing and floating like fairies... all that magical stuff. Well Susan reminded me of that playful energy that I had all but lost touch with.

and so today... the BBC 'Boogie Bean Community' will be cleared away for the new Beans coming in on June 16... so I have been receiving beautiful messages all this week from classmates who will not be returning, and some who will be going on with the 'summer school' session... and I have made the most beautiful connections with other creative souls around the world, all thanks to the magic of SARK and her desire to share her colourful fun creative soul with the world.

So... although I feel a little sad at the end of this course, I must remember the amazing change it has made in my life, I look at things differently from the way I did 8 weeks ago, I want to play more and worry less, and use colours more instead of just black, I want to have more get togethers with my juicy succulent wild woman friends and laugh and dance, and wear clothes I feel great in . . . and take naps! Haha, there is even a SARK book called how funny is that?

So.... I know I'm repeating myself a bit here... because I already posted about Dream Boogie a few days ago... but today is the end of a fabulous little 'era' ... and I just couldn't let it pass by without me raving and sharing a little bit more. So, if you ever feel a little bit blah... get online and visit planet sark, or see if your library has any SARK books... if you love creativity, and fun and freedom, you will love all things sark.

love to all Boogie Beans and Succulent Wild Women out there!

Denise xo

meditation, madness, me

2010-06-09T17:57:00.000+10:00

Well, my mind is spinning and whirring with all the information I'm gathering about blogging and websites and all that jazz, I haven't been back here to the blogosphere to share it.

I'm hesitant to explain what goes on in my life and mind in case you'll think I'm a little bit crazy... but then... as an artist we seem to have that as our perennial excuse do we not! It takes a little crazy to put yourself right out there for all to see in the form of artwork.

Yesterday I took a trip to Brisbane (about an hours drive, our closest city) and delivered a bunch of paintings (most of them are in my current banner actually) and I was going to take "Tree of Wisdom"... I actually drove that painting to Brisbane ... and drove it right back home again, and hung it back on the wall outside my studio, I have decided that one means so much to me that it just has to stay here. The good news is, beautiful giclee prints on canvas can be made of it. A friend of mine has a large reproduction of this painting in her office she told me it has changed the energy in there... she says it makes her and her clients feel peaceful and calm. I love knowing that.

"Tree of Wisdom" 30 x 30cm giclee print on canvas $95

I still have to figure out the best way forward for adding a shopping cart to my website, to allow for online shopping! This is something I'll be looking into over the coming months.

I just had to take myself off to rest this afternoon, it was all getting a bit much... and this is when I often listen to a podcast meditation by Mary & Richard Maddox to sooth my nerves and bring me back to stillness. www.meditationoasis.com I first found these via itunes... and I now have all of them on my ipod... with titles such as : "Relief from Stress and Pressure", "Stillness, Stability and Balance", "Emotional Ease" and many more, they have really really helped me.

Another of my favourite things in the world is to have a long hot bath with essential oils and epsom salts and bubbles, and a good book.

"Bliss and Bubbles" giclee prints available

Well time to sign off for now, unfortunately dinner won't cook itself, ... bye for now,

Denise xo

sunday lovely sunday

2010-06-06T11:53:00.001+10:00

I felt extra specially happy this morning, the sun was streaming into my room I cleaned it all out yesterday so it felt fresher, and so I thought it called for tea & toast in bed! Notice my fabulous new Picasso bed cover... it's meant to inspire me as I sleep, hopefully some of his magic will seep in.

And the other delicious thing... a brand new journal to start... it's for raving, chatting, talking, thinking, morning pages (as Julia Cameron wisely recommends in her book 'The Artist's Way') The first clean lined page is so filled with possibilities. I like these particular ones because they're ordinary, so this allows for any old type of writing, messy included, and they have a great wide 'side bar' where you can doodle or make exclamation marks to remind you of something profound or to add to your 'to do' list. I have a bunch of special journals and I am less likely to use them because of the desire for them to stay perfect, which is something I really should LET GO.

The other thing I am aware of is that when I am writing about morning here.... it's afternoon the day before in America... I am much more aware of that now since meeting many new friends via the Kelly Rae and SARK e-courses.

It's a special day for a local young lady... Jessica Watson sails home into Mooloolaba today after her huge round the world solo adventure, what an inspiration!

have a beautiful day wherever you are

dd xo

Femme Fantastique Exhibition 2007

2010-06-04T16:16:00.005+10:00

"Femme Fantastique"

After first picking up a brush in about 1999 and with much help from a clever artist friend of mine I have been developing a style to call my own ever since.

This was my first serious solo exhibition, held at Tiffany Jones Fine Art Gallery, in Queensland, Australia. (www.tiffanyjonesfineart.com.au)

I was honoured to receive requests for commissioned paintings from many people who missed out, as this show completely sold out, much to my surprise. So began a collection of paintings of fun, fabulous, free, elegant, frivolous, women.

xo dd

Dream Boogie with SARK

2010-06-03T16:09:00.000+10:00

If you're a SARK kindred spirit, you'll enjoy the new videos, fun photos and neat downloads that she's posted from her upcoming program, Dream Boogie with SARK: Dancing from DREAMing to DOing! The Summer 2010 Session starts June 16!

What a wild, delicious, fun filled, colourful splendiferous ride SARK's course has been for me.

I've been learning all kinds of tools for making my creative dream life more fun, and juicy and FABULOUS! Today's call was so good, all about nourishing, taking care and tending for our 'Dream Garden'. Tuning in to how we're feeling - what needs pruning, weeding, fertilising, watering, transplanting. I was reminded of the new seedlings I bought on the weekend, they sat around on the bench for a few days waiting for me to plant them.... one died ,,, and I planted 5 little floppy specimens (impatiens) how funny, since I'm quite 'impatient' myself... in a sunny spot... however when I went back to water them a day or so later I do believe they are all gone... thanks to the work of one of my chickens who regularly flys over the garden fence to where the 'grass is greener!'

"Skittles" aka Little Miss Naughty! and the patch where the seedlings should be.

dd xo

currently taking flying lessons....

2010-06-02T16:04:00.000+10:00

Hi there,

Well... I'm new to this blog world... so it may be a bit of a bumpy start...

I'm currently enrolled in a wonderful e-course by Kelly Rae Roberts...

in which I hope to learn much more about this blogging and business world in conjunction with being an artist. This is one of my paintings... and pretty much sums up how I'm feeling at the moment... riding down a hill with no brakes.... but it's all ok.

dd xo

"Free Wheelin" (c) Denise Daffara

Denise Daffara

Recovering the Studio Flow... with Help!

RAAK's .. random act of art kindness

Gifts of ordinary days

I received my first Random Acts of Art Kindness!!

Survival Kit for Artists

Simply Sunday

A little bit of Cypress Sun in my day

Friday...changing things about

Free Spirits re-visited...

.... no reading... listening...

Day 1 of 30 - without reading/listening to books or articles

Friday... hi..

Week 5, Recovering a Sense of Possibility

... Puppy Love...

sadness.... and inner critic...and sea gulls

Recovering a Sense of Power

clean...clear....spaciousness... not

The Artist's Way... again

Salt Magazine Article... the first Solo Exhibition

Burlesque, Fabulous Frivolous Sexy Movie

Christmas done...

Oprah's here ...

Full Moon in Gemini

Envy... Cafe display

"You need to play"

SPArkle event... phew 'Spring Things' ready at the last minute

a month later . . .

Smashed to pieces

“There are very few human beings who receive the truth, complete and staggering, by instant illumination. Most of them acquire it fragment by fragment, on a small scale, by successive developments, cellularly, like a laborious mosaic.”- Anais Nin

Feminine Power week one...

goodness me...

Dream Boogie with SARK new session starting Sept 22

Red, red, rEd, rED, ReD

Quiet Times, Winter, Going Within, and Cakes!

Melbourne Saturday

OH Wow! Feminine Power Course

Scooting the Breeze

Heron on the bridge

from little things, big things grow

mixed media for the first time!

Monday... with a difference.

Life imitating Art

is that the time?

donating a painting

SARK Dream boogie - Free tele-class,

Min, aka, Maria, Marie, Faye ... my sister

nostalgia for my DrEAm Boogie experience

meditation, madness, me

sunday lovely sunday

Femme Fantastique Exhibition 2007

Dream Boogie with SARK

currently taking flying lessons....

“There are very few human beings who receive the truth, complete and staggering, by instant illumination. Most of them acquire it fragment by fragment, on a small scale, by successive developments, cellularly, like a laborious mosaic.”
- Anais Nin