When I was a kid - I remember hearing that idealistic saying "Love what you do and you'll never have to work a day in your life." 

It really stuck in my head - when it came to deciding what to do for work when I left High School - I had a dilemma - I had no idea what I wanted to do - or "who" I wanted to be. So I examined those around me and saw people doing many different things... some were content, some were unsettled, some felt stuck, some coasted through their jobs and some really toiled with it all.  

I thought about the many hours that are spent at "work," the 40 hour work week seemed to be an underestimate and I saw most spending 10-20 hours on top of this to fulfil work requirements and satisfy their chosen profession. This is a whole substantial chunk of our finite resource - TIME. 

So what would I do - as a teenager with little experience of the real "working world" aside from few hours cleaning a bakery, processing photos the old school way and making specialty chocolates..?

Well, I knew that I LOVED being creative - but had the "starving artist" myth planted in my head (think it went something along the lines of - did I seriously think that painting pictures would put food on the table!) so I chose to learn more about another passion of mine and studied communication at University of Waikato. 

I have always believed in the power of words. In potent yet small doses - words can bring comfort, make decisions, alter paths, teach us, inspire us, celebrate, destroy, give hope and mean everything.  

I was sure with this in mind, with a little determination I could use dedicate my working TIME in a personally significant way.  After working in a media setting for several years and in teaching (which is still a big part of my life) - my own venture Art Out Loud NZ - enables me to share my love of words with others along with my primary desire to be artistic... it is delightful that the creative outcome really resonates with people and allows me the fortitude to use my TIME to participate in such an enriching process.    

{FOOD FOR THOUGHT}
How did you come to do what you do? Did you fall into it or cave your path? Do you love your work or are you  hankering for a change - and will you? I would love to hear your thought in the comments below this post!

Getting requests for personalised artwork to celebrate the union of couples - really makes my creating time feel purposeful and alive with the anticipation of the joy it will bring on the big reveal! There is nothing quite like the feeling of love and support - that is communicated by the thought a friend or relative has put into requesting a piece of specialty artwork... this delights the couple and fuels my desire to make the piece (no matter how much of a challenge it can prove sometimes!) - into a unique reality.

These meaningful and original customised artworks - are often inspired by shared visions of sentiment, modern reinventions of Kiwiana or twists on current global design trends. 

It is also wonderful that although hand-drawn, I am now finishing many of my artworks digitally so people are able to request colour combinations that reflect those the couple gravitates towards or even has featured in their wedding party theme. The matron of honour requested mint green and silver to feature for the wedding couple within the Art Out Loud NZ Tiki Design Print below.

VALENTINE'S FACEBOOK GIVEAWAY
It is a very appropriate time of year to mention LOVE - with Valentine's Day fast approaching and even though this is something that can be celebrated all year round (or on a daily basis!) Art Out Loud NZ had a little giveaway to offer some Aroha to our ever-supportive Facebook fans.

With well over 200 nominations - TWO entries were drawn for the prizes pictured below: 
(WINNERS or your nominators - please PM me on Facebook with your email and postal address to claim the prize specified - which are ready and waiting in mailers at my door ready to go!)

Congratulations to: 
Laura Murphy (for Chris Murphy (A) - Home Sweet Home Tikis - as pictured) 
Kiriana Apatu (for Roxanne Goode (C) - Winged Aroha)

Ever since the appearance of this little wonder... 
I have really started wondering. 

What an amazing thing the human body is, growing one inside another (in only 9 months!) How exciting it is to bring another unique mind into the world.  
Why having a child of our own can inspire us to challenge ourselves and be immensely determined to put our capabilities to the test. 

Parenthood can give us insight into our truth, what makes us who we are and who we want to become in the hearts and minds of our future generations.

Last year, many of my friends announced their first, second and third pregnancies (and now have new little families!)... surrounded by blossoming bellies and the excitement of their impending arrivals - I thought back to the limited range of comfortable and bold t-shirt prints available during my own pregnancy, and how I had wished (as a Kiwi, expecting a baby in the UK) I had been able to wear something attractive and unique to showcase our identity and make the most of my ever-expanding bump.

To solve this equation for others and dress the bumps of those around me - I came up with a boutique range of designer prints on quality maternity t-shirts, inspired by the iconic Tiki, wishful Dandelion and "...the pitter patter of tiny new feet." I then added to the series - two free-spirited designs - arising from the daydreams of  future children at play - Boy with Love Kite and Girl with Aroha Balloon. 

Seeing these new Art Out Loud NZ designs worn on the bellies around me - really made my heart sing!

A few of my friends had even been blessed with TWINS! Now two babies in one belly - that really got my ideas flying and of course a new design or few to celebrate!

Now 2014 has come around... and the babies continue to pop up (or pop out!)

My Art Out Loud NZ sketch book has been bubbling with fresh ideas to honour new life - even from the the earliest stages - the womb within... 

Now parents have a good reason to take their scrappy ultrasound images off the fridge or dig them out from their dark hiding places (usually between the pages of a baby book) and present them stylishly on their walls duly decorated in a remarkable Ultrasound Art Print.

I have created this affordable range (perfect for baby shower or nursery gifts) with both parents and motherhood in mind. There is an established a range of popular colours available as well as the option of complete customisation of the design with contrasting colours and heart detail crafted individually to compliment the personal theme in the child's new home.

With orders for these rolling in from the very first day of release (got to love my watchful Facebook fans!) 
I thought it would be lovely to start the year with an amazing deal - with every Art Out Loud NZ Maternity 
T-Shirt ordered - the lucky new parents also receive a FREE exclusive Ultrasound Art Print (January ONLY!) 

And to "kick" the year off - here is a very special Maternity Ultrasonic GIVEAWAY - be sure to let all your pregnant friends know and be in to WIN these most gorgeous Art Out Loud NZ prizes!

It has been a manic year at Art Out Loud NZ with loads of exciting new concepts and the expansion of our design prints range. It seems, every time I step into the shower (or the dome of peace - as I like to call it) I step back out and race to my sketch book to rapidly draw up the flood of ideas that rush in with the warm water on my face.

In 2013, I have been lucky enough to acquire a position teaching part-time with young students who require specialist support. This has not only kept me grounded, provided daily doses of inspiration and challenged me to think outside the square... the experience interacting with the students and seeing their undeniable desire to learn really connects me to my sense of self worth and belief and strengthens my dedication to seeing what Art Out Loud NZ can really do, expressing myself and pushing my limits. Very exciting!

I have dearly loved getting to know my Facebook fans, even sharing my own personal journeys with mindset, weight and the ebbs and flows of motherhood.   The feedback I get on my posts often sparks new twists and turns in my creative endeavours and is invaluable in giving me a clear picture of appeal of each design concept - so thank you to all who follow! (Psst! And you always know about it there 1st!) 

My expanding range of artwork, eclectic mix of followers and affiliate small businesses has allowed me to be as generous as I have hoped to be with my fans... and it feels good! I hope you have enjoyed all the amazing Facebook giveaways of late - here's to many more to come and carving it up with even more innovative Art Out Loud NZ creations and collaborations into 2014! www.facebook.com/artoutloudnz 

Don't underestimate the clarity that spending a moment watching your child sleep, can bring.

After working three days straight in a new day job, I was exhausted and as a "tired me" does...craving sweet food and early night. But those three days were also precious hours working away from my two year old son, and as I picked him up this sunny Friday afternoon... his demeanour was less than sunny, towards me.

So what to do... I shook of my fatigue, picked up a chocolate McFlurry icecream with two spoons and drove home via our local park. His face lit up, my mood lifted, we raced each other across the dry summer grass to get to the play area and I found peace in melted vanilla icecream, and the sway of an orange teddy bear swing.
I chatted with other parents, he enjoyed a game of jungle gym tag with a few local children and we both went home - happy with ourselves and each other.

Tonight in the midst of re-organising my studio room and the mounting chaos of computer files and folders... I stopped work and lay in the glow of my small child's night light beside him. How very often I am thinking of something else while talking to him, doing something else while entertaining him... and am I really getting further ahead... or leaving something valuable behind?

It takes only a glimpse of his soft cheek on his pillow to remind me of the briefness of the innocence and tranquility of childhood... and how willing he is to share this with me and this window of opportunity is now open... but all too soon it will be closed. My resolution for tomorrow and the days that follow is to hold this thought dear, and slow down, be in the moment, allow the making of memories to be what drives me.

This doesn't mean however, that I shall be silent at Art Out Loud NZ or giving up teaching any time soon. These things too make me who I am and enable my creative energy to fire and spark. And I am thankful.
I will simply be looking forward to smoothing my artistic processes, decluttering my workload and moving (perhaps slowly) towards achievable milestones this year, while prioritising time with my family, friends and freedom.

So... I have been quiet on the blog front - as I have spent some time getting REAL with my art.

What CAN I do? What ARE the possibilities? What resources and skills DO I already have? Who supports and believes in ME? How can I use my time and creative energy wisely?

As a consequence I have set three new wheels in motion: I have selected to wholesale a selection of my woodblock prints, I have ventured into transforming my personalised designs into frameable prints and I am now the proud Chief Editor of my very own email newsletter. 

To be fair, all of the milestones above have nudged me out of my comfort zone.  Whether it be opening myself up to rejection, developing new knowledge and techniques or adding "something more" into my ever-shrinking windows of free time.

But opening up these creative pathways has also felt just right (a bit like Baby Bear's Porridge). I have experienced a sense of freedom (by actually doing what I have toyed with in my head for ages), know more about what I want and what I can do (looking inwardly at little old me!) and set a distant beacon alight (so I can now really see those future goals to run towards).

And overall - I am establishing the bigger picture of my hopes and aspirations for Art Out Loud NZ!
I want to have my art speaking to more people (wholesaling prints and creating exposure), extend my product range and cater to a range of incomes (personalised design prints and The List to Listen For) and promote the wonder of words while connecting families with 'do-able' ideas to nurture imaginative children - it is my mission! (my newsletter - join up!).

So far I am elated to say that my prints will be featured in a brand new store called Kereru in Kaikoura, at The Arts Post and also Bel Merino in Hamilton, New Zealand. Any potential retailers are welcome to contact me for my wholesale details here (or Art Out Loud NZ fans with any ideas for local shops that they envisage my art could be on the walls of - please feel free to speak up).  

My personalised print range has had a roaring reception and I just love exploring these new dimensions with my design work. Taking my "bare bones" drawings and utilising the latest technologies with colour and texture is exciting and motivating - so many possibilities! I can't wait to create more names and experiment with the nitty gritty. I can also add in text - like birthdates and fullnames along the bottom of the design concept. So beautiful in all their framed glory - and that is an element you can explore!   

My newsletter has been an aim of mine for quite some time... as I love communicating! And working with words in this context has also been rewarding for me. I love finding relevant links to share, encouraging literacy and creativity, spreading the word about my fellow New Zealand hand-makers (blessed to know such a talented bunch!) and of course, casting the spotlight on Art Out Loud NZ innovations, specials and giveaways.

Righto! I best be off to get cracking on a personalised Christmas line up of a ballerina, butterfly, fairy, saxophone, drumkit, headphones and something that whirs and purrs this week... you can have a guess... or simply wait and see!

My child is my greatest teacher. Recently watching him, lost in the joyful process of his own painting - I am gently reminded to take pleasure in the journey of creating... the culmilation of colours, the freedom of movement, the fluidity of paint - the excitement of exploring space, shape, direction and layering - vividly becoming an anomaly, an artwork of a young soul.

Unrestrained from any training, not party to pressure to conform to any style, unsolicitored colour combinations... natural strokes expressed with a giggle and a playful paintbrush flick. His creation on the right, will be a piece I treasure, for the valuable experience it beholds.

My Art Out Loud NZ work is very delicately planned and implemented. It has taken countless sleepless nights to cultivate a range of appealing hand-drawn designs. There are then, many hours dedicated to reconstructing each design from start to finish, incorporating a hand-painted name or word to exhibit a fresh new artwork. I enjoy this process immensely, motivated by creating a unique painting for an individual and integrating their name within a specialised design to yield a fresh and effective artwork.

The piece I have featured above on the left, is 'A Growing Love' an example of my contemporary freestyle "surreal" artwork. When I create for myself I find I'm often spurred by a heartfelt message and compelled to experiment with bold colours, shapes and lines, intricate brush detail or textural patterning. I find I seek precise, balanced aesthetic outcomes and perhaps need to relax and focus more on the journey - as it is amazing what can come, if only we relent and let our hands do the "thinking."

This notion is documented beautifully here by Sandra Belegi's blog at The Art of Greatness http://theartofgreatness.com/jesse-renos-workshop-my-journey/ documenting her artistic journey during a five day workshop in Portland, USA with influencial artist Jesse Reno (http://jessereno.com/). 

After many months with brush to canvas at my family's humble dinner table... I will finally be taking Art Out Loud NZ into the wild of the Waikato Women's Lifestyle Expo in a few days time.

I have been creating madly and planning the aesthetics of my site with reckless abandon and am really looking forward to the breath of fresh air that reconnecting with the viewing public provides. It is revitalising to get my artwork out there, see what appeals, spot trends, gather feedback and sprout adventurous new ideas.

Round one of my photoshoot of my exciting new range of children's word art woodblock prints, got underway today. These are close to my heart as a parent and a teacher as I am passionate about the love of literacy that they promote while at the same time igniting a challenge to the imagination. I am pleased as punch that my little son (almost 21 months now) is delighted by the vivid painted images and is already estactically discovering the letters that underpin their shape. 

I have started this tributary of my Word Art journey inspired by his (and many other toddler's) favourite things - modes of transport - car, train, truck, sail boat, aeroplane, helicopter, rocket, tractor, bulldozer, digger - and have endeavoured to balance this with a small treasury of feminine fantasy for the girls - fairy, angel, princess, mermaid, unicorn...

Add into the mix a few artworks sparked by an illumination of life's simple pleasures... and I also have an artwork to comfort coffee lovers, tea enthusiasts, wine connoisseurs and those who revel in the bliss that only a deep, hot, long bath will deliver. 

It is difficult to convey the satisfaction that each creation brings to me...
I am so pleased to be able to merge my love for painting and words into a visual treasure that I can share to encourage others to linger on language, be lifted by letters and motivated to push the limits of their own possibilities. 

If, through my art, I can enable a person of any age to feel the fun in reading, grasp the power the vocabulary, wonder about words, celebrate and articulate their identity... then I am happy, aligned with my purpose and moving in the right direction.

Wise words from Napoleon Hill... words I which I have taken to heart to focus my mind - and work on an ever-growing range of Art Out Loud NZ word artworks of course!

I have been a little out absent from my facebook and website pages for good cause... currently I am undertaking an insightful Love Your Small Business - All About Action Ecourse! It is run by two inspiring ladies from Masterton and they are motivating women entrprenuers from around the globe. 

I am not even half-way through, but already realise that undertaking this homegrown course has been a super way to put aside time to work on the heart and soul behind my business and focus on what all this is really about - creating my ideal lifestyle business and making each moment of work really count towards achieving a meaningful and purposeful direction for my creative energy.

"Stop existing and start living..." as Michael jackson once sang... BE REAL.

Do you dare to dream of creating your own path in life doing what you love? Ideally... where do you want to be and what do you want to be doing in the next 3 years? If you have a whim, there is a way... check out http://loveyoursmallbusiness.com/ and feel excited!

In the tiny moments I have snuck in between study sessions and my little son napping, I have managed to post pics of the first Art Out Loud NZ range of woodblock prints on facebook (website updating soon to follow). I had to outsource to a local craftsman to have them constructed to the quality I am a happy with... but absolutely love the result and am sure Art Out Loud NZ fans will too!

Currently I have the NZ bird series, Aroha, Wine Lovers and a few children's word artworks available block-mounted - but many more are set to follow. These new prints are fabulous as they are printed to a very high standard, are signed and numbered and protected with matt laminate on a sturdy woodblock base which comes ready to hang.

Well best get back to the orders... a sweet start to the week with all things girly at the moment; a mermaid, a unicorn, a rabbit... just magic!

It's not raining, it's pouring... but in a good way...
I am brimming with ideas and even though they are shooting at me like the ammunition of an out-of-control tennis ball machine, I have to tackle them in a controlled fashion - ha - it's either that or the trusty straight jacket and a room with no windows!

So order it is! Right well, firstly I have launched a new series of full colour Word Art paintings starting with NZ Native Birds. I walk around the local lake with my son as often as I can - usually once or twice a week - and his love for feeding the ducks and chasing the pukekos, inspired me to create this series. It features a pukeko, kereru, fantail, takahe, tui and kiwi - of course! Each lovely and unique birds with striking names, colours and personalities that lend themselves well to a word art formation of the Art Out Loud NZ kind. 

Then there is the Kid's Word Art range. I have begun with some pretty creations for the girls - the inspiration being 'terms of endearment' - Sweetheart, Cupcake and Cutie Pie using candied colours along with love bead and buttoned felt embellishments. I am also working on some lovely ladies for our little ladies - a princess, a fairy and and angel... soon to be posted here on the Art Out Loud NZ website. I'd love your feedback by the way! And don't worry the little lads won't be missing out... I have many a brain-wave in store for them.

I have also been inspired by the upcoming Women's Lifestyle Expo in May - and created a new twist on my White/Red Wine Word Art, entitled -Why worry when you can wine? Also soon to be posted and I have a few more home-styled pieces to keep it company in the pipeline...

I am also about to move to offering woodblock prints of selected Art Out Loud NZ artwork - which I am very excited about - a new adventure in the presentation of my creations and a new skill to learn - as I plan to be making these from start to finish myself - well maybe with a little wood-chopping and sanding help from my lovely partner!

But that's not all folks! There's much more around the corner... but I'll save that for another blog - stay tuned...

Ooo and a big congrats to Max for winning the first Summer Art Out Loud NZ Giveaway, and well done to all the recent facebook winners LIKing their way into a free Art Out Loud NZ designer t-shirt - super easy!