Life on the hill: passion

Thursday, May 2, 2013

When I lived on the house on the hill, there was a huge play room. A place for my children to play, and hang out, and a place for me to create. Its the only place I have ever lived in that allowed me easy access to the things I use to create. I had a table, and book cases, and space for my easel. It was wonderful.

When the children were at school, I would put on music - anything that my heart desired, and paint and paint and paint. I have lost count of the number of times I have heard people say 'I couldn't paint if my life depended on it'.

You see, I believe that everyone has the ability to create. In some form. Be it sewing, crafting, sculpting, writing, painting, drawing, craving... you get the idea. It is only the individual who limits their ability to create. I had a number of friends come and paint with me for the day. Armed with a canvas, and a sense of 'I can't paint', they would come to the house on the hill, and stand in front of their empty canvases, too frightened to put paint on it. To frightened to let go of the logical side of their brain and let the creative side take over.

I would be madly away in my creative world, and they would still be standing looking at their blank canvas. Covered in paint, paint brush or palette knife in hand, I would guide them over to the stack of art magazines and books I have. "Here. Look. Stop thinking so much about it, and just look for somewhere to start." This would always end up being the point of departure for them, and they would start to paint. Timidly at first, then with more abandonment. It was wonderful to observe.

For me, creating - specifically painting - is soul feeding. It helps restore my equilibrium. For many reasons, I stopped painting as much as I used to. Since I started working in an Art and Craft Supply Shop, my desire to paint has been reignited and I am creating again. And that is a wonderful thing.

Todays prompt is "Educate us on something you know alot about or are good at. Take any approach you'd like (serious and educational or funny and sarcastic)" I KNOW that everyone has the ability to be creative.

Thursday, November 8, 2012

For me blogging is a place where I can record my story. My truth. My passions and views. Some will resonate with others, some may inform and educate, some may just be the recognition of a kindred spirit fighting her fight, living her life, in the same way they are.

Image Credit

That is what the National Museum of Australia is like. A place full of stories. Where our stories live, to borrow their tagline. Its a place full of stories from the varied and different cultures that make up this country. It's an amazing place. From the architecture - a building designed to look like a knot, representing the diversity in this country - to the displays telling stories from different perspectives and points in history.

I could have stayed there all day. There was so much to see, and learn and experience. Stories to be told and heard.

We were lucky enough to see behind the scenes, and see curators at work on restoring items to be displayed. It was wonderful to hear people talk about their passion with such enthusiasm and excitement. It was contagious.

This passion and enthusiasm carried onto where we had lunch at Two before Ten. This cafe roasts their own beans, so the place smells amazing. (And the view was pretty good too ;) ) I can honestly say it was the best cappuccino I have ever had anywhere. The food was delicious, starting with a tasting platter of different meats with a salad, and ending with a tasting platter of desserts that were sublime.

After having our taste buds tantalised, we were taken to another place that is full of stories, the National Film and Sound Archives. I didn't even know such a place even existed. It is the place where anything recorded or filmed in Australia is kept, where film and sound from days long gone are restored and kept for You and for me.

Unless you work in the recording or film industry, we have no appreciation for the amount of work that goes into something we listen to, or watch. To see and hear the people who work at the NFSA was for me a gift. Again, these were people who LOVE what they do. It was evident in the way they spoke with such passion.

With a quick stop back to the hotel (no rest for the wicked, or this exhausted little vegemite!), we got ready to go out to dinner.

There were two restaurants that our stream would be going to - Ginger Catering at the old Parliament house, and The Messalira Ristorante We dined at Messalira. The service was impecable, and the food... oh my... the food.

This was one of my favorite events of the weekend. The opportunity to sit down and relax, not having to race anywhere was a welcome respite after a very busy day. It was a time to meet new people, where we were able to share some of our own stories, and connect together as humans.