March 2019: Tarot spread for the new moon in Pisces

Astrology for the new moon in Pisces February 2019

The March 2019 new moon falls in the sign of Pisces. The Pisces archetype is highly intuitive and very open to the flow of the creative imagination. This is the sign of dreamers and mystics and visionaries, which makes this new moon an excellent time to flex your creative and intuitive muscles.

The March new moon also highlights our creativity and pleasure. It encourages us to step out of logical thinking and enter into a state of playful enquiry. This is the time to adopt creative thinking, to lean into our feelings rather than be ruled purely by our rational mind, and to express ourselves creatively.Continue reading→

Art journal tutorial: how to paint a loose watercolor portrait

how to paint a loose watercolor portrait

Watercolors can be really tricky; and trying to paint portraits using watercolors can be a nightmare! The key, for me, is to keep it loose and whimsical, and today I’m going to show you just how to paint a loose watercolor portrait.

Loose watercolor portrait demo

This video will show you how to paint a loose watercolor portrait from start to finish. You’ll find some watercolor portrait tips and a supply list below the video.Continue reading→

Radical acts of rebellion: living the slow life

Radical acts of rebellion living the slow life

I’ve been down with a severe case of viral, coupled with a stomach bug from hell. It’s not been pretty. I’ve been grumpy. And I needed a distraction, and to write. But seeing as I was confined to bed, the only distraction I had on hand was my phone. Writing ideas, well….none. So I did what anyone would do – I hopped over to my Instagram feed, and scrolled down in search of some inspiration.

I found this image from a couple of months ago, and decided to use it to write. Here goes!Continue reading→

February 2019: Tarot spread for the full moon in Virgo

February 2019 full moon in Virgo astrology and tarot spread

The February 2019 full moon falls in the sign of Virgo. The Virgo archetype is logical and practical. This is a sign that thrives on meticulous planning, on honing skills to perfection and gaining mastery over their chosen vocation. This makes the February full moon a good time to celebrate the areas where you are putting in concentrated effort, and to let go of any negative programming that tries to sell you short from living your dream.Continue reading→

Art journal tutorial: intuitive painting demo from start-to-finish

how to paint intuitively intuitive painting demo from start-to-finish

I really enjoy intuitive painting – it’s freeing and challenging at the same time! The freedom to make marks, experiment with color palettes and mediums, and to make bold moves delights my inner wild child. The challenge of bringing so many elements together; of not knowing what the final piece will be like; of wondering if you can manage to salvage it all, is exciting. Each painting session becomes an exploration of something new; each canvas or art journal spread a delightful revelation.Continue reading→

On finding the strength to do difficult things

finding the strength to do difficult things

I took my introverted, hermit self to my neighbour’s house for a story telling session on Saturday. It was a session on performance art and spoken word poetry, along with a mini workshop on poetry writing in Hindi. I assumed that I would simply be an observer, but no – that was not to be.

Not only did I write my first ever Hindi poem, I recited it too. Not once, but twice. In room full of strangers. With shaking hands and twitchy muscles, because I really am not good with public speaking.  Continue reading→

February 2019: Tarot spread for the new moon in Aquarius

Astrology for the new moon in Aquarius February 2019

The February 2019 new moon falls in the sign of Aquarius. The Aquarius archetype is radically individual, very strong-willed, and can be rather eccentric. This is a sign that is not afraid to walk to its own drum beat, which makes this new moon a good time to get clear on your own unique perspective on life.

After the powerful solar and lunar eclipses last month, February’s new moon presents us with a fresh slate from which to launch into the year. This lunation asks us to start at the beginning: with clarity on where we want to head and armed with a fresh mindset. This would be a good time to examine old thought processes and the limiting beliefs that hold us back.Continue reading→

When dystopian fiction feels chillingly real: Hugh Howey’s Wool and climate change

When dystopian fiction feels chillingly real: Book review: Hugh Howey’s Wool and climate change

“The children were playing while Holston climbed to his death; he could hear them squealing as only happy children do. While they thundered about frantically above, Holston took his time, each step methodical and ponderous, as he wound his way around and around the spiral staircase, old boots ringing out on metal treads.”

Thus starts Wool, a dystopian novel of a world that has shrunken into a giant underground silo; where “outside” is dank and dangerous – a toxic wasteland where you are sent to die.

It takes a few pages for the story to build up, but once you understand the shocking reality of the world created by Hugh Howey, you cannot but help feel chilled to the bone.Continue reading→

Tarot reading for February 2019

Tarot reading for February 2019

I don’t know about you, but this year didn’t feel “new, shiny” in January. There was a lot of planning, thinking, and an easing in, at least for me. The only thing that really took off is my time at the painty table.

So when I saw these tarot cards for February, it felt like a “Hell, yes! Let’s get 2019 started!”Continue reading→

On my art table: Melancholia

black and white sketch melancholia
melancholia
/ˌmɛlənˈkəʊlɪə/

1: severe depression characterized especially by profound sadness and despair

Tense, irritable, I crashed into a fit of melancholia and found myself crying over inconsequential problems.— Susan Wood

2: a sad quality or mood

There’s a touching melancholia to his voice …— Ralph Novak

Like Wallace’s breakthrough novel, “Infinite Jest,” “The Pale King” is pervaded by an air of melancholia, an acute sense of loss.— Tom McCarthy

– Merriam WebsterContinue reading→