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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
“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
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
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
Last week, I spoke about the idea of a depth year, and promised to share my depth year framework once it was ready. If you’re wondering what in heavens a depth year is, I suggest you read last week’s post first; I’ll wait!
Now that you’re in the know, here’s my framework. My aim is to go deep in a couple of areas that are important to me. One thing that I’ve decided to do slightly differently is this: I’m not necessarily equating a depth year with a no buy or low buy year. There are some areas where I have decided that a no buy/low buy year works for me, but in other areas, I may buy something if I feel it is needed to help me go deeper.Continue reading