Make Mother's Day super special with a unique gift she will treasure

I've finally come up for air after painting like a crazy person for my Solo Exhibiton at The Block Gallery in Faulconbridge NSW and for Artfest at Winmalee NSW ~ both exhibitions are in May 2012.

As part of my Solo Exhibition and because Mother's Day is very soon, I have created four new watercolour, ink and acrylic paintings on 300gsm watercolour paper (A3 size).  These Mothers Series Originals will be for Sale at the Gallery Exhibition and are beautifully framed with black matt boards and ready to hang.

Each Artwork in my Mothers Series is unique and celebrates the amazing bond of a Mother and her children.  A great idea for Mother's Day as an affordable print or greeting card (with envelope) that Mum will cherish forever.  My Mother's Day Artworks are here: http://www.redbubble.com/people/lisafrancesjudd/collections/137354-mothers-day-2012

It's a Colourful Life ~ But keep it Organised

I have a lot going on in May this year... I turn 50 to start with and have a celebration parties in both Sydney and Brisbane.  I also have two Art exhibitions... One is a Solo Art exhibition at The Old Block Art Gallery & Cafe for the whole month and the second is Winmalee Artfest which runs over the first weekend in May each year with other artists.

While that is going on, I have commissioned artworks waiting to be create for several clients.  I need a lot of available, saleable artwork for the exhibitions, so I am madly painting to get ready and I like to have more than enough so if something sells, I have a replacement for the Gallery.

It's easy to get flustered to the point where things just don't get done at all. Guess we have all experienced this from time to time.  Just this week, while watching the TV show, The Block (Renovation and design contest on Channel 9, Sydney Australia) I was somewhat amused to watch some of the contestants under pressure ~ time pressure, decision pressure, artistic pressure, design pressure, team pressure.

Some did well and kept calm, others did not, they got very flustered.  The main reason was a lack of practicality.  They were rushing out grabbing curtains and curtain rods for their  rooms without measuring windows. Another couple forgot to purchase a doona for the bed (just a doona cover)!

Getting organised isn't that hard really. Just write down a point form list of what you need to do, when it needs to be done and in what order of priority, then just do one thing at a time and don't think about the other things till you cross off a completed task.

If you can get to my It's a Colourful Life Exhibition (see details in picture) you will get to see 12 of my Original Artworks up close and a bunch of my Art Sculptures too. 

Affordable Prints will be available of all Exhibited Originals too.

Make a day of it and come up to the beautiful Blue Mountains (The Block Gallery has a Cafe too).

I hope to meet you there :D

Lisa xox

http://www.lisafrancesjuddartist.com

http://www.facebook.com/lisa.frances.judd.visual.artist

I'd rather be a Tiger than a Mouse

My thoughts for this day...

I am about to have a bit of a rant guys... just warning you all.

Just got off the phone after a conversation with my Mother. As often she does, she again told me that I am 'too much'.

Too much of what? Am I too much because I am strong, dependable, capable and direct?
Too much because she feels too little herself? Too much because I speak my mind?
Too much because I call a spade a spade?
Too much because I take an idea and run with it rather than dilly dally around?
Too much because I have tried and succeeded, tried and failed, but got back up to try again?

Maybe I am 'too much' for some people and you know what? I don't care. While I am moving forward, doing what I love to do and hanging out with lots of friends that 'get me', the others are sitting back, too afraid to do anything, too afraid to put themselves on the line and too afraid to of being different or standing out.

This is your life people! LIVE IT BOLDY.

Let's start a Too Much Club and be proud members of who we are ~ bright, bold and determined and yes, sometimes loud and strong willed too.  Who's with me?

I'd rather be a tiger than a mouse!

Come Join us at: http:facebook.com/messages.from.the.soul.community

So you think you have problems?

Today's blog, is not about Art.  Today's blog is about my beautiful son James.

James is 21 years old and he was diagnosed with a Glioblastoma Brain Cancer (stage 4) on 1st August 2011. That is a date I will never ever forget ~ just him and me together with the Surgeon, who had to deliver the news that would change his life forever.

How does a Mother cope with news like this? Well looking back, not very well... I lost it. And James? he went cold and clammy and into shock. There were many tears from many people in the days, weeks and months that followed.

James had everything to live for... just completed his four year apprenticeship as a Diesel Fitter for an International Crane Company.  Just purchased a 'new' car and just turned 21 years old. He was fit, happy and he thought, we thought, healthy.

During his early diagnosis, James endured two brain surgeries in two weeks, followed by radical radiation treatment and chemotherapy for 7 weeks. During the first three or so months, because James and I live in different cities, he in Brisbane and me in Sydney, I left my family to go live with  and care for him in Brisbane, taking him to daily hospital visits etc. Once he got past that intensive treatment stage I came home and he then had 6 months of regular chemotherapy.

The Doctors at the P.A. Hospital gave us a grim prognosis for James. The fact is, most people with a Glioblastoma, stage 4, do not survive very long. They also said that he would never work again and never drive a car again and, although he has no deficits as a result of the surgeries, they sent him to Palliative Care meetings.

James had his life taken away from him. Many people in his position would just give up.  Not James.
He always remained positive and kept his zany sense of humour. He was strong when those of us who love him struggled to do so.

Today... It's been 8 months since this 'journey' began. Jame is defying the Drs prognosis so far.  His MRI's are stable, the brain cancer is not growing and when he took his medical records to a Private Neurosurgeon, he got the opportunity to sit extensive tests to ascertain his fitness to work and drive again. 

Guess what? James passed every test they threw at him with flying colours! So now my son is soon returning to work and to driving. Things that the public hospital Drs said would never happen.

Of course, we do not know what the future holds for James. He may stay perfectly well for many years, or, he may not.

What I do know is that my son will continue to live passionately.  As he said to me today, "Mum, if anyone can beat this thing I can."  I believe him and I believe in him.

God bless James.

Lisa xox