Embedded Files
In recognition of the amazing job teachers are doing; juggling their own families, being present for those who need to be in school and being online for those who need to be at home.
Take time out of your busy day for YOU.
Take time out of your busy day for YOU.
What lessons can we learn and messages can we take from how nature makes sense out of chaos?
What lessons can we learn and messages can we take from how nature makes sense out of chaos?
An uprooted fig tree biffed into the paddock takes root and bears fruit.
An uprooted fig tree biffed into the paddock takes root and bears fruit.
Take a moment to consider all the powers that come into play to make this happen.
In the darkest spaces there is new growth, nurtured by all around it.
In the darkest spaces there is new growth, nurtured by all around it.
Notice the different shades of green, the variety in size and texture.
The forgotten yucca takes hold despite being neglected. It rises again, strong and beautiful.
The forgotten yucca takes hold despite being neglected. It rises again, strong and beautiful.
This made me think of Maya Angelou's poem:
And Still I rise.
How does it feel when you allow yourself to be immersed in mesmerising, repetitive action?
How does it feel when you allow yourself to be immersed in mesmerising, repetitive action?
A photograph of a humble dandelion. We don't have to go very far to find the beauty of nature.
A photograph of a humble dandelion. We don't have to go very far to find the beauty of nature.
Notice the beauty and wonder in everyday things.
A painting inspired by the humble dandelion. The repetition of brushstrokes and playing with colour and tone was cathartic and soothing.
A painting inspired by the humble dandelion. The repetition of brushstrokes and playing with colour and tone was cathartic and soothing.
What do you notice within you when you allow your hand to work without watching what it is doing?
What do you notice within you when you allow your hand to work without watching what it is doing?
Using a single line and not looking at the paper, concentrate on who you see and draw it whilst keeping your gaze fixed on the person. This can be done with another or of yourself using a mirror.
Using a single line and not looking at the paper, concentrate on who you see and draw it whilst keeping your gaze fixed on the person. This can be done with another or of yourself using a mirror.
Listen deeply as you draw the face of the person who is talking. Keep your gaze on them. During the telling, hear, really hear the story they have to tell. Encourage them to do this for you.
Listen deeply as you draw the face of the person who is talking. Keep your gaze on them. During the telling, hear, really hear the story they have to tell. Encourage them to do this for you.
Choose a favourite poem.
Choose a favourite poem.
Record yourself reading the poem.
Record yourself reading the poem.
Listen to the poem as you draw what comes to mind.
Listen to the poem as you draw what comes to mind.
Add the words of the poem to the linework on the page.
Add the words of the poem to the linework on the page.
See what evolves.
See what evolves.
Notice how you feel.
Notice how you feel.
Allow yourself to embrace the words and recognise why you have chosen this poem.
Allow yourself to embrace the words and recognise why you have chosen this poem.
Reflect on the patterns of words, where and how they have fallen and take inspiration from their position in relation to other words.
Reflect on the patterns of words, where and how they have fallen and take inspiration from their position in relation to other words.
Next step...be open to suggestion and go where the activity takes you.
Next step...be open to suggestion and go where the activity takes you.
Use all your senses to feed your soul. How does it feel to see the fruits of your labours? What do you notice about how plants interact with each other. What smells do you notice and what do those smells trigger? What does it feel like to engage in playful activities? Do we notice these things often enough?
Use all your senses to feed your soul. How does it feel to see the fruits of your labours? What do you notice about how plants interact with each other. What smells do you notice and what do those smells trigger? What does it feel like to engage in playful activities? Do we notice these things often enough?
Grow things.
Grow things.
Observe inter-relationships.
Observe inter-relationships.
Smell things.
Smell things.
Add a sense of play. Dance like this tree.
Add a sense of play. Dance like this tree.
Start with a single shape.
Start with a single shape.
Add another shape.
Add another shape.
Embellish the shapes.
Embellish the shapes.
Keep on adding.
Keep on adding.
How does it feel and what do you notice as you see pictures and patterns evolve? What colours did you choose and what shapes?
How does it feel and what do you notice as you see pictures and patterns evolve? What colours did you choose and what shapes?
Colour and lines.
Colour and lines.
I used a plate to create several curved lines.
I used a plate to create several curved lines.
I created shapes and used water colour pencils to infill. The sweeping movements, blending, and smoothing of colour was peaceful and soothing.
I created shapes and used water colour pencils to infill. The sweeping movements, blending, and smoothing of colour was peaceful and soothing.
Beginning with random lines, I looked to see what emerged and let the evolving image guide me.
Beginning with random lines, I looked to see what emerged and let the evolving image guide me.
This was painted with water colour paints; experimenting with degrees of wetness, creating different depth of colour, noticing places where one colour 'bled' into another.
This was painted with water colour paints; experimenting with degrees of wetness, creating different depth of colour, noticing places where one colour 'bled' into another.
Notice your response when things happen unexpectedly, and embrace the unexpected.
Notice your response when things happen unexpectedly, and embrace the unexpected.
Take your prompt from anything sitting on your desk. This was from a few shells I collected on a beach walk.
Take your prompt from anything sitting on your desk. This was from a few shells I collected on a beach walk.
Remember you are doing an amazing job.
Remember you are doing an amazing job.
You chose this profession because of the gift of giving you have within you.
You chose this profession because of the gift of giving you have within you.
Don't forget to give a little of that kindness back to yourself.
Don't forget to give a little of that kindness back to yourself.
You deserve it and you are worth it.
You deserve it and you are worth it.
Many of you who know me, will know that I think best when I am scribbling and doodling. These are just a collection from a recent series of meetings I have been present in. In many instances I can still remember what was being discussed as the images were being created.
Many of you who know me, will know that I think best when I am scribbling and doodling. These are just a collection from a recent series of meetings I have been present in. In many instances I can still remember what was being discussed as the images were being created.
Interestingly enough, this staff meeting from many years ago isn't one that sticks in my memory.
Interestingly enough, this staff meeting from many years ago isn't one that sticks in my memory.
When you lose focus or drift off task...be gentle with yourself. Whilst you are considered a superhero by most people, remember to give yourself a little slack.
When you lose focus or drift off task...be gentle with yourself. Whilst you are considered a superhero by most people, remember to give yourself a little slack.
Go gently.
Go gently.
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