☆ Life Lessons from Bean

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Before I became a parent I knew I would have to teach my kids, that they would learn from me and Mr Mac. I was slightly worried about it - who wouldn't be - it's a lot of responsibility.

What I didn't realise was that while I would be a teacher, I would also be the student.

Bug, Bean + I often spend some quiet time in the mornings sketching + colouring - a new practice that I absolutely adore.

But often Bean will come to me frustrated, crying + desperately unhappy because she couldn't draw something 'good' enough.

I say to her (after years of telling myself the same thing) it is good, it is perfect + I love the way you draw.

She will often have a meltdown, screaming, crying 'I can't do it!'

I hate it, it breaks my heart. Breaks. It.

Cause I know how she feels. I know how frustrated + angry + sad she is.

But I also know that if I don't gently encourage her to do it herself, she may end up never pushing through the wall.

By being gentle, but firm, by showing her some techniques, some different ways to draw something, eventually she draws her picture + the joy + excitement on her face is one of the best parts of my day.

Her drawings which she wants me to frame cause she loves them so much.

So my take away from this moment with my four + a half (going on sixteen) Bean, is this.

Push through. 

When you feel sad, or frustrated or want to have a arm + leg throwing tantie on the floor, because the painting isn't working, because the weight isn't falling off, because the job isn't going well, or just because - push through.

If you do, I bet your joy, your pride, you sense of accomplishment will be one of the best moments of your day.

Have you had to push through a block lately? I would love to hear your stories, please feel free to share below.

By the way - did you know that this months give away is open for entries? It is totally free + so easy to enter. Why not pop over + see whats for grabs this month?? [You only have til Thursday to enter]

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☆ Getting My Shit Together [Friday Art]

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For the last week or so Mr Mac has been on holidays + even though the girls + I have our usual commitments, when he is on holidays, it makes me feel like we are all on holidays. 

Which is lovely - but it does mean that our very routine lives are interrupted + it also means that I feel slightly out of control.

Never in the last six months, has my word of the year 'Release', meant so much as it did this past four weeks. I have had to release many things, due to unusual commitments, due to my back injury, due to holidays. 

While I feel like I have released; it is really freaking scary + I am feeling totally out of control in some areas of my life [as if you popped in Monday you would have read!] . So this week I felt a little like I have been scrambling to hold on with my finger tips with all my might. 

I am not sure which way I need to be heading at the moment - should I let go or should I hold on just a little bit? How do I get my shit together?

While I am figuring it out, at least I have my creativity + I can let go of all the crap in my head for a few hours when I am painting.

This weeks painting is 'Girl in Pink'

'Girl in Pink'

I hope you have a fabulous weekend! If you feel like sharing suggestions for letting go of the turmoil + control I would love to know!

By the way - did you know that this months give away is open for entries? It is totally free + so easy to enter. Why not pop over + see whats for grabs this month?? [You only have til Thursday to enter]

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☆ Letting in the Light [Lifebook 2013]

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I haven't had the chance to do a lifebook lesson lately, I have been side tracked by mermaid parties + life, and by other paintings that have been shouting at me to paint.

So I finally made it back into the Lifebook lessons catalogue and decided to do Joann Loftus's lesson.

It is a really simple, but totally cool technique that mimics a stained glass window + is very effective.

I totally love looking at this page - I am struck every time but the contrast between the black of the page + the bright light of the 'window'

On the window you can almost make out the quote I used, which is such an inspiring one for me.

It says ~

"Don't wait for a light to appear at the end of the tunnel ~ stride down their and light the bloody thing yourself." Sara Henderson.

Imagine if it was that simple! Imagine if you had the courage to let in the light - to light the damn light yourself? 

Huh.... I have just had a minor epiphany.

In writing this post I have totally just inspired myself to take action this week. I am not going to sit in the dark - I am going to take control of some of the elements that I feel are really out of control in my life this week

I am going to light the DAMNED light myself.

I will let you know how I go...

And if you feel inspired to take action this week with me, I would love to know where or what it is you are going to shine a light on!

By the way - did you know that this months give away is open for entries? It is totally free + so easy to enter. Why not pop over + see whats for grabs this month??

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☆ Asleep [Friday Art]

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We are still suffering a party hang over here at casa de Mac. It seemed that once Bug turned three the tantrums also had a birthday and have been amped up!

Not to be left out miss I am nearly five, Bean, has decided to behave like a two year old, throwing herself down on the floor, legs + fists flying screaming tanties. What the??

And the the baby miss, Beastie, has, of course, developed a cough which keeps us all awake at three in the morning.

Aren't you glad you stopped by??

Anyway I know we are all tired and the girls are moving through the next development stage + are probably realising that there is another person in our family + she ain't going to go away. Growing pains my Nan calls them.

And just when I think I have this family thing down pat - they mix it up + change the rules!

I have been desperately escaping to my studio to paint, to centre myself for the afternoon chaos, and I finally repainted the earlier drawing of Asleep.

So here is Asleep version two:

Asleep
12 x 8" acrylic on water colour paper
$59.00 [available here]

Before I leave you guys for the weekend - did you know that this months give away is open for entries? It is totally free + so easy to enter. Why not pop over + see whats for grabs this month??

Have a fabulous weekend + Queens birthday weekend for my friends in Australia. I hope you have some fun planned.

[LINKING TO PAINT PARTY FRIDAY]

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