Having recently connected with a bunch of fabulous women #SproutMM, here is my account:

1. My parents are Danish (yes thats Denmark not “Dutch” from Holland, two completely separate countries and met in Australia then I came along, followed my by brother 5 years later.
2. I have a great sense of direction, I usually can pickup where I have been by landmarks and the landscape, I don’t do so good with names though, but I can usually find my way around via a map (no GPS).
3. I used to work in my Dad’s kitchen/joinery business, when I was old enough to drive I would drive a column shift truck out to make deliveries for my dad and have to ask the guys in the factories to lift out the deliveries.
4. I failed to get into a graphic design course at Tafe because I couldn’t draw!
5. I love to make things with my hands and physical labour, and I don’t mind getting my hands dirty at all- get me out in the garden, painting a wall or the construction of a project I love it. Couldn’t do it everyday but love it.
6. I have come to realise that teaching, sharing and helping people is what I am meant to do. I do that through various vehicles the art, design & technical services, teaching art but it all comes down to helping and giving to people is what gets me inspired and gives me “that” excited feeling.
7. In 2002 at had a miscarriage at 19 weeks, it was a baby girl. I knew it was girl even before they told me. I felt the baby move about a week before but being my first I wasnt sure, I went in for the 19week scan a week later and they told me she had died about a week prior. I realised later that kick was the baby’s last. I treasure that gift everyday, I know I would be a completely different person was it not for that experience. I know i am a better mum to my two boys and better person to those around me because of it! .
8. I often dream of tidal waves, i often see them from my old house which was near the ocean where I grew up in Sydney. For years I always woke up as the wave hit me. In recent years, I somehow survive the wave but am still trying to outrun it.
9. I detest liver. My dad forced me eat it when i was young and just still to this day cannot go there.
10. Same goes for tequila. Cannot drink it after a teenage binge episode – can’t tell you anymore as I seriously cannot remember anything apart from hitting my head in the shower, but i know it was not good.
11. Been engaged twice, never married.
12. I think i have an intuition about babies, I often will get a feeling for my pregnant friends, though i don’t always reveal it, it’s often come true. Nothing makes me happier than hearing about those i know who’s babies have made it safely into the world.
13. I love organising, and systems and lists, almost to the point where I make lists on lists. It’s insane!
14. I love starting a project, I don’t always finish them.
15. I cannot listen to prank calls on radio shows, or funniest home videos. I just hate seeing the people hurt themselves or people being made fools of at someone else’s expense. Cannot watch it / listen I turn it off.
16. I am very patient, non judgmental of people and their differences, I rarely make a judgment until i am proven otherwise. I however i get to a point and cannot go back. Once the line is crossed where someone has taken advantage, made fun off or just done the wrong thing I tend to cross them off my energy list and its very hard for them to get back.
17. I recently discovered i have major blocks around money and accepting payments and abundance. Yes working on that, but its been a revelation.
18. Find it extremely difficult to accept help from anyone and the fact that people are willing to help me at all. Though if anyone asks me for help i am so willing to give it to them no questions asked.
19. I am a pretty good cook, even if i do say so myself.
20. In 2009-2010 i was diagnosed with depression about a year after my relationship of 12 years had broken down. The doctor wanted me to go on medication after i had some councelling etc. but i refused. That was the hardest thing i think i have ever had to go through. To be honest i think it was more like post traumatic stress disorder, however, whatever the name, it has been a tough journey that i have come through on the other side of however there is still occasions where I have watch myself that I don’t go on that journey again.
21. Last year I was diagnosed with Hashimotos (autoimmune disease) which i believe has been attributed to a too much stress for too long a period of time and my body was starting to send me a strong message. I couldn’t keep myself awake at 10am! It’s forced me to pay attention to my body and “me” more.
22. Despite how much i love the online space, my guilty pleasure is to leave my phone at home and not turn on my computer for a whole weekend!!!

23. Things i am most proud of.

• I never regret anything!!!
• Coming through the last 5 years with my head held high and alway putting my boys well being ahead of my own personal emotions providing them a stable environment always with love.
• In these last 5 years particularly continually stepping out of my comfort zone even when its the last thing i wanted to do, but i have always come away with something which has pushed me further.
• Visiting the Hunter Valley Grammar School primary school students a couple of years ago, speaking in front of the whole school and seeing all the artworks the students had created based on my own artworks and what they hadstudied about me. I absolutely loved that day cause I could see myself in their eyes and love the fact that they were inspired by what I had created.
• Every time I teach my children something new or they come out with something that I know they have learned from me about love, life and happiness from themselves. Fills my heart with joy every-time.

Did you learn something about me?

Let me know you stopped by and pop me a comment below:

Loving this new way of illustration I have found, which suits my traditional and digital styles and embraces all the things I have been trying to pull together. Here is a little sneaky peak at this geeky girl, she isn’t finished yet but I just love when things come together. What do you think?

You will never leave where you are until you decide where you would rather be.

just a quick little message

Thanking all my wonderful clients and online friends for all your support during 2012 I hope you all have a  fantastic holiday break with your friends and family.

I will be closed for new projects from Friday 21st December through to Thurs 3rd January 2013.  I will be working on some exciting new projects during this period and I have an exciting schedule already shaping up for 2013, with lots of new exciting developments on the horizon.

Take care and give your loved ones a special hug this Christmas – Why – because you can!!

I just received my Dottarific markers, I love making dots in artwork, I get annoyed when the dots aren’t circular more often than not they end up being more of an oval shape  and it’s time consuming to colour bit dots (ok yes I am a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to details) …  I have been experimenting with different types of materials, arts, ways of working to mix this in with my design and illustration work as well as my artwork. They are all wonderful tools to get the creative juices flowing and I am all about maximising my time these days…
Anyway… When I saw Jane Davenport using these markers in her recent workshop I had to get some …they don’t carry them in Australia I got them from Paper Ink Arts.

So, I just had a quick play and look at all my lovely dotties … oooh exciting *claps hands*

Tuesday 15th November is Pink Rose Day.   I am delighted to have been able to donate a framed print of one of my artworks -”Pink Rose” to support fundraising for Central Coast Kids In Need and be able to help in my own little way.

This annual event will be held to support local charity, Central Coast Kids In Need, fundraising group aiming to provide financial and other support to families of seriously ill children from the Central Coast, who need to travel to Sydney and Newcastle for essential and often lifesaving medical treatment.

The original artwork that was created especially for a family member who just loves roses.
The print has been framed in a custom made frame especially just for Pink Rose Day.

November 15th is coming around fast so please if you are a Central Coast local get along on the day and buy a rose to  help support this wonderful cause AND if your not a local the have a wonderful section on their website for accepting donations
The details for the day are here: http://pinkroseday.com.au/index.php/2011/11/14-days-to-go/

Here is a little sneak peak. This one uses drawing in pencils & pens, painting in watercolour, digitally enhancing and adding elements  – all of which are in  my little bags of tricks and I am having heaps of fun combining them all together.

So thats all for now, I am enjoying the fact that school holidays brings me time out of the normal schedule so i best be off and make the most of it