ICE 2014 Collages 1,2,3 and 4!!

Wow, when the artist blocks finally breaks it sure does so with gusto! I have made 4 collages in 4 days! That includes the research and drawing. It's become as natural to me as breathing and I am totally liberated from THE BLOCK!

In my ICE 2014 series I am exploring our relationship with 'pest' animals in NZ.  

Pests are defined as 'A destructive insect or animal that destroys crops, food and livestock' or 'An annoying thing or person.'

My thoughts are still circling on this. It's our own fault that we have pests species. Most are introduced to our country and the damage that results from altering the environment is long lasting. We then seek to contain or destroy them and that action becomes entwined with our culture. 

Welcome along on my latest collage journey...

ICE 2014- THE HUNTED

 

 The Hunted: ICE #1.

Love Hate Relationship

We love their meat so we farm them, we set them free so we could love hunting them and now we hate them for destroying forest floors they had access too in the wild. We grew up with Bambi and Thumper. We loved them. So when did Bambi become prey?

  

The Hunted: ICE #2

"Separate the Men from The Boys"

Back in 'the days' it was a huge part of NZ culture to hunt deer. Out there in the rugged hill country you defined yourself...are you a man or just a boy?

I dislike the notion that you must be able to kill and survive camping in the cold, primitive deer huts in order to prove you manhood. The bigger the trophy you return with the more of a man you are...yeah right!

 The Hunted: ICE # 3

"Just not cute enough"

The possum has made it all the way to number 1 on the list of major pests in NZ. The possum kills not only plants but enjoys a feast on birds eggs. If that wasn't enough to make conservationist hot under the collar they have even been known for pushing our native Kiwi out of the burrows and taking over the residence. Oh and they're scary. They hiss, have beady eyes and the claws on them are those of a predator.

Maybe, like the counter-part the deer they would be more loved were cute enough?

This notion in particular reminds me a lot of society in general, but lets not go there...

 The possum...a bit raccoon like, a bit red panda but not enough of either to be 'cute enough.'

 The Hunted: ICE #4

"Run Rabbit Run"

Most people of my generation who grew up Kiwi will know the song " Oma Rapeti" which translates to "Run Rabbit." If I recall correctly the song is a warning to the rabbit because the farmer has his gun. The rabbit, like the deer are both loved and hated. Despite the fact they are a pest we still celebrate them at Easter and immerse the cute ones into our culture. They destroy vegetation to the point where land erodes but for most of us all it seems to take as one look at there sweet bunny noses and tails and we love them all over again...

May your nest be blessed!

Lisa

A new collage!! Artist block BROKEN!

This is the first collage I have created in around 2 years. I am pretty excited about that!

Finally that nasty artist block has been broken!!

 How did I do that?

I waited. And waited. And waited some more. Sorry I can't give any information more useful than that for others who are experiencing the same thing. I had to wait it out and work on other aspects of my life. Apparently there's been a lot to work on!

Not only does it feel FANTASTIC to create art again it's also a great sign about where I am at now and it's so encouraging to me to actually feel like I am winning in the battle with the black dog. Whoop!!

 Here's a close up of her. I made marks on paper in pencil then collage together the neck of the deer. It was the first time I have tried that technique and although I like the look I didn't enjoy working with the fiddly bits of tiny paper! I drew the head as one piece.

 Below: A sneak preview of the next collage, this one is intended for ICE 2014. I am not sure about the other collage.

 Of course, I have something to say in this one!

I struggle with drawing, I always have and it's very rear for me to include an image of something I drew in an artwork. I am so pleased with this deer I drew that I did 4 of them, all different but in the same pose. I find the grid helps immensely, not just for enlarging but also for seeing. I need to isolate a small part and stick to only what I can see in the square with no concern about any other part of the image. If it's not in the square it doesn't matter!

May your nest be blessed!

Lisa

She sees sea shells...

How sweet are these little sea shell candles?  I have been making for an upcoming coastal themed party.
I love how these look like rock pools and they came with a bonus outing to the beach to collect them.
I am making 100 for the party in different colours and shell types but I am also very tempted to make some extras for a summer 'happy space' when the season arrives.

Today is a smooth white seashell, hold it close and listen to the beauty of the hours. - unknown

May your nest be blessed!

L x 

Creating moments

 

 

One of my new favorite things to do is create these happy places. I love to create places I love to look at.

There are 4 nests in this space plus some of my favorite op-shop scores and gifts. 

The painting was done by my sister in law, lucky me to have gotten this one! I love it.

Photo Bombed!

May your nest be blessed,

Lisa

A moment...

Night time. Misty Windows. Wild Flowers. Soft shadows fall against the wall. A moment enjoyed in the midst of it all.

You may remember my new year intention to enjoy a moment each day?  Capturing, remembering and living in these moments are vital in my fight to stay afloat in the stormy seas I find myself being tossed about in.

The last month has particularly hard and I can't say I have lived a moment of each day. Sometimes I've just been lucky to wash to the shore!

BUT I"M STILL HERE.

My daughter has been in hospital nearly a month now, shes had a spinal fusion involving multiple bone grafts and 2 titanium rods screwed into her pelvis. They run the length of her spine and are attached to it by 23 screws. In our stay I have met many kids and parents who face trials and heart ache well above the norm but one boy in particular will stay with me. He was receiving treatment for cancer. His little head was bald and a tube snaked from his nose and down his shirt. All of a sudden there was a commotion, someone had changed the channel on the communal TV and boy was he unhappy about it! He comes tearing out of the lounge, tears streaming down his face and I looked him and thought..

...and THAT'S what you're worried about???

How awesome that in the midst of things he hadn't stopped been a child. How awesome that he didn't let his circumstance be what defined him. He was still a child wanting to watch cartoons like any other kid his age. He wasn't caught up in being sick or worried or feeling sad about his circumstance.

He was still him.

I could learn a lot from that child.

May your nest be blessed,

Lisa