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Malini Parker Visual Artist

Friday November 4, 2011

What is this?

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Welcome readers - new and old - to my newsletter which combines random personal and other news with creativity tips and upcoming workshops...I’m delighted you’re reading this and I hope you enjoy the next few minutes with me... (btw, that’s Leah, my step grand-daughter: toooooo cute!)

We did it, but we nearly didn’t!

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It's been over a month since the party, the balloons are still up, and we did it –  Greg and I celebrated our 25th Wedding Anniversary! You’ve seen the pics on Facebook...

BUT... it nearly didn’t happen – Greg’s had 2 emergency hospitalisations between then and now (and one of them was on Saturday!). Great timing, Greg, thank you for not having a major episode on the weekend of the party! It all goes to show that Greg’s ‘zest for life’ is a formidable opponent to cancer! And thank you all – friends, rellies, students - for all the warm wishes for our anniversary.

Excellence, Elegance and Enthusiasm

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I have been thinking about these three 'E' words just lately. Excellence is the word I would use to describe the work recently created by the brave (Exhausted!) beginners in my new intensive The Next Step. Check out their gorgeous work here. Elegance is what I WISH I had ...aaaah... it’s such a beautiful feature, and so far out of my reach! Enthusiasm – this I have in bucketloads – I REALLY love working with people who take the risk, come to an art workshop, and brighten our lives with their art and enthusiasm : )

Don’t like your work? Good!

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Todd Henry in The Accidental Creative, refering to the “highs and lows” of the creative process, called it “periods of alternating excitement and loathing for our work." He says, "Success depends on our persistence and our willingness to keep refining ... even when we feel like moving on.” My creative process has roughly 3 stages (HUGELY simplified). When I am painting, this includes a period when I really hate the work I’ve created. It goes something like this:

1. EXCITEMENT! "this is great, a fresh canvas, oooh the possibilities... Breathe, paint and breathe... I LOVE THIS! This is the best job in the world.
2. OH CRAP! This is going in the bin. What on earth am I doing?? Don’t panic. I'm panicking a bit.
3. AAAAAH. it’s working... It's working again. It’s finished!

It's not quite that simple, but there certainly are “alternating excitement and loathing” as I paint! The important thing is to keep pushing through when you feel like throwing it away and starting again. It makes your art better. (I find taking a chocolate break helps : )

How do you find your authentic voice?

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Great question! I was asked this recently by one of my students...During my workshops,  beginners are empowered with structure and skills immediately, and they make beautiful art – in just ONE day! I love that. However, while you can make art in a day, it takes time and repetition to become an artist and find your authentic, unique voice. For me, it was many years of formal study as well as numerous workshops including ones by talented artists Bronwen Newbury and Wendy Holmes: For a very different style, listen and watch how French artist, Beatrice Coron found her voice in her intricate, exquisite stories, cut from paper. It's a delightful TED talk!

Want some help to find your authentic voice?

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Many of you who have done my classes would now like some extra guidance on finding YOUR authentic voice. I hear you! So I’m offering a brand new, unique 2-day workshop to help you. This unique weekend  will include very specific activities to guide you to think, play, and create, and guest spots from other artists, where you can be inspired by their journeys and skills. It will be intimate, cost $395, (incl most materials) and close at only 7 people, so register here  soon if you're interested. When? No date fixed yet - just let me know if you'd like to come and I'll keep you posted!

This Year is All full up

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I can’t tell you about any more workshops in 2011, as they are ALL fully booked! But, waiting lists are open, and you were thinking of a Christmas present – now’s your chance to get a truly unique gift voucher for Christmas.  You can also register your interest for 2012, as classes will resume in late January, with Painting for Beginners on Sun Jan 23 or Sun Jan 29th, and The Next Step on Sun Jan 15. Grab the opportunity while you can, life changes so very quickly. Like gorgeous Peta, you may find indulging your creative side, “inspirational and liberating” or perhaps, like beautiful Nikki, you may experience this, “I came away from the day with such inner peace.” And Ronnie looks pretty pleased with herself - she got the workshop as a gift from her brother : )

A little gift for you

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I have negotiated a nice little gift from Jacksons Art Supplies for all my past students! You are all entitled to a 10% discount card from Jacksons – all you have to do is click here and send me your name and postal address and I will gladly send it to you the old fashioned way! Remember, to qualify, you have to have already done a workshop with me.

And that's all from me...until next month,

Thank you so much for sharing this space,

Malini Parker

PS Remember to email me if you would like to join my new, very special weekend workshop Finding Your Authentic Voice or new intensive The Next Step (Jan 15). If you’re a newbie – Painting for Beginners (Jan 22 or 29) is for you - or for that special, deserving friend who gets a gift voucher! If you haven’t been there yet, check out the lovely albums on my new Facebook page to see what the workshops are like : )

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