Friday April 8, 2011

Beginning with GOOD News!

My husband Greg’s latest scans were brilliant! Despite the MOST awful round of chemo yet (and being prepared for correspondingly awful news) our lovely oncologist was all smiles as he told us that Greg’s body has resumed the fight and no new nasties have popped up! You can imagine that we are just so grateful to have access to superb medical care, to Raylene Collyer of Natura Acupuncture Clinic, and to our wonderful network of friends and family that give us so much prayerful support and love (and food :)

AN EXHIBITION TO SAY THANK YOU

I needed to make a gesture of thanks to the Universe for this news…and TAPESTRY, my latest, and ongoing solo exhibition is it! ALL PROFITS – that 100% - including the commission on each sale, is going to disaster relief in Japan and other areas. Read the story here.

I invite you to take a break and pop over to the spectacular Naked Fig Café, overlooking the Indian Ocean in Swanbourne, and if you like what you see, take some art home! With 100% of profits being donated to disaster relief, I humbly ask a favour of you - that you tell others about this show as well (eg, put the link http://www.maliniparker.com/news/ on your Facebook page).

Together, we can raise some funds to help those who have lost everything, while at the same time, being grateful for all that we do have...

FAQs:

• Where is the money going? Mostly Japan, but it depends on how much art is sold. If we collect a significant amount of money, I would like to send aid to other areas of the world as well. 
• How long is the exhibition on for? Its on for 3 months, til June 27th
• Did you ask to exhibit your work at The Naked Fig? Actually, no, an invitation came out of the blue - from Greer Marns, the lovely owner
• Does the cafe take a commission on the sales? Yes, they do, BUT they have generously decided to donate their commission too!
• When is The Naked Fig open? Its open daily! (and its spectacular!)

CAN I HELP UNLOCK YOUR CREATIVITY?

Recently one of my gorgeous students thanked me for ‘unlocking’ her creativity. I was really touched…and wondered how many other people out there feel like they have all this ‘stuff’ inside them that they’d like to be able to express somehow.

Do you ever feel like that? I know I did for most of my life, until I finally took the plunge to explore it.

You may never have picked up a brush, or you're a 'stick figure artist'! Come try the Painting for Beginners intensive workshop. Unlock your creativity. Let yourself have ONE day of fun, experience the safety of step by step structure, and watch your paintings unfold. I guarantee you will be filled with ideas, confidence and skills … & actual paintings! You can check out more about the class content here and also check out my other workshops.

MOTHERS - We LOVE them!

We just celebrated my wonderful mummy’s 85th birthday, with a beautiful love-filled family celebration, and the most amazing sculptured Cakes by Shanthi - truly edible art! (yes, that teapot in the picture is REALLY a cake, and so are the cups of tea!). My mother has been a model of generosity, love and creativity all my life and she brings a smile to the heart of all who have been in her presence. What an amazing 85 years!

Which brings me to my mother's day gift ideas for you...

MOTHERS DAY GIFT – Idea no. 1
Take your mum out to Swanbourne, to The Naked Fig Café -- feast on good food and art, then buy her the painting she likes…it will be a gift that gives twice! 

GIVE A GIFT OF CREATIVITY

MOTHERS DAY GIFT – Idea no. 2
Or, give mum a gift of her OWN creativity - a voucher to attend Painting for Beginners – my ONE DAY intensive workshop.

(caution: the class is an intensive, so if mum has health issues, it may not suit, please check the details on my website)

Jennifer gave her mother a voucher:
“Mum was over the moon when we gave her the gfit voucher. She had always wanted to try an art class and I'm glad that she enjoyed it so much she went back for another and is booked in for more! It was one of the best gifts we could have given her!!” – J. Williamson-Habibi

Sarah received a gift voucher for Mother's Day:
“Thank you! I LOVED your workshop! I’ve been obsessed ever since…& so disappointed when the day ended! If I could, I probably would have stayed there all night to continue painting!”—S. Deverall

If you'd like to organise a personalised gift voucher, or book a workshop, email me or visit my website and check out all the info there.

UPCOMING WORKSHOP DATES:

Mon Apr 16th:      Painting for Beginners (Old Bakery Gallery, Maylands)
Sun May 1st:        Painting for Beginners (Vic Park Centre for the Arts)
Sun May 15th:      Painting for Beginners (Tresillian, Nedlands)
Sun May 22nd:    Focus on Colour (Vic Park Centre for the Arts)
Sun May 29th:     Taking it Further (Vic Park Centre for the Arts)
Sun June 12th:    Painting for Beginners (Vic Park Centre for the Arts)
Sun June 19th:    Painting for Beginners (Poppy’s Patch, Mt Barker)

I hope you find one that suits your schedule!

AND I’M DELIGHTED TO SHARE THESE CREATIVE GEMS:

Kelly Exeter’s new initiative (the woman is unstoppable!) – The Smile Collective - is a feel good place that destined to become the best place to hang out on the internet! I love it! Check it out here . (Btw, Kelly's company, Swish Design, also generously donated the artwork for TAPESTRY as their contribution to my disaster relief fund-raising efforts. Thank you Swish Design!)

For the food obsessed but somewhat deprived of cake because of a gluten intolerance...(like me!) – check out the cutest little teashop in the world with gorgeous, creatively decorated gluten free cupcakes – The Sassy Cookie of 41 Duncan Street, Vic Park. Yum!

And lastly, my husband, Greg's latest creative initiative is a wonderful arrangement of Leonard Cohen's song 'Hallelujah' (made popular by Shrek!) in four part harmony. Check out his choir's latest performance here (you won't find me on stage...I was running a workshop that day!)

Til we share this space again, thank you for spending time here!

with love and kindness to all of you,