Saturday April 7, 2012

Exactly Who Am I?

"Some years ago I discovered that I had been saying my name wrong all my life. It was somewhat of a blow to my identity, which had taken, I now realise, several major knocks throughout my life.

Let me backtrack a bit. I was raised in a very multicultural environment. We think we have that in Australia, but in Penang, where I grew up, this was the cultural chaos from which I sprang..."   

Read more...

Thirty Years Ago

Three decades ago, Greg and I met through music, and it remains his consuming passion to this day. Now, Cancer has riddled his body but has not taken over his spirit. I think that Greg’s triumphs in this area are largely due to his total engagement with his creativity.  The transformative power of tapping into that well, constantly amazes me. (Gregory, write a book and call it Kickin’ Cancer with Creativity :)

If you’re a little bit curious Greg’s done a trip down Nostalgia Lane and re-released our very first album (an audiocassette :) It was called Journey's End and recorded in a friend’s lounge room with a mike and a guitar, thirty years ago! It’s kinda sweet and, compared to the heavily edited and digitally perfected recordings of today, a little raw, but I hope you enjoy. My 2 favourites are the title track Journey’s End and a prayer, O My Lord.

What? Learn to DRAW in a day?

I’d like to tell about a fantastic workshop. My lovely friend Irena Harper has developed a unique approach to teaching drawing – in ONE day. It’s effective, comprehensive, intense and fun – all the things that I LOVE in an art workshop. Irena has taught over a thousand beginners how to draw in short courses at TAFE and Curtin, so she knows exactly what she’s doing! She says, “I notice that some people will flourish more with one approach than another, so I use three different ones, and when combined they act synergistically! The results are well beyond what most beginners could imagine possible.” Learn to draw in ONE day? Irena guarantees it! If you’d like to attend her workshop at the Victoria Park Centre for the Arts, (there’s still a bit of space on April 21st and then again on July 21st) just click here. 

The Happiness Secret

I smiled all the way through this TED talk by Shawn Achor.

It’s very fast paced and funny and has a valuable take home message. Find out the five things that research has shown give you the happiness advantage. Have a listen to him here. If you don't have 12 minutes now, make sure you remember for later!

Seriously, you won’t regret it :)

Random Acts of Kindness

One of the five things that Shawn Achor lists as consistently leading to greater happiness is practicing random acts of kindness. Well, I was the recipient of one of those just the other day! It was from the lovely Kirstie Kingsley of Kinkits, and if you don’t check out her website, you will be missing out on a very pretty sight. I loved it! What's a Kinkit? Curious? Click here!

Painting - Would you like to try it?

“Had a great day - thanks Malini! This was a Christmas /birthday gift from my family and I thoroughly enjoyed it... excitement, fear, disbelief, wonder... what a roller coaster!” -Kerry E.

Kerry had so much fun - I was delighted to meet her last week. She had received a beautiful, personalised gift voucher to come to Painting for Beginners, my one day intensive workshop. What about you? No experience is needed – in fact, absolute ABSOLUTE beginners – you are my favourite! So come, or get a gift for mum (or both!). There are just three spots left in May for that Mother’s Day gift. To book a spot or get a gift voucher for May 20th, click here.

Folks, do act soon, cos things are going to slow right down for the winter months. Aside from June 3 & July 1, there will be no Beginners workshops before September, so click the date to save your place at the early bird price of $195 (saving $25). By the way, that marvellous painting is student's work created IN class!

Two favours to ask...a little one and a BIG one

If you've done Painting for Beginners...read on:

Little Favour: you know the ‘chicken trays’ that you used as palettes during the workshop? I need more! If you wouldn’t mind collecting yours for me, please email me and we’ll work out how I can get them off you.

Big Favour: I’ve organised for my mate Dave Lucas and my husband Greg to put together some video clips for my website... I need YOU for that :) If you are willing to come along to the Victoria Park Centre for the Arts next Sat (Apr 14) and share what you thought about your workshop experience - you would have my ETERNAL gratitude! Click here if you’re up for it - or if you’re possibly up for it, and would like to know more. (Aw, go on, don’t be shy, If you had a great day, please share :) AND you'll get a BONUS see below!

What's The Next Step?

For some of you, Painting for Beginners was enough to start you on the road to creating. For others, you want more. The Next Step is where you learn to take everything you learned in Painting for Beginners a little further along, with texture, leaves, lace and swirly lines. You also learn heaps about colour and its secret ways. The Next Step always gets booked out waaaay in advance, so if you’d like to come along, Sun June 24 is the next available date, click it to book. (and if you do ‘Favour 2’ for me, I’ll thank you with a $25 discount!).

And that’s it from me!

I hope you enjoyed this time together. Thank you for sharing this space and being a part of my life :) Much love to all of you...

PS I love hearing from you, so please don’t hesitate to click on ‘reply’, connect with me on Facebook, or LEAVE A COMMENT on my blog post (and it really really doesn't have to be profound, so don't be shy!)