Saturday July 23, 2011

sit back, relax and have a cuppa...

If you're receiving this newsletter for the first time, welcome! It's a fairly random collection of part-blog-part-brochure-part-sharing-of-any-cool-stuff-that-comes-my-way kind of thing. Creativity is the underlying theme...but hey, that pretty much encompasses everything in life.

Everyone has a story. Sometimes I look around the studio in my workshops at the people gathered and I feel a pang of sadness that our lives connect so very briefly. I often wonder about the stories I'm not hearing, and then I'm grateful that I get to share a bit of mine with such tremendous people. And in every workshop, we embark on such a marvellous journey into each one's creativity -what a joy that is! For now, I am honoured to share this space with you, as you take a few moments from your busy life...

the world was a better place

A few days ago I received the sad news of the passing of a much admired friend and mentor,  Dr  Peter Khan. Years ago, I was at one of those crossroads of life and wondered if I should continue pursuing my studies in art. Much of the formal study of art is focussed on ugly and often disturbing images and ideas, and it can become quite unsettling. Peter counselled me on the value of creating beauty in this world, re-directing me toward the true value of the artisan.  His words affected me deeply and I never looked back. He was a man of immeasurable intellect, profound insight, and great humour, and I loved him greatly since we first met, thirty one years ago. Peter's clarity and kindness had a huge impact on my life and the lives of many other people, and he made the world a better place. In honour of his passing, I created this gift for those of you who have lost a loved one.

no sacrifice

You may have noticed that I mention my lovely mum, Shantha, in nearly every newsletter. She is the most generous person I know, and since a theme in my life for the past few weeks has been 'giving and receiving'...Today I'd like to share something she used to quote to me all the time, from the Baha’i Writings:

‘To sacrifice is to receive a gift’

Since Greg’s cancer was diagnosed a year ago, we have received kindness and generosity in abundance. I decided to give something back, so work from Tapestry, my last exhibition, was donated to raise funds for Japanese disaster relief, Art for Africa, various projects in Indonesia and the Unstoppable Foundation ... Thank you to those of you who supported the exhibition and made this possible, including our matchless friend, Naeim Kashani, who carted the paintings for me. To sacrifice is to receive a gift. Indeed. And thanks mum, for all the gifts, all the sacrifices and all the learnings.

presenting artclassesperth.com.au

My second website is now live! www.artclassesperth.com.au is the brainchild of my (long-suffering and) talented web designer, Jesse Brockis of Studio Spinach. It's a quick place to check out details of my two classes on offer, with a web address that's easier to remember (and spell!) that maliniparker.com :) If you'd like to come along to Painting for Beginners or Taking it Further, send me an email .I would love to meet you (or see you again) and we'll have a whale of time, for sure!

“I had the best time in your class...and went to bed thinking about when I would next be able to paint...then woke up thinking about it!...I was bowled over by the beautiful work that the others in the class produced too...You are definitely one of the best teachers that I've ever met, Malini....and I've met a lot! Your teaching style is fun, unique, humorous and you have an obvious passion for a subject that is close to your heart.” - Sharon Houston, teacher

THANK YOU, SHARON, you're gorgeous and you made beautiful paintings!

I’m a visual artist but....

I’m really, really fascinated by creativity in all its various forms. Inspiration to create can come from the unlikeliest of places – my slight obsession with chocolate, beautiful fabrics, the unflagging enthusiasm of my dogs, and really, really good words, (verbal, written, even in artwork).

So – I’m sharing with you the 2 talks that have inspired me the most recently. There's the inimitable Sir Ken Robinson - this animated one is so completely cool, watch it if you're interested in creativity. (Or if you're a parent. Or if you're a teacher. Or if you're curious why over 4 million people have!).

If you haven't watched or heard Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s The danger of the single story, I suggest taking 18 min to pause here . Don't even bother with the rest of this newsletter! This brilliant Nigerian woman spoke as if from my heart, I hope you get the chance to hear her.

Wish me luck, I'm heading for the bush!

Lately I've had the marvellous good fortune to be invited to run Painting for Beginners out in the country. Mt Barker in June was brrrr cold and great fun, thank you Yvonne and Fiona for your hospitality. I'm soon heading for Mukinbudin's Spring Festival, and Narrogin after that. It's a bit nerve-wracking leaving Greg especially when he's on chemo, but he laps up the attention from all the other kind folk who step in to help out!...so fingers crossed, the wheatbelt, here I come...Mukinbudin on Thurs Sept 8th and Narrogin on Sun Nov 27th. If you're in a country area and would like to have a workshop in your town, let me know . I enjoy a quiet drive in my lovely van, and I'd be delighted to help you and your friends make some art with my Seven Step Process.

Workshops here in Perth

I'm often asked about drawing classes. I don't run them at present, but try Irena Harper's where you learn to draw in a day! She’s a lovely person who has spent many years developing this unique workshop. Ph: 93131043 or 9470 5520.

Painting for Beginners is held in Perth for all you city dwellers, at the Victoria Park Centre for the Arts. The earliest Beginners class with space available is in September:

Thursday Sept 1
Sunday Sept 4
Sunday Sept 18
(and a bunch of others in October)

Have a look to see if there's one that suits you, your partner, both of you together, your parent or your friend! (My gift vouchers are oh-so-pretty and will earn you big points with your loved one :)

skip this bit if you've NEVER attended my workshop!

I'm giving away a free spot to a brand new Half Day Workshop in October at the Subiaco Arts Centre! To win this free place send me a photograph of YOUR painting, made since attending my workshop, and you're in the running to win (value $150).

Do you want to do Taking it Further where you learn how to use my signature lace, leaves and swirly lines? You're in luck - the ONLY one before October is on THIS Sunday July 31st. It's been full up for weeks, but and I've just had a couple of cancellations, so Email me asap if you're interested.

And that's it from me.

thank you for sharing this space

From my heart to yours, I wish you ALL the very best ...

   PS PPS clCli