Welcome to Life Images by Jill

Welcome to Life Images by Jill.........Stepping into the light and bringing together the images and stories of our world. I am a photographer, writer and multi-media artist.
Focussing mainly on Western Australia and Australia, I am seeking to preserve images and memories of the beautiful world in which we live and the people in it.

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Monday 22 January 2018

What will be your inspiration in 2018?


As my header today says - what will be your inspiration in 2018? Have you a yearning you want to follow? Well if you do, and I am sure you do, you should just follow it! You might be surprised where it might take you.

 

Have you ever attended summer school?

Summer Schoo at the Stirling Street Arts Centre in my town has just finished. They really have an amazing program of events over the two weeks - arts, writing, physically activities, music, drama, exploring culture, healthy living, workshops for kids, the list goes on. There is something for everyone. 

I've written about Summer School here before - Exploring your creative side - and every year I look forward to seeing the program. The hardest thing for me is narrowing down my list of "I want to do".

The Summer School workshops really are an excellent way to try out something without having to sign up and pay for an extended course, or lay out a lot of money on requirements or membership fees. 

Over the last couple of years I've tried acrylic painting, water colour painting, sketching, paper folding, eco-dyeing, book making, flower arranging, and hand embroidered a Boro bag and I took my grandson to Capoeira classes.




Exploring Eco-dyeing

Of these, the eco-dyeing on silk scarves has attracted me the most, and inspired by the work of India Flint and workshops with my friend Jane Flower from Folios and Fibre, over the last 12 months or so I've been delving into it more, and producing some good results (and some not so good), mainly printing with eucalyptus leaves. I've even sold a few!


And in the last couple of months I've delved into printing leaves onto paper guided by what I can find on the net. This is an exciting process and I am really loving the results. At times I think it is taking over my life! 

 I would never have considered this possibility in my life if it hadn't been for that first workshop. You just never know what might await you. You might even find a new passion in your life. 


When Summer School came up again I really tried to narrow down what workshops I was going to do. Unfortunately there were three all-day workshops I wanted to do all on one day, so I had to choose. 

Have you delved into your family history?

I really wanted my husband to do something with me, and he has been interested in the history of his paternal grandfather who came to Australia with his family after WW1. So we went along to a workshop on Researching Your Family History. The two hour workshop was an excellent introduction and we were giving a list of websites to help us delve further into our history. I only wished the workshop had been longer!

Imagine my surprise when no sooner had we returned home when I had a telephone call from a man in Perth who was doing some work tracing family trees for the historical society in the country town where my father was born. He was a wealth of information and sent me copies of family trees which he had already done for both branches of my family on both my paternal grandparent's side. I also made contact with one of my distant cousins who sent me some photos I hadn't seen before.  

Coincidence? or the world moving in mysterious ways? - 'synchronicity' moment....
And I ended up spending most of the afternoon and more delving! Warning - it is addictive!

My father had already done quite a bit of research on our family tree, and had actually traced my grandmother's side back to 1390.  I wish I had been more interested and involved in what my father was doing while he was still alive. However, I still have his records. Why is it we realise too late that we want to know our family history? 

The first of my grandmother's family to come to Western Australia was actually a convict, who now rests in the Mourambine cemetery in our wheatbelt.  Many Aussies love finding a convict in their family tree!




  Hand lettering not computer fonts

This summer school I also did a follow up course with Andrew Fraser on hand lettering. Andrew is one of the masterminds behind our Street Art Project - Rediscover - through his company Six Two Three Zero. I had done a workshop with Andrew during 2017 at our local library, and had always been keen to do more, so when I saw he was running a workshop at Summer School I jumped at the opportunity. Unfortunately the one and a half hours of the workshop went way too quickly! but it did build on what I had learnt at the previous workshop. Now just to do it!


  Getting out with my camera

I also tried a Dru-Yoga workshop because I wanted to know what Dru-Yoga was (what a wonderful relaxing hour or so that was), and an all day photography workshop. Whilst I didn't think I had gained as much as I would have liked from the photography workshop, I did gain some inspiration, and it did get me out on the morning before the workshop looking for different subjects and angles to photograph in the street.


Photography group is starting again this week, so perhaps something from the workshop will influence my work this year.

 

Latest inspirational read

I have just been reading a book called "Women of Letters" curated by Marieke Hardy and Michaela McGuir, compiled from literary afternoons with some of Australia's finest dames of stage, screen and page on various themes - for instance, To my first boss, To my twelve year old self, A love letter, To the moment it all fell apart, To my turning point. 


It was an interesting read. Among these letters was a letter written by Helen Garner, journalist and novelist, written to "Dear Madam". It goes on to relate how as a young struggling mother she had gone to the park. She was sitting on a bench when an elderly lady came and sat on the other end of the bench and after awhile asked her what was the time. They both sat there for a while, until eventually Helen Garner stood up and left. She says she has never forgiven herself for this. 

Perhaps this lady was reaching out for a friend? The next day I was at the supermarket and an elderly lady was looking at greeting cards, saw me passing, and stopped me to show me a lovely card she had just picked up. So remembering Helen's story, I stopped and talked to the lady. How often do we pass by people without a thought? Perhaps the world is moving to bring us together for a reason?
And finally this from Noni Hazlehurst, one of Australia's most distinguished and respected actors for her work in film, theatre and television, and also writing, comedy, radio, singing, education programs, presenting and recording. Australian children will remember her with delight from her "Play School" television days. 
"We can only ever do the best we can in the circumstances in which we find ourselves, and that has to be good enough. And if at times it isn't just apologise. My constant mantra is practice makes progress."
Practice makes progress - not perfect - but progress. Thank you Noni. I hope to take this forward with me.


So dear reader, this blog hasn't been to go on about what I have been doing. No indeed. I hope it has served to show you that there are possibilities out there that you might not even realise yet. You just need to take that first step. 

What will be your inspiration in 2018? Perhaps you would like to share with us in your comments. 
Thank you so much for stopping by. I value your comments and look forward to hearing from you. I will try to visit your blogs in return. Have a wonderful week. 

I am linking up to the link-ups below. Please click on the links to see fabulous contributions from around the world - virtual touring at its best!
Life in Reflection

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And you might like to join the linky party at Wednesday Around the World at Communal Global - Wednesday around the world





31 comments:

  1. Dear Jill, I enjoyed your post very much and it's given me much to ponder, the Noni Hazlehurst quote especially. I'm wondering who we apologise to, ourselves?
    My guiding thought for 2018 "things can change" was inspired by watching the Miniaturist on TV a few weeks ago. I'm finding that there are many ways to interpret "things can change" and look forward to being challenged often during the next 12 months. I read the book years ago and enjoyed the TV adaptation very much.
    Glad to have your company, as always, for MM this week.

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    1. I've only just heard about the Miniaturist somewhere the other day. Intriguing. I will have to look out for it. I hope 2018 is all you hope it to be Maggie. Thanks for stopping by.

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  2. A very enjoyable post!
    Maybe this will be the year I try to participate in art rather than just looking at it.
    Have a wonderful week!

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    1. I hope you do Lea - it might take you places which you could never have imagined and you might find something that is really you!

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  3. Really luv your printed leaves

    Much💝love

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  4. I'll write this quote by Noni H. in my journal today. I've been giving this a little of thought and plan to make changes this year. Even if the changes are just in my own attitude! Thanks for the inspiring post! Hugs!

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    1. it is such a good quote isn't it. I love the - practice makes progress

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  5. Am with you on dyeing silk scarves. I you find a good manual or to-do book, I like to know it! So interesting to know about one's family's past, isn't it? Unfortunately I haven't come very far, because my family is spread over several continents. It would take too much of our funds to look further. But I hope you get to what you are looking for!
    Many thanks for sharing all these interesting experiences with All Seasons, Jill! Have an accomplished week!

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    1. Look up India Flint on the net. In Australia she is the one to look to.

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  6. You're inspiring, Jill. Maybe I will take that taiko lesson and tai chi class for seniors and check up what kind of fun classes are available in the area. Thanks!

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  7. First of all - wow. You have a lot on your plate - not that I am competitive (LOL) but you inspire me to do more with the time I have. As for my 2018 'inspirations' - my Mom turns 90 in December, and I am organizing a number of activities associated with that. Your post has inspired me to take the time to start capturing her 'stories' before it is too late! Of course, the construction of our log house is high on the list, along with blogging, cooking more and adding resistance training/upper body workouts to my regime!

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    1. I hope you do capture her stories. They are so important. Perhaps you could take along a little recording device and ask her questions about the past.

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  8. What a great question for any time, not just a new year. What inspires me? Cooking, photography, reading, writing, stitching and sewing, gardening - I'm willing to try lots of new things, too. However, as I'm still working (part time) I try to tell myself to pace things out.

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    1. I feel overwhelmed at times, but there are so many things I want to try now I am retired. I need to learn to pace myself.

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  9. love your artwork. Thanks for sharing :)

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    1. Thanks so much for visiting. I've just visited your blog - and your photo artwork is inspiring!

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  10. ~You are so amazing...have I said that before. I also think that you are blessed to live in an area that offers much. Mine little community...not so much. I would have to travel into the city, more likely than not, in the evenings and I just won't do that any longer. I did get a book on Calligraphy...I used to dabble with it and thought I would give it a try again. I also keep looking at my yarns in the basket...I might try knitting once again. I just don't have much pickup in these very cold days. It takes everything just to get cozy warm in our home. Hugs to you

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    1. are there any little community groups of like minded people Mary. Your area looks so beautiful from your photos. I can understand hibernating in winter. Hugs

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  11. Awesome Jill - you manage to fit so much in, and your art is inspired in so many ways, and I feel by so many things which is wonderful. I'm loving your new silk scarves and leaf printing. I hope you have much success with them on Red Balloon too.

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    1. Thanks Jo. My scarves & paper prints are not on Red Bubble Jo - you can buy direct from me though. I am going to get some of the leaf paper prints framed after talking to Denise about them the other day.

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  12. Jill, what an inspirational post and you have certainly presented a wide range of activities that all sound so interesting. I did the Family History thing a few years ago and got totally absorbed in it for months. I would like to take on an arty activity and maybe some photography workshops. You have inspired me! #TeamLovinLife

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    1. There are so many things out there Kathy, I can't understand anyone saying they are bored!

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  13. Love your leafy artworks. They reminded me of the feathers I've been collecting on my morning walks. At first it was just for my cat to play with but now I'm getting so many - I'm sure there must be an artistic use for them somewhere!

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    1. I am sure you can Janet. A collage perhaps, or photograph them, apply paint to the back and print onto paper? Perhaps search on the net. Have fun!

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  14. I took your post to heart and came up with a plan. I've been working it today too. Of course I'm always open to learning new skills and reading books that aren't on my list! Thanks for inspiring me. Hugs, Diane

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  15. My aunt started our family history way back before the internet. My dad has just taken over and is plugging in all the info into those family tree thingos online. He's enjoying the results. #teamlovinlife

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    1. it can really be absorbing once you get into it.

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