If you are a regular visitor to my "spot" here at gaia..you would have seen the new photos of a recent adventure of mine, that I have posted here!   The "Top End"...being The Northern Territory, more specifically Darwin (Capital of the Northern Territory). Due to unforeseen circumstances and reversal of fortune...I became "able" to do a trip to a place I have longed to see for most of my life. I also had the added bonus of staying with friends I have known for most of my life!
Naturally I had my reservations about traveling such a vast distance (with my 6 yr old in tow!!) with my disability, but I determined that it "could" be now or never and as I had been "caged" for 18 mths, I felt the desperate need to "fly" more than ever. And fly I did! Although my leg was a constant burden and provided me with the reality of pain most of the time...it was oh so worth it!!  I flew over 6000kms in all. I had to change airlines in between and at each point of change, there was someone ready and waiting with either a wheel chair or a car to get me safely and in time to the next step of my journey...brilliant!
Although I did not get to see the initial lure of my destination (gorges and waterfalls throughout the Northern Territory) due to my inability to ascend and descend stairs and navigate rough and uneven paths...I did get to see some other wonderful and inspiring places. I got to see the marvellous sunsets, I got to walk on soft sanded beaches, I got to photograph many vibrant and unsual plants and scenery, and.......I got to see the look of pure joy on my daughters face as we alighted from taxis to visit something else that was new!
Now I am back home and pondering on my whole experience of a new found freedom and a resurrgence of creativity....I have come to the conclusion that we should not be afraid to try. We should slow our pace down so that we can actually see where we are...instead of having it whizz by and we do not see what we have right there in front us. It took an enormous amount of courage for me to do what I have just done...and there was not a moment where I was offended, nor despondent.  I have proved a point to myself and I have seen a little bit more of our beautiful world!

Phoof!!! What a night......the opening of my solo show went swimmingly well!  Many people braved the very cold temperatures to come and either support or purchase! The food was lovely. The atmosphere was relaxed and happy and I sold some paintings.  What more can a girl ask for? A tear came to my eye as the very dear friend who made an opening speech recalled my life and explained how I came to be where I am, to all who were there. The comments and enthusiatic responses I received, overwhelmed me to the point that I truely understand what the word humble really means. Yes...I am an artist!!!
I now have the injection of more inspiration to paint more and more bright and happy murals. People have consistently asked me where do I get my ideas from.......our beautiful world is the only answer I can come up with!

Hello!!

I am in the midst of activity, but the activity is at my pace and my selection! I am preparing for my first solo exhibtion in a public Gallery, entitled "I love this place!"...a retrospective (14th June) Cobblers Garden - Gallery and Coffee House, Millthorpe NSW. I have sent out close to 200 invites as well as 5 press releases to local and nearby newspapers and magazines. I do have just over 60 paintings in my studio, but have been focused on painting for this show and presenting the best that I can...it is wonderful to have something to look forward to!!! I plan to have close to 40 of what I consider to be my best! I have also been approved to participate in the Sydney Opera House Art and Craft Fair...the selection criteria had to be that I am an Australian, that my work be all handmade and that it is original...I have the approval in my hot little hands. So...I am painting for that as well (July). Someone once said - "Follow the Bliss!" 

I could have been a dancer..a singer, a writer, an artist...BUT - I WAS a gardener!
I HATE the word WAS!
Ok.....the next best thing for me is...writer and artist.   I hope I do the world justice.

Well...I have been formally told that I shall remain disabled indefinitely. Even though the thought of that has been with me for a while, seeing it in black and white was VERY hard to deal with. Once certain processes have been processed, there may still be a chance for me to improve my mobility. But for now...I have to consider my life in another way. So..I continue to paint, continue to tell "my story" through colours, shapes and tones. I stretch my skills and my imagination to be able to create some happiness not just for me...but for others who see my work. I have been given an opportunity to display my work to the public as a whole unit. I have been booked for a solo exhibition in a Gallery in June for 2 months. This will mean a display of between 30 and 40 paintings in one area. It is not just an opening for me to sell paintings - it is a chance to share them!!!
14th June 2008. Cobblers Garden, Millthorpe NSW.

I have past the 12 mth anniversary of my injury. During that time,I have been hospitalised for 13 days, been operated on (double hernia repair), need crutches to walk, cannot drive a car, cannot sit at the movies, cannot travel any distance in comfort, cannot be the active mother to two young children, cannot physically help anyone!!! I have had 3 MRI's, 2 CT scans, an arthrogram, 2 xrays, mulitple Drs poking and prodding, lost my job, lost insurance coverage, lost friends, lost freedom! Tomorrow I shall have a third ultrasound on area that has not been looked at before. It is the area that I intially complained of pain from..the point of origin??? I am hopeful (yet again !) of some answers that will give me some relief. But I am hesitant to be hopeful as the power of disappointment is looming. My fear of test results not producing results is like a wave crashing over me. I sit in my studio and paint. I sit in my studio and watch the world go by...like I am not part of it.. I must find some more strength and courage from somewhere!!!!! I cannot stay this way, I cannot!

Merry Christmas to each and every one!!
My wish for 2008 is, that mankind will see the error of his ways. That he will look upon his life as a tool to help others and not himself. That he shall care for his planet and all of the creatures that make the beautiful world we live in such an amazing place. That he will want to keep the air fresh and the water healthy - that, that desire will overcome the desire for material waste and artifical standards. This wish comes from my very soul.

I am most certainly a morning person. I wake anywhere from 4am -6am...any later than that and it is a sleep in! I love that time of the day, it is so quiet yet the birds and creatures of the world are stirring and preparing for their day. I love the freshness of a new day and missing that, should I sleep in is a real downer! I have my best ideas and can conjur my creativity in a manner which is peaceful and fluid. I am totally mummified when evening comes - ready for bed is a statement that occurs after 10pm.

Ok.....enough of the melodramatics!! My plight has not ended, but at least I have some answers and.....more Drs to see! My problem is the "adductor tendon" (the tendon connecting thigh muscles to the pelvis and controls mobility and direction of the leg). Apparently pain management is my best resolve here. It can be accomplished through either surgery or medication, but I shall be left with a permanent disability. Oh well...thems the brakes! At least now I can organise my life a bit more effectively and just "get on with it!!" My good news is that through meeting so many different people on this journey of medical mazes..I have just sold 6 paintings and commissioned for one.....now that is what I want to hear!! The news is out!

For ten months now, I have been waiting and waiting for some help. I have endured many accusations and much pain. I have had to watch my life turn upside down and inside out - lost friends and confidence. But...I have also gained! I have newfound friendship that would never have been possible otherwise and strengthened the ones who have remained. I have discovered many things about myself and I have maintained a sense of self because of it. I have new dreams and I have hung onto old dreams with a renewed passion. Today I put faith in one person, one person holds the key to the locked door I keep running into - he is a surgeon.