Cindy's Pyjama Time thoughts
No matter how busy my life is, I still make time to paint most days. Having the choice to do so is my interpretation of freedom. I am now represented by The Cooper Gallery (formerly known as The Beachside Gallery) smack bang in the very middle of Hastings street - set right in the middle of a street full of little boutique shops, surrounded by the gorgeous vibrant colours of nature; luscious green tropical plants line the streets, soft white sand and the cool blue ocean sits directly in front. There is an abundance of wildlife fossicking and frollicking around. There are even sleepy Koalas in the national park at the end of the strip of shops. This all combines in intersting synergy along with many little boutiques sporting the latest up-to-date fashion labels all at matching glamorous prices. The best dining experience can also be had, with artistic-chefs who take great pride in the presentation and content of the foods they serve. Only the freshest ingredients are used and cooked to perfection. The whole feeling of the big city consumerism with all the glamerous shops and oppulence nestles inside a wonderful Nature Womb of greenery.
There is something for everyone in Hastings Street…..and that gives the whole experience a kind of surrealistic feel, as though you are stepping into another world. This is the mysterious world of the vacation, holiday or otherwise known as ‘the great escape’. The oppulence, the frivolity with our purse strings as we swing our bags on our fingertips and dance amidst the aloofness of ‘no worries in the world’ removes any thoughts of guilt about the excessive purchases we are making.
All of this activity provides a massive platform of intrigue to me as an artist. I have been fascinated with the mainstay industry (tourism) in Noosa ever since I arrived here four and a half years ago. I have been painting about Noosa and the Hastings street lifestyle for about the entire time, because I have many questions to ask about this behaviour many of us choose to perform (including me at times.) Do we have the right to flaunt our money or should we be donating huge sums to charity and living like paupers to help others? Are we right in buying not one but ten hats, shoes and bags - one for every occasion. Take a look at the painting I created titled “Shop Till You Drop”
It’s in The Cooper Gallery in Hastings street, or go to www.thecoopergallery.com.au. this picture sums up my curiosity. I am not commenting, I am just asking questions like why do we shop till we drop on holidays and anyway where do all these things fit in our suitcases to travel home? I love the feel of Hastings street and often become engrosed in that breath-taking experience that ‘high’ at the thought of dining in the fabulous restaurants along the beach (and often do so). But that feeling is sometimes counter-balanced by emotions filled with pain as I am reminded of the greed and pride that is also there as well.
In summary, I think it is great to enjoy the best in life, and yes we are entitled to nice things - we do have the right to feel smooth soft textures on our skin in the clothes we wear. We do deserve to enjoy soft succulent oysters slithering down our throats and swirling portions of soft juicy crabmeat in our mouths, but once again, it’s all about balance. There is a place for indulgence, just not all the time. There is time to give back too. A time to contribute (in the form of work or time) as well as tithing. To give a portion of our income is so important - even if we all gave just ten percent of everything we earn, to a good cause, we could make a difference. Thankyou Hastings street, for being an intriguing place to investigate human behaviour and well done on accomplishing such a fascinating integration of nature and man-made lifestyle. It’s fun to walk the Hastings street strip, have an icecream and admire all the beautiful objects of human design as well as the natural beauty.
Published July 10th, 2007
My ideas develop over a period of time, sometimes days, months or even
years. I paint about the thoughts that are currently going on in my
mind and try to work things out about people, relationships and how to
live a better life. I am always facinated in what people do in their
ordinary every day lives. It seems that an important part of life is
to work hard towards going on a holiday. I feel like I am blessed to
be constantly on holiday - well not really, but that’s how Noosa makes
you feel. You have to be very self-disciplined and self-motivated to
make sure you keep up with your working life here. I like to observe
holiday makers and try to tell the difference between people who are
on holidays or if they live here. If they are on holidays, why did
they choose Noosa? And what do they like to do whilst they are here.
Living in the resort has made it easy for me to observe people on
holidays. It is amazing to watch the way they all seem to do similar
things like sunbaking (even though there is so much cancer awareness,)
and that sort of bothers me, but I don’t want to preach to anybody or
anything, just make a statement. I like to bring certain thoughts to
people’s awareness and leave it there. That’s why I am currently
working on my latest painting titled “Big Red Lives In the Tropics”
it’s supposed to be quirky, the cat has black spots, like sun-spots
but he is in the cool lush leaves of the jungle so he stands out like
a sore thumb. Don’t ask me why I have him in the tropical rainforest
and not the beach because I haven’t worked that out yet, it will come
to me whilst I work on it and provide a solution to the quandary I am
having. That’s why I paint…. to learn from the idea or solution that
comes as a result of painting the image.
I ask myself the question “Why do people continue to sunbake after all
the warnings and cancer scares? After all the research…” My mother’s
life has been saved three times due to Doctors removing melanoma
cancers ‘just on time.’ I used to sun bake too years ago, but now I
keep out of the sun. Cats like to sunbake too, maybe they don’t have
to worry about cancer. I am not afraid of cancer or anything like
that, it’s just that I think it’s important to care about your body.
These are all the random thoughts that are currently occupying my mind
and that form the ideas of my art.
On average I seem to mull over an idea for about 2 weeks, then the
sketches begin to flow and finally the piece that means something to
me, emerges. During this time, I am very contemplative and sometimes
even a bit stressed. I prefer to constantly have a painting on the go,
but it doesn’t always work out that way. I could easily paint a
picture just for the sake of it, but if it doesn’t have an idea behind
it, it isn’t very fulfilling.
Once the final sketch comes to my mind and hand I am very excited and
can’t wait to complete the image. I do quite a few rough sketches as I
am working out the idea and these are often just random thoughts, the
final sketch is more complete but still a rough draft. The image is
formed but needs to be drawn much more accurately before it goes to
canvas. I will usually draw the initial image quite small about a4
size. Sometimes I will work that image up into a finished piece, but
most of the time I will enlarge it and then transfer it straight onto
the canvas.
It’s a beautiful feeling to finally get to the painting stage. It’s
exhilarating! It can also be hard work too, but I am continually
motivated by the thought that I am creating something and it needs to
be completed. I am propelled by the passion to see the piece completed.
Published April 9th, 2007
Procrastination is a strange thing, it sort of sneaks up on you.
Sometimes you don’t even realise it is there, like a big black hole
just waiting to devour all your time, all your energy and even your
passion. My solution to overcoming the procrastination monster is to
‘just show up at the table.’ Once I get there, I take a look through
my sketches if I am beginning a new project, or if I am really being
clever, I already have a new painting on the go. I try hard to keep a
painting on the go at all times, that way it is easier to continually
paint and it helps to avoid ‘artist’s block.’ To do this, I start
thinking about the next one (just in spits and spurts) towards the end
of finishing the one I am on. One painting rolls on from the next,
sort of like a continual movie projector. I don’t actually begin a new
painting though until the previous one is completely finished, I just
start pondering ideas. that’s how I avoid procrastination.
Published March 13th, 2007
Sometimes it’s the; “time out just for me” that gets put very last on
the list of things to do for the day, if its even on the list at all.
It is often shoved into the background and even postponed or swapped
for something else considered more important. Funny isn’t how we might
just by chance discover a little bit of spare time for ourselves and
somebody else conveniently fills it for you.
The result is that we miss out on re-charging our self-nurturing
batteries and the resentment begins to bubble and boil! We feel a
sense of loss at missing that special time and are ready to attack
anyone in our path because we feel cheated. The fact is we need that
time out! We have to realize that it is not an option, not a luxury,
just a simle fact; in order to live a healthy, happy life we need to
spend at least a little bit of time every day, doing something special
just for ourselves. This applies to men too of course.
Setting up a table ready for you to start your activity at a second’s
notice is the best way to make sure you regularly do something for
yourself. It is your special corner and shouldn’t be shared with
anyone else. It is a place where you can get to know yourself better
and begin to feel at peace being alone with just you for company. The
happiness and fulfilment you gain from spending just and hour or two a
day at your special table can bring the balance back into your life. I
always make it a priority to ‘just show up at the table’ every single
day, and sometimes I just read when I get there, have a cuppa, or even
take time to do nothing but look at the trees outside, gently blowing
in the breeze. It is my place to feel at peace.
Published March 6th, 2007
Hey there everyone, have you had some pyjama time today yet? Well, I
have. Isha woke me up at 5.30am so I saw that as a sign to just show
up at my table. I start work (from home) at 9am so that gives me 3 and
a half hours to really achieve something. Yes, I was tired, but also
passionate to work on my latest artwork. First of all I had a cuppa,
shared my toast with Isha and watched a bit of ‘Sunrise.’ Then I
mounted over the gate into my table area and started to paint.
Stuart and I both have our tables set up in the lounge area. We have a
creative desk and an admin desk in them both, shaped like an ‘L.’ I’ll
post some photos soon so you can see them both. Isha played with her
toys amidst a bit of grumbling and groaning so I gave her a bit of
attention, then a bottle of milk, some weet-bix and some more play.
Then back to the table.
I am excited about my ever-evolving quest to express in art, my
thoughts, feelings and discoveries about the Australian lifestyle from
the point of view of a woman living here right now, today. With my
latest paintings, I have chosen to move into using the cat instead of
my usual pelicans (just for now,) and feel that it will give me more
opportunities to express myself in and around the home.
The pelican is great for expressing the great Australian beach
lifestyle but I am ready to explore the home more right now. My cats
are in the early design stages, they are a mixture of breed - part
Asian, part common house cat. Their colours and shapes will vary as
they evolve. I still concentrate on the strong pattern and design
influence in my work.
This latest piece I am working on has more subdued colours and it is
interesting how excited I feel about them.
Any way lots to do today - it’s tuition day at 1pm, so onwards and
upwards.
Take care, remember to nurture yourself often and just show up at the
table,
warmth, Cindy
Published February 22nd, 2007
It’s such a wonderful feeling to have finally completed Paint In Your
Pyjamas, after fifteen years of seeking answers to questions about
love, life, happiness and the role art plays in our lives. But now
begins a whole new journey as we build the Pyjama Time community
together.
The Pyjama Time Community has been created for all women who follow
the philosophy of Paint In Your Pyjamas, and that includes young
girls. I also encourage supportive, loving and kind men to come along
the journey with us too.
This community provides us with a very special place where we can come
together with common interests, to share our successes, our struggles,
our passions and our lives.
I wish all of you a happy, deeply enriched life as a result of being
a part of this very sacred community.
Cindy
Published February 8th, 2007
Yes! Make time today to Just Show Up At The Table. Cancel an
appointment or put the washing off until later - whatever, just grab a
little bit of pyjama time it’s the best therapy ever! Have a fabulous
day
Published February 8th, 2007
It’s amazing how spoilt I feel by living in Noosa, in so many ways and
one of those ways is by having great coffee! I never really knew what
coffee was until I came here. I love the little coffee van that comes
around to my art gallery in noosaville, it’s such a great service. Our
studio is just a little too far away for us to just pop down to
hastings street and indulge, so the little luxury van comes to us.
They have the best takeaway coffees. I usually have my favourite
hazelnut late… mmmm pampering is nice in this most subtle way. I
feel decadent to have a luxury coffee. I am always grateful when the
little black van with orange writing rolls up. Phew, it usually makes
it just on time before classes start so that I can read the morning
paper and sip a decent coffee at the same time. If you have any more
information on great coffees or your favourite coffee spots, tell us
more.
Published February 8th, 2007
If you have just logged on for the first time, welcome to your pyjama
time community. Today I am pondering what is truly important to me at
the moment in my life. Besides the usual things like caring about
family and friends, my main focus at the moment is a deep inner urge
to help others. It’s as though nothing else matters in life unless we
can help one another.
Have a great day,
love and hugs Cindy
Published February 8th, 2007
