The Messy Mum

I remember being told earlier this year that I was “The Messy Mum”. Here I was facilitating the craft for the children at playgroup and as I looked up to my surprise I saw about six mum’s  looking at me  and  telling me “Tamar your messy, we like being tidy, you’re the messy mum” For a moment I was stunned and the replied “well you need me in your life, because life is messy”.

It was quite a revealing moment as it said to me that I hadn’t communicated effectively that true creativity and art making was about being messy. you can’t possibly learn or enjoy yourself if staying tidy is your priority. So it prompted me to try to see how I could educate better those who know nothing of The Art’s  to become wiser of this topic that I feel so passionate about.

I decided that being frustrated or angry would do me no good. You can’t justify staying frustrated against people due to their lack of knowledge. It’s not fair to have that expectation on them as I have been the artist for 30 odd years and has been my vocation for about 20. I’ve studied art it’s my expertise and I understand that a lot of the public really have not dedicated much of their time to being creative.

The first step for me was to put my hand up as a volunteer for playgroup nsw. I told them of my skills and passion for children to experience true creativity. As a result of that first phone call I now regularly visit other playgroups and do a craft activity. It gives me the opportunity to present myself as the expert and then very gently explain the importance of what  I’m doing. This for me is fulfilling as I feel like I’m making a bit of a difference.

Another action that I’ve taken, is to begin writing article’s about this topic. It’s been such a great release  and I’m finding that my frustration has ceased. I would so dearly love for more of society to engage in some artistic adventure as it has so many benefits to our health and well-being.

So for now I shall be honored to wear the “Messy Mum” label, because at least it means I’m out there getting messy, letting mess happen and promoting mess from children. At the end of the day I feel like I’ve accomplished something special with the kids!!!!

Subtopian Journey

The journey to the park. The suburban vibe. Cracks in the pavement, power lines. the sound of a hungry lawn mower. Trains go by like a whisper, trains go by like a fighter jet. Crossing the road carefully. There are some idiots on the road.

People rendering their houses and putting in a Jamie Durie  garden. What happened to the big back yard? Taken over by the big brick house.

Leaves fall on the pavement making lovely patterns. The sound of the stroller rolling effortlessly and rhythmically down the concrete path.

Prams and strollers have come a long way. A lot of posho ones on the scene, they look nice but there a mighty struggle to get on the bus with. We have a nice little one that is practical for commuting. we wouldn’t be without it.

Sunny day’s, sunny ways, green trees, power lines, roads networking, connecting. This is what I see when I step outside. lines interrupting the sky, cutting, slicing, dissecting the clouds. “the sky is broken” my son says.  this is the suptopian journey.

sometimes it just hurts my head!

sometimes it just hurts my head when I have to do a quick mathematical equation. or a lengthy one at that!!

sometimes it hurts my head when I try to imagine the whole world in my brain or the universe for that matter.

sometimes it hurts my head when I have to remember phone number’s. I only know two of by heart, my current land line and my Mum’s. Mum’s isn’t any use to me now but I still retain it with fondness.

sometimes it hurts my head when I can’t spell a word and even spell check has no idea what I’m talking about. and then I go to a dictionary and still I have no idea where to look.

Cafe journaling…..should I start a movement???

For a year now I’ve been taking my journal to two different cafe’s and journaling. This has been a wonderful and fulfilling experience. I drop my Son of at pre-school take myself to the designated cafe armed with vintage style apparatus; a pen and vintage style dashboard; a diary with paper with lines. I then begin to write down my thoughts with the ease that it’s not going on facebook for the world (or just my friends) to see.

It all started the day I organised for my  Mum’s ashes to be placed in the Crematorium. Once I’d had that moment, which by the way was special, I took myself to Gloria Jeans for a caramel cappuccino. While I was there I pulled out my $2 journal and began to write.  I wrote and I continued to write to this day, I wrote all my angst and painful stuff concerning the passing of my mum. this was so liberating and continues to be. I always look forward to it each week and I have  become a known regular to both cafe’s.

To be honest I’d be a regular regardless of my journaling ways because to do love a sit down chino time, but the pleasure of journaling in that context is brilliant. It’s something that I’d recommend for all to have a try. Go on just give it ago and tell me how good it feels to partake. It makes me wonder should I start a movement??????

My Bro is trying to get me to Blog

hi there, Iv written a few blogs here and there and I haven’t been too consistent about it but I’m seriously thinking that perhaps it’s time that I become a regular blogger. I do have a lot to say and according to my husband I’m opinionated. Do you think that qualifies me to embark upon a blogging adventure. My brother Nigel keeps pestering me to become a blogger. So it’s time, I’ll have to give it a go and hopefully I will be  consistent!!!!!