I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and holiday season filled with love & joy. Thank you for being a part of my little world. I look forward to sharing more adventures and art with you in 2013.  Do take time over the next few days to pause and reflect on all the achievements you've gathered in 2012 (there is more than you think I promise!). Pause also to send some love & hope vibes out into the world, especially to those that are hurting during this season. Hug your loved ones a little tighter and give the gift of your time. Time has flown so quickly! We will always underestimate how short each year is. Time & Attention is one of the most precious gifts you can give to others. As always, Thank You for giving me a little of yours. See you next year! xo brenda

The winter blues has meant I've had my share of miserable-I'll-rather-stay-in-bed days this month. Looking back (on my journals and photos), I'm realising I have neglected to take the time to take quick photos of my day and environment as I use to. Not taking that time has meant less pauses to observe the blessings, to think up grateful lists, to watch what I eat (two blocks of chocolate and counting!) which all added to the blues But I am looking forward to the hopefulness of spring. We've been blessed to experience amazing sunshine over the last few days. As spring approaches, as the season changes, I always look forward to more adventures and growth. New colours and fun + I have a big milestone birthday coming in October!

GRATEFUL LIST:

• I am so grateful for walks that need sunnies. Making the transition in homes so much easier - am definitely not missing the dreary, grey, biting cold of melbourne winter!
• Much gratitude to birthdays and all the love and time to reflect on lessons I've gleaned in my (almost) 30 years (!)
• So grateful for little doodlings this month and as always, thankful for all my painting sessions in my studio (see the foot above? - I even got paint on the soles of my feet )
• Grateful for lots of Jellyman fun this month + finding a fab place for his cute haircut
• Love + gratitude for my new pink! handbag! Functional, versatile AND so beautiful and pretty.

AND

• Super grateful for all the love, support, patience and lots of hugs from my love. He is the best husband ever!

please share in the comments below

What can you pause to observe and be grateful for these last few months? What is one thing you are looking forward to?

"Juicy Bloom (In Progress) ©2012 Brenda Mangalore / Sashé Studio"

Life is a train of moods like a string of beads, and as we pass through them they prove to be many-colored lenses which paint the world their own hue, and each shows only what lies in its focus. ― Ralph Waldo Emerson

WHAT DO I THINK OF MY WORK?

I won't be telling you. I am happy to share the process, images of work in progress and even share my thoughts and stories while it's being created. But my opinion of the actual final work itself, I won't be telling you. You don't need it.The work speaks for itself.  I want you to form your own thoughts and connection with it. Art can be a mirror that reflects you as the viewer, which is why everyone sees something different and relates to it differently. I don't want to colour your own thoughts with distracting descriptions of mine

"Juicy Bloom (In Progress) ©2012 Brenda Mangalore / Sashé Studio"

Plus, sometimes it makes me feel defensive. Like I'm justifying something for the question-asker. (Though there has been times I know I'm really being asked to justify the validity of my art... that's another story!)My work is a form of self expression. The way I work out and work through experiences, thoughts, dreams and musings. I can share the painting process, yes even the stories behind the work and layers underneath the art to add depth and richness to your connection with the piece. once that is done, my part is done. I ask about your stories because I've always been curious to learn new ways of seeing. I relish hearing your connection because I can only see the world from my particular perspective. My own window. So I depend on you sharing your view, so I can get a glimpse of what the world looks like from your window.

LET ME INTRODUCE JUICY BLOOM

"JUICY BLOOM Acrylic on Canvas 12 x 10inch ©2012 Brenda Mangalore / Sashé Studio"

Juicy Bloom continues my Art Project series on the theme In-Between. As with all the others, I'm exploring that feeling when you're in-between worlds. The darkness there but also the hopefulness. The anticipation and the anxious. It's the place of growth and change. Juicy Bloom was created in tandem with a few others, and you may see in future posts that they have similar colour patches and strong pod-like outlines. I usually work on a few paintings at the same time. They will all of them relate to the theme of the project, but the ones that were painted at similar times tend to play off each other more. They feel more like sibilings in the way they are same same but different. you know? Click Here to see the painting + closeups in the shoppe

OVER TO YOU,

please share in the comments below

What do you see in this new painting? Which room would you hang Juicy Bloom? Why?

My hope is that my art brings beauty and inspiration to your life and home. You should be surrounded by art that sings to your heart. For a while I tried to focus only on positive and inspirational 'stuff' on my blog. The truth is, sometimes I am intrigued by the darker side. The side of pain and discomfort. This pain and discomfort is needed for all the growth & change where joy is found. Only in the darkness can you step out into the light and all that. No, not all is happy rainbows and sparkles all the time. Thank goodness for that 'cos I'm not big on the syrupy happy, happy, love joy 24/7. Anyway, all this to say, out of fear, I do tend to hide the less perfect, sleek-glossy side of my thoughts and experiments. Which is at odds to the real me, as my girlfriends who know me well 'in real life', I rarely mince my words and tell it as it is. Which sometimes contains a grain of uncomfortable with a dash of confrontation. Plus I say shit alot and drop f-bombs when I get all riled up. It's something I'm loved for... I hope. So basically I'm stretching myself to be more authentic here. It's a practice and I still get sore from stretching those under-used muscles.

"What Was and Is (work in progress)"

LET ME INTRODUCE WHAT WAS AND IS

All this talk about darkness isn't to say that there is a darkness behind this new work. I still aim to create and release inspirational art for you and your space so you can be encouraged and brightened by your surroundings. I heard there was (or is I'm not sure) a prison in America which the authorities had painted all the walls BABY PINK! As in bright baby pink! They found it helped calm and reduce the hostility and wicked energy in the inmates. So it shows that your surroundings can influence and even change your moods. What Was and Is continues my exploration into the 2012 theme of In-Between. Which lead me into this painting that seems to talk about the cycle of things. Sometimes what was then and what is now seems to be the same. A cycle. Which can be both comforting and frustrating. eg. Sometimes you can be all "what? I thought I already went through this crappiness?! Didn't I already learn this lesson? Why? Why me?!" And just like the circle of life, there are darks and there are lights - but you know it all adds to the rich tapestry of our experience. Think about the best movies - it wasn't the ones where it was all happy, continued happily and then happily ever after. Boring! Right? The best ones, the classics that leave an impression usually cover almost the full spectrum of our emotions. (I'm not talking about trashy B-grade movies we secretly indulge in like naughty junk food and gossip mags) They bring you high AND low... Anyway, I digress... I have been noticing a lot more dark darks (in terms of colours) in my new works - at first I was worried (and fearful) but now I see how it was needed so that the colours I loved could sit in partnership with it.

What Was and Is came out boldly, in the sense that, usually my paintings change drastically from beginning to the end. But the character and elements in What Was and Is came out strongly and clearly very early on. I had to really wrestle to work in compositional balances so that it didn't become an overwhelming mess of lost moments. It's a battle with my creations sometimes here in my studio! No wonder it can be so mentally taxing.

"WHAT WAS AND IS Acrylic on canvas 14 x 14inch ©2012 Brenda Mangalore / Sashé Studio"

By the way, the title came to me instantly as well. Usually I have to meditate on the final artwork and work through my emotions and intentions before I can articulate my thoughts. This time it was a phrase that just popped into my head. I didn't know why (I still had to do the meditative work), but I guess sometimes, strong characters just jump straight out to your heart.Click Here to view the painting + close ups in the shoppe.

OVER TO YOU,

please share in the comments below

What have you been feeling too vulnerable to share? What characteristics do you see in What Was and Is? What do you like best about it?

Kira from Registry Rebellion recently interviewed me about my work.

Click Here to check out my thoughts and advice for couples on How to integrate art into your home & wedding.

I'm not sure when I first heard this 2-word mantra. It's so simple it could be said flippantly and interpreted a myriad number of ways. For me, I love the simplicty and multiplicity in meaning. It's simple to remember; Love life. Life is beautiful and full of beauty, full of rich experiences and love and joy. Also that life should be FILLED with love, that life is found in love.

SO LET ME INTRODUCE LOVE LIFE - BLOOM EDITION.

The original drawing was done with a traditional nib pen with black Indian Ink on beautiful watercolour paper. I love the richness of the black ink and the way it bleeds a little on the paper -- old school style. There is a freedom in the way I doodle without too much focus while the ink and the design also ensures I don't just create a mess of aimless lines. I like it that way. I think because I'm both free-flowing creative and list-making, everything-in-its-place pefectionist. The battle comes out in my work in (hopefully) wonderful ways. The colours are taken from one of my favourite paintings from 2011 (though honestly, I have a lot of favourites) Blooming Present. I loved the richness of the pinks and reds and the life & love in the painting, which partnered perfectly with this drawing. 

"LOVE LIFE - Bloom Edition Doodle Drawing ©2012 Brenda Mangalore/Sashé Studio Society"

What are you loving about life at the moment?

xo brenda You can grab a LOVE LIFE print from my shoppe.

LAST WEEK SASHÉ STUDIO TURNED TWO!

Thank You dear reader & society members for 2 years of support and encouragement! Big and small changes and tweaks have flowed through here the last two years. Even now, I'm still practicing and expanding how I use this blog to connect with you. I want to be more me! More vulnerable and honest so you can be inspired & encouraged. More courageous and confident in what I have to share, without the fear masking as a need for perfection. All this and more so I don't hide or neglect my gift which could touch your life AND beautify your home. *sigh* I'm still practicing :) To mark this occasion, here are a few thoughts of what I've learnt the last 24 months. Advice I wish I could tell my past self or reminders I'll keep telling myself for the next 2 years.

• When in doubt, when the world seems cold and unresponsive, return to the easel and keep making art. When the naysayers and pity-lookers put their negativity on you, keep making art. That's where my answers lie. Where my comfort and joy lay. Keep making art

• My passion and calling is to make art that connects people to themselves, to their inner song. Also, to connect them with those they love. There is immense pleasure and satisfaction in producing art that my collectors connect with personally AND then to choose to gift that to someone else. Sharing the love. I love that flow and connectivity.

• They will always be blue days and black days. But the sunny days WILL return. Ride it out just as you also ride out the sunny days. Take advantage of the flow and happiness so you can hold onto them during the deep downer days. This is the ebb and flow of life.

• Oh the little things are just little things! Do not get distracted by them. Anxiety & worry over those little things is mere distraction in comparison to the great work you could be doing. Remember the important things, there usually isn't alot of those. Focus on the handful that is important and make them your priority. They are the things that make the biggest impact and largest strides towards making your dream your reality.

• Yes, you're allowed one 'mental health' day. Wallow in the misery, the artistic angst & dark night of the soul. Eat chocolate for dinner and watch crappy tv. But remember you are only allowed the one day so that it is the exception not the rule. Be vigilant about keeping your normal productive schedule.  You know it can easily become a week of mental health days if you allow it. One day is enough, don't let it become your life. Someday, you'll narrow it down to one hour. Fingers crossed!

• Take note of your body and how it feels. Sometimes you get so caught up in your head with your daydreams and plans you end up just following your nose onto the wrong path. The distractions has led you astray. That's usually when you will feel it in your body, that mild irritation? You know it. That niggly soreness, which usually results in unexplained resistance to keep moving forward. This resistance is different to the Resistance with a capital R. That's the one that is lead by fear to keep you in your place. Practice listening to your intuition so you can tell them apart. Also, you need to go outside and into nature sometimes. Your body just needs to stretch and breathe

WILL YOU CELEBRATE WITH ME?

For a couple more days, I still have the Anniversary 5-card packs available in my shoppe. Will you please buy yourself a pack and gift at least one to someone special to connect your friendship with colour & beautiful art.  Then leave me a comment below to tell me about it? It would mean the world to me.

xo brenda p.s Would you also leave a comment to tell me one favourite thing you love about Sashé Studio? Something you'll love to see more of? I'll love to know your thoughts & stories

I've been working on small canvases at the same time as the big ones. These little paintings have been little windows of fight to let the light back in. It hopefully has a sense of relaxation about it too. (Besides just being pretty). They may be small but are proving to be just as much of a struggle to bring out their stories and develop their compositions. I've just been following my intuition in sizes and styles. Being free to experiment has been fun!

One of the first paintings came together very quickly. Due to my excitement and being so in the flow while painting, I forgot to take photos of the first few layers!

LET ME INTRODUCE LACE & SPIRAL.

"LACE & SPIRAL (Detail) ©2012 Brenda Mangalore / Sashé Studio"

As you can see, she is a colourful character with strong marks. These first group of paintings were all very full of life. Brimming to overflowing with lots going on. A reflection of my busy few months as we moved home perhaps? I had to exercise some discipline to release (& cover up) the parts I liked to make the details I loved stand out more. To create some containers for the chaos. I can feel the spiralling into the chaos, yet there are little patches - moments of escape & peace in there too.

"LACE & SPIRAL (Detail) ©2012 Brenda Mangalore / Sashé Studio"

I feel like I've moved to a better level with this small painting. I'm not sure what it means yet, but my intuition seems to say, I will look back at this piece as a special moment in my creative journey. This is one of the first paintings where I truly wished I could reach through the computer screen to show you all what she really looks like in real life. There are subtleties in the brightness and tone of the colours, not to mention the little flecks of metallic gold that you can't see on screen. It will be something to discover for the lucky collector who snaps up Lace & Spiral. CLICK HERE to view the painting in my shoppe

"LACE & SPIRAL Acrylic on Canvas 10 x 12inch ©2012 Brenda Mangalore / Sashé Studio"

I would love to know your thoughts about this painting in the comments below

Are you feeling the chaos among the moments of peace? Which room would you hang Lace & Spiral?

"My two Bloom True paintings"

Last weekend I had the pleasure of working with Flora Bowley in her signature Bloom True painting workshop in Melbourne. It was a wonderful experience - I have waited through 2 years of bad timing to finally be able to participate in her class.

The lovely ladies who were my fellow bloomers were all from a variety of backgrounds and varying painting experience - we all enjoyed the freedom and challenge of trusting our intuition. Letting go of our need for validation and doing the 'right' thing was a bit of a struggle.

"Flora sharing her thinking process as she paints"

Flora was very generous in sharing her process, tips, passion & encouragement to stop or play when needed.

I learnt that my painting process was very similar to what Flora taught - I still needed the validation to know it was ok to paint that way. It was valid to enjoy and play without having to 'suffer' for my work. I also learnt that I tend to rush my paintings - not allowing the time for the painting to develope through the layers and mature. To play more, worry less. Trust more, suffer less.

"me (as a gushing fan) & Flora"

If you want an adventure into your painting - learn the freedom of allowing your intuition to guide and play in your painting, check out Flora's painting e-course. She is planning more in person workshops (maybe back in Melbourne again!) next year. As Flora shared with us, let me pass onto you:

Be brave, be bold and allow your intuition to guide your creative spirit.

My love and I spent a much needed week away in November to catch a Solar Eclipse at the festival in Cairns. A break from all electronic devices, emails and all the life busy-ness hustle was a rejuvenating breather For me, it gave me some space to reflect on our second house move (!) a couple days before we left and all the changes and challenges that 2012 has surprised us with. This time last year, I was just planning a plain, simple year of expanding our work & successes from 2011. Ha!  As if! Definitely didn't see moving states and all the comfort zone stretching involved in moving house (TWICE!) anywhere in the horizon! Totally made me question my previous assumptions of what home means to me. Not to mention lots of emotional lessons on letting go of my family of origin to create our own new home & family. Regardless of geography. Something I think I will continue mulling over in 2013.

The kitchen was the first to be packed away. I've learnt that a house feels like home when you can make a cup of coffee first thing in the morning without rummaging!

I am realising / rediscovering / reaffirming that I feel called to create art that helps you make your space feel like home, surrounded by love, joy, beauty and inspiration. Right now I'm using thethe planners (I've previously mentioned here) and making lists and action plans for 2013.Leaving lots of room for surprises and detours of course! I feel like it's inevitable. But if we embrace it as part of the adventure, it's a lot more joyous. (Not to mention less anxious!)

OVER TO YOU,

share in the comments below

How has 2012 been for you?

What are you embracing for 2013?

Moving forward, one step at a time. Towards the unknown Full of uncertainty and possibility all at the same time fear and anticipation walking side by side how do you keep going when there is no light in sight no promise of happy endings or rewards worthy of the sweat and tears.

You keep moving forward, one step at a time. keeping the faith holding on to

seek and you shall find ask and it will be given knock and the door will be opened

Three nuggets of grateful. 

I'm grateful for my life which allows me to be physically present, to stand in silent heartache with a friend's during a difficult time.

I'm grateful for the beautiful country I live in and all the luxury and beauty it gifts me.

I'm grateful for amazing & talented friends (who can bake!). They remind me I never have to stand alone through this journey of life.

"TOGETHER WITH GREY Acrylic on Canvas 18" x 24" ©2012 Brenda Mangalore/ Sashé Studio"

LIFE IS A FUNNY THING

The last few weeks has been filled with big news & changes. Teaching me that well-laid plans are not a guarantee of control over where life leads you. Mr Mangalore received a job offer interstate last month, so we're on our way! It feels really sudden now as the reality of it all starts to hit me (plus the mountain of boxes in my house!) But! This is in many ways an answer to our prayers. We didn't imagine it would involve an interstate move but I'm grateful for this opportunity for Sunny. I am looking forward to building a home together from scratch for the first time as a married couple. Oh the decorating experiements to be had.... The next few weeks will be filled with very non-fun packing and cleaning, though I am grateful for this forced de-cluttering of possessions. Where did all this stuff come from? You know how sometimes, you daydream of going off for an adventure, but you didn't realise the scary reality of change & pulling up your roots AND being away from everything you are SO use to? I think I'm going to realize all those times in the past I've been pushed outside my comfort zone was just a rehearsal for this.

Despite all these unplanned change to life & home...

The 2012 Art Project is Open!

THE THEME FOR THIS YEAR IS THE NOTION OF INBETWEEN

Being inbetween life stages Inbetween decisions Inbetween the lines Inbetween dreams All the beauty and scary in those shades of grey. I'm learning from this experience that there is SUCH comfort in knowing your place. Spontaneity & adventure is fun & romantic but it's also pretty scary. Not being one or the other. On the otherhand, being in the middle of anticipation & excitement is also an inbetween state. That moment when you're inbetween sleepy dreams & wakefulness is a magical space. I want to explore these ideas and emotions. With the move, I'm more than eager to really paint out these reflections from personal experience in real time. I've been drifting alot into daydreams as I explore these ideas in my head -- inbetween all the packing and clearing out. At the moment, I am learning that being In-Between can be a messy place, but also very cleansing as you let go of somethings and reaffirm your hold on others. You wouldn't be able to do that if you're already on the other side.

So come on over and check out the 2012 Art Project

Or visit the shoppe to go straight to the project packages Make sure you join the Society so you can follow with us through the project & also see how Sydney affects my work. This blog & you guys are my one steady thing I'm holding unto as I ride this huge change adventure. Have a happy Easter break - enjoy all the chocolate for me! I'm trying to resist going to the shops, mainly 'cos I've just learnt that clearing out my wardrobe awakens this Pavlovian urge to go and buy stuff to replenish it. Must. Not. Give. In  

"THREE SISTERS standing together ©2012 Brenda Mangalore/Sashé Studio"

As mentioned yesterday, here are the results of my experiment. I repeated same-ish marks across three canvases to see what would happen in producing a kind of Limited Original Reproduction. In a way, they are kinda like siblings. Or triplets. They all have the same DNA, the same elements in their make-up. But they have their own personalities. As their stories developed, so did their uniqueness.

"THREE SISTERS #1 Acrylic on canvas, ©2012 Brenda Mangalore/Sashé Studio"

 Initially I thought it would get a bit repetitive. Maybe the repeats would detract from the beauty of each original. But now, seeing all three together I really like seeing the same-ness & the differences at the same time. I think they sit well together but they also hold their own individually. They aren't like diptychs, where both canvases need each other to be whole. These three were created together BUT each were also created to be an individual. 

"THREE SISTERS #2 Acrylic on canvas, ©2012 Brenda Mangalore/Sashé Studio"

Time will tell if this experiment is onto a winner. I think I will need to continue testing. 

"THREE SISTERS #3 Acrylic on canvas, ©2012 Brenda Mangalore/Sashé Studio"

What do you think?

Does it work as three pieces or one? What are your initial thoughts on Limited Original Reproductions? Which one is your favourite? Or do you prefer all three to stand together?

I thought I'll try out an experimental idea. To create "repeats" in a limited number, where I repeat the same marks and colours across a couple of canvases. Obviously the marks and drips would differ from one to the other due to me not being a robot.

I wondered what I would end up with.

Would they all look like 'reproductions' that are too 'same-same'? Would I only get one good painting and a bunch of dud siblings? Would my collectors like these limited original reproductions?

What do you think?

Thanks for visiting me in the studio today, come back tomorrow to see the final result of these Three Sisters.

Happy Valentine's Day.

Here in Australia, this day is little skewed towards our romantic love relationships but I know elsewhere it's targeted as a general love day.

A day to reflect and remember all the people in your life you love. I kinda like that idea. 

I think it's nice for us to reflect on all the lovely people in our lives and also just how lovely life is.

I have my share of glass half-empty days, so I try to remember all that is lovely and awesome in life.

One of those lovely & awesome things is my hubby. 

He is my sunshine on grey sky days, so the lyric is a nice (kinda cheesy) play on his name while still being meaningful for us. :)

Free Artwork for you

Thinking of lovely awesome people, I wanted to create something nice for my Insider members this month.

A nice tweak & voila!

A new high-res printable of You are my Sunshine is available in the Insider List Library

(If you're not a member - Sign up for FREE access to the Insider Library filled with gorgeous artwork like these printable postersAND new monthly artwork for your screens)

BLOOMING PRESENT Acrylic on canvas, 24" x 20

Blooming Present is my little moment of serendipity where lots of things just fall into place at just the right time. I can't explain it, but this painting has a big nugget of giggling happy. It took a bit of struggle with the strong red & pink, which I originally thought was going to be overwhelming but now I think it has become it's strength.

"BLOOMING PRESENT (Detail) Acrylic on canvas, 24" x 20" ©2011 Brenda Mangalore/Sashé Studio"

Originally the pod-like plant shapes were only suppose to have a maximum of two leaves. When I went back over what I thought was a mistake in my line placement, I just kept drawing around it and it evolved into this multi-criss-cross shape. Again, something that I thought was a struggle (& mistake) turned out to be one of my favourite parts of this painting.

"BLOOMING PRESENT (Detail) Acrylic on canvas, 24" x 20" ©2011 Brenda Mangalore/Sashé Studio

This piece continues my exploration of colour and memories. That softness you find on the edges of your dreams + the multi layers of history, memory & perception. Blooming Present is very much about  being strong in yourself but with an eye into your many layered past. All of which, like most of my work, will be filtered by your perception, memories & personality.

"Window view at The Firehouse Restaurant, Ringwood (Nov 2011 - Feb 2012)"

WHAT DO YOU SEE IN THIS PAINTING?

How does it feel to you?

Please leave your comments below - I would love to hear your thoughts.