Here is another blog written by freelance contributing writer , Helen Farnes hope you find it interesting.

For many centuries now, we have cultivated a very persistent artistic stereotype. The idea of the tormented creative, driven by inner turmoil and the horrors within to create works of transcendent beauty and significance is one with which we are all familiar [1]. Indeed, many believe that the world’s greatest creative works have been born out of pain or pathology [2] – without such motivating factors, this view holds, the ‘art’ is nothing more than a blank reproduction, devoid of deeper emotional meaning. While this is perhaps a rather too exclusive view of creativity, it is true that many of the world’s greatest artists have found ‘inspiration’ in the darker recesses of their souls. The apparent ‘link’ (or otherwise) between ‘madness’ and creativity is one which continues to fascinate[3]. What is less explored, however, is the idea that the relationship between pain and creativity is less causal and more progressive. There is considerable evidence to suggest that engaging creatively can help to heal the psyche in the aftermath of traumatic events.

Cause Or Cure?

In the traditional view of things, the tormented artist is driven by the trauma they have experienced to relive their experience over and over again through the medium of art. As their artistic talents grow, so the artist themselves diminish, until they seem devoured by their work, and (more to the point), by the pathological problems upon which their creativity must feed. It’s a romantic scenario, and one which fires the popular imagination – not least because we can seemingly apply it to real people. Vincent Van Gogh, Toulouse Lautrec, even Amy Winehouse – we enjoy the myths of these individuals as ‘troubled artists’, driven ultimately to their deaths by the fires which consumed them from within [4], as much as we enjoy the wonderful art they created. However, when studied closely, the art for which these people were known does not, actually, have a direct causal relationship with either their troubles or their tragic problems. Indeed, if looked at from another angle, it could be argued that their art kept these individuals back from the brink of disaster for many years, until finally trauma overwhelmed creativity. How much sooner would they have succumbed to their demons had not art expressed their problems and kept the demons at bay?

Creative Resilience

There is, in fact, a lot of evidence to suggest that creativity can play a vital role in resilience to and healing from traumatic events. The ability to express emotions through art is one which gives trauma survivors an effective ‘vent’. Those who lack this ability to safely express their feelings are at risk of developing more troubling ‘coping’ strategies, which could present a danger to themselves or others. Substance abuse, for example, is common among trauma survivors [5] who lack safer outlets with which to deal with their emotions. Female victims of trauma in particular may find themselves on the wrong side of the law [6]. However, those who are blessed with creative tools have another way to explore and deal with the problems with which their trauma has left them.  Exploring one’s emotions through art allows one to process and express psychological baggage in a non-confrontational way. Art allows one to express and explore at one’s own pace, and in one’s own way. It helps us to engage with emotions which we may otherwise shy away from, and lets us bring those dark, gnawing things out into the light, where they cannot hurt us. It can bring us greater self-awareness, and may even speed the process of healing.

Step By Step

Creative intervention and therapy will not, of course, work for all trauma survivors. The creative process is an intensely personal one, and not everyone will be able to express themselves creatively in a manner conducive to their own healing. Nor should creative arts ever be considered an isolated ‘cure-all’. However, when used in conjunction with other kinds of therapy, giving trauma survivors the opportunity to express themselves creatively can be of enormous help [7]. Had the likes of Van Gogh, Winehouse, and other troubled artists not had their art to help them, they arguably would have succumbed to their demons far earlier than they did. Had they had help in addition to their art then – who knows? – they may have led happier, calmer, and healthier lives.

[1] James White, “Suffering For Their Art: The Most Tortured Artists In Film History”, Empire, Nov 2014

[2] Kimbriel Dean, “Is Pain The Key To Good Art?”, Ignite, Mar 2013

[3] Ian Sample, “New study claims to find genetic link between creativity and mental illness”, The Guardian, Jun 2015

[4] Van Gogh Gallery, “Van Gogh’s Death”

[5] National Child Traumatic Stress Network, “Making The Connection: Trauma And Substance Abuse”, Jun 2008

[6] Jennifer Talley, “Context Matters: The Impact of Trauma, Culture and Policy on Women’s Health”, Rehabs.com, Apr 2015

[7] Family and Youth Services Bureau, “Calm Through Creativity: How Arts Can Aid Trauma Recovery

It doesn’t take long for the year to roll around and before you know it is Christmas again!  This year as we often do we are going to see the spectacle Carols by Candle light in Elder Park, Adelaide.  It always inspires the creative process and I am sure many artists feel the same way.

CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT

These days we celebrate Carols by Candlelight all over Australia in all the capital cities and smaller country towns and they are held on many different dates all throughout December.   This time my husband and I together with our daughter and her boyfriend are planning to attend.  It is great that this tradition has now spread around the world and people gather usually outdoors in parks and sing carols in choirs and usually accompanied by musicians.  Lots of wonderful artists both very famous and up and coming stars do the rounds of the different shows and they are compared for the most part by Radio and Television personalities here in Australia anyway.  The audience of course sing along and everyone has a candle or two which they hold up and sway from side to side with the music at times, a very atmospheric sight just glorious!

ARTISTIC INSPIRATION

As a family together with my mum and dad we started going to the open concert after our son Kai was born and soon joined by the little miss Hillivi and we have only missed a few along the way.  In times gone by we used to arrive early in the afternoon to stake our claim on a spot close to the stage put down a picnic blanket with a basket full of delicious goodies and lovely wine.  It was always a few hours wait before the show began at sunset and we would take turns to stake our claim on the blanket whilst some of us would head up to the city to shop and walk about.  These days we arrive a little later but it is still something we look forward to very much.  However there was one year that nearly turned us off for life when the weather suddenly changed and turned so nasty we thought we would freeze to death.  We still talk about how the coldness that night was equal to shopping down Canal Street in New York at Christmas time, well nearly anyway!  This time the weather is supposed to be nice and warm so lets hope that is the case.

CERAMIC AND MOSAIC

It was this time last year that my art blog and painting featured the acrylic painting of Swedish Lucia which was used for Project mapping on the Swedish Embassy in Poland see this story 205 Projection Mapping & Art in Animation This week however the artwork is a wall based sculpture and made from handmade ceramic and mosaic and features a sing-a-long family around the piano, with some recognizable artists artwork on the walls! (If you look close, you will find Picasso and Miro among others)

Here is a quote I think fits well by Carol Nelson;

“Christmas is a time when you get homesick — even when you’re home. “

Till next time happy painting and sculpting and Happy Holidays to you all.

Love Marie xxx

Why not come and have a look at Marie Jonsson-Harrison’s PAINTINGS FOR SALE, GICLEE PRINTS FOR SALE and SCULPTURES for sale or WALLBASED SCULPTURES.  Enjoy an original artwork on your walls or perhaps one on your bed ARTnBED.

This photo was taken for ARTnBED and features my painting “The True Colors of Hindley Street” which was chosen for the launch of the ARTnBED in New York.  It also features us – mother and daughter together modelling and that was lots of fun to do.  It is something my daughter Hillivi and I have done a few times now and for me that is a real privilege.

THE ART OF MODELLING

We just did a fashion parade together at the Burnside Village shopping centre for the Womens and Children’s Hospital Foundation, for Mothers Day.  To combine models with their children for this occasion was an idea from my good friend Christina Angus the Event Manager and then helped along by Tanya Powel Model Agency and a lot of hard work and coordination by  Elisabeth and Adam from Mostly Kids Model Agency.

Christina had for years suggested I hit the catwalk again as had a couple of my model agencies over the years but I have just been way to busy and the timing was never right.  However the chance of working with babygirl was the sweetener to the deal so finally it all came about.  A lot of you know about my former career and background as Australian Model of the Year, but if you want to read more here are some Modelling Stories

TREND IN OLDER MODELS

The trend in older models coming back to work is really thanks to the baby boomer generation who wants to see themselves represented, which has sparked the new trend of using older models.  I think that is fair enough really, as a girl of 14 just does not look the same in the clothes as someone more mature.

The other benefit of hitting the catwalk was catching up with my past model friends all gorgeous and lovely girls who time has been very kind to, and I look forward to seeing them all soon again.

ART AND PAINTINGS

The upshot of this is that I have joined Hillivi back on Tanya Powel Model Agency’s books after years away, lol, strange how life goes in swings and roundabouts!  I am only available for the occasional job though as my art and painting comes first.  Working with my daughter has the added bonus that we take over the role of stylist from each other too and oversee each other’s photo shoots.  Thought I would share some shots I did the other day for the model website which was lots of fun with Hillivi and the wonderful photography of Greg Schwark. This all is wonderful inspiration for me for future artwork and more naive art images to come.

ART AND MORE

Last week was a whirlwind of modelling assignments and art as we had to fit in my painting and Hillivi’s nursing as well as photo shoots for the paper, interviews, fittings, rehearsals and parades.

MISS UNIVERSE

On top of all that Hillivi had been chosen as one of the 18 South Australian finalists in the Miss Universe competition so she had a whole day of judging and rehearsals to fit in as well.  Apparently Hillivi missed out with the narrowest of margins on the chance to represent South Australia in the National competition but I really hope she decides to give it another go next year.  A prouder mother than me would be hard to find, lol but Hillivi is as gorgeous on the inside as the outside and I am a very lucky mum!

Hillivi is wearing a  gorgeous dress very kindly provided by Bridal on Pultney.

Here is another quote that I think fits perfectly well here by George Burns;

“You can’t help getting older, but you don’t have to get old.”

Till next time happy painting and sculpting and HAPPY MOTHERS DAY TO YOU ALL!

Love Marie xxx

Why not come and have a look at Marie Jonsson-Harrison’s PAINTINGS FOR SALE, GICLEE PRINTS FOR SALE and SCULPTURES for sale or WALLBASED SCULPTURES.  Enjoy an original artwork on your walls or perhaps one on your bed ARTnBED.

So here I sit in my studio painting an artwork for a upcoming overseas art exhibition, the theme of this one is Sydney and it’s skyline which of course makes me think of this painting below that I painted many years ago after we had been to Sydney for a holiday.  If you look closely you will find hubby and I with the kids behind the Monorail driver.  This painting sold in Japan and that is rather fitting as it was in Tokyo during my modelling days that I first became fascinated with Monorails, so it goes without saying, wherever I come across one I want to have a ride.  I have always loved train travel and this love is just an extension of that I think.  Although not all train stories are good, lol here is a link to see what I mean; 179 ART AND CHAINED TO THE RAIL WAY TRACK

Sadly the Sydney Monorail is no longer in operation as it closed this year and apparently 2 of the carriages will be used by Google in Sydney as their meeting rooms.

SIGHTSEEING AND ARTISTIC INSPIRATIONS

However it was a great way to see Sydney and we did many a loop around just as sightseeing trips before getting off and exploring by foot.  Last week’s blog 202 ART, Phuket and Tripadvisor features a painting from the Chinese Garden which you can find in Darling Harbor which was one of the stops on the way.  If you go to the Chinese Gardens do make sure you enjoy a traditional tea in the Teahouse – we sat on the balcony and were joined by little cute birds, a real oasis in a big city.

THE ART OF THE REVOLVING RESTAURANT

Another thing we enjoyed in Sydney was the Centrepoint tower and I have lost count of the number of times we have been there, both as a family and alone.  It has a great revolving restaurant, another thing I love and try to do in all the cities that have them on my travels.   The trick is to go for an early dinner so you can see the city skylines in daylight and then as the sun comes down enjoy all the lights flickering on for a night time experience.

Sydney Tower (Centrepoint) is the tallest freestanding structure in Sydney and used to be the tallest in Australia until Q1 (meaning Queensland Number One) was built on the Gold Coast.  The Q1 used to be the tallest residential building in the world until it lost its title to Dubai and its Marina Torch.  Your mind boggles really to think of what the future will bring with each city wanting to have the tallest building, in the end it will all end in tears I suspect.

THE ART OF THE BUCKET LIST

Sydney Centrepoint is 309 meters tall and sits in between Pitt and Castlereagh Street on Market Street on top of Westfield Sydney.  It comprises of three sections; Sydney Tower Dining, Bar and Dining and Sydney Tower Buffett which includes fine dining, buffet and a function area.  The forth section is the observation deck called Sydney Tower Eye which has a fully enclosed platform with 360-degree of the city as well as a 4D cinema with effects of wind, fire and bubbles.  Love that lol, I am just a big kid at heart!  Then there is the Skywalk; an open air platform high above at a height of 268 meters with glass flooring encircling the tower, this is something I haven’t had a chance to try yet but is on the Bucket list to do when next I go to Sydney.

The Sydney Tower has also been featured in several movies such as Supernova, Godzilla: Final Wars, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie and perhaps the most famous one starring Tom Cruise was Mission Impossible 2.

So keeping the Bucket list in mind, here is quote I like by Nicolas de Chamfort;

“Contemplation often makes life miserable.  We should act more, think less and stop watching ourselves live.”

Till next time happy painting, sculpting and living!

Love Marie xxx

Why not come and have a look at Marie Jonsson-Harrison’s PAINTINGS FOR SALE, GICLEE PRINTS FOR SALEand SCULPTURES for sale or WALLBASED SCULPTURES.  Enjoy an original artwork on your walls or perhaps one on your bed ARTnBED.

It never ceases to amaze me how many talented people there are everywhere and in this painting I am celebrating that fact along with the birthday of Sydney’s Opera house although “she” has had many more birthdays since this artwork was painted.

Last weekend we went back to Balaklava the country town that our kids grew up in for the Eisteddfods as our daughter Hillivi and her school friend Jed Rowland were competing.  This year was the 17^th year Balaklava has hosted the competition and visitors come from all over the state to take part in the musical, theatrical, speech and drama performances.  The event is spread out over 3 days and includes a grand finale concert on the Sunday.  This year there were more than 1000 performers in 12 disciplines spread across 6 different venues and an amazing 120 volunteers assisting.  Some of these volunteers are also stars in their own right such as a former English teacher Geoff Gardner who always stars in the local Community Arts productions and is funny as a fit. The local paper The Plains Producer said; “Announcer Geoff Gardner kept the crowd amused and should’ve won an award for his entertaining witty ad libs!”

EISTEDDFOD

The Eisteddfod – which is an old Welsh word meaning a “sitting” but now used to describe gatherings of musicians, artists, poets, actors and crafts-people to compete, compare and learn from each other.  The town population swells to twice the normal size every August when the Eisteddfod are on, so for any budding performer eager to take part use the above link.  Many a famous performer got their start through entering the eisteddfods such as June Bronhill from Broken Hill and Sir Robert Helpman from Mount Gambier as well as Keith Michell from Port Pirie.

ARTISTS ON YOUTUBE

I have previously written a couple of blogs about another local boy made good; James Abberley and if you fancy a look at those art and music blogs here is some links 111. Indie music, Art and Paintings with James Abberley I’ll be a Bird and 116. Art and Music with Marie James and I collaborated on a Youtube clip which at this stage has just passed the 60.000 views which I think is pretty impressing.  Here is a link to my Youtube channel if you fancy a look as one of my other videos; Kissing Richard Branson & ARTnBED has reached 124.000 views and climbing!

CREATIVITY IN THE COUNTRY

However back to Balaklava, which is very good at producing creative people,  creativity is very much nurtured, embraced and valued which I think is perhaps a little unusual for a small country town where sports is normally the be all and end all.  Perhaps it stems from that the town was blessed with four dynamic women in Di Spence and Bronny Cottle in the performing arts and music side and Joyce Ross and Jo May to guide the visual arts.

STAR QUALITY

Another local performer Kelly Bickle took out several awards on the weekend and also ended up winning the Musical Theatre Solo Champion for her rendition of Wicked as well as winning the Contemporary Vocal Solo Champion where she could have given Liza Minnelli a run for her money with a song from Cabaret.  This girl should have taken off for Broadway a long time ago and I have told her as much for the last 20 or so years, but she is perfectly happy raising her family and living in a small rural town and gets her kicks from knocking the socks off the country folk at the local institute when she performs.  Perhaps Kelly is on to something after all when you look at the miserable lives some of the stars live – all that glitters isn’t gold!

HOME GROWN ARTISTS

So how did my daughter go then, I hear you ask?  Well she and her singing partner Jed did very well indeed says a very proud and happy mum.  They took out 3^rd place in the Contemporary Vocal Ensemble section against a field of very talented ensembles with the William Fitzsimmons song  “I don’t feel it anymore”  Both of them singing and Jed Rowland also playing the guitar and the adjudicator Libby O’Donovan strongly encouraging them to stick together and do some gigs around Adelaide as she felt they had great potential.  Jed Rowland is certainly someone to watch; he is every bit as talented as James Abberley and Jed also did a fantastic rendition of Bon Iver’s Skinny Love which got him another trophy in the solo section in 2^nd place.

My inspiration for my quote today comes from one of the songs Hillivi sang so beautifully on the weekend “Feels like home ” which always brings a tear to my eye, so here is John Ed Pearce’s quote which fit well here;

“Home is a place you grow up wanting to leave, and grow old wanting to get back to”

Till next time happy painting and sculpting to you all.

Love Marie xxx

Why not come and have a look at Marie Jonsson-Harrison’s PAINTINGS FOR SALE, GICLEE PRINTS FOR SALE and SCULPTURES for sale or WALLBASED SCULPTURES.  Enjoy an original artwork on your walls or perhaps one on your bed ARTnBED.

Some days you are just so glad to be alive and overwhelmed by the random kindness act of strangers that you are totally lost for words.  I had one of those days yesterday and it revolves around a Danish man Knud Grothe who owns and runs one of the finest galleries in Denmark.

I have shared with you in another artblog that I have recently had an art exhibition in Copenhagen, Denmark and you may be forgiven to think that it was  GALERIE KNUD GROTHE I was exhibiting with, but no it was another gallery and if you fancy you can read about that here;   177 ART EXHIBITIONS IN COPENHAGEN, DENMARK & SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA

NAIVE ARTISTS IN DENMARK

Gallery Knud Grothe was established in the 1970’s and is still going strong exhibiting a rich mixture of contemporary art from around the world as well as Denmark of course.  Knud says his favourite genre of art is naive paintings and he has a yearly exhibition at Easter showcasing the naive artists in his gallery.

NAIVE ART BOOK

Anyway I or I should say my art came to the attention of Knud who sent me a lovely email which was very complimentary of my art.  He also then sent me this fantastic book about naive artists in Denmark called “Naivister i Danmark” which was so incredibly generous.  This is a big heavy coffee table book, 164 pages of glossy wonderful Danish artists by Ole Lindboe.  Comprising of some 35 Danish naive artists and also has an introduction of naive art featuring several more from yesteryears.  Obviously I am such a fan of naive art which I also collect myself so therefore I have seen and read most of the books on the subject and I must say this book is one of the best I have ever seen.  Danish naive art has totally blown me away, normally I would pick out 3 -4 artists in a collection as my favourites but this is an impossibility here as they, everyone of these artists have something so inspiring and fresh to offer, it is a delight to the senses.

THREE ORIGINAL PAINTINGS

Now if the story ended here that would be quite something all by itself – but I am afraid there is more…  Yesterday there was a knock on the door and a courier with another parcel from Denmark.   This time this most incredible generous man Knud Grothe had sent me 3 original paintings for my art collection.  I must say I was utterly SPEECHLESS when I unwrapped the parcel, can you imagine, it is not Christmas and not my birthday and this most warmhearted of men sent me a gift, just because!

In next week’s art blog I will share these wonderful paintings with you.  The 3 artists are Jan Thomas, Inge Selmer and Isis de Sequeira and all 3 artworks are a joy to behold.

PAINTINGS IN THE STUDIO

So what does one say when you receive an amazing gift like this, just because – well I had no words for a very long time.  Instead I took the 3 paintings into my studio and have them sitting next to me as I work.  I am not ready to part with them even temporarily by hanging them up on the wall.  No I just want them by my side so I can “drink” in their colours and joy and pleasure they are giving me every second of the day.  Both from the visual aesthetics of the 3 wonderful artworks that the artists have painted but also to think that such a kind, generous and very thoughtful act of kindness is even possible in this day and age.

HAPPY ARTIST

Thank you so very much Knud you must have a very beautiful heart and I am indeed a very very lucky girl to be so blessed and have you as a friend from far away and I do hope to meet you in real life soon.

I am really really Grateful, Happy, Overjoyed, Elated, Delighted, Ecstatic, Jubilant, and Thankful and feel extremely spoiled.

So I think this quote by G.K. Chesterton fits well here and conveys a little of how I feel right now;

“I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought; and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder”

Till next time,

Love Marie xxx

Why not come and have a look at Marie Jonsson-Harrison’sPAINTINGS FOR SALE, GICLEE PRINTS FOR SALE andSCULPTURES for sale orWALLBASED SCULPTURES.  Enjoy an original artwork on your walls or perhaps one on your bed ARTnBED.

Oh boy what strange 6 weeks I have just had!!  Life happens to you whilst you are busy doing other things as John Lennon said.  Normally I sit in my art studio with an amazing view, the house perched up high like an eagles nest, high above a train track and overlooking a valley, beach and sea as far as the eye can see going all the way to the horizon.

Really wonderfully inspiring for an artist and probably why a lot of my paintings lately have been aquatic scenes.  Well our wonderful world was interrupted a couple of months ago with the Transport Departments electrification of the railway line.  Not something we had anticipated would bother us too much, we had seen the artist’s impressions and they looked just fine.  A couple of poles 50 meters apart and a few wires – not much to whinge about and you cannot stand against progress.

So the drilling started and then surprise, surprise they struck rock (we live on a mountain DOH! Why they didn’t anticipate that is beyond me.)   The drilling went on and on for weeks, day after day, 3 days drilling in every one of the 9 holes outside us, 7am – 5pm seven days a week.

PAINTING HAPPY PAINTINGS

Well to cut a long story short, painting happy paintings is impossible with over 83 decibels of incessant drilling 15 meters from your doorstep.  As is just living life and apart from tearing our hair out to add to the drama now my husband and I were fighting too.  So hubby got that fed up and cross he went out and told the workers off and that is when we found out what was actually happening on our street.

5 MONKEYS WITH A COMPASS COULD HAVE DONE A BETTER JOB.

Our street one of the most scenic streets in Adelaide had been selected for special treatment, not poles 50 meters apart for us.  No the “so called experienced” (cough, cough) engineers from Halcrow designed this by Google map from Queensland with no visual consideration as to where these structures would be best placed from an environmental and aesthetics stance.  Instead the Tensioner Hubs (overlaps) has been placed more like a game of “Pin the Tail on the Donkey” with an astounding haphazard lack of forethought.

STATE OF THE ART

I would like to point out though that it is not the POLES that we object too, we are well aware that we would have poles all the way along the railway line for the wire to sit on with this old and antiquated system.   The South Australian Government who is clearly misinformed call this a “State of the Art” design (LOL) perhaps they should have done a little bit of Googeling themselves.  It is not too hard to find out that the Noarlunga/Seaford Rail Electrification was actually first designed in Hungary before World War ll and trialed back in the 40’s before it came into widespread use in the 1950.  So the statement ”State of the Art” is terribly misleading as there are multiple much better designs available across the world this Century.

THE ART OF THE OVERLAP

No, what we are strongly objecting to is that the Transport Department in their wisdom has picked our street to erect the Tensioner Hub (overlaps); which will consist of Portals, Junctions, Gantries, Tensioners, Double Poles with cross Members, all set very closely together some 20 meters apart and others with 1 – 2 meters apart.  Made from huge steel beams,  7.5 meters tall and 350mm wide with lots of electrifications gadgets hanging from them.

NOT ROCKET SCIENCE IS IT?

These so called “Tensioner Hubs” (or overlaps) will then be erected all the way down the line to Adelaide at a distance of approximately 1.6 km.  So there are a lot more people all along the coast line who will be unfortunate enough to get one of these monstrosities outside their houses.  Our objective is to get these unsightly structures placed in a less obtrusive position wherever there is an alternative place suitable, as there is here some 100 meters away from the presently planned position.  We have enlisted several independent engineers who verify that the structure can be moved without any safety concerns or other issues.

STATE OF THE ART SUPPORT

We have had strong support from Nick Xenaphon (Independent) Vickie Chapman & David Speirs (Liberal) and Amanda Rishworth (Federal Labor)as well as the Messenger Newspaper, Radio 891’s Matt & David and 2 episodes by Paul Makin from Today Tonight.  The recent Today Tonight showed the Labor Government’s Ministers and Transport Department’s cronies as they really are; inflexible, uncaring, misleading and arrogant.

And so the infrastructure started going up 10 minutes after the TV crew left and officials left, as the workers and trucks must have been sitting waiting in the wings.  So the “Big Cheeses” who after 6 weeks of us begging  finally came to our street, were only here to give us lip service in the most insincere way.

It did amuse me to see they had employed a few security guards to keep watch, one stationed outside our house and the other by the vehicle entrance.  Funny how frightening my threat must have been to the powers that be, to chain myself to the railway track.  We put up a sterling fight and Power to the People I say!

ART AND POLITICS

Here are a few of quotes I think fits perfectly here;

“When leaders act contrary to conscience, we must act contrary to leaders.”

(Veterans Fast for Life)

“It is dangerous to be right in matters on which the established authorities are wrong.”

(Voltaire)

“As long as the world shall last there will be wrongs, and if no man objected and no man rebelled, those wrongs would last forever.”

(Clarence Darrow)

Till next time, when I should be back on track (pardon the pun) and telling you some happier stories, Happy Painting and Sculpting to you all.

Love Marie xxx

Footnote:  I would really like to thank all of you involved in fighting this cause, you all did a fantastic job and everyone played their part and never wavered.  All spent hours researching railways, electrification systems, best practice, environment, the law and the like.  Countless meetings, protests and media calls and never mind all the hours of writing emails, letters and making phone calls. For a small group who really didn’t know each other before all this we did a fab job.  Thank you Bryan for getting us started and Richard for being the good cop against my bad cop (although I did like your analogy of me being the bull at the gate and you the limp squid too, lol:) Thank you Ursula, David, Susan, Denice, Keith, Jenny, Steven, Dot, Paul, Dawn, Nicky, Sam, Kai, Tonia, Jan, Graham, Nadine,Paul  and everyone else that helped.  You are all stars and at least we did get a slightly less offensive monstosity erected, well done!   Big Hug, Love Marie xxx

Why not come and have a look at Marie Jonsson-Harrison’sPAINTINGS FOR SALE, GICLEE PRINTS FOR SALE and SCULPTURES for sale orWALLBASED SCULPTURES.  Enjoy an original artwork on your walls or perhaps one on your bed ARTnBED.

I am frantically painting away in my studio trying to meet the deadline for the Naive Festival in Poland.  Normally I can pretty much concentrate on my work but lately life, the universe and everything has gotten in the way.  Oh and I will write a blog and tell you all about that too, not happy Jan!  But today’s art blog is about 2  art exhibitions that I have opening this week in 2 different cities, well countries in the world.

ART EXHIBITION IN DENMARK

The first is in Denmark at a gallery called Galleri Naif and run by Mia Cara who is a Bulgarian naive artist herself,  this exhibition is in Islands Brygge in Copenhagen and runs until the 5^th of May and is called “Spring exhibition”.   Mia also runs a website if you would like to take a look at her own artwork.

ARTISHOP.DK

This exhibition was booked through my lovely friend Eliane Kristensen who I first “met” online through either Facebook or LinkedIn (I cannot remember which).  She started following my artblogs and making comments and we found that we had lots in common.  Eliane is a very interesting person, bubbly and vivacious full of “get up and go”.  She runs her own website called artishop.dk as well, which has art and jewellery and Eliane also writes articles for different publications as well as the internet.  Here is a link to her on Pinterest.

ART MEETING IN PARIS

Last year whilst my husband and I were travelling in Europe Eliane arranged a lovely dinner at a fabulous Parisian restaurant in Butte aux Cailles which is a most interesting part of Paris.  We were joined by my lovely friend Jacques Dubois who is the man responsible for organizing the Art Naif Festival in Katowice, Poland each year.  Elaine and I now refer to Jak as Mr Tornado (LOL with Love and Affection of course) as that is just what he is.  Jak is so full of enthusiasm and fun that he can hardly sit still and is the most stimulating of conversationalists.  Whilst Jak had not felt totally comfortable whilst writing English he had absolutely no trouble in making himself understood whilst talking and if there was a word here or there that we didn’t get, Jak would simply get up and do a  Marcel Marceau  impersonation.  I was therefore not surprised to find out that Jak in an earlier life had been a celebrated actor but these days he is a very astute business man with a great love of art.

So it goes without saying that we had the most wonderful night and dinner was followed by a stroll through this interesting part of Paris till we found a little cafe to have another drink and some coffees before finally saying goodbye.

EUROPEAN ART REPRESENTATIVES

It was really wonderful to meet my European art representatives and now firm friends in real life, just goes to show how the internet connects people and makes things happen.

ART EXHIBITION IN SYDNEY

So now to somewhere closer to home, well we are still talking 1300 kilometers from home in Sydney.  My other exhibition that opened this week was in Sydney at the Callan Park Gallery at Sydney University.  This one is called Naive art of Australia and features several other naive artists as well.

The exhibition has been curated by Nerida Olson who is passionate about art and is the Public Relations and Marketing Manager at Sydney College of the Arts, Division of Architecture and Creative Arts.

CALLAN PARK GALLERY

I was asked to exhibit at their Sydney gallery last year as well but at that time due to time constraint it wasn’t possible.  This show runs until the 2^nd of May, so I hope a lot of you Sydneysiders make your way there and have a look.

In this gloom and doom word, let us Naive artists put a smile on your face and get lost in our little rays of sunshine.

Here is a quote by Howard Ikemoto that I think fits well here which reminds us that we are all artistic – every one of us.

EVERYONE ARE ARTISTIC

“When my daughter was about seven years old, she asked me one day what I did at work.  I told her I worked at the college – that my job was to teach people how to draw.  She stared at me, incredulous, and said, “You mean they forget?”

Till next time,

Love Marie xxxx

Why not come and have a look at Marie Jonsson-Harrison’sPAINTINGS FOR SALE, GICLEE PRINTS FOR SALE and SCULPTURES for sale orWALLBASED SCULPTURES.  Enjoy an original artwork on your walls or perhaps one on your bed ARTnBED.

I hope you sat glued to your televisions on Saturday at 4.30pm on Channel 7, to watch the Coast to Coast for Kids – Land & Sea Challenge.  Just don’t blink or you will miss the star in my life my hubby!  Lol

You see hubby was part of the support crew that went over to Kangaroo Island to film this adventure over a 5 day period recently when he took time of from being Art Manager to helping out where he could and being chief chef and bottle washer.

The aim of the television production is to raise money for charities and this time it was for the Women’s and Children’s Hospital Foundation.  The challenges had been dreamed up by their event manager Christina Angus who also participated in the event. Eleven participants all from South Australia were the “Challengers” who each raised over $10.000 dollars.   The man in charge is Troy Gray with his Vox ventures production company and Troy’s past 10 TV documentaries have screened internationally, won medals in the Annual South Australian Cinematography Awards as well as raised over $1 Million dollars for South Australian based charities.

PAINTING AND FOOTBALL

This football painting shows some of Troys other talents as he started out as a footy star who was drafted to the Sydney Swans in 1991 before being traded to St Kilda, then starting on his media and production career.  This is also pretty much how I found the Challengers when I joined in the festivities for the weekend on the Kangaroo Island shoot.  The boys were all kicking the footy around and as they are all pretty easy on the eye I certainly thought I had come to the right place!  As I am a firm believer in “Just because I’m on a diet, doesn’t mean I can’t look at the menu” Let’s just say I enjoyed the view!   Oh and the menfolk watching on Saturday TV Show won’t be disappointed either as the girls are pretty good sorts too.  Although I did not see any streakers as my artwork suggest but there was a nice incident with a pole dance or was it a shimmy up the pole to retrieve a ball – oh I forget!

THE ART OF THE CHALLENGE

The whole gang; David, Ali, Chad, Sam, Scott, Rebecca, Laura, Michaela, Saxon, Christina, Cara are thrown in the deep end for an unknown adventure through some of Kangaroo Island’s wonderful countryside.  Each participant went through their own personal challenges physically, mentally and emotionally as they faced five days of life-changing experiences.  It really was a tough gig as they all slept rough – sleeping bags or swags with sometimes just the one toilet to share between 20 odd people.  The fact that they were constantly filmed and expected to be ready with only minutes to spare added to the tension.  The days started at 5.30 am for breakfast round the campsite and often didn’t finish until way after midnight.

ARTFUL ACTIVITIES

I was very happy to come for a little visit and be able to retreat to my comfy hotel room at the end of the night, I am more a “5 star kinda gal” however if I had the access to a Hollywood camper I would be up for the challenges as they looked like so much fun.  Full on activities from sunup till dawn such as; sailing, swimming with dolphins, hiking, bicycle riding, fishing, four wheel buggy driving, jet-skiing, melon catapulting, wine tasting, Harley Davidson rides just to mention a few.

THE ART OF KARAOKE

I do think I came over at the right time as it was Karaoke & Party night, unfortunately this event did not make it into the show but let me assure you it should have!  There were certainly some funny moments and unexpected talents, much hutzpa and bravado and just so much fun even from the local KI community who joined in as well.

THE ART OF THE VOLUNTEER

Over $110,000 was raised for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital which would not have been possible without the volunteers; Tim, the 2 Ben’s, Narelle, Bryan, as well as the hard work by Michelle and Martha and the girls in office of WCHF.  Of course we mustn’t forget Lisa & Butch and camera crew from 2OC Production (just try to figure out what those initials stand for and it will make you giggle!) who also worked incredibly hard and then had another episode to film in the outback when this one was in the bag.

Here is a quote I think fits well by Vance Havner;

“The vision must be followed by the venture.  It is not enough to stare up the steps – we must step up the stairs.

Till next time happy painting, sculpting and adventuring!

Love Marie xxx

Why not come and have a look at Marie Jonsson-Harrison’s PAINTINGS FOR SALE, GICLEE PRINTS FOR SALE and SCULPTURES for sale or WALLBASED SCULPTURES.  Enjoy an original artwork on your walls or perhaps one on your bed ARTnBED.

I have just joined a gym today, finally after 20 or so years since last time.  Oh and before you get the wrong idea – I have still been keeping fit during that time.  You see we had been living on a farm in the country with the closest gym an hours’ drive away, so I had a treadmill at home in my art studio and could watch telly there whilst I walked.   I used to often do aerobics whilst watching the Good morning programs and go for a run outside (you had to keep the pace up as there were lots of flies in the Australian countryside) and then there were body pump and various fitness classes held in a hall in the local country town as well.  My son Kai and daughter Hillivi would often join in too and we also used to light candles and do yoga in the TV room in front of a roaring fireplace in winter.

ACRYLIC PAINTING

Whilst I was pregnant I had several videos that I used to follow as although we hadn’t moved to the farm yet we had bought a renovated church in the countryside to live in.  I did travel to the city and attended a couple of the keep fit classes for the expectant mum as this acrylic on canvas board painting shows.  That is me in the middle of the artwork in black and green gym gear and baby boy Kai with the balloon!

However this big Gym set up seems like a real luxury to me and lots of fun.  Strange really how things go as I had absolutely no thought about joining a gym again.  Years ago when I lived in Melbourne and Sydney and traveled the world whilst modelling I attended Gyms in every place I traveled to.

THE ART OF DOING WEIGHTS

These days hubby and I are great walkers and do 40 minutes minimum a day often joined by the kids and always joined by our two dogs Cheech and Vegas.  Although I have to admit people that see us often ask me ‘who is walking who’ when it comes to my Chihuahua – you see she refuses to walk for the first 10 or so minutes so I carry her to start.  Lol I figure that is a bit of weight training for me and she has such a cute little face and big brown eyes that I just cannot resist.

THE ART OF A BARGAIN

Anyway my daughter and I found this Deal on the internet where they offered 10 fitness classes for 10 dollars, what a steal we thought and promptly went and checked it out, with the intention of just doing the 10 classes and that would be that.  Well I guess these marketing guys know what they are doing because 2 lessons later and they have got us signed up for the foreseeable future.

THE ART OF THE HOT BOD

Well what can I say; the deal was too good to refuse and the classes so good and the body felt amazing after being pushed that little bit further than you generally do yourself no matter how motivated you are.  It also felt good to be in a structured environment with lots of people keeping fit and all sorts of exercise machines there to use and some hot bods to spur you on too!

THE ART OF PILATES AND LAUGHTER

Yesterday time slipped away from us when we remembered the class was on and hopped in the car to get to the Pilates class.  It is held in with the lights dimmed in a big room with soft atmospheric music and as we were beginners to this class we did a couple of wrong moves which made us giggle between ourselves.  Then all of a sudden my daughter is in absolute hysterics, really trying to contain her laughter in between trying to quietly tell me something.  Well I cannot for the life understand what she is trying to say but now she got me giggling too – both of us like two naughty school girls up the back of the class.  As it turns out she was laughing at me – of course – in my hurry to get ready for the class I had put my yoga top inside out with the tag hanging out at the back!  So much for looking Cool in front of all the buff and fit people, I guess you can take the girl out of the country but not the country out of the girl!   I have to look on the bright side least there are always more inspiration for new paintings.

Here is a quote I think fits well here by Rita Rudner;

“The word aerobics came about when the gym instructors got together and said; If we’re going to charge $10 an hour, we can’t call it jumping up and down”.                                                                                                                                                  

Till next time, happy painting and sculpting to you all, oh and maybe exercising!

Love Marie xxx

Why not come and have a look at Marie Jonsson-Harrison’s PAINTINGS FOR SALE, GICLEE PRINTS FOR SALE and SCULPTURES for sale or WALLBASED SCULPTURES.  Enjoy an original artwork on your walls or perhaps one on your bed ARTnBED.

If you enjoyed this health and art blog you may also be amused at my attempts at meditation; 97 Meditation are you serious & Art

So why this title; “Fifty shades of grey in Religion & Art”? Perhaps something to do with the painting of the cats and all the shades of grey they come in.  Well not exactly but as it is Christmas I thought this painting was a good fit even though it is not a religious artwork, which really is the topic of this art blog.

NAIVE ART BY MARIE JONSSON-HARRISON

You see I recently wrote a blog about Fifty Shades of Grey & Art about the book phenomenon and my thoughts on the matter and as I got hundreds of messages, comments and feedback on that I thought it was worthwhile to canvas the issue that was brought up time and time again.  Most of the comments were really positive and some 160 people shared the initial post from my Naive Art by Marie Jonsson-Harrison page on Facebook with over 1680 likes.

ART BLOG

The thing was that I had posted the blog with an artwork of mine made in ceramic and mosaic, a wall based sculpture depicting Adam and Eve and that caused some heated debate both from the Christian side as well as from the Muslims.

ADAM & EVE, CERAMIC & MOSAIC SCULPTURE

Some Christians thought it was an outrageous artwork and that Adam had a bottle in his hand was terrible.   That to me seemed a weird comment as I am sure both Adam and Eve had a drink, let’s get serious they would have gotten bored just eating those apples without making some apple wine or schnapps occasionally right?  The bible is all for alcohol anyway that is what every Christian church gives their followers on a Sunday morning, in the guise of the “blood of Jesus”.   That I had painted them a little bit plump which was for the most part approved of.

RELIGION AND ART

As far as the Muslim comments go, again for the most part the artwork was met with great comments and positive feedback however there were some that took offence and thought it was outrageous and anti Muslim!  So go figure if both Christians and Muslim think it is against their particular religion then I must have done something right I figure.

Which brings me to the question of religion and the fervor it stirs up in people, seems to me that all that matters is that their own point of view is right.  Why can’t everyone just believe in whatever religion that makes sense to them?  Whether that is Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Hindi, Budda or none and be an Atheist.  Why does it matter so much to some people what other faiths people believe in?

How do we even know for sure that there is a God?  I hope there is one; I do want to go to Heaven if there is such a thing.  I do believe in doing onto others and all that.  But in this evidence based world I just cannot say for sure what is true and what is fiction.  So until we get word from above as to who is running this show and what particular religion is right, let’s just try to live together and in harmony with each other.

THE ART OF THE CHRISTMAS WISH

My cousin Sonja sent me this picture from her time in Accra, Ghana.  It shows one of their favorite dancing spots where all sorts of people gather to have fun.  To the right is a Jew and to the left a Muslim, then there is two Atheists and behind are some Christians and they all had a great time together, that is the type of world I wish for.

Let me take this opportunity to wish you all a Very Happy Christmas or Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to everyone apart from the Chinese (which has their New Years a bit later).  I hope you are all able to spend some time with your loved ones, for that is really all that matters after all.

Here is a quote by the 14^th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, which I think fits pretty well here;

“The purpose of all major religious traditions is not to construct big temples on the outside, but to create temples of goodness and compassion inside, in our hearts.”

I think he has a fair point.

Till next time,

Happy painting, sculpting and spending family time to you all,

Love Marie xxxx

If you enjoyed this art & religion blog you may also like to see some of my religious paintings here are some links; 92 Art & walk across my swimming pool and 29. Religious Paintings

Why not come and have a look at Marie Jonsson-Harrison’s PAINTINGS FOR SALE, GICLEE PRINTS FOR SALE and SCULPTURES for sale or WALLBASED SCULPTURES.  Enjoy an original artwork on your walls or perhaps one on your bed ARTnBED.

Well what is all that about I hear you say, and yes for the uninitiated it does sound quite weird and have gotten many people in trouble and I have to point out, even me now as recently as Saturday night, lol. You know how you wake up the following morning and think oh boy I shouldn’t have said that!  This acrylic on board painting is of a similar night that I am going to tell you about, and now I will just have to get started on another artwork and capture this recent event!

You see we were at a very swanky “do” indeed for the Women’s and Children’s Hospital Foundation raising money for a very good cause.  Adelaide’s Glitterati were there in all their finery, Simon Bryant the renowned chef provided the meals Brenton Ragless was the MC and the girls in charge; Marta Harbuzinska and Christina Angus could not have done a better job.  It was indeed a successful night raising some $130.000 for the babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

THE ART OF EAGLE ROCK

So what about the Pants Down reference about the Eagle Rock song and Ross Wilson who sings it, well here is the history about that from Hobsons bay weekly;

Since the 1980s, it’s been a regular sight at gigs for patrons to unbuckle belts and hobble around with their pants around their ankles when the song is played.

“I didn’t invent it, Australians invented it as a response to Eagle Rock,” says Wilson, who turns 65 next month.

“But in certain parts of the country, whenever Eagle Rock’s played —in bars, or uni, and it’s big in the military — they’ve got their pants around their ankles and sort of do this dance.

Wilson, whose last visit to Williamstown was about five years ago, has warned the custom may reveal itself at the RSL.

“The word’s getting out there; it’s happening a little bit more at my shows and also women are starting to do it,” he said.

“Up in Queensland, the University of Queensland, they lay claim, whether it’s true or not — I don’t think it is true but they claim that they invented it.

“So, you’ve got this thing in the student bar that one of the rules in the bar is that patrons are not to be ejected if they drop their pants to this song, Eagle Rock, but they must replace them at the finish of the song.”

Well now you know the tradition of this song and it has as I said gotten quite a few people in trouble over the years and some have even gotten arrested over it.

At our daughters 21^st birthday party for instance the song came on and all the boys got into a big circle and dropped their pants (undies are left on of course LOL) and shuffled to the music.  At the time we had a lovely couple from England staying with us and although he was not familiar with the custom he got into the spirit of it and followed suit, much to the ire of his girlfriend who was not amused.  She had never heard of this tradition and thought it very uncouth to have her fiancé dancing without pants all of a sudden.

THE ART OF NOT KEEPING YOUR MOUTH SHUT

Which brings me to Saturday night at this fine event; we were all up dancing with a bunch of fairly new friends all having fun when local band Acoustic Juice plays Daddy Cool’s Eagle Rock.  I get into the spirit of things and tongue in cheek I say (obviously as this is not the venue for it) to a couple of the guys; Pants down!  Lol, well you should have seen the looks on their faces – they clearly had not heard of this custom and to make things worse I know some of them had read my recent blog on“Fifty shades of grey”and now thought this woman is clearly sex mad and crazy as a cut snake!

So here is a quote by Don Herold, which we should all keep in mind when it comes to things we should and shouldn’t have done and worry about;

“If I had my life to live over, I would perhaps have more actual troubles but I’d have fewer imaginary ones”

Till next time happy painting and sculpting and dancing to you all!

Love Marie xxxx

Why not come and have a look at Marie Jonsson-Harrison’s PAINTINGS FOR SALE, GICLEE PRINTS FOR SALE and SCULPTURES for sale or WALLBASED SCULPTURES.  Enjoy an original artwork on your walls or perhaps one on your bed ARTnBED.

Like millions of women across the globe I have been reading Fifty shades of Grey and just finished the first book in the trilogy (Fifty shades of Darker and Fifty shades of Freed).   I had actually had the book in my possession for about 3 months without reading it.  The reason was that I am much more of a biography type of girl and like to read what real people are doing and usually get a tad bored with fiction when I know it is not actually based on a true story.  I must admit I did read the first couple of chapters early on but found it boring and skipped through to some of the “good bits”.

However when I recently caught up with a girlfriend who is in her mid sixties, an ex librarian and very well read, who said that she actually enjoyed the book and was amazed at how the author could write the sex scenes with such fevor and variety, my interest was sparked again.  Furthermore she said her own daughter who is in her late 20’s read the 3 books over one weekend, which peaked my interest even more.

As you can see by this wall based sculpture “Adam and Eve” or the alternative title “Apple juice may be fine but I rather have some wine” (handmade ceramic and mosaic artwork) I always like exploring the theme of sexuality and you may also like to read these 14. Adam & Steve 2 Sculpture and 35. The First Adam and Steve Artwork

ARTISTIC INSPIRATIONS

What is it with this book, Fifty Shades of Grey that crosses the generations and makes millions of women across the globe, yummy mummies, singles, married, rich, poor get all hot and heavy as they read about Christian Grey and Anastasia’s escapades?

Exploring this thought brought me back to thinking about the cavemen days, how did it work then? Did the caveman just drag the women by the hair into a bush or a cave and had his way with her.  Is there something in our DNA that still lingers on and makes us a “little” submissive?

I say a “little” submissive as the above scenario would be totally abhorrent if the caveman was a “sweaty one toothed Oaf” and the encounter was rape instead of a mutual attraction.

I think that is the key isn’t it, there has to be that spark of electricity that you can feel in the air when your eyes meet and sex is the foremost thing on your mind.

ARTISTIC LICENCE

Not that the couple in my Caveman acrylic on canvas board painting would have much privacy to get hot and heavy with all those children running around, but they must have found the time I figure!

It has been very interesting listening to the discussions around this book both in the media and also with friends.  One male friend who has not actually read the book is totally perplexed as he thinks all his perceptions of women and women’s lib has totally fallen by the wayside with the topic of S & M of Fifty shades of Grey.  However I was trying to tell him that after reading it I think he has totally missed the point – a point you only understand if you do read it.  For myself the thought of the Red room of Pain with some weird guy dressed like Hannibal Lecter would make me run for the hills (if I was able) and perhaps that is the idea some people that haven’t read the book think it is all about.   On the other hand if we are talking silk scarves or ties and there is trust and a strong mutual attraction, then that’s another thing, right? Personally I also really liked Anastasia’s feistiness and the clever use of words in their email banter.

THE ART OF CHOICE

Well E.L. James must have hit on a collective nerve.  Perhaps it is that in this day and age when we women for the most part are strong and independent.  We have the choices to live our lives the way that we want, have casual encounters, marry or not, travel the world, stay home with children or work.  Maybe even so, far down in our DNA we also have a need for the man to take charge.  Perhaps not all the time but there is something extremely sexual about giving over your control and not being in charge at least in the bedroom.   Also I think women enjoy the erotic mystery of the written word where as men are more visual creatures and like seeing (the old lights on lights off debate)the sexual act and are more turned on by pornography than women as a rule.

AGEING & THE ART OF SEX

Which brings me to a great article a girlfriend of mine Nadine Williams has written called “Brown’s long magazine life “Sex-cess” on her website, which is a must read.  Helen Gurley Brown recently died at the ripe old age of 90, she was a trail blazer and as Nadine says “her magazine mantra metamorphosed the sex lives of the modern woman.     The author of the 1962 best-seller Sex and the Single Girl reckoned if women weren’t sex objects, they were in trouble and while good girls went to heaven, bad girls got to go everywhere.”    I have always loved that quote as well as everything else that ever came out of Mae West’s mouth – another trail blazer for the modern woman.  If you fancy a read of my Art blog on Mae and see the Mae West painting here is a link 72. Mae West “Come up and see me some time” & Art

Anyway another thing that Helen Gurley Brown said;

“My own philosophy is if you’re not having sex, you’re finished.  It separates the girls from the old people”

And for what it is worth – I think she has a point, a good point!

I always sign off with Happy painting and sculpting, however this time I will also borrow from the movie with the music of the fabulous group ABBA called Mamma Mia and say Happy ….

Love Marie xxxx

Ps  I would really love to hear what your thoughts on the subject are so make a comment!

Why not come and have a look at Marie Jonsson-Harrison’s PAINTINGS FOR SALE, GICLEE PRINTS FOR SALE and SCULPTURES for sale or WALLBASED SCULPTURES.  Enjoy an original artwork on your walls or perhaps one on your bed ARTnBED.

This painting is one commissioned several years ago by my cousin Leif who lives in Sweden.  The naive art scene is of his brother Dan & Johnny’s former house here in Australia and depicts us all enjoying a day together by the pool.  As I told you in my previous art blog 156. ART & FREQUENT FLYER POINTS (there is the link if you wanna recap) we are now on our European tour and have arrived in Gothenburg where we got picked up by my gentle giant cousin Leif, his partner Lena and daughter Emma.

My cousin Leif decided early on that he wanted to work with disabled children and there he met the lovely Lena, the love of his life and they set up house together.  They both have hearts of gold and worked tirelessly to give their all to make life better for the kids in that institution where they both worked.

Eventually they decided to start a family of their own and as fate would have it when Lena finally gave birth it was to a little girl Emma, cute as a button, but severely handicapped herself with both Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus (which is water on the brain)and several other problems too and requiring a wheelchair.

At first glance you may feel compassion and perhaps pity for this very special family unit, and yes of course that was also our first reaction.  However never judge a book by it’s cover, wait instead till you have had a good read.

ARTISTIC LICENCE

You can see Emma on my artwork on the right by the pool, with my husband and I close by.  Artistic licence of course as no aeroplane will allow her to fly, so going from Sweden to Australia has so far been out of question for her, but Lena and Leif have made the trip each with another travel partner so that the other one is home with Emma.

Emma communicates manly through noises which only her parents could properly decipher and really we did at first think that was wishful thinking on their behalf.  Well what fools we turned out to be because after spending time with them we saw Emma really does understand and can make herself understood in most instances, not only that but she understands English too!

Lena, Leif and Emma live in a gorgeous house on the outskirts of Gothenburg, just perfect for the 3 of them but as a lot of European houses no spare bedrooms so perhaps a bit harder to have people come and stay.  However they insisted that we take over their bedroom whilst they slept on trundle beds in with Emma, such lovely hosts and they spoilt us rotten.

THE ART OF LOVE

So my other observation was what a HAPPY little family they were, their little household sparkled with joy and happiness and their lives revolved around each other – not in a martyr or sacrifice type of way but in a way that showed such joy and happiness you couldn’t help but feel good in their company.  Emma had an infectious laugh and they all giggled around the clock, she did of course get upset at times particularly if it was time to get out of the car as being a passenger was her favorite pastime, but even then upset, she was gorgeous and that mood soon passed.

In a way I envied them – now don’t get me wrong I am eternally grateful that my two children were born healthy and I wish and pray that they will always be so.  No what I mean is when Kai and Hillivi were little I wished that they would never grow up and leave us, just be our little darlings forever.

That is what Leif and Lena have got – they have their little girl still cute as a button even though now she is 37 years old,  sharing their lives together the three of them.   What more can you wish for in life then to be loved and to truly love in return!

So here is a quote I think fits well here by an unknown author;

“A bend in the road is not the end of the road… unless you fail to make the turn”

Till next time, happy painting and sculpting to you.

Love Marie xxx

Why not come and have a look at Marie Jonsson-Harrison’s PAINTINGS FOR SALE, GICLEE PRINTS FOR SALE and SCULPTURES for sale or WALLBASED SCULPTURES.  Enjoy an original artwork on your walls or perhaps one on your bed ARTnBED.

I have always loved travelling; I think the bug bit me even before I was born.  My grandmother ran away to sea at 15 and then she met my grandfather Anton and they both ran away with the circus.  Here are the art blog about that 20. Antonis Tivoli &  21. Life in a Circus Tent.   My father joined the merchant navy as a young man whilst my mother did a stint working in England as a young woman.  Born and bred in Sweden we did our fair share of travelling before we immigrated to Australia too.  I have then crossed the globe many times both for work as a model and artist and on family holidays.

THE ART OF PERSUASION

However this time when we had our European holiday all mapped out I did not want to go – and neither did hubby, go figure!  Our kids actually talked us into it, you know the old chestnuts “you only live once, and you will forever regret the things you didn’t do” etc.  And yes they were so right, who would have thought? LOL.  The kids took us to the airport; I think mainly to make sure we were on that 30 hour flight to Sweden!

30 hours I hear you say, yep when you use the frequent flyer points that’s what you get, lots of take offs and landings all around the world.  Luckily we soon got in the groove, I had yummy Indian vego meals booked and we saw some great movies and docos and just chilled.  We even thought of joining the Mile High club, lol, but decided the space was too cramped, ha ha.

UNION ART

When we got to London we wisely decided to forgo the waiting at the airport option and got a bus to Windsor Castle instead.   These painting details are from my artwork London 2012 that is also available as a Giclee print with Union Art .

LONDON2012  ARTWORK & MEETING THE QUEEN

Windsor was lots of fun, I had not been there before and we saw the changing of the guard which was quite spectacular and then poked about up and down the alley ways.  The queue to the actual castle was a bit long for our liking and the queen wasn’t even in residence that day so we gave that a miss.  I mean we would have made the effort if she was making us tea and cucumber sandwiches! (If I had checked the painting above I would have known she was really still stuck in a traffic jam).

Then back to the airport with all the rigmarole of check ins and security and the like.  I must look really suss as I always gets pulled aside for the extra screenings, not sure if they think I am a terrorist or a drug smuggler or whether they just want to fiddle with my stuff,  lol.

ART & THE OLYMPICS

Also if you would like to read about how the London2012 painting came about have a look at this art blog 147 Art and the Olympics.

We finally arrived in Sweden a little worse for wear (a spruce up in the airport loos just don’t cut it does it?) luckily we were met by my wonderful cousin Leif and his family who overlooks this fact.  Leif is one of those truly beautiful souls, gentle and kind and caring man in a 6 feet 4 body, a gentle giant.

So here is a quote I like about nice guys by an unknown author.

“It is not true that nice guys finish last. Nice guys are winners before the game even starts.”

Till next time happy painting and sculpting to all of you or just enjoy the view!

Love Marie xxx

Why not come and have a look at Marie Jonsson-Harrison’s PAINTINGS FOR SALE, GICLEE PRINTS FOR SALE and SCULPTURES for sale or WALLBASED SCULPTURES.  Enjoy an original artwork on your walls or perhaps one on your bed ARTnBED.

I am back!!  Finally home again after a cruise on the Pacific Jewel to New Caledonia and Vanuatu.  I do apologize for the break in my normal ART blogging and social media routine and thank you for the lovely messages whilst I have been away.

THE ART OF TAKING A CRUISE

This was the first time ever on a cruise ship so a very new experience for the Harrison family.  We had planned the holiday for a while as it was part of a 21^st surprise present for our daughter Hillivi, and she was mightily surprised on the night.

There were 6 of us on this adventure, my hubby and I, daughter Hillivi and her partner Brett as well as our son Kai and his partner Samantha.  We all caught an early flight to Sydney and as there is a train under the airport that according to hubby goes straight to where the cruise liner is docked we jumped onboard.  Hubby is usually pretty good at organizing us however I was having some doubts when he told us to get off at Circular Quay and go to number 5 Warf.   We cracked up laughing at Warf 5 standing next to the ferry to Manly as hubby said:”Here we are now where is the ship? The Manly ferry is rather puny in relation to the size of a cruise liner!!

ACRYLIC ON BOARD PAINTING

This acrylic on board painting is of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the original artwork sold many moons ago in Japan, however there are Giclee prints available here UnionArt .

Luckily we had plenty of time up our sleeve and instead of searching for a taxi that would accommodate 6 we decided to walk, not such a trick these days when suitcases have wheels.  We must have looked a sight as we made our way through the winding roads of The Rocks towards the ships real dock, although the short cut downs some very steep stairs was probably pushing things a bit!

THE ART OF THE VIEW

Finally the ship came into view and it was huge, the by now sweaty six were very pleased to get the ship formalities over with and get onboard and find our cabins.  For the cruise ship novices among you out there (like us) let me give you a tip – book a cabin with a window.  We hadn’t this time and although the cabin was roomy enough and very nice otherwise it made me lose track of night and day and feel a bit couped up.

Next it was time for a “look about” and familiarize ourselves with the layout of the ship, 14 decks in all with lots of bars, restaurants and shops and spa and fitness club.

Then we enjoyed a lovely lunch and drinks before cast off when the entertainers got into full swing and put on a great show as we sailed under the Sydney Harbor Bridge taking in all the sights of Sydney Harbor and wondering what our adventure would bring.

Here is some good advice by Susan Heller that I should have listened to, lol;

“When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money.  Then take half the clothes and twice the money”

Till next time happy painting and sculpting to you all,

Love Marie xxx  (c)

Why not come and have a look at Marie Jonsson-Harrison’s PAINTINGS FOR SALE, GICLEE PRINTS FOR SALE and SCULPTURES for sale or WALLBASED SCULPTURES.  Enjoy an original artwork on your walls or perhaps one on your bed ARTnBED.

So it’s the week of Easter and this year my Easter surprise was that my website crashed for 4 days!!  Apologies are in order to those of you who tried to unsuccessfully access it, nice to know that it was due to a lot of traffic, so thank you.

EASTER AND ANIMATION

Anyway the story this week is of course about Easter and this will be our third one here by the sea, time flies when you are having fun.  The animated painting is of course a scene from my background as a Swede and the Swedish Easter painting is animated and set to music by my friend Susan Flashman.  I can sense the confusion on your faces as to what witches has to do with Easter so here is the story about that.

COMMISSIONED PAINTINGS

We Swedes are weird, you know in a nice way, and it wasn’t until we immigrated to Australia that I realized that fact.     I was originally commissioned to paint a Easter painting by my American gallery a few years ago.  The owner like me is Swedish and I had free reign to paint whatever I choose as long as it was to do with Easter.

Notice something strange about it, what’s with all the witches on broomsticks I hear you say?  Well that’s perfectly normal – no little cute bunnies for us Swedes, no we have witches flying around and flying off to Blakulla (the Blue Mountain) to meet the man downstairs, you know who I mean!  I think the animation and the naive painting really suits Halloween too.

THE ART OF EASTER

When I was little in Sweden we would dress up as Easter witches, raid mums or grandma’s wardrobe for long skirts.  We wore colorful head scarves and painted our cheeks red, and then we would go from house to house in our neighborhood and knock on every door and be given lollies and sometimes fruit.  Much like the Americans do for Halloween.

PAINTING BOILED EGGS

We would also spend a day painting boiled eggs which would later be eaten during the Easter celebration together with a smorgasbord feast.  We would go and pick small branches and twigs of willow and birch (the ones with lots of soft little fury buds, so cute!) and then we would decorate it with feathers and small witches on broomsticks and other decorations much like a little Christmas tree.  Every Swedish household would have a vase of these on the table.

ORIGINAL PAINTING

The original painting was framed with the Easter eggs on the side.  Yes we would receive an Easter egg too but not one made from chocolate, instead it was made from cardboard with bright pictures on it or from plastic and usually filled to the brim with lollies and chocolates.

But of course mine was a bit different, always being the eccentric (oh yes I do admit that).  So what do you think mine was filled with, something really yummy, that I could not usually eat as much of as I would like of course….a jar of peanut butter that’s what.  Weird kid, weird Swedish kid!

This quote by Matt Lauer made me laugh today:

“Researchers have discovered that chocolate produces some of the same reactions in the brain as marijuana. The researchers also discovered other similarities between the two but can’t remember what they are.”

Hope you are enjoying your chocolates!

Till next time happy painting and sculpting to you all!

Love Marie xxx

If you enjoyed this one you may also like another art blog on  Swedish customs 113 Art & Swedish Traditions, Another weird one

Why not come and have a look at Marie Jonsson-Harrison’s PAINTINGS FOR SALE, GICLEE PRINTS FOR SALE and SCULPTURES for sale or WALLBASED SCULPTURES.  Enjoy an original artwork on your walls or perhaps one on your bed ARTnBED.

Ever since my late teens I have done some form of exercise every day.  Usually an hour’s worth come hail, rain or shine; the only exception would by New Years Day when my head hurts too much!  Although I am one of these people that need to sit around and sip coffee, have a piece of toast and just veg out first thing in the morning with the Good Morning Television shows, before I get cracking as the artwork below shows.

Always admire the people like my husband who can get straight up and get stuck into chores whilst I sit zombie like for at least an hour.  I think if I didn’t have the exercise routine going I would still be sitting on the couch still at 3 o’clock in the afternoon!

THE ART OF AEROBICS

Anyway for most of my life it’s been aerobics that’s been my thing, in front of the telly, hopping skipping, side stepping and the like, clunking on the floorboards and driving everyone crazy as I won’t stop whilst anyone talks to me or when one of the kids shoes goes missing and we have to search or if the school excursion paper needs signing etc.

Goes without saying then that I have painted a lot of aerobic and sport paintings over the years and here is a acrylic on board one called “I must, I must improve my bust”.

These days of course the kids sort themselves out but now the 2 dogs want all the attention instead.  The minute I go down on the floor for a spot of stomach crunches they are right there ready for a cuddle and pat, climbing all over me, just like the kids did when they were little.

THE ART OF MIXING IT UP

I used to also attend aerobic lessons as well as kickboxing for a while, water aerobic, step classes, yoga and go to the gym but always seem to find it easier to just do it myself first thing in the morning and then have the rest of the day in the studio.

At the farm I would also try to do some running, although I could never get to the runners euphoric state they all talk about – getting past the pain barrier and just going for it.  It just always seemed boring and a hard slog to me, it was better to get on my treadmill and run in front of the TV without having to fight the elements which included hundreds of flies on the farm, lol.  Not a good look when they hang on for dear life and try to climb into your nose, ears and eyes at the same time.  Probably less of a good look if you actually spotted me with an old onion bag on my head!!  A real model look that one!  Here we buy onions in bulk; in a big red bag made of netting and ingenious moi, decided that was just the trick to keep the flies off.  Hubby thought it also worked very well also as a “passion killer”, lol!

THE ART OF WALKING

These days I walk everyday and my husband has joined in this endeavor (if injury allows) as we live in a very hilly area it is actually much harder than it sounds.  We have about 5 different routes that we alternate depending on weather and how we feel.  Very lucky to live by the sea so the choices are a plenty – beach walks, cliff walks, boardwalks, local parks some complete with dams and bird life and also along the streets looking at gardens and houses.

So you get the drift – I am quite fit, apart from a sore arm and neck.    The local Doctor thought I should go and see the physio, well I have been complaining about my neck and right arm for years, my painting arm!

Anyway trotted off to see the physio and was totally gobsmacked in the end – as she said I had absolutely no muscles whatsoever in my back, really my whole upper body strength was really weak!

How can someone exercise all their life, every day and be a total weakling at the end of it!

I may as well have been sitting on the couch eating chips for the last decade.

Here is a quote I think fits well here by Marsha Doble,

“I have to exercise in the morning before my brain figures out what I’m doing”.

Till next time happy painting and sculpting and exercising  to you all,

Love Marie xxx

If you enjoyed this health and art blog you may also be amused at my attempts at meditation; 97 Meditation are you serious & Art

Why not come and have a look at Marie Jonsson-Harrison’s PAINTINGS FOR SALE, GICLEE PRINTS FOR SALE and SCULPTURES for sale or WALLBASED SCULPTURES.  Enjoy an original artwork on your walls or perhaps one on your bed ARTnBED.

As promised here is a bit more about The Centenary of Federation Gateway sculpture, this time I want to tell you about the wonderful community spirit that helped to make this project possible.

You may want to recap to Stories of the Wall, to see main structure of this sculpture, although images of the sculptured fence are yet to come, in another  art blog.

CERAMIC AND MOSAIC

This ceramic and mosaic artwork depict of some of the individuals, schools and service clubs they represent, on parade and without them this project would never have been possible at all.   Because there were so many individuals who selflessly spent hours and hours helping on this project I cannot mention each one individually but you all know who you are – and I Thank you so very much.

ARTISTIC VOLUNTEERS

There literally were groups all over the district doing their bit towards the project, all the way from school children who interviewed the old folk in the age care facilities and homes.   Schools, child care,  kindies, church groups and others who got together to mosaic the farm animals on the fences (that lead out from the sculptured wall) to a regular bunch of arts and craft enthusiasts that regularly met at my studio to mosaic the background to my ceramic images.  We got a lot of work done all the while chatting and laughing and drinking cups of coffee together, a nice little interlude for me a normally solitary artist to have some company.

PAINTING ON CERAMIC TILES

Not to mention the team of dedicated individuals that poured and fired the tiles that made up the “veranda’ area in front of the sculpture and also ran workshops where the towns people could paint their own stories on individual tiles.  Yes nearly everyone in the local district was involved in this project from the tiniest babies who had their hands and feet imprinted on the tiles to the CEO of the Wakefield Council Phil Barry who so enthusiastically supported it.

I must say that I was very saddened indeed to hear that Phil just recently lost his fight against a brain tumour, something that shocked the whole town.  Phil Barry truly was a wonderful and caring man not only to his own family and friends but to the whole town.  Rest in peace Phil, we will always remember you.

COMMUNITY ART

That community spirit is something that I miss now that I live in the “big smoke” again, everyone are always ready to lend a hand.  There were so many times I was surprised at the generosity of the country people, just imagine the surprise a bunch of us got when the lady living opposite the sculpture (who also worked as a full time primary school teacher, mind you) suddenly appeared with afternoon tea and freshly baked scones, lashings of cream and jam for all the workers.

Dale Gathercole the project co-ordinator whose book “Stories behind the wall” which was published to coincide with the opening of the sculpture said; “ In 2001, the International Year of the Volunteer, to each and every one of you who has selflessly served, a sincere Thank you.”

So here is another quote about volunteering by Elizabeth Andrew that I think fits in perfectly here;

“Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart.

Till next time happy painting and sculpting and volunteering to you all,

Love Marie xxxx

If you enjoyed this Public Art blog you may also enjoy this one;  77 Book stack water feature Sculpture

Why not come and have a look at Marie Jonsson-Harrison’s PAINTINGS FOR SALE, GICLEE PRINTS FOR SALE and SCULPTURES for sale or WALLBASED SCULPTURES.  Enjoy an original artwork on your walls or perhaps one on your bed ARTnBED.

As Beyonce sang “If you liked it, then you should have put a ring on it” and we are all familiar with the lyrics from Single Ladies, Shayne a new friend of ours was plotting to propose to his long time lover and girlfriend Samantha.  They were childhood sweethearts and although “life” had temporarily got in the way they found their way back to each other and had been raising their blended family of 4 children for the last 10 years with all the trials and tribulations that entails.  This artwork below was painted for good friends of ours a farmer boy who married a city girl who was into exercise and worked in a nightclub.

Back to the story and their friends would from time to time ask when they were getting married, but all was sweet and they were happy – so why tamper with perfection?

Well as time moved on Shayne decided that he better make an honest woman out of her, the problem was they run a small business together and most days are spent side by side, so there is little time for surprises.

THE ART OF BUYING A RING

Firstly there was the problem of buying the ring.  He knew just what she liked but she was also the one doing the books of the business and “miss eagle eye” was always butting her nose in when he took a cash job!  Diamonds are a girl’s best friend right? So pretty tricky to siphon of enough cash without making the little missus suspicious, Shayne had to use all the excuses in the world as to what he was doing with the extra money.

“D-Day” (proposal day) was looming closer and by this stage Samantha was thinking he was acting really odd, so for him to get the restaurant booked and flowers ordered he needed help and enlisted Samantha’s best friend into the secret.

All was set – ring bought, restaurant booked, flowers ordered, babysitter organized.   So at the end of a long hard day at the business Shayne out of the blue suggests that they should go out to dinner.

Samantha does not think so… she is tired after slaving away all day, then came home and sorted 4 kids home work and various dramas no doubt, then started their dinner and just wants to flop by the telly, as you do!  Shayne won’t be put off and insists that they should have a date night, so Samantha reluctantly agrees, makes a minimum amount of effort to get ready as she grumbles about having to go out.

PAINTING THE TOWN RED

So off they drive in the car, then Shayne suggests a little drink is in order and pulls into the bottle shop drive-though and Samantha is thinking this is so out of character, I mean really can’t he wait 15 minutes till they get to the restaurant ? What’s wrong with him?

Anyway they get to their favorite restaurant and the staff looks at them blankly when they say the name;  “No sir, there is no booking in that name”.   The waiters are running around in a flap, then the manager appears and gives Shayne a big wink and a nod to the huge arrangements of roses on the counter “Well of course we have your table all ready for you, Sir.  Shayne is mortified as the game is nearly given away but luckily Samantha is taken with the celebrity pictures on the wall and misses all the goings on.

CHAMPAGNE AND ART

A bottle of champagne is ordered as soon as they sit down and Shayne hops into it by this time he is perspiring profusely and skulls a couple down, Sam is feeling a bit cross and says that “I suppose I WILL have to DRIVE home now”.

THE ART OF THE FLOWER

Also normally they would order an entree each and no dessert but this night as Shayne has arranged for the flowers and ring to come out with the dessert he is insistent that they have that too.  Sam tells him he is being queer but if he insists she will reluctantly go along with it.  She has been looking forward to the scallops for entree but as they now have to share one entree she reluctantly settles for Shaynes choice of oysters.  However after all the fuss about sharing entree Shayne can only manage a couple of oysters in between all the glasses of champagne.  He leaves the rest for a fuming partner, who now obviously will also have to drive them both home and more than likely also tuck him into bed, the way things are going!

GETTING THE RIGHT LIGHT

But wait there is more that is bothering Shayne…. there just happens to be a light shining brightly from the ceiling exactly above their table spoiling the romantic mood.  So Shayne is plotting how to turn that off and finally enlists a waiter to climb up on a chair and take the globe down.  Meanwhile he is having another champagne and Samantha is thinking he has really lost the plot – when finally dessert appears with the beautiful roses and a gorgeous diamond ring.  She cries and says YES and he utters a big sigh in relief, all is forgiven and they live happily ever after!

If you enjoyed this love and art blog you may also enjoy this one; 75 Story about Pooh & Art with not such a good ending, lol.

So here is a quote by Rita Rudner, that I think fits pretty well here;

“It’s so great to find that one special person you want to annoy for the rest of your life.”

Till next time happy painting and sculpting and loving to you all.

Love Marie xxx   (c)

Why not come and have a look at Marie Jonsson-Harrison’s PAINTINGS FOR SALE, GICLEE PRINTS FOR SALE and SCULPTURES for sale or WALLBASED SCULPTURES.  Enjoy an original artwork on your walls or perhaps one on your bed ARTnBED.

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