Mosaic Madness

Still hard at it. But I am inlove with this work. It is gonna be HUGE!

Where have you been?

I have been hiding my head in a cave, climbing mountains and traversing rivers. Where have you been?

No really...that's just day dreaming, I haven't actually been doing any of those things, but what I have been doing is very exciting. I have returned to an old love and have been mosaicing my fingers off. I am mosaicing in my sleep. Seriously! My hands just keep going even when I'm not. I am dreaming about mosaics. In fact I had a strange woman try to give me tiles in my dream the other night. Scary!

The real reason for my absence is that I currently have a large commission for an exciting new residential development here in Melbourne's northen suburbs called PROVIDENCE. Land is on sale at the moment and I don't want to spoil the surprise of the finished products just yet. So it is still all a little hush, hush, but I can provide you with a couple of photo's of work in progress. There will mosaics at the front entrance of the estate and scattered throughout the central park. over 28m2 in all. Hence the need for mosaicing in my sleep. That is a lot of mosaic for one person.

A section of the front entrance mosaic in progress
4.6m x 0.8 m



Some of the fantastic colours being used



Some paving inlays in progress



More paving inlays in progress



My messy studio in action, not a lot of room for painting right now.

Typically after a long time away from writing it is hard to know what to say. The longer you are away the harder it is. So if anyone has some tips for me on how to overcome the writers block please leave me a comment or let me know via email.

I will be posting updates on the exciting PROVIDENCE mosaics as I create them (installation of the front entrance is only 2 weeks away).

Davia

I'm POPEYE The Sailor Man

WHO ARE YOU?

When I was young there was a popular cartoon on TV called Popeye. Olive oil and Brutus were his side kicks. I hated Brutus for his smarmy ways and thought Olive was a complete twat and totally pathetic with her "HELP, HELP, SAVE ME, SAVE ME " routine. Nope Popeye was the man for me, even his rough edges, silly waddle and his stupid little hat did nothing to deter me from the fact that this man was a force to be reckoned with. A man who could pack a punch!

And when he needed that extra special little bit of strength he would pull out one of his seemingly endless cans of SPINACH and out would pop amazing mussels and super human strength would ooze from his pores.

Yes I totally identify with Popeye, the uncouth and totally politically incorrect icon of healthy eating.


Is it a coincidence that my very own body is currently storing more than double the iron that it requires to function. (see post FEB FASTING here for more on this) 

Yep you better believe it, when it comes time for fight or flight I am ready. I am well stocked with mussel building, power inducing, body hardening shit kicking iron.

It is amazing just how ready I am for this FIGHT. So come on who's up for it?
SERIOUSLY? What am I saying? Idiot!

Of course that battle is totally internal, and I don't want to fight anyone. I really love others, it's just that pathetic Olive Oil I also associate with that I want to smash.

NOW..... BATMAN......
Of course I really want to be Batman (who wouldn't) with all that cash and unlimited resources, a really cool car and gadgets not to mention the svelt bod and a cape. I wear all black, drive like I'm on the formula one circuit and treat my friends and family like they are side kicks.

BUT...
Sometimes I am just silly old Inspector Gadget. I say "GO, GO Gadget skates" and a hammer pops out of my hat and whacks me over the head.

Go Figure!?!

Which TV character made an impact on you when you were little without you even realising? Think hard and let me know.

Davia
p.s. I always thought I might be wonder woman. :)

Image courtesy of http://www.myfreewallpapers.com/

What will the planet look like when we have finished destroying it?

On The Canvas This Week

1200mm x 1500mm
 Original painting by Davia McMillan © 2011



Long after the bombs have dropped

and the people moved away

The flowers will bloom again

and Mother Nature will have her say.

Poem by Davia McMillan

© 2011

Blank canvas

When I bought this canvas I was totally inspired by a photo that my Grandfather took during the Second World War. He was in the air force and his job was to take aerial photo's which where then used to make maps for the purpose of bombing. Below is a scan of the original photo. I believe it was taken in (31st ?) May 1942.

This is what the German city of Cologne looked like once 1000 RAF bomber planes had spent a little under 2 hrs bombing it. My other grandfather was a Lancaster pilot during this period and it is highly (although not confirmed) that he was also present for this event. He spoke very little about this period of his life, he chose rather to focus on the fact that it was the period in which he met and fell in love with my grandmother, the love of his life, until his dying day.

When painting my picture I thought long and hard about the way in which we approach our life here on earth.

We build great city's and we knock them down, we develop races and cultures and then we tear them/eachother apart in one way shape or form. We think that ultimately we are invincible and can survive anything.

We think this earth is ours to rule and control.

But we are really a small part of the history of this planet and nothing more that a transitory life form. Evolution so far suggests that earth will survive far beyond us, or that we may at some stage evolve into yet another species?  

This gives me hope. Maybe barring the possibility of us bombing the world to bits, there remains a future for our planet after all. Mother Nature wins in the end, how good would that be?

We think the world belongs to US.

Consider this..... 

We belong to the earth.

Detail Cologne Cathedral Painting
Davia McMillan ©2011

How does this question change the way we treat eachother and our planet?

Does it change anything at all?

If you are interested in more graphic detail of this horrific time in history here is a link to Dierk's page which has an amazing collection of similar photo's to the one my grandfather took.

Hope you like the painting :)

Davia

GRANDMA ALWAYS SAID..........

My Grandmother always said: "If you can't say anything good , don't say anything at all!"


Hence, I have been quiet for a month!

Sometimes life builds up to a point where you think that you just might crack, physically, emotionally and worst of all verbally.

The weight of the world sits firmly on your shoulders and it feels like an almost impossible task to shift it. I got to the point where everything that I wanted to say (but didn't) sounded like a complaint, judgement or just plain rude. So I have kept my mouth shut.

'But holding things in is no good for you' I hear you say. 'You need to let it out, clear the air, build a bridge, get over it, etc, etc.'

And this is true, you do need to deal with it, although telling people to 'sod off' probably won't do it.

Unburden yourself.
Did anyone actually ask you to solve all their problems? Or carry the weight of their grief? To be all things to all people? It is not only incredibly exhausting, IT JUST ISN'T POSSIBLE.

My guess would be NO....., no-one asked you to be all these things. In fact you may even be selling them short in thinking that they can't find the answer themselves. And when we really think about it, that is just plain insulting ! Isn't it? Chances are you put all these expectations on yourself. AM I RIGHT? I know I sure have loaded myself up good and proper. I am a mother, that's what mothers all over the world do!

So why do we do overload ourselves time and time again?
Maybe we like to be needed? It feels good to be helpful. It makes us feel better about ourselves.... in the short term at least.
But it certainly doesn't lead to life balance, and we more often than not end up frustrated and overwhelmed. Instead of that lovely Yin and Yang in our lives we have waves of emotion and conflicting forces at work, which tire us out and knot our mussels and give us headaches. Sometimes it has us snapping at our children and growling at our partners and in my case muttering choice words under my breath.



Where is the relief?
Well today I had a massage... and that's a good start......., but not the answer.

However my massage therapist did remind me of something I know but was forgetting. Thanks Kath.

The answer lies somewhere in acceptance, compassion and forgiveness. You really can't change people, or prevent them from making mistakes in their life, you can't save them or protect them. They will make mistakes, and then they will probably make them again and again..... and again. As will you.  It is human nature. This is what we do and how we learn, grow and evolve. People are people, and just as a dog barks because that what dogs do, people will do what people do. We are not perfect. We are who we are.

There is wonderful freedom to be found when you give yourself a little acceptance, compassion and forgiveness.

Davia

28 days to a SLIMMER FIGURE

I'm not selling anything, no secret formula, 
I'm just tellin' ya........


No....... the answer is not to eat plenty of grapes - although come to think of it that might help,
I have heard stranger things



Here's a quick update for those who are following my progress during the Alcohol free month.

You know what to do, But you don't do it!

It has now been 23 AFD's in a row. And it's not hard, like I thought it would be. In fact it has been EASY PEASY! I was just very attached to my routine that is all. But a new routine has quickly become possible.

I feared that dreaded word.... shh....dare I mention it?....alcoholism! There I said it. Did anybody hear me say it? Is it possible that someone like me could be such a thing as an alcoholic? What classifies as alcoholic anyway? Is it as simple as someone who drinks everyday or is it more to do with being able to say NO? Is it someone for whom alcohol is a "PROBLEM" ?

I speak to so many mothers just like me.
Just an ordinary person, I don't even like to get drunk anymore, that was something I did when I was reckless and carefree (and younger). Now I am a mother of 3, with serious obligations, it takes a special occasion for me to get pissed. Does this sound like anyone you know?

Alcohol certainly didn't seem to be a "problem" for me. I was fine! Still am! except for some unusual blood test results.

The thing is... there is always a special occasion.
You can find a special occasion everyday if you want to.

• You had a good day.
• You had a bad day.
• You are excited. 
• You are tired
• You have no friends.
• You are with too many friends yay.... LETS PARTe'!!!
• It was so hot and sunny and now you are all sticky.
• It rained all day.
• Your hair is crap.
• You got the job
• you didn't get the job
• blah, blah, blah.............. you get my drift. 

So being told to quit was quite possibly the best thing that could have happened to me.

Enforced sobriety has proved to be a good thing.
Thanks to the stern warnings of my doctor, I have now embarked on an alcohol free month. I was fearful that I would not be able to do it. It had become such an ingrained part of my life. Cooking dinner was the signal that the WORK day was over and I could put it behind me for the evening. I would then enjoy a little sip or two with dinner and another on the couch whilst watching TV just to make sure my mind was totally turned off.

Does any of this sound familiar?

The added benefit is : No moreTrouble getting to sleep
I have always been the sort of person who has trouble falling asleep. Normally after several drinks I can stay up reading till at least midnight most nights. I tend to fall asleep with the light still on and a book on my face, much to the annoyance of The MC. Don't know why he puts up with me really. Must be my cooking. But since quitting I am sleeping better than ever and actually wanting to go to bed earlier. Which is great because I so much more energy the next day.

The best part - WEIGHT LOSS
I have been the same weight for years and haven't been able to shift it. Despite eating a healthy diet (granted I could exercise a bit more, grrr.... hate it , hate it) I just stay the same. Doesn't really matter what I eat. However the thing that really seems to make the difference is quitting the booze. Ha ha....go figure! It's not a lot, but it definately SOME....... Ok it's a couple of Kgs.
I FEEL GREAT!

Thanks also go to my friends at Mishfit who have given up for the cause and completed FEBFAST. Lucky buggers sipping away on their Chardy and Merlot right now, while I still have a week to go before my next blood test which will tell me if I can ever partake of a drop again. :(      
bottoms up 
Well done guys. Cheers

Davia

MAKING PELVIC FLOOR SEXY

• Sex drive missing in action? 
• Scared to do everyday things like squatting, bending, coughing, LAUGHING?
• Feeling Fat and uncomfortable?
• Just not happy with your body in general?

Then I know the woman for you!

Introducing: Mish of MISHFIT

For several years I have keenly observed the development of Mish (Michelle Wright of MISHFIT) as a personal trainer and small business owner. I am intrigued by what drives her to be a top trainer and such a successful business woman.

Where does she find the strength to pursue a business in an industry that is often portrayed as elite and somehow inaccessible to the average woman?
How does what she offers differ from your average gym or personal trainer?

All about pelvic floor
Mish finds her strength in her passionate for women’s health and fitness and could probably talk about it for hours, but if you really want to get her fired up you will ask her about pelvic floor. Words like incontinent and better sex are the tip of the iceberg. Pelvic floor is about confidence and connection with our whole bodies. Who doesn’t want that? Right?

Last week I talked to Mish and asked her what makes her so passionate about her business and what drives her to continue to pump out fantastic results for women. I discovered that Mish is not just passionate about her business but most importantly her customers. Mish is passionate about changing the lives of women and helping them to build confidence in their own bodies. When you work with Mish, either in a private training session or though her Mishfit Mothers group training, there is a dedicated focus on achieving very personal results.

Mish told me that she often gets fired up when talking to journalists about the importance of strengthening our pelvic floor, “however they never print it.” She says. “For instance my clients can stop having to worry about wetting themselves when they do simple tasks. My philosophy is about educating women and making people aware of the issues and enabling them to talk about it. It is not scary or disgusting, it is just not sexy.” If anyone can make it SEXY Mish can! Her approach is sensitive and liberating. She uses a unique holistic approach and works closely with other health professionals to assure each individuals needs are met.

Getting to know your ANTS and PETS
Now before you think I have lost my mind and gone way off topic, have a little think about what stops you from achieving your prefect body. Mish believes its ANTS. I think she is onto something big.

ANTs (Automatic Negative Thoughts) are there all the time. They are the thoughts that prevent us from reaching our goals. By getting to know them and recognising them instantly we are better placed to override them with PETS.

PETs (Performance Enhancing Thoughts) are often hard to come by, especially when we are confronted with things like exercise, excuses and ANTs. Mish can help you to develop PETs and understand how and when to use them. I don’t know of any other personal trainer who tackles fitness this way. It’s amazing and inspirational.

Sounds great, doesn’t it?
Want to exercise?
Can’t find the time?
What do I do the Kids/toddlers/ baby?
SOUNDS EXPENSIVE?
It's all too hard.......

There is a program to suit you!

I expected it to be way too expensive, this much care and attention to my needs couldn’t possibly come within an affordable range, then lumping childcare on top of that. Impossible! 
But MISHFIT MOTHERS just might be the answer to your fitness dreams.

MISHFIT MOTHERS is an exercise solution for pregnant and postnatal women (it doesn't matter how post natal  and it could be pre natal too). It is affordable and works in a small group format. Amazingly you can even take your children into the class; there are toys and an understanding bunch of people, who know just how difficult working around a small child can be.

  

For more information on how to achieve your personal fitness dreams visit. http://www.mishfit.com.au/ or Contact Mish on 1300 647 4348

You can also check out the MISHFIT blog http://mishfit.com.au/blog/
Stay tuned for another post coming soon and also inspired by Mish, where I talk more about building a business around your family and achieving life, work and body balance. We discuss; what it takes to be successful in small business as MISHFIT enters the world of FRANCHISE.

MISHFIT franchises are now available in Victoria (to start with) - can you imagine a MISHFIT happening near you?

Till next time
Davia x