Good morning fair blog readers. 

Yesterday I went on a little adventure and so, good blogger that I am. I shall now regale you with the tale. 

It was a freezing cold morning in Melbourne town, the temperature had dipped below zero, and yet, when my alarm went off, I gladly threw back the covers and readied myself for an outing. 

What force could draw me from my cosy, cosy bed, out into the frosty morning light? 

A meet-up! I was off to meet some of the people I’d done an online course with precisely one year ago. 

You won’t be shocked to hear that the course was facilitated by author, blogger, maker, doer and be-er (may not be an actual word) of all things crafty and ace, Pip Lincolne.  This course was called Inspiration Information and it was a month long adventure into unlocking your creativity. 

We created collages, we painted, we used pastels and pencils, we read books and watched documentaries and discovered old crochet projects. We created little studios on our dining room tables or in the living room. We talked about loads of creative people, from Patti Smith to Sister Mary Corita. 

It really was inspiring and informative, every single time I logged in to the course, I was encouraged to try something new, and to disregard my inner critic’s sly words about things being childlike or wrong or not very good. Creativity is good, in and of itself. That’s what sticks with me. 

We chose the NGV for our meeting place, which turned out to be absolutely perfect. Where better for a group of people who met exploring creativity, than the National Gallery of Victoria? 

Tables were snagged, hugs were exchanged and we spent a couple of hours getting to know each other, face to face. Deanna organised the day, and she, Carolyn, Emily, Karen and I had a ball. 

We talked about creativity, about books, about Pip (the general consensus being, we are PRO-PIP!), we talked about our families, kids, parents and parenting. 

We talked about literary speed dating (who knew that was a thing?) and making space for creative pursuits. 

We talked about drawing and dealing with cranky people, the tyranny of housework and being consumed by the mundane. I believe I uttered this decree: “Fuck skirting boards!”. 

We talked about how creativity is part of our everyday lives. 

The BEST part of the morning was how easy it was. We already knew each other from the online classroom and our Facebook group, but it was wonderful to translate that to chatting over coffees and chai teas. 

As we sat chatting, I looked around at the interesting, diversely experienced women I was with, and thought about how enriched I am by the time I spend tap-tap-tapping on Facebook or here on the blog. To sign up to an online course about creativity may seem strange, but I think the old adage is true – you get out what you put in. 

I am certain that each of us would say that Inspiration Information gave us amazing gifts. I wish I’d asked everyone that question now. Oh, why don’t I? Hey, if you read this girls, tell us what II meant to you in the comments please. 

As we hugged and planned our next catch up, I decided to explore the gallery, as I hadn’t visited for a few years. 

It was WONDERFUL. 

If you’re in Victoria, or visiting, you must come. There’s so much inspiration and beauty, and diversity in the NGV collection. 

Here are some of the works that caught my eye. 

 

 

I lingered for a while in this space, it really is something to sit in front of a wall if works painted hundreds of years ago. 

Oh, these ladies are exquisite. 

This Turner stopped me in my tracks, I actually turned around and came back to it… so, so beautiful. The photo does it very little justice. So much happening in the colours and brush strokes.   

This was painted in 1845. Yesterday, 170 years later, it caught my eye as I passed it and drew me in.  

That’s nothing sort of incredible.  

The moral of the story here… create, you never know where it might lead you, or who will be drawn in by it 170 years from now. 

Oh, and make friends on the web, it’s great! 

Cheers, 

Annette x