This is the first of what I hope will be many posts on art, creativity, kids and the little art studio I’m building up from scratch called Arty Steps.
As Arty Steps is the result of a long process of learning, trial and error, that has involved key people throughout the years. I would like to dedicate this post to thank each of them and if I forget someone, please remind me and forgive me.
I really didn’t mean to ignore your input in this project.
Lets start with a friend who began doing the “Artists Way” with me (My third attempt) and got me back in touch with my creative self and became as Anne of Green Gables would say a ”kindred spirit”. Cathy Wilson thank you for your friendship and free coaching, thanks to you and your gentle and loving support that got my creative self back on track.
To Laura Stekovic for thinking of me and allowing me to have that first foot on the door in Artspace in Big Fat Smile and to Jennine Primmer for saying yes.
Nayana Iliffe for letting me be part of your kids art studio called “To The Moon Art” and spark the little entrepreneur inside of me.
To the Volunteer Guides at the MCA who allowed me to get back in touch with the adult art world and got me back into researching and learning more. I want to thank you all for all the knowledge you shared with me, for the friendships built and the love of guiding and engaging with people that you taught me.
A special thanks to Joan Dale for being my mentor, Judie Embrey and Jill L'Estrange for always being so generous with their notes and filling in when I was unwell. To Sue Heaney, Jane Barnes, Philomena and Wendy Russel thank you for the great chats, lifts, support and friendship.
To Francess Godsworth for teaching me so much about aboriginal art.
To my Photo ladies, Cat you where my very first friend in a new place and so generously showed me the Sydney that I long for. Maria, Patricia and Julie for always keeping it interesting and make me want to sharpen my eye even more. Anastasia Meier you also fall on the Photo group and on the most loyal and disciplined friends category. Thank you for all of the interesting chats at the OC and creating an unbreakable bond.
Mel, for confirming that Canadians are the salt of the Earth. Your joyful and loving approach to life have always been a breath of fresh air. For taking my most loyal student every week. Arjun thank you for your kind nature, your honesty and amazing creativity. Never a dull moment in class with you. Rahim thank you for always having an opened home for us.
To the propeller in my life, my not so little any more Francisca. You surprise me every time and make me want to be the best I can be. For your gentle love, wonderful ideas and endless cuddles thank you. They are all the energy I need to keep going.
Shirley and Raymond, for being the home that became the ritual, the place where it was al familiar.
Sandra Akamine, thank you for all the care you took of our little one all those Saturdays, that allowed us to get ahead in our early Aussie days.
Layle for being the support that allowed me to get an extra day of work and taking my little one to swim once a week. For trusting me to send your kids to art lessons with me.
Volunteers I met along the way and showed me the importance of sharing our time to get great things going.
To the land of plenty for challenging me and showing me how strong and capable I could be. For taking me out of my comfort zone and showing me that I was stronger, braver and more capable than I thought. For providing a paradise where we lived happily for 10 years. For teaching me the value of people, culture and the kindness of strangers as I hadn’t known before.
To all of those who’ve believed in me and see in me things that I sometimes cannot, the potential… Thank you! Your trust, friendship, honesty and loyalty are what I value most in life.
To mum for showing me how resilient, strong and gentle at the same time a woman can be. For always supporting me in my odd ways, thank you for planting in me the thought that everything is possible.
Dad, for showing me that unconditional love. For the love of books and our “fabulous” sense of humor and showing me the importance of discipline. For always believing.
To my little brothers, you are the mirror I want to see myself in. You are the example of the goals I want to achieve. For that generosity and support in the mist of it all I can never thank you enough.
Nata and Lala for being the sisters that my brothers chose for me. For being my confidents, friends and for giving me the most beautiful gift, your offspring.
Jorge, Marissa and Emilia. Shirley and Raymond, Japanse gang, Emiko, Tina, Rieko, Atzuko, Akiko, Ale, Pepe, Gaby, the Feller’s, Gus, Ana la Mexicana, Zita, Lazlo, Ivett, Peter, Christina, Juliette, Haddie, Leigh, Scarlet, Lili, Alicia, Angela Clark, Carolina Hughes, everyone at the MCA Sydney.
Here in Colombia this wouldn’t have been possible without the support of my family and my Cerds y the girls from the stars. To Kalapa a new found family and all of my creative friends. Each of them gave me strength and believed in my dream.
Lucky last to my life partner who’s been with me through thick and thin, who’s supported my dreams, knows me and loves me no matter what, Thank you!!
This is all because of you!
As Arty Steps is the result of a long process of learning, trial and error, that has involved key people throughout the years. I would like to dedicate this post to thank each of them and if I forget someone, please remind me and forgive me.
I really didn’t mean to ignore your input in this project.
Lets start with a friend who began doing the “Artists Way” with me (My third attempt) and got me back in touch with my creative self and became as Anne of Green Gables would say a ”kindred spirit”. Cathy Wilson thank you for your friendship and free coaching, thanks to you and your gentle and loving support that got my creative self back on track.
To Laura Stekovic for thinking of me and allowing me to have that first foot on the door in Artspace in Big Fat Smile and to Jennine Primmer for saying yes.
Nayana Iliffe for letting me be part of your kids art studio called “To The Moon Art” and spark the little entrepreneur inside of me.
To the Volunteer Guides at the MCA who allowed me to get back in touch with the adult art world and got me back into researching and learning more. I want to thank you all for all the knowledge you shared with me, for the friendships built and the love of guiding and engaging with people that you taught me.
A special thanks to Joan Dale for being my mentor, Judie Embrey and Jill L'Estrange for always being so generous with their notes and filling in when I was unwell. To Sue Heaney, Jane Barnes, Philomena and Wendy Russel thank you for the great chats, lifts, support and friendship.
To Francess Godsworth for teaching me so much about aboriginal art.
To my Photo ladies, Cat you where my very first friend in a new place and so generously showed me the Sydney that I long for. Maria, Patricia and Julie for always keeping it interesting and make me want to sharpen my eye even more. Anastasia Meier you also fall on the Photo group and on the most loyal and disciplined friends category. Thank you for all of the interesting chats at the OC and creating an unbreakable bond.
Mel, for confirming that Canadians are the salt of the Earth. Your joyful and loving approach to life have always been a breath of fresh air. For taking my most loyal student every week. Arjun thank you for your kind nature, your honesty and amazing creativity. Never a dull moment in class with you. Rahim thank you for always having an opened home for us.
To the propeller in my life, my not so little any more Francisca. You surprise me every time and make me want to be the best I can be. For your gentle love, wonderful ideas and endless cuddles thank you. They are all the energy I need to keep going.
Shirley and Raymond, for being the home that became the ritual, the place where it was al familiar.
Sandra Akamine, thank you for all the care you took of our little one all those Saturdays, that allowed us to get ahead in our early Aussie days.
Layle for being the support that allowed me to get an extra day of work and taking my little one to swim once a week. For trusting me to send your kids to art lessons with me.
Volunteers I met along the way and showed me the importance of sharing our time to get great things going.
To the land of plenty for challenging me and showing me how strong and capable I could be. For taking me out of my comfort zone and showing me that I was stronger, braver and more capable than I thought. For providing a paradise where we lived happily for 10 years. For teaching me the value of people, culture and the kindness of strangers as I hadn’t known before.
To all of those who’ve believed in me and see in me things that I sometimes cannot, the potential… Thank you! Your trust, friendship, honesty and loyalty are what I value most in life.
To mum for showing me how resilient, strong and gentle at the same time a woman can be. For always supporting me in my odd ways, thank you for planting in me the thought that everything is possible.
Dad, for showing me that unconditional love. For the love of books and our “fabulous” sense of humor and showing me the importance of discipline. For always believing.
To my little brothers, you are the mirror I want to see myself in. You are the example of the goals I want to achieve. For that generosity and support in the mist of it all I can never thank you enough.
Nata and Lala for being the sisters that my brothers chose for me. For being my confidents, friends and for giving me the most beautiful gift, your offspring.
Jorge, Marissa and Emilia. Shirley and Raymond, Japanse gang, Emiko, Tina, Rieko, Atzuko, Akiko, Ale, Pepe, Gaby, the Feller’s, Gus, Ana la Mexicana, Zita, Lazlo, Ivett, Peter, Christina, Juliette, Haddie, Leigh, Scarlet, Lili, Alicia, Angela Clark, Carolina Hughes, everyone at the MCA Sydney.
Here in Colombia this wouldn’t have been possible without the support of my family and my Cerds y the girls from the stars. To Kalapa a new found family and all of my creative friends. Each of them gave me strength and believed in my dream.
Lucky last to my life partner who’s been with me through thick and thin, who’s supported my dreams, knows me and loves me no matter what, Thank you!!
This is all because of you!