November 22, 2005

Self Portrait Tuesday: Identity

There I was, sitting on the floor with my daughter enjoying a smoothie, when I looked down at the packaging.

Innocent.

How completely opposite Emily and I are in this respect. Of course maybe we would like to think we somehow retain a fragment of innocence when we get older, but I fear this is only a vague hope. We are all guilty of something. That may be as small and insignificant as, not washing out a can to be put in the recycling and instead lazily throwing it in the rubbish bin (hmm yes I did that the other day). Or it may be something deep within ourselves.

This is what makes our children so pure. No-one other than them can have this quality and it is what keeps them smiling and laughing and oblivious to the world as it really is. As it will be for them too someday. We can only protect them for so long.

This has been an impromptu and thought provoking SPT. Its funny how doing something so routine as drinking can lead onto other thoughts

Posted by Maxine at 06:07 PM | Comments (1)

Narnia Mural: Almost There!

It has certainly been a labour of love this project and after months of work we are finally nearing a close. Of course we always knew it had to be finished before the release of the film as it is part of the CS Lewis Festival here in freezing cold Belfast!

There are just of a couple of things to finish, including the wardrobe - which can't be seen in this picture. This is the most I can get into a frame at one time. When it is completely finished I will try my best to get an overall shot.

Just so you know we will also be producing Christmas cards based on the mural which will be for sale in the next couple of weeks.

Posted by Maxine at 03:15 PM | Comments (0)

November 15, 2005

Self Portrait Tuesday: Identity

I haven't posted an SPT in a while so I thought I would make the effort today. This months theme of 'exploration of identity' is an interesting one. I could approach this in so many ways, especially as I think I am currently having an identity crisis, never knowing what to wear and disliking everything in my wardrobe. This happens to us all from time to time.

But this week I am so totally overwhelmed by Emily. The cuteness, the naughtiness, the incessant chatter and repeating of things over and over, the story telling and new sayings she comes out with. The list goes on. I also have a love of all things stripey. If everyone was made to wear stripey socks the world would be a happier place, I am sure of it.

Posted by Maxine at 10:31 AM | Comments (1)

November 10, 2005

Creative Overload

I realised today that this year has probably been the most creative I have been in a long time. There has always been something in the past, like uni, working as a graphic designer, freelancing when Emily was born, plus a whole load of other crafty projects. But that seems like nothing compared to how I am feeling at the moment. Or maybe I have less time on my hands (or mental capacity) and so it seems like there is a lot going on. I have to say that Emily does totally drain me at the moment, I mean she is great, but come her bedtime all I feel like doing is flaking out in front of the TV. All motivation seems to go out the window. Probably why this blog seems to have taken a non-visual stance - I will definitely get myself on track and put more images up soon.

As far as current projects go the Mural is coming along really well. We should have it finished before the release of the film and we will be having a grand opening. The BBC were filming it today for a news item and we had all the kids painting and being interviewed. It is also being included as part of the C.S.Lewis festival tour. So fingers crossed all of this publicity will work to our advantage. It has been a lot of work (probably about 50 hours so far) but I have to say I will really miss it when it is finished. Its been rewarding both creatively and therapeutically meeting in the evenings to work on it.

Next on the list is a Christmas crafts with the mother and baby groups, which should be fun. And an evening of craft for adults the first week in December. I still have to work out what these crafty days will be producing but I am working on that one. Then I also want to make sure I get all of my own Christmas cards done - this year I am working on linoprinting them.

I think I need to:
1. Manage my time more effectively
2. Always be working on something, even when watching TV.
3. Make definitive lists of all the things I want to achieve
4. Get out for drinks and empty my brain of useless fluff
5. Write more lists
6. Sleep

Posted by Maxine at 07:30 PM | Comments (0)