An Artists Hands; kind of a skincare post

The 2014 Blogger Challenge topic 2 is all about skincare. Now....this being an art blog and me being the 'not really into fashion, makeup and skincare girl' that I am, I was kind of at a bit of a loss as to how to approach this one. So I decided to talk about skincare from an artists' perspective.

For many many years there was a stereotype about the 'crazy artist'. So many great artists would pretty much go mad after a while, and while it could be attributed to just the normal artistic chaos swirling around the internal head structures (aka the brains) of those wonderfully creative types it probably has other reasons as well. Take for example the toxic chemicals, pigments and minerals that used to (and on occasion probably still do) make up a lot of artistic materials. Lead and mercury are two that instantly spring to mind but there are others as well.

And artists being artists, well....let's just say I'm not the only one who has ever ditched the paintbrush in favour of my hands. So over time nasty stuff leaches into your skin and for a while this definitely had the effect of sending us artist types a little loopy. Now of course we know better and most of the really bad stuff is no longer in paint. But there's still stuff that plays havoc with your hands and call me a bit girly on this one, but I absolutely hate the feeling of dried out hands!

The obvious answer is probably to wear gloves, like the food preparation type to both protect your hands from any horrible chemicals and to stop them feeling so dried out. But I'll be absolutely honest here and say I'm so so so bad at this. I at least try to use gloves when I'm smooshing ink and paint into a canvas, but I don't always. Sometimes it's just necessary to pour on some paint and get your hands really dirty!

There is something just so organic about it, I can't quite explain it but it makes me happy.

So.....what do I do to make my hands feel normal again? A good soap is on the list:

I haven't used this, but it's on my list to buy! I have used this brands' brush cleaner and it's amazing. I've even used it on my hands, so when I saw this I decided I just had to have it. 

 

Next up is a good moisturiser:

 

 

I don't use anything fancy. I either use Vaseline dry skin moisturiser, or Johnsons Baby lotion. Yes...baby lotion. I love this stuff. It smells so good!  And it's so soft, and it's pink. And that's it.

 

So that's my take on skincare from an artist perspective. I hope it provided you with some amusement and was a little informative as well. 

 

 

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2014 Blogger Challenge: New Years' Quote To Inspire

As you know I joined a blogging challenge group that now has over 400 participants! We will all be writing about the same subject over a period of a few days and it's going to be great to read all the posts!

Our first topic was to post a quote that inspires you, and that you hope will inspire others for the New Year.

The quote I have chosen is one that's very close to my heart. For the most part I've always been proud of being unique and it's something that I want to instill in my children. We don't all have to be the same. The world would be a very boring place if we were all essentially clones of each other!

This quote was on Pinterest, however there was no link to the original source.

We are all different and that should be applauded, not maligned. This New Year, make it a goal to be yourself. To do and be what makes you happy and makes you you, regardless of societal expectations of what you 'should' be.  Take a step outside yourself and see the world through different eyes; see that it's not just okay to be unique, it's desirable. Our worldwide uniqueness is what makes the human race special. We as humans can be so terrible to each other, let's make 2014 the year we celebrate our differences and marvel at the gorgeousness of the world when we break off a little from the crowd.

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Best Sellers List 2014: A Book You Must Read

Best Sellers List 2014; A Book You Must Read!

*****EDIT*****
I am including this post as part of the 2014 Blogger Challenge because there is no other book I could recommend more! :) This is post 3, Book Review.

********************************************************************************


Todays' post is kind of special to me. It's about a different kind of art. Not the visual art kind, but art of the literary type. I want to tell you about a book you just have to read. Honestly, this story will change your life. Well...it will make you feel a big range of emotions and that's pretty great for a book. Nothing like reading something that makes you cry and laugh and makes you want to turn the next page just to see what happens next. You know the kind of story I mean... one that you just can't put down, you just have to keep reading no matter how late it is and how tired you are because you just want to see where it goes. This is that kind of story.

The title of the book is A Long Way To Goulacullin and it's a true story. Not based on a true story, but an actual for reals 100% honest true tale. I know this because I know the author. He is an amazing person who I respect, admire and love. The author is my Father and in this book he tells the story of his life. I could go on for days quite literally about the story, but I'll let his words tell you what it's all about instead.

'The seasons of my life have passed by so quickly, and now as I reach the autumn of my life, I reflect on what has been and what might have been.
I have been lucky and am somewhat surprised that I have made it this far on my journey of life. Now I look back and remember, on these pages, those that I knew and those whose lives were never fulfilled.
I am only one of a quarter of a million people who were brought up in the child welfare system in the 1950s and ’60s in Australia, and who are now referred to as the Forgotten Australians.

This is my story and the recollections of the years that are called by some ‘the good old days’!'

I have read this book and I promise you it will make you cry, make you smile, make you laugh and make you shake your head and wonder how someone ever survived this childhood, let alone became the man he is today. I promise you that this is a book you will cherish on your bookshelf forever. It is amazingly well written, heartwarming and emotional; everything you want in a great book.

That's my Dad there on the front cover with his trusty Ted, who ordinarily resides with me but is on a little vacation with his original owner at present. They both look somewhat older now but the years have certainly not faded their personalities!

If you like to read on iPads or other e-readers, then you can purchase the e-book for a tiny little $3.99. Best 4 bucks you'll ever spend. I guarantee it! Click right HERE to go to the site to buy it.

If like me, you prefer to turn an actual page and have the physical paper-ness of it, sitting all pretty on your bookshelf, then it will cost you a little more (but will be totally worth it!). Click just HERE to buy your very own copy!

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2014 Blogger Challenge!

I came across this challenge the other day and thought it sounded like such a great idea that I decided to sign myself up!

Gaby from Another Girly Blog is hosting the challenge and sign ups close on Dec. 9th which is also when she will send out the first topic. Oh wait....I didn't tell you what the challenge is so that line means nothing yet!

Ok, the challenge is actually pretty simple; it's just blogging! Twice a month you'll get a new topic emailed to you and you need to write a post on that topic. That's it. The idea being that it extends your usual writing to include things you might not think about blogging about. My own personal addition to the challenge will be to see how I can relate those different topics in an arty way. To see if I can find something from the very wide art arena to contribute!

 

 

 

To get involved, all you need to do is email Gaby with your blog URL, your email and name. Do it before December 9th. There's already over 300 challenge participants! Too easy!


Tomorrow I'm going to start my Featured Artists Series, and once a week I'll look at the work of an artist I admire. The work shown will of course be amazing! I'm excited for it!

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