Raven's Perch

Troy's Bushfire

2006-05-31T20:00:00.000-07:00

This is a painting that I created for my son.

Deborah's Painting

2006-05-31T19:53:00.000-07:00

This is a painting that I have done for my sister-in-law. I hope she likes it.

Buddha update

2006-05-31T19:35:00.000-07:00

This photo shows the latest update of the Buddha. I have now defined the frangipani's, just have to paint his face now.

Buddha 14/05/06

2006-05-14T01:43:00.000-07:00

Buddha 13/05/06

2006-05-14T01:39:00.000-07:00

Buddha in progress 12/05/06

2006-05-14T01:35:00.000-07:00

Painting - Spiral God & Goddess

2006-05-14T01:28:00.000-07:00

I have been painting for nearly 2 months and I am still really enjoing it. I have slowed down my output and am now spending more time making sure that they are just right. Below are my Spiral God and Goddess. They are 3 dimensional, created from texture paste.

Exploring Creativity & Mediums

2006-04-15T22:31:00.000-07:00

Heather asked me to write a piece on creating with a different medium. I didn’t really think about painting as a different or new medium, until Heather asked. I just viewed it as a new experience and exploration of art and creativity. Sure, I have used paint before, generally I just slapped it onto the paper to create backgrounds for my artwork and in my journals.

I have always wanted to take art classes, but was never really encouraged to do so. I tried to take classes once before but I wasn’t happy with the teacher, we just didn’t hit it off and that put me off taking any more classes. This tutor is different, in the first two classes she showed us the basic techniques that we needed to work with acrylics, washes (watered down acrylics) and dry brushing (brushing acrylic straight onto the canvas without water). Then we were encouraged to just play. She told us that it was not about the finished product, rather the process.

Imagine my surprise when in my first painting I could ‘see’ trees in a bush scene. I was so happy with my first attempt that I wanted to keep going. I’m one of those people who need immediate gratification, if I hadn’t got it I might have given up before I had even started. The comments from my family and online friends were encouraging, so I have kept going.

Since that first painting I have been to four classes and painted several paintings. I bought myself a desktop easel, a variety of brushes, paints and canvases, which allowed me to continue my exploration. That is what I consider to be most important – exploration.

I am a creative person, for a long time my creativity was stifled. It was stifled by a lack of encouragement, a lack of self belief; and it was stifled by a cocktail of drugs meant to improve a mood disorder. What I found was that I needed to be creative, in whatever form that took, whether it was writing or art. It was a tonic that helped me through the darkest times.

A part of being creative is exploring and taking risks. It’s fine to keep creating in your usual style or medium, if that is what works for you. But what have you learnt? Sure, we are learning all the time, but it is through trying new experiences, mediums and techniques; and making mistakes that we grow creatively. So, do yourself a favour, take a class or try a new medium and explore your creativity.
© Megan Warren - April 2006

My First Painting

2006-03-21T05:58:00.000-08:00

16" x 20" Acrylic on canvas

I have always wanted to do an art class. So last week I rang up and signed up to do 2 weekly introductory classes. Last week I started two canvases and tonight I set about finishing them. One of the canvases was still wet, so I will finish it next week. Yes I'm going back and I will sign up for the 5 week group of classes.

Inspire me Thursdays prompt for this week was Think BIG - this is relevant to these paintings, they are the largest medium that I have ever worked on. I was talking to the instructor about what I might start work on next week. Her suggestion was to work on a big scale. So when I go to buy a new canvas I'm going to think BIG!

Another Lino Block Print - Raven

2006-03-12T05:46:00.000-08:00

I enjoyed making the triskele so much that I thought I would have another go. For this one I chose the Raven. Unfortunately I didn't have any black ink to print it.

Illustration Friday - Tattoo

2006-03-12T02:31:00.000-08:00

While looking at the Inspire Me Thursday site I came across Illustration Friday http://www.illustrationfriday.com/ Each week they give a prompt and each artist illustrates that theme. This weeks theme was Tattoo.

I have been wanting to try lino block cutting for some time - I had the lino and the tools - so this was the perfect opportunity to give it ago. The celtic spiral or triskele I thought would be perfect for this.

the lino block

the print

Inspire me Thursday - Senseless Art

2006-03-10T07:27:00.000-08:00

Mixed Media Collage Postcard - Wings

This weeks challenge from Inspire Me Thursday - to create art without using the senses.

Hear - I didn't listen to my inner critic while creating.

See - I didn't look at the bigger picture or what my piece might turn out like.

Smell - No smelly fumes on this one.

Feel - I have wanted to create a quirky piece with added wings etc. this challenge gave me the freedom to try.

Taste - No time for eating or drinking this was a quick creation.

Inspire me Thursday - Creating with the 5 Senses

2006-03-10T07:15:00.000-08:00

Carol shared a link with me for inspiremethursday.blogspot.com - a site that offers a new art inspiration and project each Thursday. Last weeks challenge was to create a piece of art using the 5 senses.

Wheat - Mixed Media Collage

See - All the materials that I had collected to create my collage, different textures, colours and, mediums.

Hear - Ken playing Powderfinger songs on Guitar.

Feel - the wax paint on my fingertips as I spread it over the wood. The texture of the wood, paper and wheat.

Taste - A glass of cool seet lemon cordial.

Smell - the strong smell of Impasto gel - it had a strong odour of peroxide, well at least that's what it smelt like.

I was pleased with the result of this project and I will be sure to pursue other projects and inspiration from this site.

My Artwork Photo Albums

2006-02-18T20:23:00.000-08:00

I have set up a Picture Trail Album to display my artwork.
I will still post some here, but they are all being stored at Picture Trail.
http://www.picturetrail.com/megken

Digital Mandalas

2006-02-18T07:18:00.000-08:00

Over the past couple of days I have been playing with photoshop and creating digital mandalas, it was frustrating at first learning the steps, but now I have the hang of these basic steps I am enjoying the process. Here are my first few Mandalas:

the end

2006-01-31T19:40:00.000-08:00

For those that have gone before me.
Kavyn Brian Warren

31/01/2002

This gluebook was created using the prompt: last end final.

Gluebook - prompt C

2006-01-20T04:55:00.000-08:00

Gluebook - If the Shoe Fits

2006-01-20T04:48:00.000-08:00

Glue Book - For Heather

2006-01-18T00:29:00.000-08:00

Different - Glue Book Page

2006-01-17T23:16:00.000-08:00

Glue Books

2006-01-17T06:12:00.000-08:00

Lip Service

Geisha

Inspired by Lisa Vollrath's Glue Books http://www.lisavollrath.com/pages/95 - I have begun my own glue book. I am intending to do at least one page a day. These are collages made from newspapers, magazines, flyers and junk mail.

sprouts - Day 14

2006-01-17T04:15:00.000-08:00

The Minstrel

2006-01-14T07:55:00.000-08:00

The Minstrel

As I wandered
through the wood
I heard a tune
and I tried to discern
from where it came.

I looked all about
but naught
could I see
I listened to the tree
as it offered advice.

Stop looking to the clouds
and thinking aloud
there is much to be seen
if only you lean
closer to the trees.

I sat down at the
base of the tree
and listened to the song
so sweet and so strong
as it echoed through the wood.

I opened my eyes
it was then that I spied
the minstrel singing
his song
amongst the flowers and leaves.

© Megan Warren 15/01/2006

Navy Duty

2006-01-13T03:32:00.000-08:00

portrait in pink - for Winnie

2006-01-12T23:20:00.000-08:00

Egypt - for Dad

2006-01-12T22:11:00.000-08:00

Madonna

2006-01-12T19:29:00.000-08:00

Moon Dance

2006-01-12T00:06:00.000-08:00

unlock your mind - collage

2006-01-11T17:24:00.000-08:00

Butterfly Magic - collage

2006-01-11T17:19:00.000-08:00

Journey the open road - collage

2006-01-11T15:04:00.000-08:00

Metamorphosis

2006-01-11T02:57:00.000-08:00

Metamorphosis

Look to the moon
As she waxes and wanes
Hers is a constant
State of flux
Let her be your guide
As you embark
On your transformation
Break free
From your silk spun
Cocoon that confines you
Spread your wings
Under the moonlight
Bask in her glow
Embrace your creativity
And complete the
Metamorphosis.

© Megan Warren 11 January 2006

Fallen tree

2006-01-10T19:31:00.000-08:00

Fallen tree
cleaves the air
chasm left
in its wake
empty space
where once
life lived
rubble detritus
all that’s left
clear blue
skyline
forever
altered

© Megan Warren 11 January 2006

Woman at the Crossroads

2006-01-10T15:07:00.000-08:00

No one is sure who she is but, despite the wind's concern, she is coming.

Woman at the Crossroads

Follow the way
the wind blows
like a feather
weightlessly buoyant.

Follow your heart
its desire
pulling heartstrings
like a lovers
gentle caress.

Follow your creativity
wherever
it may take you
like a journeying
traveler.

Follow the path
at the crossroads
that which you must
only you
will know.

© Megan Warren 11 January 2006

Birdhouse Raven - Applique

2006-01-09T06:53:00.000-08:00

Sprouts - Day 6

2006-01-09T06:49:00.000-08:00

Offering to the Moon - Collaged Playing Card

2006-01-09T01:43:00.000-08:00

Night Sky

2006-01-09T01:14:00.000-08:00

Night Sky

It was the darkest night
Standing in the middle
Of nowhere
Not a trace of light

Twinkle, twinkle, little star
How I wonder what you are!
Up above the world so high
Like a diamond in the sky
Twinkle, twinkle, little star
How I wonder what you are!

As I looked up
Towards the sky
A twinkling
Caught my eye

When the blazing sun is gone
When he nothing shines upon
Then you show your little light
Twinkle, twinkle, all the night
Twinkle, twinkle, little star
How I wonder what you are!

There above me
In the sky
A canopy of diamonds
In the sky

Then the traveler in the dark
Thanks you for your tiny spark
He could not see which way to go.
If you did not twinkle so
Twinkle, twinkle, little star
How I wonder what you are!

I turned on the spot
Looked all around
In awe of what I had found
A display of nature’s uncompromised beauty
The stars in the night sky

Twinkle, twinkle, little star
How I wonder what you are!
Up above the world so high
Like a diamond in the sky
Twinkle, twinkle, little star
How I wonder what you are!

Celtic Monastery

2006-01-08T04:32:00.000-08:00

I found this monastery in my travels,
it is a paper model of a Celtic Monastery.
http://www.iol.ie/~mjtie/cuspa1005.htm
It has a place on my desk, for future travels.

Baptism

2006-01-08T04:28:00.000-08:00

As I approached the tree
She was waiting for me
Scrubbing brush in hand
A tub of suds
At her feet.
I’ve been waiting
She said
I knew you’d come
To the Tree.
First you must wash
Away all the debris
A baptism of sorts
To wash away
Your demons and doubts
To purge your thoughts
Cleanse your mind
And your soul
As you emerge
From your cathartic
Rebirth
Ready to begin
A-new.

© Megan Warren 8/01/06

Always Been Creative

2006-01-08T04:26:00.000-08:00

I sat and thought about games I used to play as a child. Nothing came readily to mind. I couldn’t think of a single one. You see I was an only child for the first 6 years of my life and my parent’s friends didn’t have young children. My father was in an Irish folk band – The Quarefella’s – and I was taken along to all the gigs. I had the usual assortment of dolls and stuffed toys, my favourite being monkeys.

But as I sat and thought, I knew that there had to be something that occupied my time. It was then that I remembered the scrapbooks. My mother bought me scrapbooks, scissors glue and project packs. They had pretty pictures to cut and paste. I even had paper dolls to dress in pretty paper dresses.

My parents owned a unit in the city. I remember when tenants moved out my mother would go in and clean it before tenants moved in. She took me along, armed with my scrapbook supplies, to keep me occupied for hours at a time.

So it seems I have always been creative – my mother even nurtured that creativity – although there have been lapses over time, after my mother read my diary in my teens I didn’t keep a diary or a journal again until I was in my 20’s, now I keep them regularly and have many volumes.

Sprouts - Day 4

2006-01-07T03:46:00.000-08:00

I have been watering and checking my planters everyday since the seeds were planted. The seed packet guided me to expect germination between 5-21 days. Imagine my surprise yesterday when I found the first few tiny sprouts poking through the soil only 3 days after they were planted. This morning I checked and there were yet more sprouts.

Barren Land – Golden Seed Grove

2006-01-05T21:00:00.000-08:00

Barren Land – Golden Seed Grove
Straight road
dividing the
now dry
salt lake
a field
of white
barren
‘cept for
salt bush.

Grey weathered
trees
long past
their prime
stripped of
any life
reach out
from mother
earth
like the
bony fingers
of the crone
reaching out
seeking sustenance
for her
barren land.

© Megan Warren 04/01/2006

Planting Seeds

2006-01-05T17:15:00.000-08:00

While we were still on holidays I found the Enid Blyton Classics on sale at Kmart. I had to have them. I rang aound nearly all the stores in Perth before I found them, in Kardinya. I went for the drive to collect them – I got the complete set of picture books for less than $40. While I was there I checked out the seed selection. I purchased a Summer Time Mix.

When I got home I took my purchases inside, dropping them on the table before heading out to the shed for potting mix and a pot. Not content to plant a single seed, I scattered the whole packet in a small planter and three small terracotta pots. Now to just wait and see. I photographed the pots to document the progress of the seeds, before returning inside to reacquaint myself with The Faraway Tree.

3/01/06

Seed Packet

2006-01-05T17:13:00.000-08:00

I don’t like making New Year’s Resolutions. If you don’t make them, then they can’t be broken. I do however like Heather’s idea of planting seeds. I have a mixed packet of seeds that I want to plant.
Time: for all the facets of my life, family, work, writing and creating.
Hope: one can never be too hopeful!
Dreams: from where creativity and writing stems.
Creativity: to try new things, to further expand my horizons.
Love: for my husband, children, family and for what I do.
Enjoyment: otherwise what is the point?

1/01/06