Have you ever had a dream, a dream to do something you only think others get to do. If you need to be inspired to chase a dream them please read on.
For those of you who don't know the story of our PASSION for DIY chalk paint, then put the jug on, sit down, relax and imagine... in colour.
I love painting 'THINGS' and I have collected lots of things to up cycle and  paint but the best thing about it is that my husband Peter loves it as well and he has also been collecting things to rejuvenate with paint. That was going to be his  hobby when he retired which he had planned for the end of this year. Unfortunately things don't always go to plan and his job finished at the end of last year so retirement came a year early and we had to go to plan B. There wasn't really a plan B and  retirement wasn't going to give us the holidays we had hoped for so it was time to unload and upcycle some of the furniture and stuff we had collected from our storage units and try to turn some of them into extra cash. We had been using a homemade chalk paint recipe for the past few years which worked really well, we still wanted the no sanding, no priming elements of the homemade chalk paint but without the mixing of paint and powder. we needed the convenience of just opening a lid to a creamy dreamy paint.  We decided to stock another NZ brand of chalk finish paint but after  a series of events or as it happened non events we turned against that idea.  Now this is where the wheels started turning and they turned really quickly. I was taken aback at first when Peter said "why don't we just make our own", I imagined he meant we should "make" paint in our garage, but as it happened he meant, why don't we take our recipe to a paint manufacturer and get them to make it for us,  what a relief that was. The thing is, it only took a few phone calls to the right people, a bit of too ing and fro ing, I was amazed how easy it was and how quickly it happened. In less than five weeks we had our paint on the shelf.
 I have always had a passion for paint, I don't know why, I just love paint. I love mixing paint, I love the challenge of colour matching paint and mixing new colours,  I love getting paint under my nails, on my clothes and in my hair, It just seems so natural for me to be working with paint and that is where the name came from, PASSION for DIY chalk paint.  The moral of this story is, if you have a dream, persue it and make it happen, for us, our dream was only a phone call away.

Wow it's been a while,over a year by the looks. Obviously I have been around just not around here. I just remembered how hard it is for me to continually find the words to write about my journey with Verdigris even though I live it every day. I love sharing my story, my art and my life with others but I find it difficult to sit down and write it down but on the verbal side I can spit out the words for as long as anyone will listen. I am very passionate about what i do, I spend every day in my Happy Place (my studio)  but I think I need a good fairy to take on the writing and updating the website, doing the facebook  or just don't like doing  so i can continue to do the cool fun stuff, that would be bliss.

Sometimes you come across people in your life who inspire you, people who you admire, and people who enable you to do the things you have only dreamed about doing. Sometimes it turns out that you are that person in someone elses life, the inspirer and the enabler, the one who is looked up to and depended on, the one who can make a difference. That  can be a little exciting and  sometimes a bit scary but whatever way you look at it, it is quite an honour. Over the past 15 months that Verdigris has been open I have met hundreds of new people from many different walks of life, they have come into my studio for various reasons, some come and go, many return and even more continue to come again and again and I have learned to accept that what I offer here at Verdigris is something that is appreciated and needed. Those who venture in may come for many reasons, some personal, some social and some therapeutic and I am here, not to try and work out this reason but to enable the inner creative in everyone who walks through the door and allow them to explore and experience the power of creativity. What I do here is not for everyone but it may just be enough to light a spark that will lead them to seek something that is right for them and that is my ultimate reward. 

Aprils inspiring word is "Try". Give it a go! Try everything you can, make the most of every opportunity, try different things and you will experience new adventures.
If you never try, you will never know what you are capable of.         John Barrow

Only 25 days late but I still need to share it.
My chosen word this month was " Think" . Think outside the square, think positive, don't overthink.
"Whether you think you can or you think you can't -- you're right" - Henry Ford

 

My inspirational word this month is TRUST.
Put Trust in your own creative desire,trust that your creative journey is taking you where you want it to. Trust your ability to ignore criticism and judgement and allow yourself to create from the heart. TRUST is a very powerful word and can have an amazing positive impact especially when used in regard with oneself. 
When I talk about creativity I don't necessarily mean Art. Creativity comes under many different guises and whatever your passion, pastime job or lifestyle is there will be some kind of creativity going on so have a think about it and see if you can put a finger on all of the creative aspects of your life. You will be amazed with what you come up with then Trust that they are relevant and worthwhile, this will allow you to step out onto the path of your creative journey. 

I am loving it, my home made chalk paint, its magic. This week I started on making some things for my self, a little bit of Repurposing of some old bits 
  We are now putting some workshop time put aside for 'Repurposing' which will include small furniture make overs. This is where you can bring along small items of furniture or other articles and give them a new lease on life. I thought Thursday afternoons and Thursday evenings as well as the odd Sunday at this stage so if you are interested to join us please let me know. I have had a blast this week, it's a
bit addictive but a lot of fun and very rewarding..

We  are well on our way into the new year and if you think I am a bit behind in getting started with  our birthday celebration,the organisation of new projects,updating workshop schedules and pretty much everything else then you would be right. I havent quite been able to shake the holiday feeling yet but in all honesty I really have been busy working on all of those things you have been waiting patiently for but as you all know,things always take more time than you expect. With my first workshop for the year completed I am almost 100% ready to go. The interest and readiness of people wanting to get started on the workshops already is really encouraging and there will be lots of new and exciting things to keep them busy.
I am hoping to be more active on facebook as well this year and encourage more interaction and participation from our likers. There will be some more challenges so get ready to join in and have a go.
This year is going to be all about inspiration and motivation so be prepared fto be inspired. As an artist one would think that inspiration would come  easy but believe me, the way my brain works I get over inspired  and come to a stand still so to help me along, this year each month I am going to  choose one word that will help inspire and motivate me and hopefully you as well. This month I have chosen 'BELIEVE'

"Believe you can and your Half way there

This will get me started on the year and be my motivation to challenge myself, to believe in myself and to accept that creating that comes from the heart is magic.