Share Your World – 21st June, 2017

I am running a bit behind, been a very busy week, but here are my responses to Cee’s Share Your World questions for this week;

What is something that people are obsessed with but you just don’t get the point of? Pokemon Go, although I think it has more or less died out now, hasn’t it? I just could not understand the point. Also those Fidget Spinner things, no idea? Maybe I am getting too old? lol

What quirky things do people do where you are from? Are you kidding? I’m Australian, everything we do is QUIRKY!

What are some things you wish you could unlearn? Holding a Grudge! I am very good at it, wish I could unlearn that sometimes. But everything in live you learn takes you from one point to another, if there was something removed from that equation, you may end up somewhere entirely different from where you are now.

Who is someone that you miss having in your life? I try not to dwell on my past, if people are no longer in my life (for whatever reason), I have made peace with that. My youngest daughter is shortly about to move interstate, I know I will miss seeing her everyday.

Optional Bonus question:  What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up? 

Pixel Sisters Studio being launched by myself and Desley Jane, that is very exciting we had out launch last weekend and set up our first workshop. We are about to announce our second workshop, this week.

I also ran a very successful and booked Still Life workshop in my home Studio last weekend, lots of fun.

I am working with another new model this weekend, someone entirely new and completely different from ANYTHING I have done up until now. Well that’s about it for now, I will leave you with some yummy cupcakes from Saurday’s workshop…

~ Julz

Share Your World – 13th June, 2017

It has been a huge weekend on so many levels, so I will try and keep this brief today, but I didn’t want to miss Cee’s Share Your World. I feel like I am juggling a lot lately and it is only going to get busier…but more on that later

What do you do when you’re not working? If you are retired, what do you that is not part of your regular daytime routine? I do have a 9-5 job, but when I am not there I am working, either shooting, creating, Still Life or product photography in the Studio, working on new concepts, doing more training (whether pulling apart a fabulous piece of art to see how it’s done, YouTube videos etc), or creating art. I rarely stop, but when I do it will be to spend time with family and friends, or to travel. Occasionally, just occasionally I might veg on the couch with a book or a movie.

What would you do if you won the lottery? Quit my 9-5 and do all of the above full time, really ramp it up 😛

What makes you laugh the most? So many things, I laugh all the time, usually at myself

What is your biggest pet peeve with modern technology? When it doesn’t work………seriously do not get me started on this, that and people on their phones while trying to order coffee, food etc……….so rude.

Optional Bonus question:  What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up?

I’m grateful I survived the weekend, I am still tired, but excited with so many possibilities. There has been so much going on behind the scenes, that I still can’t tell you yet, but soon, very soon. I spent a wonderful day with Desley on Saturday with two wonderful models;  Jess and Mel. Introducing Desley to my world of Studio Concept shoots………oh dear I think I have her hooked……..seriously we had such fun, just wait til you see her pics too; gorgeous!

Saturday night I spent with friends in an abandoned warehouse for some more Light Painting action, then up again Sunday for another Photo Shoot. Monday I spent all day working on images and collaborating on new endeavours, can’t wait.

This week, wow I have so much editing to do, more planning for upcoming projects, as well as another Workshop on Saturday to arrange and then run…see? I never stop 🙂

Well that’s it from me, til next time have a great week…

~ Julz

 

Share your World – 6th June, 2017

Cee’s Share Your world for this week

What’s your strongest sense?

I guess it has to be sight, although I wear glasses, especially on the computer. My hearing is not so good, my tastebuds are my own worst enemy (love food and tastebuds are functioning perfectly 😛 ). My sense of touch is still fine, possibly more than fine…..such fine details in most of my work, although I am finding my fingers ache these days…perhaps a touch of arthritis? My Sixth sense is not as strong as it was…..either that or I don’t worry as much about things these days. I change what I can and the rest I just have to deal with.

Which of Snow White’s 7 dwarfs describes you best? (Doc, Happy, Bashful, Sleepy, Sneezy, Grumpy, Dopey) Happy, but Bashful? I am generally a happy person, but shy around people or situations I am not familiar.

If you could be one age for the rest of your life, what age would that be? I guess I would have to say now, I love my current life, I wish I have the body of a 20 year old with what I know now, but I never had the wisdom to enjoy it back then. I thought I was, but the party girl did not know what she was missing out on!

List of Jobs You Think You Might Enjoy: Even if you aren’t thinking about a career change, it can be fun to think of other jobs you might enjoy.  [Remember:  This is SYW where even your dreams can become reality.] Archaeologist, think Indiana Jones! An explorer, even though I really am a big scaredy cat most of the time lol

Optional Bonus question:  What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up?

I have so much in my life to be grateful for, every day, it often seems a little trivial to focus on small details; but it’s the small details which really make life more interesting, isn’t it? I had such a great week last week, got lots of exposure for my art on Social Media, print and competitions, it really was a week of celebrations; big and small. I got to meet and work with a new model, and it was wonderful. I get so nervous working with new people, I know it sounds silly, but that’s just the way it is. I tend to work with the same people, because it is more comfortable. Sure I might reach outside my comfort zone, artistically, but with people I know and trust. So working with someone new on a current series is fraught with anxiety, I know nothing bad can really happen, at worst a horrible picture and waste of my time. But it was a great afternoon and some wonderful images were taken.

I have such a busy weekend coming up, multiple photo shoots, including another shoot with Mel and Jess, Light Painting……and another new model!

Here is hoping you all have a wonderful week…

Snow is Falling with Jess Ami, selected for Fine Eye Magazine, July edition

~ Julz

Share Your World – 30th May, 2017

What is the most famous landmark or building you have ever seen? Tricky…how famous? I’ve been to Ayers Rock (Uluru) twice, I have seen the real Eiffel Tower, Coliseum, Pantheon, Leaning Tower of Pisa, London Bridge and heaps of stuff in UK and Europe (when I was a kid), I have seen Flinders Street Station loads of times, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Great Ocean Road……I’m not sure which is more famous?

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Twelve Apostles

Do you like long vacation or lots of mini-vacations? Both, love longer ones, but they cost more money so I don’t get them very often, but the shorter ones are great and of late we have been doing lots of them, just this year I have had a few mini vacations already 🙂

What is your favorite National or State Park? I don’t really have one, National Parks in Australia seem to be a little different from other countries, they don’t actually seem to like to get people to visit, sounds strange I know but one way to keep a park pristine is to keep everyone out! I do visit the Mornington Peninsula National Park a lot, so I guess that would be one and I loved Mungo Park.

What is your fantasy vacation? A Caribbean Cruise. My daughter had an assignment at school to design a holiday with a huge budget, so we planned this really cool holiday to USA Miami, Disney World and then this Caribbean Cruise that stopped at all the islands, I always thought it looked amazing, I would love to stay at Atlantis Resort………looks so cool,

Optional Bonus question:  What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up? 

Actually last week I am very grateful for my Hubby and my Friends, who kept me sane during a trying week, nothing major just a lot of little annoyance which could have kept me side tracked. I did have a lot of good things happen as well. I had a few pieces m=nominated and winning awards on various Facebook Art Groups, so that is always nice, I got banner pic twice on Foto Arte II.

I had a fantastic Workshop on Sunday the first of many for this year, and hopefully they will all be just as good. I did have one mishap, just after everybody left I was cleaning up and putting everything on this one table, I must have overloaded it and one end collapsed and dumped everything on the floor……….fruit and broken glass and knifes all thrown around………….fortunately my camera was not on there too, something else to be grateful for.

I have some very big plans for workshops this year and I am finally getting some specifics nailed down, so that is VERY exciting. I have another new model coming this weekend, I hope it ends better than the last one. Who BTW was back on that same website asking for work? Never has answered my question of why she never turned up? Go figure some people are so RUDE!

I hope you all have an amazing week…

~ Julz

Share your world – 23th May, 2017

What one thing have you not done that you really want to do? Apart from travel to various places (Egypt, Cambodia, Vietnam, Jordan, Istanbul………more, more, more), I don’t think there is anything I have left undone. I am the Just Do It girl, remember? If I want to do something I do it, I wanted to exhibit in galleries, done it (about to have my third this year), I wanted to be published in magazines, done it, now been in lots. Flew in a helicopter. I guess the only thing I have not been able to do is lose weight and get fitter.

How often do you get a haircut? Whenever it is annoying me, I have gone years without getting it cut, then get sick of it and cut it short, then get sick of cutting it and ignore for a year or two……..it’s a constant cycle.

In regards to puzzle what’s your choice: jigsaw, crossword, word search or numeric puzzles? Not a big puzzle person to be honest. I don’t mind a word search, but I get awfully frustrated with jigsaw puzzles and crosswords (unless they are ridiculously easy), occasionally I might play sudoku on an easy level. I like things to be straightforward and uncomplicated.

How many cities have you lived? You can share the number of physical residences and/or the number of cities. I’m a Melbourne girl, sure I have travelled a lot, but Melbourne has always been my home, and probably always will. I have not even really moved around much, since I left home, I have lived in 6 different houses, this current one for 16 years.

Optional Bonus question:  What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up? 

Update from last week on Hayley, she is home and doing really well. I am sure she will be back modelling for me soon. Thank you for all your wishes.

I had a super fun weekend, went to the movies twice with my Hubby, caught up with a friend for coffee. We visited Tieve Tara Gardens and Hanging Rock up at Mount Macedon. I launched three Still Life Workshops and all are fully booked, with request for more. I have another two new models coming in for a shoot soon.

I have another new gallery exhibit starting next week, I have two fun photo shoots on Saturday, one with Jess and Mel (always so many laughs). I run my first Still Life workshop for the season on Sunday……..so a big weekend!

I hope you all have a terrific weekend, and I hope everyone stays safe and well, with horrible events happening in the world of late. I will spare a thought of goodwill to those involved, but I will not dwell on them, that is what THEY want. PEACE PEOPLE

~ Julz, xo

P.S. for more info, visit Cee’s page

Share Your World – 16th May, 2017

Join us for another week of Share Your World? Each week Cee asks four questions, with which we get to share a little of ourselves with our readers. Want to join in too? Visit Cee’s Page for more information and her questions.

The Future is in their hands

How many languages do you you speak? One and barely lol………unless you count Aussie, then I guess I speak Aussie fluently and English marginally lol. G’Day Mate! I must confess to speaking better than some of my Australian countrymen and women. Honestly some of them speak so badly, no proper pronunciation and what’s with all the mumbling? Am I just turning into one of these geriatric old ladies who is deaf and continually asks you to repeat what you said? Is it possible, that Young adults these days spend so much time on their smart-phones, that they have forgotten HOW to communicate verbally? Rant over!

What are you reading, watching, listening to, eating? Eating Yoghurt with raspberries and a cup of coffee while reading blog posts and listening to the soothing sounds of my heating trying to keep me warm, my office is like a freezer! It might be great in Summer, but not in Winter. Reading, I don’t really read any more, apart from artistic magazines, I just can’t seem to find the time. I watch a lot of Youtube videos and read blog posts and I feel that is sufficient for the moment. I will occasionally watch TV, I am currently binge watching; Grimm, Blacklist, Greys and a few others.

What was the last photo you took with your phone? Actually it was on Friday Night at the opening of my latest gallery exhibit and I sold a piece, so naturally I had to take a quick snap of the red dot! The gallery was so jam packed with people, I could not stand back and get a good shot, so it’s at a bit of a crazy angle……..still it’s a sold piece 🙂

What is your favorite time of day? Loaded question really, it changes depending on my mood and the weather. Let’s see, I love to be up real early and shoot an amazing sunrise, but in reality I am usually fast asleep in bed, but if I do get up, I love the peace, the calm, the tranquility just before the sun rises. In Summer I love balmy evenings, in Autumn I love the later afternoon sunlight, in Spring I love the early morning light and Winter……I don’t really like Winter very much, but I suppose the mornings, crisp and cold and full of promise; however I prefer to be snug in my bed or on the couch with my dog. I grumble and complain and then rug up and go out and shoot something (with my camera) or like last year I hold my studio workshops……I think I will this year too.

Optional Bonus question:  What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up?  

I sold a piece at my latest exhibit, then I featured in an Interview with Quill and Camera, I then had my third paid job in just over a Week, so that is a good week. On Saturday, I had a fun shoot with a collaborating photographer Beck Faldon and her Son, Quinn; Circus, Pirates and crazy imagination of a hyped up six year old (McDonald’s was to blame apparently) and my own brand of hyped crazy 🙂

I had a shoot with an aspiring actor just launching his career, I hope he does well; more of a Jack Black and a Ryan Gosling.

One of my models, Hayley has been in hospital after a back injury, she is slowly coming good, but is facing surgery in the next few days. Please, wish her well. She is hoping to be home next weekend, I wish her a speedy recover.

Hayley in ‘The Wallflower’

I have an open and empty diary this weekend, feels strange, but I am looking forward to it. So many possibilities, although I really should be doing some work around the house; gardens, cleaning, general tidy up before Winter really sets in.

That is about all for this week, feels a little quiet after all the excitment from last week. I hope you all have a fabulous week ahead.

~ Julz

Share Your World – 2nd May, 2017

Would you rather live where it is always hot or always cold? I don’t really like the cold, even though where I live isn’t really cold, not by world standards, we don’t get snow or below freezing temperatures. I love the warmth, not hot, but definitely warm, say 25C, just perfect, with warm balmy nights, but cooler enough to still sleep.

Do you prefer long hair or short hair for yourself?  I have had both and always want the other, mind you it is quite easy to go from long to short…….snip, snip! But growing it back out is such a pain. Short hair is easier to wash and dry, but long hair is much easier to always put up in a bun or ponytail and get out of your face. There is no easy answer.

What is your favorite month of the year? Whatever season I am currently in? I frequently say Autumn or Spring, but I do like Summer as well, OK I’ll admit I am not a fan of Winter so much (see above), but snow is pretty (just too damn cold and I have to travel so far to see it).

What is the easiest way for your to learn something new?  By reading, by seeing and doing, in a classroom? Definitely doing, if someone tells me to read I will most probably be found rolling my eyes. It just doesn’t sink in, if someone shows me it is much easier, but if I jump in and doing something I’m super quick to pick up usually. I love youtube videos, I can watch something and then do it myself, go back and re watch if necessary and have another go……..and bam! it’s done.

Optional Bonus question:  What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up? 

This week has such a long list to be grateful for, seriously. We had our very first Awake – Australian and New Zealand Get together, the first of many more to come I am sure, here is a group Photo from our first day in Melbourne City on the steps of Federation Square.

We had such a wonderful 4 days together, below is a behind the scenes of the Little Red Riding Hood Concept Shoot workshop I ran…….it was a big surprise and a big hit with everyone who attended, but more on that later.

Prior to this Moth and I got away for a few Days along the coast, the weather was mostly fantastic and I got to shoot a bucket list item; Eagles Nest

I also got to visit another of Victoria’s many light houses at Cape Liptrap

So I am happy and relaxed, but very tired after such a busy week. This week I am back to normality and work, I will eventually write some posts for all of the above-mentioned activities; once I have edited all the images.

This week, I guess I have settling back into a normal routine to get used to the last month has been a whirlwind of activity and I adored every minute, even if the aching feet and muscles have not 🙂

I have lots of model shoots set up for various Concept shoot this month, but things will be a lot quieter for awhile, as we will be homebound now for a month of so, probably the odd day trip here and there. Travel is great but I do miss my daughters and the animals.

Til next time, safe travels and happy snapping…

~ Julz

Share Your World, 26th April, 2017

Wanting something to quench your thirst, what would you drink? Water, soft drink….it depends on how thirsty, how hot I am etc. My most go to drink is actually a coffee, but of late I will sometimes be found with a Pimms, Lemonade and Ginger Ale……I know, so old-fashioned aren’t I? Actually I was introduced to this drink in New Zealand a few years ago, as they did not have rum, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Complete this sentence:  Never In My Life Have I…. jumped out of an air plane, nor killed a person (Not planning on doing either anytime soon, but if I had to do them to safe my life or that of a loved one…..I might be capable.

If you could be given any gift what would it be? Time off for being creative and the joy it brings me, time to just BE. I don’t get much down time, nor just ME time, and I do enjoy it.

What do you do if you can’t sleep at night? Do you count sheep, toss and turn, or get up and try to do something productive? I frequently toss and turn, especially if it’s cold out and the bed is snug and warm. When it is real bad I get up and try to do something productive, but relaxing, like create art, or scroll through post, web pages etc looking for inspiration. Sometimes I jot things down in my journal that are floating around my brain…..it gets them out so I can sleep better.

Optional Bonus question:  What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up? 

On Friday I went on annual leave (again) and on Saturday Hubby and I drove up the coast and spent a few wonderful days exploring at part of the coast we have not been to before. We saw a glorious sunrise and sunset, and 3 days of great weather, the fourth day was horrible so we left in the morning instead of the afternoon to come home.

I am still on holidays and just catching up on stuff around here, but later in the week I am getting together with friends from my Awake Artistry course from Australia and New Zealand for 4 days of fun, exploration and photography. It will be so nice to meet so many people face to face. Some I know through WP as well. It should be a great time.

Sunset over Warratah Bay – available to purchase as canvas, metal or acrylic

I have just put this image up for sale on my website, first of the art from our recent Inverloch trip. This is Warratah Bay a favourite spot from out trip.

Don’t forget to visit Cee’s page for all the details and everyone else’s blog. Til next time, happy snapping…

~ Julz

Share Your World – 18th April, 2017

When writing by hand do you prefer to use a pencil or pen? I am not really phased by one of the other, if I am scribbling notes I’ll happily use a pencil, but if I am writing to someone, which I rarely do, I always use a pen. I handwrite my Christmas cards in pen, but I am sending less and less, preferring to send e-Cards.

Would you rather be an amazing dancer or an amazing singer? Singer! Although I do like to move to the rhythm as well. But I love to sing, I have said it before; in the shower, especially in the car……..shame I am not very good 🙂

If you were on a debate team, what subject would you relish debating? Why smacking your kids is a GOOD thing. Seriously don’t get me started on the half wits around now-a-days……no fear of chastisement, as they know there is nothing anyone can do. Back in my day (GOD I sound like my GrandMother!) a good smack would whip us into line and we had respect for the person handing out that smack, or in my case, belt. Honestly the world is going down a craphole and most of it could be solved if people punished their children. No I’m not talking about physical abuse, just a simple smack on the bum!

What are you a “natural” at doing? Being creative, photography took a bit to learn, and I am still learning, but it seems I am quite good at that…but it’s the art; the creative, imaginative art that sets my imagination and soul on fire. I have always had an active imagination, now I can play it out on the screen. I used to paint and I was OK, I could never seem to create what was in my minds’ eye when I painted, but digitally I can create almost anything. It’s wonderful, I wish I had discovered it years ago, but then digital art was not what it is today, is it?

Sunrise of the Murray River, Mildura

Optional Bonus question:  What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up? 

So much in my life is wonderful right now, I just had a fantastic Outback Adventure, a lovely quiet Easter weekend with family and friends and now on Saturday Moth and I are off on another adventure……..this time we are hitting more of Victoria’s amazing coastline. We are picking up where we left off from the Great Ocean Road Trip and heading East; more Light houses and fabulous coastal vistas. Can’t wait, hopefully I can get some more amazing photography like last week.

On a more boring note, I have finally caught up with two years of taxation stuff and I think I have finally sorted out most of my Photography Catalogue in Lightroom……such a headache, but both of them now seem to be under control……..whew! Now THAT’s a relief.

I hope you are have a fantastic week…don’t forget to visit Cee’s SYW Page

~ Julz

Share Your World – 11th April, 2017

Have you ever participated in a distance walking, swimming, running, or biking event? Tell your story. I just completed a long distance drive through Outback Australia on dirt roads, does that count? Apart from that….are you crazy? have you MET me or READ my posts? NO! I’m with Emilio, I can sleep for long stretches, or even create for long stretches but that’s about it. Oh wait when I was young and dumb (maybe 19) we did a long distance bike ride from Castlemaine to Melbourne………….never, ever again. It nearly killed me!

Name one thing not many people know about you. This is a tough one….I am pretty much an open book. I used to paint, I did a lot of Folk Art, I used to teach and run a studio. So I guess being creative has always been in my blood. I also used to own horses, I used to compete in Gymkhanas and do barrel racing, but mostly just rode for fun.

My last Horse Buster, I was about 16 – 17 when I took this

What is your favorite flower? I do love so many; Roses, especially Peonies. Lotus Blossom, Gerbera, Dahlia.

Things I want to have in my home (paintings, hot tubs, book cases, big screen tv etc) I don’t really need or want much, my house is great, even if the bedrooms could be a bit bigger. I guess a King Size bed and a room big enough to put in it! With the animals taking up a good sized portion of the bed a bigger bed would be nice.

Optional Bonus question:  What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up? 

Easy, last week was an amazing week spent travelling the Australian Outback with my Hubby and a group of friends. Lots of amazing scenery, lots of photos and good fun.

Sunrise over Mungo Plains

The week coming up……just as easy. Tonight my Son in Law flies in for a week. We have not seen him since Christmas and I know my daughter is looking forward to seeing her Hubby as well. Pretty soon she will be moving back in with him, but in another state, a long way from us 😦  It is also Easter this weekend, so that means a long weekend! Oh and chocolate, did I mention chocolate? lol. Actually Easter Friday is a special day for us, as it is one of the rare days that no one in the family is working, so we all spend it together. THAT is something to look forward to.

Join us and Share Your World, visit Cee’s page for more info. Til next time happy snappy.

~ Julz