Its the little things

As we enter another weekend of self-isolation (I have stopped counting now...it seems to have found its flow somehow), I take time to reflect on the week just gone. The image above is my overflowing living room where I often sit and contemplate.

I like to unpack what I have learned and how I have grown after engaging in multiple conversations online. For those who haven't heard, I have created a private afternoon-tea-for-artists, where I offer free 'chai 'n chat' sessions.

What do we do? Well, we 'shoot the breeze', talk about what is important right now as we journey through this self-isolation, reframe problems that are perhaps interfering, and now even collage together online to discover new adventures.

I experienced my first collage session with an extremely talented Queensland artist: they sat in their studio kms away, I sat in mine, and we collaged at the same time. My collage seemed to become a resonance of theirs, and their collage was a coming together of their ideas, thoughts, dreams and future directions. It was exotic, positive, active and at the same time, there was a calmness in the centre. A joyful time toegether.

This collage was created by my daughter, Aleema Ash (posted on her Instagram page), who works in the arts in Sydney. Each day, before she begins the mammoth task of looking after a 3-year-old and doing a full days work from home (I know many of you are juggling this craziness), she creates a collage with my granddaughter. They sit, side by side, allowing the images to create whatever is coming up for them. I love this particular one which embraces a sense of gratitude as well as summing up our 'norm' right now. It also references the 'bear epidemic', where many families are propping stuffed bears outside their homes to say 'hello' to the neighbourhood.

I highly recommend collaging as a way to sort out our thoughts and stumbling blocks. All you need is a pile of magazines or old books that you are happy to tear up. Couple this with a glue stick. Some folk like to use scissors (and I am really intrigued that at this time of our isolation I am enjoying cutting rather than tearing...usually I recommend "rip 'n stick" but because I am searching for a little more control in my life, the scissors seem to be the thing right now).

"May you be happy.

May you be healthy.

May you find peace"