A Cocker Spaniel called Goonie Gaga

“Goonie Gaga” the Cocker Spaniel

So those of you who have been around me know I am in love with dogs.  Not just like them but love them.  Having grown up with them all my life until I was nearly 30 it has felt like something has been missing in my life for the past eight years.  That best friend that is there to hang out with, always with a smile and a wagging tail (or a guilty face when they’ve been up to something they weren’t meant to!) making life even more special.  Not having my own companion means I’ve taken to falling in love with everyone else’s dogs even more than ever.

My latest commission which I feel so honoured to have been asked to do, was really special to me.  “Goonie” the Cocker Spaniel is a delightful dog, full of personality and has been given the nickname “Goonie Gaga” after the one and only Lady Gaga.  He has this super cool long hair on top of his head, like a mini mohawk, a lightning bolt under his eye (think David Bowie!) and hangs out with all the supermodel girl dogs – all tall, lean and beautiful – he’s like the stylist to the stars! Such a delight to see so often as he lives close by.

The painting is 76cm x 76cm so a nice larger size and is done in acrylic paint which I have grown to love.  I use some a nice clear paint medium which really helps me achieve what I want from the paint.  I already miss having the painting around, it felt like Goonie was living in my apartment for a few weeks whilst I was painting him. I stared into his eyes and every detail of his face so many times I felt I was connected to him even more.  I just love Goonie!!

 

 

Today is the Day :: The Yoga Continues…

Today is the Day.  I wake up every morning and say aloud ‘today is going to be a great day’.  A few years back I made the decision to say this every day. Often it’s quietly spoken and I also make myself smile and be thankful for the things I have and have experienced rather than look at what I am missing out on or not achieving.  Some days are easier of course than others.  I can honestly say, it has helped me through some tough times and reminded me to appreciate my every day.

Balance. That thing so many of us strive for in life, and the one thing that can be so hard to achieve if we don’t simply stop at some stage each day to reflect on the beauty of the world and breathe.  I always find watching birds flying is so good to make you feel balanced.  It can take five minutes, but you will feel a sense of weightlessness – just as the bird looks as it is flying. If things are so busy and I don’t find time for myself to get that balance, I try and take the time to stop and watch the birds – or close my eyes if there are no birds around and imagine, being a bird, flying up high, soaring and feeling the wind in my wings, watching the world below.  It always help and makes me feel like some of the weight has been taken off my shoulders.

xo

Images: (top) Today is the Day :: 25cm x 25cm :: Acrylic on ply wood / (below) Balance :: 25cm x 25cm :: Acrylic on ply wood – both will be for sale through the Golden Yoga studio – 3/1712 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads QLD.

The Calm :: A Yoga Series of Peace and Balance

The Calm.  The moment of peace and balance in your life. White light, no clutter, just calm.  All those voices in your head are quiet, they have disappeared to another place, released and have left you in silence.  

My latest project with Golden Yoga in Burleigh Heads on the beautiful Gold Coast of Australia has really opened my mind to a new inspiration.  The dots have always been my meditation and how I work through my thoughts, releasing emotions with each dot I paint.  Having another source now in yoga is a wonderful feeling.  

Owner of Golden Yoga, Melanie Commons kindly invited me to do some artwork in her new studio space – a blank canvas (in this case walls!) and a new energy to be created in there it was such an honour to be asked to put my piece of harmony permanently in there for all to enjoy.  

My process is always the same when I work on a new concept for an artwork or art series.  I immerse myself in the subject and in this case, also the space.  I spent time in the studio and it’s surrounds, listening to the sounds of the outside world as well as the quiet of the studio space.  I walked around, feeling the dimensions of the walls, the height of ceiling and imagined walking in from every angle, putting myself in different positions allowing myself to imagine being in there, practicing yoga and what it is that I would want to see, what it is I would want to take away from that experience.  I wanted to create a reminder of the practice, using silhouettes to keep it free of clutter; and text – the words Melanie gave me to draw inspiration from. I wanted it to have my handwriting, my style, yet keep it in the yoga world and represent a certain calm beauty that is everywhere you look but doesn’t invade your personal space.

The studio project inspired me to do a series of works on canvas and ply wood (see image above title ‘The Calm’) which will be displayed and for sale through the yoga studio.  The solid silhouette chosen for peace and calm – one colour as we are feeling as one; the three orange circles representing balance and the dots to represent energy surrounding you in this calm. I am currently working on a series of six on ply wood in 25cm x 25cm, all with different yoga poses, all representing calm, strength, inner peace and harmony.  The Calm is the first in this series.

The yoga studio is due to open this week and once the rest of the space is finished I will share the photos so you can see the artwork and the beautiful space that has been created.  Melanie is a fantastic yoga teacher and I have started taking one on one classes with her which I am thoroughly enjoying.  I am quite shy in certain environments, yoga being one of them.  It is wonderful to be gaining confidence so I can really enjoy this practice that is truly calming and energising at the same time.

Golden Yoga opens to the public on Wednesday 21 March, 2012 at 3/1712 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads – (Level 1 of the new Globe Building). For more information and a timetable of classes click on link here to go to the Golden Yoga website.  I hope to see you there some time in the future xo

Red Hot Love in a Ray of Light

Sarah Crawford :: Ray of Light :: Mixed media illustration and collage

Passion is such a powerful force. I try to find it in my every day.  Passion for life.  Passion for love.  Passion for my art.  Passion for living.  Like a ray of light you see, so strong it pushes away the doubt, the insecurities, the fear and the negativity.  It makes you smile.  It helps you say to yourself each day as you wake that the day will be special.  The ray of light keeps reminding you of how lucky you are each night as you fall to sleep.  It shows you in so many things the beauty and gives you a red hot love for life.

Sarah Crawford :: Red Hot Love :: Mixed media illustration and collage

Contemplation at Gainsborough Greens Art Awards

Sarah Crawford with 'Contemplation' painting at the Gainsborough Greens Art Awards Exhibition 2011

I always get so excited when I am going to see my artwork in an exhibition – but then I get completely shy when I have my photo taken next to it!  Today I went out the Gainsborough Greens Art Awards  and Exhibition to see my painting ‘Contemplation’ that was selected for display.  I don’t think I realised just how big the work was (and how many dots were on the canvas!) until I saw this photo!  The winner was announced last night at the official exhibition opening and it is the horse just to the right of my piece (behind my head!) so I’m sure to have lots of viewers over the 5 days of the exhibition with such a great position.  I was at the Miami Marketta with my art stand so couldn’t make it to the opening but was great to be able to see it today – and it was such a beautiful day to visit the Gainsborough Greens development.

If you get the chance and you are on the Gold Coast – there are some great artworks out there – and I got to see some kangaroos so was rather pleased!

Sarah xo

Gainsborough Greens Art Awards 2011

‘Contemplation’ is on display as part of  the

Gainsborough Greens Art Awards and Exhibition

Thursday 11 August to Monday 15 August

10am – 5pm daily

Gainsborough Greens Golf Club

Yawalpa Rd, Pimpama QLD

 http://www.mirvacdevelopment.com/gainsborough-greens/art-awards