The Countdown: Colombia and a Passion for Life

Sarah Crawford :: The Countdown :: 32cm x 32cm :: Acrylic on canvas

It’s been a quiet time for my artwork since returning from Colombia.  I’ve been busy, yes, definitely there is that.  I also had that feeling after those amazing trips when you wonder where your place is in the world.  You don’t feel as inspired by your surrounds because you have just returned from something so different, so spectacular and life changing that you can’t imagine going back to the life you once had.  The things before you went away that you were unhappy with are magnified ten times over.  A million times over.  You wonder how you let them stay in your life.  Maybe because you were in the countdown.  The countdown to the dream holiday.  You can put up with so much when you know you have something wonderful to look forward to.

So when you return, there is no countdown.  It has dissolved.  Gone.  You have your memories of a world that was fun, where you smiled each day, laughed, experienced the new, explored and loved every moment.  There were no pressures.  You did what made you happy, each day was about living for joy, making the most of it all and capturing moments so you can hold onto them forever.  You felt a warmth in your heart because you are feeling passion for life, you are living.

The few months after returning from this trip I found it hard to paint.  My surrounds and my life were no longer inspiring me in the same way.  I wasn’t feeling that same passion I had experienced.  So it became a quiet time for my creations.  Trying out new techniques, sketching up new ideas.  Nothing really filling my heart with a sense of love.

It took me two months to make big changes to find that passion for life, for creating.  And another month to really start feeling myself again.  My trip to Colombia changed my life.  It was everything I had dreamed of and more.  It left me with a sense of happiness but also the urge to be there once more.  So I now have made my own countdown.  It doesn’t have any number of days just a knowledge that someday I would be back there, in Cartagena, listening to the music, laughing and happy, in awe of a culture that is so spectacular and rich in history. And now, I am sitting here, full of passion for life, and in what I do.  I am on my new adventure with no idea what will come next other than something fresh.  Something new and before I know it the countdown of days will be on again to go back to Cartagena.  But for now, I paint and have new ideas, am finding inspirations in so many places – and dreaming of relaxing in a hammock in the not too distant future.

Sarah xo

The painting ‘The Countdown’ is the first for me in 2012 and is part of series of the same name.  It represents the need for passion in life and of living each day with hope and happiness and believing there is a countdown to something even more spectacular to look forward to.

Click here to view this artwork and more at www.sarahcrawford.com.au

What a Year the Cat Meowed! (and How I Love Colombia!)

Leia the Cat :: Pencil, ink, markers & gouache on canvas paper

2011… what can I say?  It’s been an interesting year with some life changing experiences that I will never forget.  This year I wanted to learn. And learn I did! I painted more than I have painted before.  I created some of my favourite pieces and sold out of most of my works – both older works and nearly all of my new works from 2011.  And I have a busy schedule ahead for 2012, a year that is going to be a big one, my biggest yet!

I was completely inspired and fell in love with Colombia and in particular beautiful Cartagena.  My first visit to South America and a dream since I was a little girl.  I was so moved by the culture, the architecture, the people, the music, the food, the atmosphere – what an experience.  Life changing doesn’t even begin to explain how wonderful it was.

2012 is going to be wonderful… with all I have learnt and experienced in 2011… it’s only up from here!

Wide Eyed and Willing

Sarah Crawford :: Together We Travel ::30.5m x 41cm : Acrylic on canvas

I remember a time feeling so free, vulnerable yet free.  When I had less but I had so much more.  I remember the sun was always shining.  The ocean was a constant companion.  Music was my inspiration.  Learning in new surroundings, full of wide eyes.  I remember it as the good life.  Days filled with pretty dresses so bright it made me smile. A girl on the verge of a world she knew little about.  It was like a retreat, a dream.  I felt like Little Miss Sunshine, with poetry on my mind and the belief that romance is not dead.  I was reaching for the stars, because I believe we are made to reach for the stars.  And all those little extras that define your style.  Our future.  Love, love LOVE.

I reminded myself each day with a few words from Walt Disney… “All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them”.

All My Life

Sarah Crawford :: All My Life (Dave Grohl) :: Acrylic & spraypaint on canvas

 

I always wondered where you were heading.  Where your talent would take you, and how far you would go.  All that I wanted had engulfed my life, suspended my freedom for it had me by the neck, had taken my ability to see clearly.  The fear somehow pushed the need and the need helped me see clearly.  A vicious circle that was being forced and causing confusion and anxiety alongside building strength and determination never before felt.  Searching for the light, the steady rocks moving and falling from under my feet.  The only option to fly, alone, and feel the weight lift, floating along, a watchful eye over the world.  Trust and faith my wings would stay strong, keep me so high, away from the dangers.  I feel the air passing by, the drops of rain touch my skin and I feel so alive.  I have no regrets only thanks for the opportunity to have learnt lessons in life.  Lessons that build strength in my wings and allow me to fly.  For when you fly and float along in the breeze you have time to see the beauty of life.  To find passion in life.  To live life. To love.

Bob Dylan, Sylvester Stallone, John Lennon, Justin Bieber, Michael Jackson, Debbie Harry

Bob Dylan, Sylvester Stallone 'Rocky', John Lennon, Justin Bieber, young Michael Jackson, Debbie Harry 'Blondie"

They pass through my life… and make an impact.  Their words and their actions stick in my mind.  They influence my life.  Sometimes it is through their lyrics, or as simple as what they have worn.  Their hair might have made me take notice, that moment in time where I felt inspired by who they are.  Simple things.  Their determination.  Their strength and belief in oneself and their vulnerability.  The indifference they face, for living their dreams.  The struggle of leading a public life.  Their amazing talent.  Their intriguing faces.  They inspire me.

Bob Dylan, Sylvester Stallone as Rocky, John Lennon, Justin Bieber, a young Michael Jackson and Debbie Harry as we know as Blondie – thank you.

 

Justin Bieber “Dream and Believe”

Dream and Believe - Acrylic on Canvas

It’s not so much whether you like Justin Bieber’s music or not, (and I do for the record), it’s the message he has that is the most inspiring and the part everyone could take a little or alot of and put it into their every day.  Something I was taught from my parents from a young age and a message they still tell me each day – always believe in yourself.  As they would so often say “there’s no such word as can’t”.  Different words but the same message.  Dream those dreams.  Believe in those dreams.  They can happen.  They do happen. It may not be easy but keep trying.  Don’t give up.  I am sure those who put him down don’t understand the message of hope and kindness.  In all my portraits I try and capture the special message of hope, dreams, passion, achievement… and of love – for life, for family and friends, for each other.  The romance of the world.  It makes me smile to see such a young person with such a positive outlook, sharing a  view I live by – be kind, love life, be passionate and give it all you have.  Here is my portrait of Justin Bieber “Dream and Believe”.

Bob Dylan, John Lennon, Sylvester Stallone

Sometimes I just live in my own world.  The daydreamer world.  My favourite place.  You remind me of a time in my life.  Something that was so special.  You remind me a of a place in my life.  And you remind me of the special people in my life.

New beginnings, forever memories and moments of reflection.  Your words inspired me.  Don’t give up.  Live in the moment. Believe in your dreams. Have peace in your soul.  Have passion in life.  Don’t ever be afraid to show who you are.  Romance is alive.

The series of famous faces.  These are only the beginning.  I paint them so I remember.  And so I will never forget.  xo

You May Say Im A Dreamer - Acrylic & Spraypaint on Canvas

Yo Adrian! - Acrylic & Spraypaint on Canvas

The One You Love - Acrylic on Canvas

We Are Always Watching

We Are Always Watching - Mixed media on paper

Sometimes you feel a little alien. Sometimes you feel like you are being watched.  Every move seems important.  The slightest of moves you feel are so important in the big picture.  I wonder who is watching?  I wonder all the time.  The more I watch the more I wonder.  Have you seen me around?  You might notice my eyes, you can’t forget them.  They draw you in and your mind is taken.

All this time I knew.  Do you see me in the boat?  It goes so fast, so beautiful, so sleek.  I see timber, I see white and above all I see bright, bright blue.  Hair is dark and eyes so big.  Clarity and crispness.  The ocean surrounds.  The ones who helped me to this place are by my side.  We are always watching.  See our eyes?  We see your mind.

 

Ruby - Markers and ink on paper

You might see me sometime.  My name is Ruby.  I know style.  In the fashionable kind of way.

 

Tribal Chief Snapper - Ink and markers on paper

I’m pretty sure if you’ve been to Snapper I’ll have seen you.  I’m the Tribal Chief.  Nothing gets past me.

 

Danger Tallows - Markers and ink on paper

Remember that day you were surfing and a big shadow went under you?  And there was that feeling of dread.  What was down there?  Ever wonder how you didn’t see that shadow again?  My name is Danger Tallows… protector of the waters.

 

Queen of the Rain - Ink and markers on paper

I know you have all been watching me.  The Queen of the Rain.  There was conflict and it will settle.  I was nearly overthrown.  Order is being restored and life will get back to normal.

 

Big Eyes - Markers and ink on paper

You don’t need to tell me anything. I already know.  My big eyes read your mind.

 

I first saw one surfing.  Then I saw them everywhere.

Mi Amor

Mi Amor - Acrylic Paint & Markers on Canvas

How I love all those inspiring moments.  The ones where you have this clarity, an overwhelming clarity, that allows you to see what is in front of you.  And from that point forward you realise.

And at that moment I knew…

I would never meet another like you…

Mi amor xo

17 Years Ago, Jimi Hendrix and Art School

Not much survived art school… myself included.  I have only a few pieces still, most lost or damaged over the years. I remember at one time my little Datsun 180B was full of artworks.  The whole boot and back seat was piled high with works.  And there was a skull on the back shelf thingy… somehow it inspired me to create more.  I look back and wonder about all those works.  I remember some but not many.  I remember music was such a huge influence on everything I did.

 

Jimi Hendrix - pencil on paper (never finished)

Recycled fashion, the word vintage was hardly a spot on the horizon, I just loved creating something new from something someone didn’t want anymore.  Oh so many years ago.  Makes me smile when I look back and remember.  I often dream of being back in that time, carefree, creating, each day being inspired by my own creations.  Art, music, fashion… Seventeen years ago… and all I the time I aspired to fashion.  I used to look at the fashion students and wish I was them.  As much as I loved my art and that side of things. I was so influenced by fashion and would spend hours upon hours with my head in magazines.  Collaging my room, drawing the beautiful garments.  Writing about the feeling of the big feature editorial pages – full of high fashion models and amazingly stunning clothing.

My life gets so busy sometimes I feel like I’m the middle of a big bird frenzy…

Beautiful Daydream - Mixed media collage