Hi everyone,
Just a reminder that in August 2015, I created a new blog called ‘Communicating Creatively‘, which encompasses my 5 interests of Poetry, Photography, Writing, Public Speaking and Painting.
My latest blog can be found here: https://communicatingcreatively.wordpress.com
I will be removing the ‘Observations & Other Writings’ blog at the end of February 2017.
To avoid missing out on my new posts please visit/follow my new blog at the link above. 🙂
Kind Regards
David
Posted by communicatingcreatively on February 4, 2017
https://observationswritings.wordpress.com/2017/02/04/reminder/
Posted by communicatingcreatively on June 27, 2015
https://observationswritings.wordpress.com/2015/06/27/deep-in-the-memory/
One of my favourite TV Shows is “Colour In Your Life.”
From the website:
“‘Put Some Colour In Your Life’ or ‘Colour In Your Life’, is a television series created by Master Artist and CEO Graeme Stevenson. It began in the small town of Murwillumbah, just south of the NSW/QLD border in Australia, and from this incredibly artistic region has spread out to encompass the arts and artists of Australia, and the world.”
I have watched and enjoyed this show, (and its accompanying website) for a few years now.
It is such a pleasure to not only view the Art, but also see the Artist in action. You also get to hear a snapshot of the Artist’s journey and their influences.
In Australia, ‘Colour In Your Life’ can me viewed on TV4ME (Channel 74) at 7.30pm on Saturday’s or on the website http://www.colourinyourlife.com.au
Now in its 10th series, ‘Colour In Your Life’ brings the expertise of the Artist to you, to inspire you to explore your own creativity!
I have included a link to episode from 25 April 2015 that I re-watched today. It features Artist, Jana Vodesil-Baruffi who gives a wonderful demonstration of painting with a palette knife, giving insights about influence and technique along the way. We also get to view some of Jana’s vast array of Art.
http://www.colourinyourlife.com.au/tv-show/season-10/item/429-jana-vodesil-baruffi
The ‘Colour In Your Life’ website is also in the process of becoming an Arts Hub for Artists all over the World. A place where you too can show and sell your Art.
I hope that you find ‘Colour In Your Life’ as enjoyable and inspirational as I do!
Written by David Johnson
13 June 2015
Posted by communicatingcreatively on June 13, 2015
https://observationswritings.wordpress.com/2015/06/13/put-some-colour-in-your-life/
Have you ever thought about why we choose the very next book to read?
Is it because of an interest in that subject or are we drawn to a particular book for a particular reason, or both?
Currently I am reading the following books:
Generally I will have at least two books ‘on the go.’ One is normally fiction and the other a self-development book of some sort.
On the weekends I often find myself up early & either before or after a walk, I grab a Tea (mostly), sometimes a Coffee and I sit out in our Sunroom and look at the bookshelves. If inclined I wander over and I scan the shelves.
Often it will be an Art or Photography book that I select. I will flip through it and then if it is ‘speaking to me’ I will sit down and allow it to ‘carry on the conversation’ with me.
Today two books caught my eye:
In flipping through “I Dare You” there were a couple of segments that “spoke to me” and have suggested to me that I need a change of attitude in some areas of my life.
“Philosophy Of The Arts” covers the pleasure, emotion, understanding and meaning plus covers topics such as music, painting, photography, film, poetry, writing and architecture, all of which fascinate me and I find that Art is becoming a bigger part of my life as time marches on.
I have no doubt these books will be getting my full attention quite soon!
Written by David Johnson
11 January 2015
Posted by communicatingcreatively on January 11, 2015
https://observationswritings.wordpress.com/2015/01/11/the-next-book/
We all seem to live such busy lives. Home, family, friends, work, study, business, interests, clubs all take up our time and hopefully are contributing in a positive fashion to our lives. In all this frantic engagement however, we need to consciously take time out to think about our lives and what we are doing, or simply just relax our mental state.
My quiet time takes on different forms, such as:
What I need to do better is to do it on a more regular basis as sometimes I get so busy I forget to do what I just mentioned… That is what came to my mind in my ‘quiet-time’ this morning and I have now set up reminders so I do take the time for ‘silence’ on a more regular basis.
As Lao Tzu said, “Silence is a source of great strength.”
Let silence strengthen your life!
Written by David Johnson
9 November 2014
Posted by communicatingcreatively on November 9, 2014
https://observationswritings.wordpress.com/2014/11/09/silence-2/
The title sounds like a good title for a poem. Perhaps one day I will use it as that.
For today however, it refers to two interests I have, one is Photography, the other Toastmasters.
Photography started as an interest for me in the early 1980’s and the obsession continues to this day. Toastmasters, I joined in 2008 and it has given me so much (and continues to do so), including the confidence to open up my photography business, a general confidence and being able to relate to people a lot better.
For the past 6 years the pendulum has swung heavily toward Toastmasters, especially in the 4 years I was on the Executive, culminating in being President this past year. The past two years have been quite intense as the Vice-President Education role and President carry the most responsibility (i.e. the top two positions). I also did the Youth Leadership Co-ordinator role last year.
Come 1 July 2014 I will be ‘Immediate Past President’ and am not looking to take on any Committee roles in any organisation for the next few years, having been on committees for most of the past 26 years. A break is overdue…
My photography business carries on regardless of what I do, however personal photographic projects had given way to Toastmasters in the past 6 years. I will always photograph just like I always will be a Toastmaster. Toastmasters however will slide into the background a bit more and become another tool I utilise and practice at in my goal to become a better communicator and along the way I can help others too.
Over recent months I’ve been getting more and more ideas for photographic/Art projects and attending the recent Head On South Photographic Festival has spurred me on even more!
I can feel the Pendulum starting to swing back already.
Written by David Johnson
1 June 2014
Posted by communicatingcreatively on June 1, 2014
https://observationswritings.wordpress.com/2014/06/01/the-pendulum-swings/
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