To view more of Sophia's art go to

www.sophia-elise.artistwebsites.com/ or

to purchase prints and cards of her artwork go to

www.fineartamerica.com/shop/sophia-elise.html


If you see an artwork on this website that you like but it's already sold - please contact Sophia as she does commissions.





Tuesday, February 26, 2008

The Starfish Story

I love this one - havent seen it for a while - but it landed in my inbox again today - it has a very important message to remember .....


A man was walking along the beach and saw a lone figure dancing about. Fascinated, he moved closer. He realized that the young man was not dancing, but in one graceful movement was picking objects up from the beach and tossing them back into the ocean.

As he approached closer, he saw these objects were starfish."Why are you throwing starfish into the water?"

"If the starfish are still on the beach when the tide goes out, they will die." replied the young man as he continued tossing them out to sea..

"That's ridiculous! There are thousands of miles of beaches and millions of stranded starfish. You can't possibly make a difference."

The young man picked up another starfish, paused thoughtfully, and remarked as he tossed it out into the waves,"IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE TO THAT ONE!"

Friday, February 15, 2008

Thought of the day

Watch your thoughts, for they become words.
Choose your words for they become actions.
Understand your actions for they become habits.
Study your habits for they will become your character.

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

I received this today ... and I've read it before - but it does remind you that things in life happen for a reason .... look for the silver lining ... appreciate the little things ... and smile :-)

The 'L I T T L E' Things. . .

As you might know, the head of a company survived 9/11because his son started kindergarten.
Another fellow was alive because it was His turn to bring donuts.
One woman was late because herAlarm clock didn't go off in time.
One was late because of being stuck on the NJ TurnpikeBecause of an auto accident.
One of them Missed his bus.
One spilled food on her clothes and had to takeTime to change.
One's Car wouldn't start.
One went back to Answer the telephone.
One had a Child that dawdled And didn't get ready as soon as he should have.
One couldn'tGet a taxi.
The one that struck me was the man Who put on a new pair of shoes that morning, Took the various means to get to work But before he got there, he developed a blister on his foot. He stopped at a drugstore to buy a Band-Aid. That is why he is alive today.

Now when I am Stuck in traffic, Miss an elevator, Turn back to answer a ringing telephone... All the little things that annoy me. I think to myself, This is exactly where my guardian angel wants me to be At this very moment..

Next time your morning seems to be Going wrong, The children are slow getting dressed, You can't seem to find the car keys, You hit every traffic light, Don't get mad or frustrated; It May be just that Someone is watching over you. May Love continue to find you With all those annoying little things And may you remember their possible purpose.

Monday, February 11, 2008

Ara Fine Art Student Awards 2008






The top 2007 Year 13 art students from 25 of Auckland City's secondary schools received $1,000 each, at the annual Ara Fine Arts Awards’ and an annual subscription to the NZ Art Guild.
The Fine Arts Awards ceremony was sponsored by the Ara Lodge 348 Irish Constitution and the NZ Art Guild. The Award ceremony was held on Friday the 8th of February and the student's portfolios were on display. These were testaments to their artistic talents and diversity.

All the award winners are continuing their art education in various creative industries this year. Congratulations to ......
Reid Douglas - Onehunga High School
Marcel Denize - Marcellin College
Antonina Depczynski - Avondale College
Rajbir Kaur - Otahuhu College
Yi Wen Lu - Selwyn College
Van Senefili - Mangere College
Sammy Ho - Mt Albert Grammar School
Joshua Burrowes - Dilworth School
Bobby Chen - Mt Roskill Grammar School
Marcus Brown - Kings College
Sarah Wood - Corran School
Louisa Carter - St Marys College
Sione Fifita - Tamaki College
Jordan Veth - Lynfield College
Lawrence Wong Ka Wai - Auckland Grammar School
Alice Murray - Diocesan School
Kezia Milne - ACG College
Rose Wei - Glendowie College
Olivia Barnes - Epsom Girls Grammar School
Katarina Mrsic - Baradene College
Hannah Valentine - Auckland Girls Grammar School
Edwin Foliaki - Sacred Heart College
Ashleigh Blake - St Cuthberts College
Ember Winslow - Western Springs College
Alex Dixon - St Peters College
Jessica Fitzpatrick - Auckland Girls Grammar School [2006]

For full details go to - http://www.ara348ic.org.nz/

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

Cherokee Wisdom

One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said, 'My son, the battle is between two 'wolves' inside us all.

One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt,resentment, inferiority , lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.

The other is Good. It is joy,peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy,generosity, truth, compassion and faith'

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: 'Which wolf wins?' The old Cherokee simply replied, 'The one you feed.'

Saturday, February 2, 2008

NZAG Art Awards

And the Winners are .........
1st Prize - $5000 and a 12mth subscription to the NZ Art Guild
Sponsored by NZ Art Guild
Elspeth Batt - Celebration of the Uniqueness of Us



From left to right: Sophia Elise (NZAG Manager) , Elspeth Batt (First Prize Winner) , North Shore City Mayor - Andrew Williams



2nd Prize - $1000 and a 6mth subscription to the NZ Art Guild
Sponsored by Resene
Kelly Hartley - Oritetanga



3rd Prize - $500 and a 6mth subscription to the NZ Art Guild
Sponsored by Albany Garden Centre
Sheryl O'Gorman - Cause and Effect



Merit Prize - $250 and 6 months subscription to the NZ Art Guidl
Sponsored by NZ Art Guild
Elissa Ramsay - Find Me



Finalists - 6mth NZAG membership subscription
Michele Bluck - Letterbox #5
Tony Brown - The Downward Spiral
Marisa Garau - Happy HolidaysCheryl Irwin - Here I Am
Trish Macready - Stairway to Heaven
Clare Makwana - Intuitive Wisdom
Helen McNamara - Orange Tree
Wendy Murphy - Stamp on them before they multiply: evolution of the best dressed
Meliors Simms - New Shroud for King Tutankhamun
Lynette McKinstrie - Transition
Silver Dunlop - There There Baby
Sally Blyth - Lasting Impressions
Sally Blyth - Walk Beside Me

General Exhibition Qualifiers
Angela Laby
Anni Morris
Donna Dobbinson
Donna Steel
Doreen McNeill
Elaine Silich
Elizabeth Manson
Gitte Anderson
Helen Hazeldine
Jane Santos
Lyn Morrison
Margaret Scott
Margot Lee
Masami Ichikawa
Meleane Bourke
Miki Clarke
Robyn Robertson
Shan Li Chen
Shu Ting Zhang
Stephanie Brant
Stephen Fuller
Steve O'Neill
Sue Keast
Susan Edge
Tineswari Maruthamuthu
Vivienne Bashford
Wayne Fox
Terry Dangen