I'm so excited!!! Italy here we come ....

It's amazing how friendships can form in this modern age - and one of these friendships I count as very special one is with a very talented artist and incredibly inspirational lady who lives half the world away in Italy. This lady Kay de Lautour Scott had a vision many years ago and never lost sight of it. This year the start of that vision is coming true.

We have been talking this week, arranging a very exciting opportunity for NZ Artists and also the larger project of spreading the message of World Peace. Yes it seems like a bit task - where to start - well start small and the small ripples will flow out and get bigger and bigger.

So what is it? Where are we starting?

With an exhibition in Cassino, Italy. The vision of this exhibition is to spread the message of world peace. The theme is "Peace" and "Remembrance" in memory of the fallen soldiers and civilians in Italy, particularly those involved at the Battle of Cassino where many New Zealanders fought and lost their lives during World War II.
The exhibition, hosted by the Cassino Comune, will be held in the Biblioteca Comunale Pietro Malatesta, Via Del Carmine, Cassino (FR), from 15th - 29th May 2010.

I will be exhibiting and attending the exhibition. The NZ Art Guild will be co-ordinating the artists from NZ.

For any NZ Artists reading this who would like to be involved here are some more details
Artists Requirements
1) Artists need to have an association with the Battle of Cassino (ideally) or World War II.
2) Artists work needs to be of a professional high quality and artists will be selected based on their portfolios/artwork images presented.
3) Artists are invited to attend in person (self funded)
4) There is no charge to be involved with this exhibition but artists will need to be self funding for transport and insurance of artworks to Italy. (We are currently seeking sponsorship for shipping costs).
5) Artists and their families will be encouraged to visit the battlefields, war cemeteries and other places of interest in the area. Tours to the battlefields and museums will be arranged to suit individuals.

The venue, promotion and invitations will be funded by the Cassino Comune. Assistance can be available to find appropriate accommodation in or near Cassino, and with organizing travel arrangements within the region (English is not widely spoken in the Cassino area).

Please contact me by 29th Jan 2010 - exhibit@nzartguild.co.nz (Cassino as the subject) if you are interested in being involved with this fabulous project and if you require more information.

Such an exciting project and opportunity - I look forward to updating you regularly about this. :-)

Today I am grateful for my home .....

Title: Flow of Life
Artist: Sophia Elise
Size: 20 x 20cm
Media: Acrylic
For Sale: $85 - contact sophia@sophiaelise.co.nz

This is something that many of us just take for granted - never could imagine being homeless through natural disaster or extraordinary life circumstances.

The other night I was watching a documentary on TV where they took 5 very wealthy and famous English people and took everything from them - gave them second hand clothes and a sleeping bag (that was all) and left them on the streets for 10 days. This gave a really interesting insight into the individual human natures of the people involved but also points to reflect upon in our own life.

How many of us walk past beggars, homeless people etc without a first let alone second glance. These 5 experienced it first hand - no one knew that they weren't really homeless or that they were incredibly wealthy - all of a sudden they had become invisible to everyone. It also showed the enormous strength that some of the genuinely homeless people have and the big hearts as well.

Following on from this I saw an interesting post by artist friend Cath Sheard on Facebook. In America there has been a man buying signs off homeless people since the late 90's. He has been collecting these and finally last year had an "exhibition" of them . It involved numerous people all standing on the side of a busy road holding up one of these signs.

Now it looked pretty obvious to me that these weren't homeless people. Putting the way they were dressed aside, how often do you find that many homeless people in a row on the same street! Yet people passing by still averted their eyes and didn't want to know.

Take a look here at this mans "art" project http://www.weareallhomeless.blogspot.com/

How far you go in life depends on you being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and the strong. Because someday in life you will have been all of these. - George Washington Carver

Regard every contact as an opportunity to help - n sri ram

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around. -Leo Buscaglia

Haiti Appeal

Title: Untitled
Media: Acrylic
Size: 20 x 20cm
Artist: Sophia Elise
For Sale: $85 contact sophia@sophiaelise.co.nz

You would have to be living in the dark ages to not have heard about the absolute devastation and suffering that has hit Haiti this week. When we see events of this nature we all feel helpless and our hearts go out to the victims. We wonder what we can do to help and it's great to see people rally around and want to help in anyway they can.

On Facebook an Art Organisation in America are asking artists from all around the world to donate artworks to sell to raise money, other people are updating their status with prayers and asking for 5 mins of silence at a set time. On twitter there are many tweets on how you can help donate goods and money.

The question is - where do we start? How can we make a difference when we are so far away and might not be have much ourselves. What is the best way to help? Sometimes we can almost be paralysed with indecision with all the options presented to us.

For me I thought cold hard cash would be the best way to contribute - sending goods or artworks from NZ is logistically a nightmare, saying prayers and silence for 5mins is great on a spiritual level but I wanted to be able to do something that was tangible.

Sooooo - Red Cross in NZ has set up an automatic phone line with an automatic $20 donation to the appeal - ph 0900 733 26 - alternatively you can go to their website and make a donation via credit card, internet banking, chq etc of any amount you would like - even $5 would make a difference.

I was proud today when I heard that Kiwis had already helped raise $1,400,000 - we are a small country, who is just coming out of a recession but obviously still with a generosity of heart. Together we can make a difference.

Today I am grateful for having family, clothing, housing, food, water and money in the bank ..... I am grateful that I can make a difference in some small way and gateful that I live in a country with big hearted people.

How can I help you must be the constat query in relation to one and all - n sri ram

In the truest service the conciousness of self is forgotten - you help because you cannot do other than help - n sri ram

If I can stop one heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain;
If I can ease one life the aching,
Or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin up to his nest again,
I shall not live in vain. - Emily Dickinson

Wonderful people

Title: Untitled
Size: 25cm x 25cm
Media: Acrylic on canvas

Artist: Sophia Elise
FOR SALE: Contact sophia@sophiaelise.co.nz $85

Today I'm grateful for the wonderful, kind, generous souls we meet in everyday life.

On Wednesday my son tore his karate gi - and not at a seam that I could repair but through the fabric (don't ask me how! lol) So that night I went straight onto Trademe (don't you love the beauty of second hand internet shopping) and found a gi for him.

I sent the lovely lady (Jill) a message asking if she could please put a "buy now"option on it as I needed it for next Wednesday. She not only replied straight away, put a cheap price on it, offered me free belts but was unsure of postage costs and simply said to me ..... don't worry about payment now - I will put it in the post tomorrow and let you know how much it cost - she said noone should have to repair a gi!

Such a lovely lady - living in rural Dunedin that I had never met who through a common bond of motherhood and her genoristy of spirit has taken it upon herself to help me out by getting it to Auckland asap.

These are the people who warm your spirit and reinforce your gratitude for the simple things in life. Thank you Jill for making me smile :-)

Sophia Elise and Bajidoo Bangles present Journey of Life

This Bajidoo bangle is created by Bajidoo desingers using Sophia Elise original artwork. The artists were also given the taskes of choosing names for these designs. A percentage of each sale of these bangles goes to the artists.

This bangle is called Journey of Life - This Design includes flatback Pearl Rhinestone accents.

To Buy: Click Here
Price: $60 USD ($82 NZD approx at current exchange rate)
Postage: Postage to NZ is $14 USD not $80 as is currently showing. Please email Bajidoo Owner Brenda directly and she will amend this.

Sophia Elise and Bajidoo Bangles present Enlightenment

This Bajidoo bangle is created by Bajidoo desingers using Sophia Elise original artwork. The artists were also given the taskes of choosing names for these designs. A percentage of each sale of these bangles goes to the artists.

This bangle is called Enlightenment - This Design includes 1 34ss Siam Arora Borialiss Swarovski Crystal and 6 9ss Siam Swarovskis

To Buy: Click Here
Price: $65 USD ($89 NZD approx at current exchange rate)
Postage: Postage to NZ is $14 USD not $80 as is currently showing. Please email Bajidoo Owner brenda directly and she will amend this.

Sophia Elise and Bajidoo present Matauranga

This Bajidoo bangle is created by Bajidoo desingers using Sophia Elise original artwork. The artists were also given the taskes of choosing names for these designs. A percentage of each sale of these bangles goes to the artists.

The first one of mine is called Matauranga - (Maori word for Wisdom. Sophia is the Greek word for Wisdom)

You can order from http://www.bajidoo.com/shop/index.php?cPath=85_87 (click on the images to see the bangles)

Please remember prices are in USD (current exchange rate = $80-90 NZD approx depending on bangle chosen)

Don't Panic - shipping costs at present have a glitch in them and it should be $14 not $80 for shipping to NZ. Please email the owner Brenda and she will amend manually for you.

Bajidoo Bangles are finished!

You can now view, review and purchase the finished bangles online at the Bajidoo store. www.bajidoo.com

There are special pages set up for the Featured Artists they have selected. The first 4 artists selected are all fellow NZ Art Guild members and fantastic New Zealand artists.

If you like the designs please take the time to click on the button at the bottom of the profile and also select a star to place a vote for the design.

Designs on progress by Bajidoo based on artwork by Sophia Elise

Here are the designs in progress done by Bajidoo Designers - they used my original artworks to create Bajidoo bangle designs.

Original Artworks selected by Bajidoo Bangles

The two artworks that Bajidoo selected to use to create their fantastic unique designs are below. They are both form my Journey of Life sweries - all the dots are handpainted by brush.

Title: Families
Media: Mixed media - acrylic paint on flax mat
Artist: Sophia Elise
Year: 2007
SOLD



Title: Contained
Media: acrylic
Artist: Sophia Elise
Year: 2008
SOLD

Original Art made into Bangles

After what I thought was a bit of a painful start to the year (breaking my ankle on Boxing Day) has ended up being a fantastic start to the year!

Bajidoo (which is a USA based jewellery company specialising in bangles) emailed me today to say they wanted to make me one of their feature artists and have selected two of my artworks to be made into bangles!

Their bangles are stunning - absolute masterpieces and a visual delight. I feel really honoured that they selected me. And an added bonus is that I actually get to own one as well as earn commission from any sales!

Take a look at this link - they will add more images as they go to show how they create the artwork into a bangle.

You are able to purchase them from their website - www.bajidoo.com - but if you can't wait til they are listed then you can email them directly and place an order :-)

I'm also really excited that fellow artist and NZ Art Guild member Chavah Kinloch has also had two of her artworks selected to be featured. Take a look here

Thought of the day

Teach this triple truth to all: A generous heart, kind speech, and a life of service and compassion are the things which renew humanity. -Buddha

Thought of the week

There are some truths about life that can be expressed only as stories, or songs, or images. Art delights, instructs, consoles. It educates our emotions. - Dana Gioia

NZ Art Guild Win Top Spot

NZ Art Guild
Most Community-Minded Business
The David Awards 2009


We are very excited to announce that the NZ Art Guild has won the Most Community Minded Business Award in The David Awards 2009. This category is for a business which gives back to its community, e.g. local, regional or industry sector, in ways, shapes or forms which benefit the community significantly.

The David Awards recognise the unsung heroes in small businesses throughout New Zealand, whose tenacity, courage and ingenuity place them firmly at the forefront of entrepreneurship in this country. Just as David, an ordinary, unassuming young man, used shrewdness and a simple slingshot to conquer the giant Goliath, so these entrepreneurial Davids often punch well above their weight. The David Awards seek to honour these heroes in small business.

To view the video announcement, hear what the judges say and see some photos of the NZ Art Guild at work go to http://www.thedavidawards.co.nz/event2009.html and select from the menu on the right of the screen to view the video clip Community Award.

The Battle is on

The Battle is on for NZ Small Businesses

NZ Art Guild Battles It Out For Top Spot

The finalists in The David Awards 2009: heroes in small business have been named.

The NZ Art Guild is proud to be one of 3 finalists named in the Most Community Minded Business Category. This is a business which gives back to its community, e.g. local, regional or industry sector, in ways, shapes or forms which benefit the community significantly.

The David Awards recognise the unsung heroes in home and small businesses throughout New Zealand, whose tenacity, courage and ingenuity place them firmly at the forefront of entrepreneurship in this country.

Just as David, an ordinary, unassuming young man, used shrewdness and a simple slingshot to conquer the giant Goliath, so these entrepreneurial David’s often punch well above their weight.

The NZ Art Guild provides promotion, support, opportunities and resources to NZ visual artists and is also actively involved in the wider community by raising money and awareness for charities. In the past year they have helped raise nearly $85,000 for charity including $22,000 for the Leukaemia and Blood Foundation of NZ and $9,000 for the Mental Health Foundation of NZ.

Guild Manager, Sophia Elise says “We are very excited and humbled to be selected as a finalist in the David Awards. We couldn’t think of a better category for us to be – we love to give not only to the creative community but also to the wider New Zealand community and charities.”

The David Awards seek to honour these heroes in small business. The organizer of the Awards, Heather Douglas, says, “The judges felt there was a strong and varied field of entrants this year. These finalists are inspiring, courageous business people with a passion for what they do and the determination to make it work. Some have overcome considerable adversity in order to reach the success they now enjoy.”

Category winners and a Supreme Award will be announced during a live webcast on The David Awards web site from 10.30 a.m. on the 7th of October. A podcast of the event will be available for download for an extended period after the actual ceremony.

For more information go to www.nzartguild.co.nz or www.thedavidawards.co.nz

Chuck Close

If you're overwhelmed by the whole, break it down into pieces - Chuck Close

Inspiration of the Day:
If you're an artist in the 21st century, chances are you've heard of master-colorist and brush-wielder extraordinaire, Chuck Close. Considered one of the most influential artists of our time, he is quite frankly, unstoppable. Recognizing his thirst to paint at a very young age, he has not allowed anything to stand in his way, maneuvering every challenge into an opportunity. At age 48, after an award ceremony, Close rushed to the hospital because of persistent chest pains. Within a few hours, Close was paralyzed from the neck down as a result of a blood clot in his spinal column. But in a few months, he was back, brush strapped to a hand split, painting on a giant grid, in a new style better adapted to his more restricted brush movement. His style of photorealism built by thousands of little squares in a grid has moved art enthusiasts and critics everywhere

http://www.dailygood.org/more.php?n=3866a

People are treasures

In one of my many communications this week was a lovely gem from a fabulous lady called Sharon who owns the Longueville Gallery and is organising a child cancer fundraiser. http://www.longuevillegallery.co.nz/

"One of the nicest things in this life are the unexpected treasures you meet in people that cross your path"

What a fabulous saying and so true - it is one of lifes unexpected treasures - and one that people don't seem to value enough.

In Ya Face

My very good friend and extremely talented artist - Tony Brown - is having a solo exhibition at the Bruce Mason Centre, Takapuna in September. This is a must see of his fabulous portrait work - in his own unique style - like no other. Opening night is Wed 2nd Sep 6-9pm - would be great to see you there.

You may wonder why such a title - In Ya Face - Tony and I were mulling over a title for this exhibition a few weeks ago - just throwing phrases around, and having a general chat about nothing in particular and then he said to me - "In Ya Face" ... and I went - "that's it!!" And he went "what?" - I said "the title" ... something catchy - something people will remember - and something that refelcts the exhibition ... not only are the artworks portraits - but they are larger than life.

A bit more about Tony and his art ....

Tony Brown offers us all a vision of perseverance and triumph over turmoil. An enthusiasm to forge a better life is what fuels Tony’s passion to create works that inspire powerful and emotive responses: “I want to reach out to people who are stuck”.

Tony’s paintings, which are deeply inlaid with a locality and familiarity and in some cases, are intimately provocative, grapple with issues such as depression, loneliness, adoption and sobriety. Tony’s dark and raw works show an artist who interprets issues with an innate sense of compassion and individuality.

Through a process of rehabilitation, Tony rediscovered art as a form of expression from childhood and values the emotions he is able to stir within viewers of his work.

Tony does commissions on a frequent basis - please contact him for more information.

Contact
Email: broto66@yahoo.co.nz
Website: http://www.tonybrown-artist.blogspot.com/

Passion

Title: Passion
Media: Mixed Media Painting
Artist: Sophia Elise
SOLD

I was sent this email today be a very dear friend who simply said - "this reminds me of you" - after reading it I was felt very humbled ....

It has been said that art is a tryst, for in the joy of it maker and beholder meet. --Kojiro Tomita

Inspiration of the Day:
"Through a long series of coincidences, this 'art box' finds you. When I had to give a gift for my sister, I realized her two loves. Her first love was art, the joy of creative expression, the connection with a subtler force. In her high school graduation speech, she used a quote that summed up her perspective: an artist isn't a special kind of a person but every person is a special kind of an artist. Her second love was helping people, especially artists. To my little sis, art was always about giving, but she would sometimes doubt -- if an artist gives everything away, how do they survive? How will their spirits continue to soar? She sure is an innocent spirit. :)" What follows is an account of a touching act of anonymous kindness by a "happiness entrepreneur." [ more ]

Be The Change:
Support someone's creative expression today: listen to a song, share a notebook, encourage.

Forever - mixed media abstract

Title: "Forever"
Artist: Sophia Elise
Media: Mixed media - black, red, metallic gold
Size: 20cm x 20cm
For Sale: $85 contact sophia@sophiaelise.co.nz


The inspiration for this piece is love - how often do the words love you forever get spoken and how often is that true .... ?

There are many forms of love - friendship, family, romance ....

However it's true of all types of love that even if it does pass you are never the same.....

No love, no friendship, can cross the path of our destiny without leaving some mark on it forever - Francois Mauriac

Love is like a violin. The music may stop now and then, but the strings remain forever - June Masters Bacher

Some people come into our lives and quickly go.
Some people move our souls to dance.
They awaken us to new understanding
with the passing whisper of their wisdom.
Some people make the sky more beautiful to gaze upon.
They stay in our lives for awhile,
leave footprints on our hearts,
and we are never ever the same.
- Flavia Weedn

And true , deep genuine love is summed up by this ....

Love is the only force known to man which it is not possible to vanquish by any threat , however dire, in any ordeal, however terrible, to which it may be put. In its purity it inspires to the most wondrous sacrifice. - N Sri Ram