And please accept my apologies for the inconvenience.

Kass

One of the most important things I could do for myself was get legal work - volunteer work in a legal field where I could learn on the job and apply what I learn in class to real life, and vice versa. And I got SUPER lucky recently when I ran into an old friend. It turns out she has a senior role with a Community Legal Centre here in Melbourne and she was able to get me in the door there, one day a week. As a first year law student, that's tough to get - sure these centres need all the help they can get, but they need help that is useful to them too. So while I felt that I had some really good skills (even if it was initially in more administrative type stuff), it can be hard to convince others of that. So catching up with my friend, Jill, was fortuitous (and rather lovely and fun too as she is a great lady from an equally awesome family) for me.

Today was my first day. I am working in the civil law area (which was what they needed and was also my preference so YAY) with a lovely solicitor. I worked on a few different things and it was early in the afternoon, I became rather self-aware:

I've finally found what I am meant to be doing.

It was a real a-ha moment. The sudden feeling of knowing you've made the right choice for yourself, that with time and experience, you can be really good at something and really enjoy it too. 

I can't describe how calming and happy that has made me feel this afternoon. I am feeling genuinely excited about the future and now know where my life is heading. I don't remember the last time I could look to the future and feel confident about what was to come and where I wanted my life to go.

Have a fantastic weekend, friends!

I have to say, I think this is the most extraordinary thing! Something so familiar to me is suddenly so foreign, so different! I absolutely LOVE it - the presentation of the book is just gorgeous and although it might seem like a little thing in the large scheme of writing books, I have to say this is probably as exciting and fascinating as anything that's happened. It's truly fantastic and I feel a real priviledge to have my book translated into Chinese. 

I don't want to go all political here but China is such an important state in how our world is going to progress in the coming decades. Zentangle being such a relaxing, peaceful activity....is it silly to think maybe I am (in the most minute way) contributing towards a little chunk of peace between east and west? Probably, but I just think it's all rather good fun.

Anyone speak Chinese?

The irony of that email wasn't lost on me - maybe I should pre-order my own book? HA! Which then reminded me I haven't shown you the cover:

I really like the cover - the colour is fantastic. It is available for pre-order on Amazon and I will set up an Affiliate link soon so you can order through that. The Workbook has gone to the printers and should be available in July (I think).

There is also a Chinese language version of Zentangle Untangled being published, complete with an introduction by Taiwanese CZT Laura Liu. I am very excited about that!

So where have I been? Well, up to my ears in law school. Yesterday was the first time I've done anything creative since I started my course and I have nothing arty to show you right now. I wish I had time - I'm craving some art time - but I just don't. The upside is I am really loving my studies - I'm taking 3 units. It's full on and not without moments when I wonder what on EARTH I was thinking....but I am getting there. 

I will TRY to post more often, I appreciate all the friends I've made through this blog! Until then, keep tangling!

I've always been fascinated by what people tell this stranger, knowing it could be scanned and uploaded unto the internet. Sure, it's anonymous but still.....

I've never sent a postcard to Frank. Mainly because I really don't have any secrets. I think there are a lot of people who sent in their deepest thoughts and feelings which is totally fine - I do have some of those - but I don't know if they are necessarily secrets. I don't plan on outing any of my deepest thoughts - for everyone's safety including mine!

Has anyone else been to a Post Secret show? Towards the end, people are invited to take the microphone and tell their secret. It felt like a public counselling session actually. Some of what was said was fantastic but some....I wasn't sure it was the forum to say those things. Maybe I'm not open-minded enough but I kind of felt that maybe, before announcing yout secret to Hamer Hall, you should actually seek help to deal with it (and it's potential ramifications). Maybe that's just me. I am not judging those who were gutsy enough to speak - I certainly wasn't brave enough! - but it did leave me feeling a little....maybe uncomfortable? Not sure. Maybe I need more time to digest it.

The PostSecret website is a great way to kill some time - check it out and let me know what you think?

Content wise, I am really enjoying my course so far. That might surprise some people (maybe not others!) but I am enjoying the challenge of this new way of thinking.

But the study is HARD. It's not the sheer volume that's hurting - yes that is tough going but I knew going in that this would be the reality of law school. What I am finding so hard is the constant self-questioning. Am I doing this right? Are my notes good quality? Am I spending too much time mulling over little things (because I have never been known to do that much.....except every other day.....). And there's no pictures - no visual learning for people like me....I want colour and movement! I understand things better when I can see them, not just read them.

I know I'll be OK and I am seeking help from tutors to guide me a bit on this, but I need to learn to embrace the process, accept imperfection and just do it.

One thing I did today was purchase a book I had wishlisted on Amazon for a little while, called The Sketchbook Handbook. I don't know how applicable it will be for law studies but I figured I can't really go backwards, can I? There's a great website too called Sketchnote Army which I have had a look over and look forward to really digesting in coming weeks in those fleeting moments I have spare.

I have a bunch of arty things "in progress" at the moment..... forgive me, but it is clear making art is going to be a rare joy for me while I study. I'll share what I can, when I can. 

Just love what you created with Jane's awesome face stencils Kass... especially love your Ooh La La page with the colored doilies... and your art journal cover is gorgeous... stunning... I would LOVE to win a set of these beautiful stencils...

Jenny ♥

Congratulations! Jenny, you have 24 hours to answer the email I am about to send you with you snail mail address.

Thankyou everyone who commented for all your lovely messages, I am so glad you liked my work and the amazing art of all the other talented people! 

I'll be back later this week with a new journal page to share (currently in a million pieces on my desk!) - I have to do my uni work first...

I could not be more delighted to be included in the blog hop to introduce the world to the Jane Girls stencils, designed by my beautiful friend Jane Davenport. These stencils are part of the Artistcellar Signature Series which I encourage you to check out. 

Regular followers on my blog will know that I love stencils. No really, I love stencils. I'm not going to count how many I have because I think the number would become very scary, very quickly. But I own a lot and I use them in my art journal almost without fail.

So I have a confession to make - when Jane's stencils arrived, I kind of freaked. You see, Jane's stencils are not like other stencils:

They are faces. They're not background stencils. Not detail stencils. They are like nothing else around. 

And I initially thought "what on earth will I do with these?"

I tell you this because there is often a perception that artists automatically "get it" and use products in ways the average folks reading blogs and books don't think of. I am here to assure you, we too have our moments of vulnerability and self-questioning! 

The Jane Girls stencils required me to think, and let go of my pre-conceived ideas of what my pages had to look like, being good enough to sit along side of the likes of Teesha Moore and not look silly (talk about pressure!). I had to just PLAY and see what came out. Once I did that, the creativity started to flow and I know when you get your hands on these stencils, yours will too.

My favourite is this double page spread which features Jane's stencil, dylusion-sprayed tissue paper and lots of Zentangle® (which is my specialty - check out my book Zentangle Untangled at your local bookstore or online): this spread took quite a while to complete but when it was done, I was pleased that I'd stuck with it -

'Jane Girl' Profile and Eye stencil, dylusions spray, tissue paper, gel medium, gel pen,
payne's grey Inktense pencil, acrylic paint

Some close ups:

The first page that came out was this one - ooh la la!

Jane Girls profile stencil, dylusions ink, paper doilies, scrapbook paper, india ink, washi tape

And then this Princess made her debut just this week...

'Jane Girl' Face stencil, Dina Wakley stencil, acrylic paint, Molotow acrylic pen, washi tape, souffle pen,
silver Faber-Castell pen, glaze pen, stickles, washi tape, Copic pen

My other favourite is this journal cover (laid out flat) which I created last weekend. I was helping Jane at a local papercraft show where she was teaching and, after watching and assisting the class three times, decided I should have a go at the cover myself. I have to say, I adore this and cannot wait to make a full journal from this!

'Jane Girls' Three-Quarter stencil, napkins, matt medium, gesso, acrylic paint, chinagraph pencil,
micron pen, dylusions spray, glaze pen.

I hope that these journal pages have given you some ideas for ways that you can use these stencils. Once I shut off my inner critic, I realised the potential for these stencils and I know they are going to be used regularly and often in my journals from now on. 

And, you can too! Artistcellar.com are giving away one full set of 'Jane Girls' stencils to one of my lucky blog readers! All you have to do is leave a comment by 5pm AEDST on March 11, 2013 (that's 1am on 13/3 for the US East Coast, 10pm on the 10/3 on the US West Coast and 5am 11/3 in London). I'll use a random number generator to pick a winner!

And don't forget to check out the AMAZING work by the other bunnies blog hoppers and enter on their pages too:

Sunday 3/3 - Artistcellar  
Monday 3/4 - Teesha Moore
Tuesday 3/5 - Jeanette House
Wednesday 3/6 - Dawn Sokol  
Thursday 3/7 - Tamara Laporte
Friday 3/8 - Effy Wild 
Saturday 3/9 - Kass Hall YOU ARE HERE!
Sunday 3/10 - Mindy Lacefield  
Monday 3/11 - Jane Davenport 

We have had a difficult few weeks after the death of our beautiful friend, Rob. We are doing much better but it has definitely been an adjustment, especially for my husband (his best mate). We went to Canberra to say goodbye to him, it was a beautiful celebration where we rallied around each other to comfort and support, laugh and cry. Going forward we want to celebrate the true blessing of having had Robbie in our life and continue on in his honour. So that's where I've been.

We've been truly touched by the many messages we've received since Rob's passing. Thankyou, one and all, for your love.

I've now started Uni so it may be that posts become a little less frequent than they have been. It is hard not to be distracted by making art when I am meant to be reading and researching! 

One thing I am excited to announce is that I am part of a blog hop to celebrate the release of Jane Davenport's stencil range through Artistcellar.com. Check back on Saturday for my effort but in the meantime, check out the amazing work contrbuted so far here (and click the links to see the other blogs). Each blog is hosting a giveaway of a set of stencils so make sure you include a comment on each blog. You will agree that you NEED these stencils.....

See you Saturday!