I’m running a bit behind schedule, this week. I’m occasionally, surprised how busy I’ve been. I think somedays I’m not all that productive, spending too much time on social media, or zoom chats as a way to fill the social deficit while staying home.
It still feels strange to go to the store and see everyone’s faces covered with masks, it feels so alien. I think we need to see facial expressions, whether it’s from friends or strangers, it’s another form of communication and how we connect on an emotional or empathic level with each other. It’s surprising how a random smile from a stranger can lift you out of a momentary funk. I miss that.
I’ve been thinking a lot about my posts on my trip to New Zealand, and I admit at times, I feel a bit conflicted about it, given that we’re presently living through the worst period of history in our lifetime, and it feels a bit disingenuous to be showing such happy times when we’re all struggling in one way or another.
But I’m doing it for a couple reasons, one is that it’s my journal of life as an artist and teacher, where I’ve shared my successes, as well as my losses, and a place I talk about my inspirations and the art that comes out of it. Another is that I think it’s important to remember the good times and distract ourselves from melancholy. It’s easy to fall down the emotional abyss right now, but we have to remember the light and goodness, and that we will get through this. Just think how sweet it will feel when we are able to meet face to face with our friends and family again. That’s the beauty of life, without perspective we would have no appreciation for the good things.
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So before we go any further, I’d like to suggest you click on this you.tube link for an audio recording of bird song in New Zealand to set the atmosphere before reading any further.
Isn’t that beautiful?
Now to show exactly where we are, you can see that Matakana is roughly an hour north of Auckland on the east coast, with the Tawharanui [Ta- fa-ra-nu-i] peninsula jutting out into the ocean.
In this photo you can see Kawau island on the horizon.
Tawharanui regional park, at the point of the peninsula, is a protected nature preserve with spectacular beaches open to the public.
We found a nice shady spot under one of those huge twisty trees that are so common on the shores of New Zealand.
After a lovely swim, I laid down on a towel and soaked in the perpetual sounds of buzzing cicadas, tui’s and bell birds in the trees above.
This is a lovely place for me to retreat to in my minds eye, when I need to feel calm and a sense of peace.
After the tide went out, I ventured over to the rocks to see what life was nestled in the crevices.
Along with drying seaweed, clam shells and barnacles, I found a couple beautiful sponges, camouflaged with the sand,
and beyond the rocks, another beautiful beach with a few swimmers.
A beautiful day to remember.
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Before I end this post I’ll share a bit of art I made recently, inspired by my photos that I shared on my post about Lake Rotoiti.
I’ll be the first to admit, I haven’t been churning out the art these days, and I think that’s ok, we’re processing a lot right now and putting pressure on yourself to be creative won’t help. Just take it one day at a time, and do what you need to do to feel ok, and if that’s making a chocolate cake then do that. I think I’m going to do that today, actually! 🙂
So here it is, a playful painting of ferns made with Posca paint pens on a piece of pre-painted canvas.
Keep creating,
Judy
ABOUT JUDY
Judy is an artist, explorer, image wrangler, knowledge seeker, instructor, speaker, creative alchemist, and purveyor of inspiration, helping others channel creativity on a daily basis.
8 responses to “Remembering a day at the beach with friends before the world shut down.”
I am so happy that you have been sharing your adventures in New Zealand with us. I have certainly been enjoying the lovely scenery. In these days of chaos and madness where you feel that life has changed for us in ways we cannot even begin to fathom yet, these little travelogues off us a momentary peace and calm . Thank you for sharing.You gave me a lift today.
Thanks so much for your response Marilyn, I certainly don’t want to make anyone feel worse right now, so it’s good to know that it was up lifting. We when need all the help we can get in that department. I think people in the US are feeling depressed, frustrated, angry and resentful at the state of things, especially when many of us know it wouldn’t have gotten this bad if preparation had been made and testing were available.
I’m glad you shared your holiday. It will be a while before I can go there, so it was lovely to armchair travel with you.
I like the Posca pens. If I use them on fabric, like to draw on a jean jacket, are they permanent?
Hi Leigh,
I’m happy to be able to share my trip with you, I feel so lucky now that it happened when it did.
As far as the Posca pens, they are permanent because they are acrylic paint, but on fabric they will soak in (because there is no gesso layer on top of the fabric) and won’t be as bright. I have found on fabric if you go over the lines a couple times, it builds up from the first dried layer and looks brighter. I think using a combination of acrylic or textile paint first and then draw on top with Poscas would have good results.
Please go on telling us about your New Zealand trip and sending all those beautiful photos. We were there for a month in 2010 and your blogs are bringing back so many happy memories. We need cheering up at this time. Thank you.
Thanks Julie, that means so much to hear to say that. I’ve seen 5 drops from subscribers in the couple weeks so it’s hard to know. Take care!
I’ve been faithfully following you trip through New Zealand and love all of the pictures. How inspiring. I’m a new mixed media artist (3 yrs) after decades of traditional quilting. I’m loving experimenting with all kinds of media which included painting canvases and adding fabric, stencils and stamps. Then cut them up and reassembled. I love it all and your work is fabulous. Thanks for sharing your talents with the world.
Oh you’re so welcome La Vay, I’m so glad to hear that you’ve been enjoying my posts about the trip and also that you’ve been branching out and learning new ways to push your creativity. There’s so much to explore, I don’t think I’d ever run out of things to do and make. Take care and be safe.