Painting, Stress relief, writing

Australian birds: parrot painting

Hello cutie, King Parrot. Original artwork by Rhonda St John, semi matt acrylic paints on 20cm x 30cm cotton canvas sheet.
Little Corellas make regal subjects to paint
Little Corellas lifting me higher. Matt acrylic paints on canvas, 50cm x 70cm x 1cm, original artwork by Rhonda St John.
Pretty in crimson and pink. Pink Galah on the fence. Original artwork by Rhonda St John. 40cm x 80cm x 1cm cotton canvas.
Red tailed Black Cockatoo in cool blue. This painting sparkles with the use of metallic acrylic paints. Original artwork by Rhonda St. John, 40cm x 80 cm x 1cm cotton canvas, photo reference Cam Miller on pinterest.

I took a pause from writing throughout the Covid 19 pandemic, instead choosing to reignite the joy of acrylic painting. For the love of Australian birds lifting me higher, this is a dedication to parrots.

“So, why did you put down the pen?” chirped Chirpy the rainbow lorikeet over the writer’s shoulder.

“Oh, you’re so cute, yes you are. I love you. You’re a sweetie—hang on, are you talking to me? No way, this is amazing,” replied the writer in disbelief.

“Pick up the pen, pick up the pen,” Chirpy chirruped.

“You’re funny. I don’t feel like writing. I literally have not had any desire to be creative in that way since the world fell into turmoil earlier this year affecting everyone’s lives so drastically. Yet 2020 is turning out to be quite memorable, what with painting and all. And I’d so love to  try  painting you.”

And that’s how it began. If a bird comes to visit my garden, sits on the fence, under the porch or on a windowsill or anywhere else in my near vicinity, I immediately fall in love. I try as hard as I can to grab the phone, zoom in the camera lens and snap a picture so I can attempt to paint him/her.

 

First attempt at capturing the beauty of Yellow crested Cockatoos. Such a ruckus they caused discovering my sunflowers, hence the fast splash of acrylic paints. Original Artwork by Rhonda St John, 80cm x 80cm x 3cm stretched cotton canvas.

 

 

Oh, I also grew some brilliant sunflowers in the new vege patch. When these happy flowers went to seed along with blooming seed clusters from palm trees growing on the fence line, various parrot species seemed to flock in and around the home. That’s when a desire to paint these beautiful birds came about and writing took a holiday.

There’s nothing like a pandemic to bring about writer’s block, that’s for sure. There’s nothing like a pandemic full stop. I’m so grateful for all the birds visiting the yard to lift my spirits. They make me smile with their silly antics, bringing laughter and joy. And I’ve never seen so many parrots in my life. Maybe I’ve never taken the time to notice the beauty and wonder all around.

Proud as punch, Red Tailed Black Cockatoo in midnight blue. My artistic impression of this stunning parrot. Photography by Ian Davies. Art work original by Rhonda St John, 40cm x 80 cm x 1cm cotton canvas

Creative writing will flow again when the world renews, I tell myself. But, for now, I so enjoy getting a little messy with acrylic paint as I try to capture the beauty of Australian birds. Parrot painting.

– Rhonda Hughe St John

Ps. Still to come, the cheeky Rainbow lorikeet and the magnificent Yellow Tailed Black Cockatoo

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Mars in the sky with double yolkers

What on earth do double yolks and Mars have in common with the subject of change? Read on.

I have all the ingredients, namely double yolkers, to cook up a delicious treat.  I mean seriously how many double yolks can one girl get in the space of a week? I cracked one short of a dozen and managed to get a picture of some, but not all. Double the amount for the two eggs in one and you get two short of a baker’s dozen—the number 22. How egg citing!  Turning to numerology and the stars, I wonder what it all means.

The number 22 reminds me to stay balanced and stand strong with regards to personal convictions, work diligently on my spiritual life path and soul purpose, and to keep looking at the big picture while working on the details towards achieving such goals. Information sourced from Joanne Walmsley-Sacred Scribes, an enlightening read. Yes, well, I’m listening and I’ll keep trying my best to stay focussed on exactly that.

I put all the double yolks on pulse before baking in the oven, hoping a soufflé would rise to the challenge of change, in this magnificent story I keep writing about—called life.

Turning to the sky here in the Southern Hemisphere, how can I not? It’s so clear at the moment; I can’t resist getting out of bed at three or four in the morning just to check out the dazzling star field. Mars is so close; you can almost reach out and touch it. It’s food for my soul. The eclipse is less than two weeks away, July 28 and I can feel the energy of the universe pulsing around me, bringing about change. Check out the sky in the evening for a celestial treat.

Mars to the naked eye
Jupiter and the moon

With Mars beaming down, and Jupiter, and the moon, the sky is working as my writer’s lamp, providing all the inspirational light I need to keep writing and moving in soul directions. Look to the stars every one, you’re sure to see a spectacular display and you may find your own inspiration and guidance to bring about change.

More double yolks

As for those double yolks, I’m sure they mean something—overzealous chicks perhaps?

Until next time,

Rhonda Hughe St. John

 

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Commemorative give away

Commemorative free gift

Commemorative celebration

Hooray, it’s a celebration and on Soul Chaser’s anniversary this commemorative give away is sure to please.

To celebrate the anniversary of Soul Chaser and its release I’m going to give away this super special, sweet bookmark hand crafted by Rhonda Hughe St. John to one lucky customer in Australia.

Commemorative bookmark hand crafted by Rhonda Hughe St. john

Working with thin rope is challenging. The tiny little stitches took me ages to work out, but in the end I think I came up with a cutie and it could be yours.

Macramé craft is extra special to me. It goes hand in hand  with writing, simply because it’s creative, requires patience and brings equilibrium to my otherwise hectic life. Who doesn’t need that!

So would you like to feel the balance in each intricate stitch, or simply have a gorgeous bookmark to use and admire?

It’s easy,  purchase a paperback copy of Soul Chaser on Amazon to celebrate the anniversary of its release. Be the first to send me your purchase details to info@rhondahughestjohn.com  and I’ll send you this delicately twined bookmark, by me of course, for free. This is a one off give away, cotton macramé piece for Australian purchasing customers only. Is it yours?

That’s one only guys!

Offer closes after first lucky person’s correct purchase details are received.

This free offer is open for Australian customers only.

Posts to Australia, free postage.

 

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How to stay sane in the writers’ game

I’m gonna’ stay sane in the writers’ game by staying true to my writer’s  journey. And it’s tough out there trying to make a writing mark, that’s for sure. There will be times when you get so frustrated that you’ll want to throw your hands in the air. When putting yourself out there writing, sometimes you feel so vulnerable it’s like you’re naked to the world.

Is it worth it?  Of course it is. I know and you know what we love doing, but when you spend hours, days, weeks and months writing, occasionally you’re bound to come up with obstacles. Don’t kick yourself. You’re not alone.

The game is to shrug it off and journey on.

Here are six tricks to keep your sanity and keep writing.

  1. Keep going: Okay, get those words down on paper. Look ahead, not behind.
  2. Don’t give up: when the words aren’t flowing right try and try again.
  3. Feel proud of your accomplishments to date: remember the satisfying moments when you reached a word count quota or published a great line or two, or the time someone left a great review. Pat yourself on the back.
  4. Live in the moment: You know what I’m talking about, notice the little pleasures around you and rejoice in the day.
  5. Get off worrying about the ‘like’: Put the phone down. Concentrate on quality writing, not quantity pictures.
  6. Move on to the next project: Mission complete! Learn what worked for you and what didn’t , improve and start again at number one.

That’s why I call it the writers’ game, because you go back to the beginning and keep on playing. Have fun. I know I do.

Drop in a comment or PM me if you’d like to share in your writing experiences to date.

Until next time, Rhonda XX

Photo credit: Vectors www.vecteezy.com

 

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Until we connect again

Until we connect again, I said with a contented smile to my dearly beloved.

Moosh, moosh, here comes a romance one.

Oh really… do we have to? You ask.

Well, yes we do, because Valentine’s Day is around the corner, and it only seems fitting that we should pay homage to the milestone day. It’s as painful for me as it is for you, trust me.

Ay caramba, here we go—

Eyes undress

Warm caress

Damn! He said

Heart aflutter, melt like butter

Can I stay here in this moment forever?

C’est la vie, I guess not

Until we connect again

-Rhonda Hughe St. John

There, that wasn’t too painful, I guess. I love my beau. Why not add your own romantic poetry to this page? I’d love to read some other peoples’ poems in the lead up to Valentine’s Day. Give it a try and I’ll share my favourite on the day.

xx Rhonda Hughe St. John

Photo Credit: Jennifer Rose

 

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Ten steps to freedom writing

You heard me, freedom writing. What is that? For me it’s simple, it’s about writing with passion and joy, without all the messy promotion that takes considerable effort and a large portion of a writer’s time. Do you remember those days? I do.

But this summer’s write feels alright. More than ever, writing feels damn good.

I’ve spent this summer loving madly, protecting deeply and hoping nothing hits the fan. So far so good, but in between all the joy and pain of raising chicks, pacifying the rooster, which is easier said than done, and scraping the dirt, I’ve managed to find the time to whole-heartedly write. Yep, the writing mojo is back.

And it feels good.

Here’s how you get all that creative writing down on paper.

  1. The timing has to be right
  2. Don’t pressure yourself
  3. Get out in nature
  4. Exercise
  5. Remember to live life
  6. Sometimes the pressure of actually earning a living, if you’re like me and relatively unknown, takes a toll and writing just doesn’t fit in. Wait for the free moment and grab that creative space.
  7. If the writing isn’t happening, back off and breathe. I mean really, the world isn’t going to come to an end if you don’t type. But there again, we are in the hands of world powers.
  8. Taking in nature brings inspiration and clarity to your work. Stepping out your front or back door may suffice. There’s no need to go to the beach, just let the wind touch your face and listen to the sounds of a cricket or the rustling of leaves.
  9. Get off the couch and stretch those limbs, nothing has to be too difficult if you don’t want. Start with gently rolling your shoulders back. Did you hear a crack? Hmm… Time to move.
  10. You can’t write, at least not well, if you don’t live life, because living life to the fullest allows a magnitude of experience to seep through into your work. So what are you waiting for? Get out there.

I guarantee you’ll be writing with freedom if you follow these ten basic principles. Now it’s time for me to put them into practice.

XX Rhonda Hughe St. John

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Mindful moments

Video

 

Mindful moments

As 2018 kick-starts into full gear people around me are already tiring of the kindly reminder to be mindful in their thoughts and actions. It’s like mindfulness is so last year, but I’m not going to ignore how this year began and how it’s more important than ever to have mindful thoughts.

So how did this year begin for you? Was it sluggish? Whether you’re hot and dehydrated or cold and snowed in, depending on which hemisphere you live in, everyone has their complications and I’m no exception.

January has us seeking improvement, a better future and there’s always the excitement of a new start. So, I fell flat on my face when I received a lovely review on Amazon, January 6 from Patricia Gonzalez, who I admire for her constant teaching and support of artists. I’m already full of rainbow colour on the inside, but there’s always room for more as she reminded me. Thank you Patricia.

Another great start to the year and keeping my mojo going has been the monthly pick up I get from the Australian Writers Centre. CEO, Valerie Khoo is an inspiration to all in the writing field and I’m definitely going to keep going.

Mary Maker of Macramé Movement has allowed me to remember that creativity in any form is a great outlet for the soul and I don’t feel so alone being part of such a wonderful community.

What I have taken into my heart while embarking on this paranormal fiction writer’s journey, is the fact that my children are growing up, and 738 spam messages later, the effort becomes worthwhile when I receive true encouragement. These are magical moments and help me to appreciate how far I’ve come no matter how insignificant it seems to others scrolling by. Mindful moments: for lovers of birds and nature

 

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At Christmas, thank you for allowing retreat

Enjoying peace quiet and retreat on boxing day while crickets chirp and a summer storm rolls in. Bliss. The tinsel is wet, soggy bon bons from last night’s storm are on the way to the tip, thanks to the workers who drive the bin trucks, even on the most celebrated day of the year. I’m exhausted, but grateful for sharing this special time with family and friends.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and rejoiced. We are so blessed here in Australia to enjoy beaches, heat and summer barbecues at this time of year. A cold, maybe snowy Christmas is the normal across the miles as children’s imaginations run wild with Santa’s sleigh bells, but let me tell you Santa rocks on a surfboard in the heat too!

I’d like to say thank you to supporters and followers and anyone who has enjoyed the content I put out on occasion while I follow my writer’s journey. I’m always considering what you might find interesting as I share tid bits of a rather private and introverted life. So thank you once again. I’m enjoying retreat right now and looking forward to sharing a triad of content as writing the magnificent manuscript continues next year.

Happy New Year everyone and safe holidays, I’ll be singing “Auld Lang Syne” with all of you.

xx Rhonda Hughe St. John

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For all Mums at Christmas

Mums of the world, and dads too, a heartfelt extended thank you. It’s a tough world out there, and our parents tried to teach us over and over again. We grow up, move on and make our own mistakes. I often reflect and share about my father because he is the person who drives me when I write. He has passed and the memory lives on as if he’s right beside me in everything I do.

But my mum on the other hand, is here and now and what a momentous job she does with her children, grand children and great grand children, often putting aside her own ordeals. Thank you Mum.

It’s a quiet night, nine days before Christmas and I’m exhausted, how about you? It’s all about the cleaning, the perfecting, as if one hasn’t done it all year. The wrapping up of work, tension, sickness, dramas, grief, online news and the ever-changing world. Mum helps me along with her strength and amazes me how she quietly copes with all her pain. I think she’s so courageous. I never cease looking up to her.

So here is a sound out with a big applauding to the ones, the mums and most of all my mum, who make everything worthwhile. I appreciate everything and thank you so much. This is for all mums for being the people you are.

Merry Christmas,

Love Rhonda Hughe St. John

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Jingle bells, why I love Christmas

Well, the silly season is upon us again, jingle bells and breathe, because if you didn’t realise, we’re in the thick of it. Mmhhm… I love Christmas, that special time bringing people together, celebrating and being with family. As I get older my happy memories of Christmas as a child stay prominent and I so try to replicate those times. That’s where Christmas becomes challenging, as we all race around trying to make everything perfect. I get so emotional, mainly over people lost and those around me not living up to standards. There I said it, not living up to standards.

So, do you and your partner have the biggest barney every year because one didn’t do this and one didn’t do that and you’re so bloody broke after buying for everyone, and the whole world has come to a stop, and there ain’t no cash next week, or the week after because the whole world has come to a stop and you’ve just spent an entire six months pay on one day and all the little unexpected  visitors in between, and you’re exhausted because you tried every day to clean your house and lawn like the Queen was about to visit?

Maybe you are so successful that none of the stresses above entered your life, but you and your partner still had the biggest barney over finance and emotional issues, and what of those that health issues arose?

You hear about the suffering, other people’s misfortunes, or maybe you are suffering at this time. Oh holly heck, don’t you want to be a child again? So, thank you to my parents for making every Christmas so special. I salute you and love you both for your efforts.

May this Christmas feel special to you all, may you feel the tingle and the zing, and may the love come in to your heart, even if there is pain about. Just stop for a moment, close your eyes and remember hearing those bells.

‘Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way…’

Love to everyone, no matter where you are it.

Have a Merry Christmas as best you can.

Love Rhonda Hughe St. John

Photo credit: setthewed.com

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A writer’s journey