Celebrating Naidoc week with an art workshop run by artist Les Elvin.
It’s been so long since I’ve written in here, I thought I would blow some cobwebs off the page and give a little update. My new addiction is Instagram (@miss_lonny look me up!) I love the instant gratification of it, I’m able to quickly capture memories without too much effort. And the community, it’s so lovely and creative and interactive, and friendly. Thankfully I’m keeping well on top of photographing the kiddos and our day-to-day adventures but I do love coming back here and recording our days so will try harder to remember.
We have had lots of exciting adventures this year, many that you can only be privvy to once you remove school from your life. Every day becomes an educational opportunity if you think outside the box and although not all days are peachy keen, it’s a truly great life. My kids are wonderful, brilliant, clever little people and I’m so grateful for them.
These photos were taken today at Denman Farmers Markets. Look at that kid sipping his hot chocolate. Seriously, he’s 9 going on 16. I feel old.
Recently a very good friend of mine contacted me about a painting. Stacey and her husband and their two adorable children have recently packed up and left city living in exchange for a gorgeous property with chickens, a miniature pony and a dog and they wanted a portrait painted as a housewarming gift to themselves. Isn’t that a lovely way to celebrate their new slower paced life in the country!
Stacey and I met a few years ago (before she was a mother and before my Lola was born) when we were both planning our weddings; back then I was also running a little hobby business making special occasion stationery so had the pleasure of making Stacey’s wedding invitations and favours, and now once again I had the pleasure of making them a beautiful keepsake, though I must admit, it was the biggest family I have painted to date!
My latest commission, a painting of a lovely family from Bangalow. Crystal and her husband Andrew are celebrating their 10 year anniversary this year and this is their gift to each other. I am so incredibly honoured that they asked me to work with them on this special occasion. And one of the best things about my new little venture is the amazing people I’m now meeting!
Callum’s 9th Birthday Q+A
1. What is your favourite colour? Black and white
2. What is your favourite toy? Skylanders
3. What is your favourite movie? Avengers
4. What is your favourite thing to eat for lunch? Pasta
5. What is your favourite outfit? My new bomber jacket and my spirit hood because I love husky’s
6. What is your favourite game? Poptropica
7. What is your favourite animal? Leo!
8. What is your favourite song? Foo Fighters
9. What is your favourite book? Andy Griffiths books
10. Who is your best friend? Harrison, Bailey and Eli. And you Mum.
11. What is your favourite thing to eat for breakfast? Pancakes
12. What is your favourite thing to do outside? Skate in my heely’s
13. What is your favourite drink? Lime milkshake
14. What is your favourite holiday? When I went to Hervey Bay by myself to see my best friends!
15. Who is the funniest person you know? Dad
16. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? Ummm…
17. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? Pizza!
18. What do you want to be when you grow up? A game reviewer
19. What do you most like about birthdays? That you get to see all of your family, and presents!
20. Do you know how much your family love you? How can you tell? Because you always tell me you love me. And I’m the coolest boy in the world.
Last weekend we were thrilled to have Hailey from You Can’t Be Serious come and shoot some photos of the kids. Only a couple of weeks before had I seen on her facebook page she was going to be in Newcastle and had a couple of sessions available so I quickly emailed her and then immediately started plotting the kids outfits! I absolutely love her fun and colourful style, and did I mention fun? And just secretly I wish she was my best friend.
Typically it poured rain in Newcastle the afternoon we were going to meet so at short notice we travelled to Pokolbin instead and ended up back at the Hunter Valley Gardens. After the rain has passed it turned out to be a great afternoon; Lola my shrinking violet (not) adored Hailey and marched her around the gardens saying “take a photo of me here, and here” standing in front of her favourite garden statues.
