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Dreaming
Dreaming

Some of you may have noticed that I love Haruki Murakami's quote: "I dream. Sometimes I think that it is the only right thing to do." This quote resonates with me because it highlights the importance of dreaming.


My fascination with dreams began in my childhood, and as a teenager, I started recording them. Initially, it was just a quirky habit, but over time it evolved into something much more meaningful. Dreams have always captivated me, allowing me to live a vivid and imaginative life filled with stories, colorful landscapes, and intriguing encounters. Interestingly, when I read my old dream journals ( and I have many!) I often don’t remember dreaming of those things. It feels like I am reading a novel that I wrote myself without even realizing it.

Dreams hold incredible power. They can reveal hidden emotions, spark creativity, or simply offer an escape to explore new worlds. I have noticed that when I try to jot down my dreams each morning, they become more vivid, and I remember them better. It is almost like writing them down helps train my mind to hang onto those dream memories a little longer. Who knew that remembering dreams could be a skill we can nurture? Is this even possible?

My dreams continuously inspire my paintings. The colors, textures, and surreal moments that unfold while I sleep often find their way into my art. They feel like whispers from my subconscious, gently guiding my creative process.

I have one recurring dream that involves discovering buried treasure on a small moss-covered mound in the middle of a forest. Perhaps this explains my lifelong love of collecting treasures—sea glass, broken pottery, bird feathers, buttons, and any other discarded item that strikes me as beautiful. There is a special joy in finding beauty in the unexpected.

For me, dreams are more than just fleeting moments of the night; they are an endless source of wonder. If you haven’t tried recording your dreams, I encourage you to give it a try. You might be surprised by what your subconscious has to say! Who knows? You might uncover treasures of your own, hidden in the moss-covered mounds of your imagination.


I would love to know.

  • Do you record your dreams?

  • Have you ever experienced recurring dreams?

  • If you keep a dream journal, how do you feel when you look back on it?

When you have some time, please let me know.

 

As we enter the new year and begin dreaming about the future, I feel that it is important to pause for a moment. Before we dive headfirst into all that planning, I enjoy reflecting on the past year.

 

So, here are some of my memorable moments from 2024:

 

  • Writing Monthly Newsletters and Blogs: Who knew that pouring my thoughts onto a page could connect me with so many people?

  • Setting Up Instagram and Regularly Posting: Starting my Instagram was a big step into the unknown. I could not have done it without the younger generation's support! But sharing my creations and seeing so many inspirations from other artists is fun.

  • Teaching Art Classes: Guiding others through the joyful chaos of watercolors, upcycling old books, and experimenting with collages and acrylics was both rewarding and lots of fun. Just the right amount of messiness!

  • Opening my Art Studio at SALA: Welcoming friends into my creative space was a bit scary but also exciting. I loved the opportunity to share my private creative cave with all of you.

  • Exhibiting at the Glenside Lions Art Show: Seeing my work on display in such a big exhibition felt very special —a significant milestone that inspired me to continue experimenting with my art.

  • Creating Whimsical Art Pieces: I took my art on a wild ride! From jazzing up red-tailed black cockatoos with washi tape to painting sunlit savannah landscapes with leopards and zebras, experimenting with surrealism brought me so much joy!

  • Dabbling in New Mediums: I explored painting on vintage book pages, experimented with gold leaf, and learned to use pastels. This challenged my creativity and patience while teaching me to let go of my perfectionism.

  • Strengthening Friendships: Supporting my girlfriend through her recovery was a reminder of how powerful friendship can be. Who knew art and teamwork could make the perfect recipe for healing?


While it is important to celebrate successes, I believe that we need to also look at our “not-so-good” moments.

So, here it is, my examples of “what I could have done better”:


  • Prioritizing Health: Last year reminded me that self-care isn’t just a buzzword, it is a must. After wrestling with some health issues, I am determined to be more careful and recognize my limits in 2025.

  • Being Kinder to the Planet: I am always on the lookout for reducing waste and reusing materials in my art, but there is more to do. Perhaps 2025 could be my year of "zero-waste creativity."

  • Monitoring Social Media Time: Building my Instagram presence feels rewarding, but let’s face it, scrolling through the millions of posts can eat away at the creative time faster than you can realize. I am on a mission to find a balance between engagement and actually creating art.

  • Staying Present: It is so easy to get caught up in the everyday routines, but I want to savor life’s little moments more—even if it is just pausing to enjoy a really good cup of tea or watching the grass grow.


Taking a moment to reflect is like hugging your soul. It helps gain perspective and make future planning more meaningful! So, as you gear up for the new year, don’t forget to wink at the past, smile at the present, and get excited for the future!

 

Happy reflecting, planning, and all the best for the New Year!

 

Ah, Christmas. The season of joy, togetherness, and... scratching your head about what gift to buy for all your relatives or experiencing last-minute panic shopping on Christmas Eve! But what if this year, instead of enduring the madness of shopping centers or clicking through endless online deals, you tried something different and possibly more enjoyable? I am talking about handmade gifts!

I started making handmade gifts for Christmas as a kid. I remember creating special gifts for my entire family. There is something magical about giving a gift made just for a specific person. It conveys the message, “I care about you enough to create something with my own two hands—even if I might glue my fingers together in the process!” Plus, you can avoid the crowded stores. Rather than being surrounded by packed aisles and long lines, you can spend time in the garden, kitchen, or art studio, crafting something memorable.

If you are wondering where to begin, here are my top picks for handmade gift ideas:

  • Something artsy: Create a personalized calendar filled with photos and memories that are meaningful to the recipient. Choose a theme that holds special significance for them. They will love discovering what each month brings as they turn the calendar pages

  • Something from the kitchen: Bake some homemade Christmas biscuits or prepare a jar of plum jam or use any other fruit you have in the garden. You can customize the jar label or Christmas gift tag to make it even more special. And, of course, tasting the biscuits and jam to ensure they meet quality standards is all part of the fun!

  • Something from the garden: Lavender aromatherapy sachets are a great idea. They smell wonderful, keep linen fresh, and could even help your friends relax during the hectic festive season. Plus, finding the perfect materials for the sachets is a creative adventure in itself. 

  • Something cozy: I love knitting. It is a meditative activity, no matter the season. Hand-knitted scarves make the perfect gift—perhaps not as useful during a 40-degree summer, but definitely handy in winter. Who doesn’t love a Christmas memory in July?

  • Something from the studio: Create your own Christmas cards and gift tags. You can paint your own Christmas designs or try my favourite method—recycling old Christmas cards into brand-new creations. Trust me, it is a lot of fun.  You will need some cardstock, scissors, glue, and a bit of imagination. Bonus points for being sustainable!


    So this year, try to forget the shopping and embrace the joy of creating something special. Handmade gifts aren’t just presents; they represent memories, and a little piece of you wrapped up with ribbon. And isn’t that what Christmas is all about?

    Merry Christmas, everyone! I hope you experience a time full of creativity and wonder.

 

© 2023 by Helena Foll. Powered and secured by Wix

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