New Blog Address

Hola lovely souls!

I've now moved my blog to be the homepage of my website...

www.goddessleonie.com



Come on over for more joys ~~~

Please update your links :)

Thanks so much!

Love & light,
Leonie

Be Brave

Available in my Etsy store.

Every Morning

Available in my Etsy store in 2 different sizes.

Be Still

I've been pretty quiet for a long while... living my life, finding the balance of sharing joy and just experiencing joy...

As so many of you know, I love sharing about joy and spirit ~ for me I just needed to find the place of knowing what I would like to give to the world...

the question of:
what is the most powerful, loving thing I can give myself and others?

This little collection of art that i'll share over time is
all about celebrating every woman as the goddess she is
and honouring every part of her journey...

may you have a precious, awakening day
with love and light
Leonie

p.s. my etsy store is open again

portrait party wilderness

i would have loved to meet some of my fave cutie-patooties this past weekend at a blessingway... but, i'm kinda half way around the world from the US, and in a few days i am flying around the world in the other direction for a whole other amazing adventure.

so, instead, i met one of said fave cutie-patooties in portrait party land.
it was kinda wild, like a sherbert-infused soul-rave party in the forest somewhere.
and a little bit tame, like afternoon tea at the neighbours, if you happen to think your neighbour is the most precious mama-goddess around.
and mostly honouring, in a very sweet kinda way, like puppy dog kisses.

or as lovely as this:
when you wake in the morning and manage to pretend to sleep through your partner's insistent nudgings to go to the gym with him, and pop open your eyes once he's gone, invite cutest puppy dog in the world onto the bed with you for pyjama party, where you tickle each other, and you read out stories to him. and by the time sweaty hunk has gotten home from pumping iron, you've managed to take your pyjama party out into the garden for enthusiastic salutations to the sun for managing to rise this morning. and when you mean salutations to the sun, you don't mean the prescribed precision of yoga moves, you mean like crazy pyjama dancing and wild uldulations. moments so precious that you don't even care if you spelled uldulations correctly or even if there is such a word. only that it is.

so, yeah, a portrait party as sweet and refreshing and life-living as that.

nina, you smell good.

love,
leonie

~ this is just some of the delicious craftiliscious and loving explosions of goodness from her package...




portrait by my favourite miniature fairy-godmother grae




p.s. damn freakin' straight.
i'm pretty sure it's going to rock me too.

Holy Mothership Miracle!

Sometimes miracles are waiting just behind you...
Me in the sculpture garden, photograph by JourneyMan


This is a story of serendipity, circumstance and miracle.

This is my story of today.

Yesterday my JourneyMan thought he'd have a look at the National Gallery of Australia website - not really a usual thing for him as we don't get there often. We are more into the National Library for their art exhibitions, funnily enough. He happened upon a new exhibition opening there - Culture Warriors - and thought he might like to go sometime.

Last night I had a night of photographic inspiration, so this morning when I loaded up my handbag, I included my big Canon 30D - not a usual thing at all.

We went to our usual Saturday morning haunts this morning and finished early, so JourneyMan decided to take me to the exhibition. We arrived and it hadn't opened yet, so we roamed around the Sculpture Garden instead, photographing, kissing, exploring, playing with the spring time floss, scoping out the beautiful landscape for future photoshoots. We had so much fun we didn't get into the gallery until half hour after it opened.

As we moved up the escalators, we spotted a group of Aboriginal artists waiting at the front of the gallery. We looked at each other with wide eyes and big grins - "Honey, I think something is happening today."

Then over the loudspeakers, the Gallery tells us that the Culture Warriors exhibition was open, and in five minutes the Aboriginal artists from the exhibition will be speaking on all their paintings.

JourneyMan and I have a deep interest in the Aboriginal culture and artwork. I feel we have so much to learn from them on so many levels, and honour how deeply they love the spirit of this land and Earth.

We walked down to exhibition, and there is a large gathering with a number of TV cameras. A Ngunnawal woman welcomed us and the artists from around Australia to her ancestor's land. At this point, my tears began to flow. I felt so deeply touched by her speaking of her ancestors and her land, and so honoured to be there to hear it.

And then the Aboriginal artists began to speak, sharing their stories about their artworks.

Can you say dream come true?

We moved from room to room. I have been changed by every artist's story.

The old man with his grandson sharing the story of the flying fox.

A younger woman, not much older than JourneyMan, part of the Stolen Generation, and now reclaiming and preserving her culture through art.

The man who began to cry as he spoke about not knowing his language.

So many stories to share. So much healing to take place. So much cultural beauty and spirit to celebrate.

And then, as we moved in a large group into the next gallery room, my eyes glassed over with joy and I lost my ability to speak. There, in front of an incredible portrait of an Aboriginal warrior maiden, was my favourite Australian artist of all time: Julie Dowling.

I actually wrote about Julie on my blog three years ago, and not long after, I got an email from her and her twin sister Carol who had read it. At the time I was blow-my-mind-excited from the email. Can you imagine me today, getting to actually hear her speak? She was candid, warm, articulate and precious. She spoke about finding peace in herself as she grew older, and introduced me to a scientific term that I am already a spiritual believer of.

Ethnobotany is the concept that the more we disconnect from our land, the more unhealthy we become. In other words, touch Mama Earth everyday, and eat from Her bounty.

So by now my head was officially blown off, and was shooting festoons of glitter into the air at random intervals. When the crowd moved into the next room, I took a deep breath and introduced myself to Carol and Julie. THE Carol and Julie. Artists, writers, world-changers and goddesses. And they remembered me! Holy freaking mother miracle! I told them just how much I honoured their work and appreciated what they did. They told me they liked my blog. (Dude! Can you say best day EVER?)

I think I walked away from that on clouds. I met two of my heroes.

We walked into the next room to listen to the next artist, JourneyMan grinning as I made silent joy-shrieks in his shoulder. And then... the thought struck me. I really want to photograph the twins. The vision of the photograph comes to me, and I become obsessed by it. "I need to photograph them" I whisper to JourneyMan. For me, to photograph someone has become to honour them, document their soul beauty and truly see them as they are. It has become a spirit journey, a visual exploration of the divine.

The thought of photographing them struck me as too wild, too deep, too crazy an idea. I couldn't possibly ask them. And we walked out.

And that's where the story ends.

Then I opened a book in the gift store, and there were six photographs of the twins. And I realised that I couldn't let it be where the story ends. I couldn't spend my life wondering - what if? I learned in that moment that I could live with whatever the answer would be, I just couldn't live with not asking the question. I walked back in, still full of fear, humanness and feelings of impossibility. I told my angels - "Please be with me. I am okay if this doesn't happen. But if you put the twins in front of me, I will ask the question."

We walked back, and there in front of me was Carol, with her smiling face.
I said "I have a crazy and wild question for you. It's okay to say no, but I need to ask: May I photograph you and Julie?"

She said yes.

And I had my camera on me.
And I knew where in the Sculpture Garden I could photograph them.

And I was there. And they were there.
And we were willing.

It feels like every perfect part of life lined up today, for a huge mothership miracle dream of mine to come true... the camera, the question, the being there at the perfect time.

I couldn't have planned it better. And maybe that's the point: that the Universe is the Master of Creating Your Dreams for you. Just dream it, and follow your nose. And have little adventures for fun. They may just make your life path blossom with exquisite flowers.

Believe, Believe, Believe.
When you least expect it, your life will change.

Miracles are waiting to enter the wings,
Leonie

(photographs to come)

The final push

one of the something news

As I birth something magnificent into the world.

As I try something new.

As I take the steps in the directions of where I want to go.

As I gather the courage in my mouth.

As I give it a go.

As I put my heart and soul on the line and the sleeve.
(Maybe that's the only place for them, really).


I want to say right here, right now,
that I am freaking proud of you Leonie.
Go get them dreams, baby.

May you be freaking proud of you too, darling heart.

love and light,
Leonie

Partying on at the Portrait Palace

I had the joy of doing a portrait party with Gail last month.

I regard Gail as being the Queen of Grace ~ she walks her path with tender awareness, a gentle heart, a listening soul, a compassionate mind. I learn from reading her. I expand from hearing her story. The maths equation is simple: Gail = Precious.



Gail collaborated with her gorgeous daughter Kristiana for this portrait of me.
When I opened it up, I had the most star-filled smile on my face... it evokes for me so much beauty and innocence, a mermaid maiden in love with the stars and flowers.

There is so much joy and spirit in this game...
in this honouring of each other, and sharing our truest visions of each other.

May your day be filled with smiles like shooting stars,
Leonie

Portrait Party with Sarah

My uber spunkyliscious earth~appreciator and creative magnifico friend Sarah Davies (also known as Sezolas) brought a big tub of freshly picked strawberries to meet me at the Portrait Party. Then we ate them using no hands. And then we talked about crystals. And then we took photos of our shadows. And then we laughed. And then we made a campfire. And then we made up new words to Kumbaya and changed music history. And then we laughed. And then we stuffed ourselves with too-crispy marshmallows cooked over the fire. And then I sneezed when I swallowed and got marshmallow up my nose. And then we laughed. And then the marshmallow came out.

And THEN we drew pictures of each other.



I have a total raving crush on the portrait she made for me. This picture oh-so does not do it justice, because it has delicious patterned papers making up the lolling hills and red spotted fabric on my dress and this light peppering of paint all over the sky and this amazing linework and deliciousness... Stylistically, heartfully, colourfully, this has made me fall Head Over Heels. And then over again when I catch sight of my tiny purple crocs in the picture.

*happy sigh*

I think I might just stay at the Portrait Party House forever...

joyfully,
Leonie

(super secret P.S. - the whole marshmallow up my nose thing actually happened. when i was camping, at the clever age of 12. but it was pineapple. do NOT sneeze when you swallow. otherwise you have to just keep sneezing until the pineapple comes out your nose. it's actually kinda awesome, now i think about it... not everyone can say they've sneezed pineapple...)

Prints, prints, glorious prints

Now's the time to indulge that goddess in you... or start shopping for Christmas/Summer-Winter Solstice. I've got only one or two prints left of each artwork in my Goddess of Leonie Etsy store, and I would love for you to be the precious mama-bear of them!

Sale prices remain until sold out of stock - Free shipping on all prints, and second prints receive an additional $5 off. These prints are printed on a delicious A3 size 200gsm paper ~ 11 x 16 inches. (Original artworks are still 20% off also!) This is your chance to purchase prints or artworks from me for the rest of the year, as I'll be shutting up shop once stocks are gone to welcome change and adventures in India. I'm not sure when or if I'll be continuing to offer prints (especially at the A3 size)... so they truly are an exclusive set ;)

~ Aussies and Kiwis please contact me for special exchange rate sale prices ~

Email me at leonie@gmail.com if you'd like to bless yourself with one.

I see vivid, glorious prints, gleaming with Spirit, honouring the Goddess in you and adorning the soulful corners of homes all around the globe.

I see dreams blossoming true and our divinity revealed, dancing before us.

I'm off to dive deep into the day ~ a painting commission to complete, some writing to do and a photo shoot this afternoon by the river! An abundance of blessings in my life. :)

Love, light, joy, abundance,
Leonie

Art Circle Dreaming

We had our first artists circle a few weeks ago ~
a precious afternoon painting with our feet,
releasing expectations,
having instant photo shoots in the compost heap,
drinking tea, picnicking,
not so much MAKING art but PLAYING art ~
and I think that's the important thing.

Here's some delish photos from the day ~
you can see more at the Flickr set here.


josha+kayles=lovahs


photo by the beautiful kaylia


the lovely angel


princess firelight


lile, supermodel extraordinaire


our masterpiece
or:
just one of the side effects of our masterpiece:
the true masterpiece is creating.

may your days be filled with the masterpiece of the moment,
leonie

~ p.s. i've been interviewed over at the lovely colored sprinkles blog :) thank you patty!

Portrait Partying with Pixie

The Goddess Pixie Campbell met up with me in the Portrait Party room for chocolates, drumming and the usual Goddess fare.

I dig that Pixie woman, even from across the oceans in the land of Not-Met-Yet.
I honour who she is, her bravery, honesty and true-ness.
I honour the way she cultivates the earth, grows with her chillun and nourishes her own Self.
I honour Goddess Pixie just as she is.

I am completely spellbound with the portrait she created of me - you can see it over on her blog.
Wise open (I meant to write wide open, but it came out that way) and laughing... inside my spirit she looks. I feel so very honoured by her creation.

My gosh, this Portrait Partying is pretty much the most fun ever.

One day we will circle, Pixie,
Leonie

Giving Thanks for Abundance

photo at our artists circle by my dear one kaylia

Hello Spring!

The wattles are in full and yellow bloom, glistening beside roads, releasing gold threads into the air. My life echoes those September wattles... full and blooming with many good and beautiful things. Book proposals, another solo art exhibition, organising womens circles, artist circles and retreats.

New possibilities emerge, and I learn the lessons of saying YES to what serves me, saying no to what wouldn't flow with my life right now, and being still enough to hear and know the answers.

I feel so blessed to be actually living on so many levels what my dream truly is.



May we all know
that our dreams
are really, truly possible.

With spirit,
Leonie

In the Portrait Lounge

The lovely Magpie Girl and I decided to drink berry frappes at the Portrait Party together and draw each other's personages.

Above is my ink and gouache and mixed media of her, below is the awesome altered photograph she created of me.



Magnificent Magpie Girl is also running a fortnightly Creativity Challenge at her blog now, encouraging all of us to expand our artsy horizons and partake in new mediums, experiments and creative screw-ups (I'm a big fan of mistakes which turn out to be miracles). First challenge is to alter a photograph and post the results (check them all out on the Flickr group). Go on, you know you want to.

Today, I wish for you to see
pure and utter magnificence
when you gaze at your hands.

love and light,
Leonie

Off to India Art Sale

Only two months until I step into the land of my dreams and wishes, INDIA!
I have dreamed about Her for so long now, and She is so close I can almost taste her in the salt of my skinwater. My love, my mama, my two sisters and I are all going for a moon of India~Discovery together. I don't consider what my experience will look like ~ I just know that it will Be.

To celebrate and raise money for saris, adventures, endless cups of chai and sunset boat rides on Mama Ganges, I'm having an Off to India sale!

Prints receive free shipping - a saving of $5 for each print.
If you buy more than one print, save $5 off each extra one!

Artworks now have 20% off their ticketed price.
(Email to find postage prices on individual paintings.)

View all the lush treasures available at my Goddess of Leonie Etsy store.

The Etsy store has original pre-sale prices on them. To buy prints or artworks, please email me (leonie@gmail.com) to arrange Paypal payment. Alternatively, buy through Etsy and I will refund you your sale saving!

(If you are Australian or Kiwi, please contact me for special exchange rate sale prices.)



If you would like to own a Leonie original or print, please know I am not sure how long I will be continuing to sell either originals or prints ~ perhaps for only a little while, maybe forever. Wherever spirit/energy calls, Leonie goes.

If you could share the word about my store and art, I would be so grateful.

Thank you deeply for looking, encouraging, supporting, considering and being you.

With love and light,
Leonie


Update 9.34am Tuesday...
~ Apologies for any inconvenience... somehow my blog reverted back to a draft posting of sales prices overnight... blog post weirdom! To confirm, prints receive free shipping, artworks are 20% off. I apologise profusely for any confusion.
love, Leonie

Portrait Party

My beautiful friend Shan sent me this ethereal portrait she created of me a couple of years ago.

I decided it was high time to portrait~ise her as the elvin princess she is.



Shan and I met in boarding school, bonding over a lot of spirit and art.
I fell in love with her dreamy, soulful, vibrant artwork of angels and women, and with her just as she is: deep, laughing, light-filled, honest, loving and glowing.

I decided back then that if I was ever asked what artists inspired me the most, Shan would be one of the answers.

And as I grow older, I realise the best way to be inspired is being inspired to be even more like yourself, just as you are.

And I think that's what Shan does. She makes everyone around her glow because she sees their goodness and their beauty.

And all I need to be is Leonie, with my own glow and my own way.

May we all be who we truly are, divine hotties that we are,
Leonie

P.S. Check out more partying of the portrait variety at The Portrait Party.

remember your own beauty

It seems so many of us are remembering our own beauty these days.

What if the whole world remembered?
How can we remind ourselves on a daily basis of this love?
How can we remind each other when we forget?

I have a burning passion of sharing the truth of beauty with the world. I want to set the whole world alight with love. Each creation is a baby of truth and a signpost towards divinity. I see images and feel words and wonder how I might be able to gift and share these out into the world.

I feel this is where art and business intersects as a vehicle for living my purpose and sharing my creations with the world. "Business" can have such funny connotations around it, and yet at the base of it all, everything is energy. Money is an energy exchange and the sharing of art is an energy exchange. When I can create with intention, offer it to the world to be sent out in wildly coloured envelopes or hung on studio walls, and receive an energy exchange back ~ that is a spirited and abundant cycle of inspiration and connection.

Which is a lot just to share ~
It would be amazing to have these messages of beauty, truth and spirit sent around the world.

For those beauties who asked (and every other soul beauty who might be interested) ~ you can buy prints and cards reminding us of our delicious truth here ~

www.cafepress.com/leonieexclusive

Other joyful creations can be found at my Etsy Store.

Happy Remembering,
in love and light,
Leonie

(And a big, deep, sincere thank you and love to the Goddess in this picture who glowed in the light of our Secret Spy Tunnel, ablaze with all her beauty ~ my friend Sone)

She dreamed of magnificence

She dreamed of magnificence (original on etsy)

All her life,
she decided
that the best way to live
was to Dream of Magnificence.

Everywhere she walked,
she Saw Magnificence:
in the trees, the blossoms,
the stray dog at midnight,
the fire on the hills,
the song she found herself singing beneath her breath.

Everyone she met,
she Saw Their Magnificence:
their radiant possibility,
their hearts of gold,
their divinity,
the angel in their eyes.

And anytime she Forgot,
she looked in the mirror,
and spoke:

I see the Beauty in You.
I see the Beauty in You.
I see the Beauty in You.

Until she remembered,
and Saw.

Illustration Friday: Missing

Ink and gouache

Illustration Friday's topic this week is "Missing."

Dear Diary

Ink and gouache
Inspire Me Thursday's topic this week is "Dear Diary."