Sophie Mill Art Studio
What is Contemporary Art?
Monday 16 March 2015
Saturday 17 January 2015
I am faring well because of my in-sight to be frugal at Christmas
Jan 18, 2015
The month after Christmas is dangerous for many and it is brought on by a common factor; lack-of support, family, friends, money, socialization, job security, or merely 'just because'...
One of the most common factors of 'January depression' is the arrival of overly large visa card bills.
The reality is, you will see your bills, hear your screams, and feel your own pain. Whilst it is true, this could be considered a display of narcissism to only hear your own screams. However, we are talking about bills!. In that case, it is not about 'spreading the love'. It is about 'containing the shock'.
Another reality is, you will grieve for a long time. You will not get over your complete lack of in-sight for purchasing many cheap, and expensive, presents that were primarily to ease your own guilt, fear and lack of being able to purchase more than what you did in the first instance.
Overspending is a loss. Elizabeth K Ross had it right when she stated, 'the reality is that you will grieve forever, you will not 'get over' the loss of a loved one, you will learn to live with it. You will heal and you will re-build yourself around the loss you have suffered. You will never be whole again, you will never be the same again. Nor should you want to be the same!!!. (a 'loved one' for many people is the $).
As a young woman I was very left-liberal. I was passionate about reducing suffering of sentient – through tackling global poverty, ending factory farming, developing ways to lessen the suffering of wild animals, and exploring how to reduce the pain of all those on a global scale. However, there was no time left to paint, draw and 'do' art. A decision had to be made. I had to learn to have the same compassion for myself and it was, strangely, extremely difficult.
I have always put emphasis on alleviating pain rather than inducing pleasure. Art reduces pain. Art entices pleasure. Once you find your pleasure (of which is held in the-self) you naturally find a trillion pleasures without so much as spending a penny.
Art, or what I paint and teach, was never about the utilitarian impact it was instead about compassion, passion, and the love of doing what you do best; giving of yourself.
Art is to give. Art is to learn how you think and feel about yourself. Art is not about expense, it is about investment. Primarily, it is the investment in the self. Secondary, it is about the investment of 'the other'.
Art lessons available from February 2015.
Happy New Year from Sophie Mill art studio
0426845584
Thursday 1 January 2015
2015 Solo Exhibition 'The Face and the Mirror'
A visual illusion often occurs when an observer sees his/her image reflection in a mirror....
The construction of our self-identity and the capacity to recognise oneself in the mirror is a competence acquired in childhood and, I think, we're happy with the reflection. I don't know when vulnerability starts occurring, but it sneaks up over time.
When we are vulnerable, our heart is wide open. To love is to be vulnerable. To paint is to be vulnerable. Painting comes from the soul, the subliminal level, and the heart. Therefore, I feel like I am exposing myself each time I exhibit new works. But, as Lorraine Hansberry stated, 'A woman who is willing to be herself and pursue her own potential runs not so much the risk of loneliness, as the challenge of exposure to more interesting men - and people in general".
I am the quintessential, 'what you see is what you get'. Showing our face, and who we are, is a good thing. It allows us to create, socialize, and have honest relationships.
I have chosen to paint 'the face' in 2015. For me, the face and the mind are the most exciting aspects of the human being. Why? because they communicate so well. The face begins to communicate before a word is spoken. When a word is spoken a thousand messages are heard; the art of communication. And, the start of creativity.
Details will be published mid-year. www.sophiemill.com.au
Tuesday 30 December 2014
Sophie Mill Art Studio : I know I am not alone when it comes to public humi...
Sophie Mill Art Studio : I know I am not alone when it comes to public humi...: I know I’m not alone when it comes to public humiliation... Gossip, half-truths, and lies take the root and fester. Face book 'sugg...
I know I am not alone when it comes to public humiliation...
I know I’m not alone when it comes to public humiliation...
Gossip, half-truths, and lies take the root and fester.
Face book 'suggestions' and 'article' suggestions enforces the lowering of a person and strips that person of pride, honour and dignity. It may surprise you to learn that I am actually a person however, we have seemingly moved back into the 17th century where we have created, a 'culture of humiliation' once again. And, it rewards those who humiliate others.
Public Humiliation is a violation of unity in dignity and respect. An argument may be loud, but it’s in private. An abusive accusation often takes place in front of others. 'Others' is including an article in the paper!
Nothing to me is unexpected, or anyone who feels obliged to dis-like another; dis-like is normal natural human behaviour, and it is 'allowable'. I like to look for only the best in everyone, but the worst thing about that kind of prejudice... is that while you feel hurt and angry, it feeds self-doubt.
In the future, I will meet abuse by forbearance since patience is a virtue however, on this day I will confront it.
The phrase ‘crippling embarrassment’ is accurate. It is in my opinion that humiliation, shame and embarrassment are ‘the central emotions of everyday social existence'. We, mostly, do anything to avoid them because our awareness of how the self appears to others has been important for centuries; it is in-built.
True, this was not the first time I’d been stigmatized for my mistakes, achievements, personality, good behaviour and lack of in-sight, but there are many things which we can employ tomorrow that we cannot wisely use today. "Education is an admirable thing, but it is well to remember from time to time that nothing that is worth knowing can be taught". Oscar Wild
Shakespeare’s Coriolanus (‘Sit Coriolanus; never shame to hear what you have nobly done’) today we feel shame when praised, when we have given to society, worked hard, but we also feel shame when we 'slip'. No one deserves public humiliation for a crime that is not actually a 'crime'.
That terrible mood of depression of whether it's any good or not is what is known as The Artist's Reward. Ernest Hemingway I have been rewarded. The 'Artists Reward' is worth more than any monies. Just as Martin Luther King Jr said, 'I have a dream...' After public humiliation, I can go on to paint my brilliant dream.
Thank you for my public humiliation. Today, I am stronger. Today, I am wiser. Today, I feel blessed.
Saturday 27 December 2014
Sophie Mill Art Studio : Why here now? why not day dream?
Sophie Mill Art Studio : Why here now? why not day dream?: Why the here now? Why not day-dream? The phenomenon associated with the 'here now' is a wave that is flooding societies belief of fi...
Why here now? why not day dream?
Why the here now? Why not day-dream? The phenomenon associated with the 'here now' is a wave that is flooding societies belief of finding creativity, calmness, happiness, and it is thought to be eradicating mental illness. I think it is absurd, but it gets support from a lot of people. With 1 in 3 people suffering, this billion dollar phenomenon is obviously not working.
Day dreaming gives insight to our own humanity, a crucial tool in creativity. If things are not so good, creativity allows you to imagine something better. I believe day dreaming is equivalent to meditation. However, it comes from the creative side of the brain and not the academic side of the brain. An academic Psychiatrist will disagree with me. But, how can he disagree when he is not aware of the sensation?
I'm finding quite reasonable people are agreeing with the absurd. I did for 46 years. But, looking outside of yourself, looking beyond, looking forward, planning, working towards, allowing the natural human behaviour to evolve (ego) without condemnation is the way out of the 'deadly circle'.
It is my belief, the here now and accepting what Is keeps you inside of the circle; the circle can kill the soul. Looking up and into the future with responsibilities, commitments and dedication walks you calmly outside of the circle, and it insists that your mind think 'outside of the square'. This is where creativity and passion is located. This is where mental illness can be soothed. This is why ART is important.
The arts enable us to imagine the unimaginable, and to connect us to the past, the present, and the future, sometimes simultaneously.
Art classes available in 2015 in my studio, Hamilton South, book sales, Art work by commission. Public Speaker; key-note speaker with TEDX Sydney 2015. www.sophiemill.com.au
http://hunterlifestyle.com.au/2014/12/encore-artist-sophie-mills/
Day dreaming gives insight to our own humanity, a crucial tool in creativity. If things are not so good, creativity allows you to imagine something better. I believe day dreaming is equivalent to meditation. However, it comes from the creative side of the brain and not the academic side of the brain. An academic Psychiatrist will disagree with me. But, how can he disagree when he is not aware of the sensation?
I'm finding quite reasonable people are agreeing with the absurd. I did for 46 years. But, looking outside of yourself, looking beyond, looking forward, planning, working towards, allowing the natural human behaviour to evolve (ego) without condemnation is the way out of the 'deadly circle'.
It is my belief, the here now and accepting what Is keeps you inside of the circle; the circle can kill the soul. Looking up and into the future with responsibilities, commitments and dedication walks you calmly outside of the circle, and it insists that your mind think 'outside of the square'. This is where creativity and passion is located. This is where mental illness can be soothed. This is why ART is important.
The arts enable us to imagine the unimaginable, and to connect us to the past, the present, and the future, sometimes simultaneously.
Art classes available in 2015 in my studio, Hamilton South, book sales, Art work by commission. Public Speaker; key-note speaker with TEDX Sydney 2015. www.sophiemill.com.au
http://hunterlifestyle.com.au/2014/12/encore-artist-sophie-mills/
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