CAROLS AT CHRISTMAS.

We've lived in Malta for a long time now,and every Christmas ,- although they have some lovely carols here,- I still long to hear those old favourites we sang in England.

Years ago I was fortunate to stay in Kensington, London while at college there;I remember with nostalgia the wonderful Christmas atmosphere. The lights in the High St. reflecting colourfully in shop windows, the carefree bonhomie of passers-by; the incense , the aura of the mystical at Midnight Mass, and perhaps most of all the huge Norwegian Christmas tree with the simple Nativity Scene underneath.Quite often there was snow or frost, people were snug in mufflers and woolly hats, and ofcourse the 'Baked Potato Man was there' with his offerings.Passers-by were drawn to this scene, as if mesmerised ; they joined hands, and the carols floated on the night air like magic.

We've been in London since then over Christmas, we've returned to Church St, but for me the magic has vanished. I know now that it was something very special;- a glimpse of Life as it should be,-a moment to remember joyfully, a rich memory to treasure always.

LITTLE LAMBS AT CHRISTMAS.

Each year we faithfully 'dig' out our little plastic lambs from the Christmas drawer,- how could we discard them after all these years? Ofcourse they still want to be part of the scene, they want to be there, ---they were the first visitors!- So out they come, even if a bit wobbly now, and always add that much needed dimension to our little Nativity Scene.And ofcourse they are happy!

Little Lamb who made thee?

Dost thou know who made thee?

Gave thee life, and bid thee feed

By the stream and o'er the mead;

Gave thee clothing of delight,

Softest clothing,woolly, bright;

Gave thee such a tender voice,

Making all the hills rejoice?

Little lamb, who made thee?

Dost thou know who made thee?

Little Lamb, I'll tell thee,

Little Lamb I'll tell thee:

He is called by thy name,

For He calls himself a Lamb.

He is meek and He is mild

He became a little child.

I a child and thou a Lamb,

We are called by his name.

Little Lamb, God bless thee!

Little Lamb, God bless thee!

William Blake------The Lamb.

----and oh the memory of school poetry lessons!

TODAY'S PAINTING---CANDLE GLOW.

Candle Glow-mixed media on 100%cotton watercolour paper----see website.

I'm definitely someone who dislikes the dark, I always feel drawn to the light. Mind you I also dislike most artificial light, especially the harsh garish kind that offers no relaxation or comfort,---for me, something very unrestful. So around Christmas I love to make the most of candlelight. Somehow it transforms, and moves everywhere into a softness that helps to soothe away tension from body and mind, and offers a reflective moment.---For me, it nurtures a sense of peace---the same feeling the snow gives me , and I love it!

In the right light at the right time everything is extraordinary.

Aaron Rose.

TODAY

OASIS STUDIO AT CHRISTMAS.

We have two places to decorate this Christmas,- but how I love seeing the warmth develop! Somehow the colour , the candles , the scent of spices,even the glitter, fuse into a lovely glow that gives me joy and a simple peace. A sadness mingles there too, but for me a sadness, a nostalgia tinged with hope. I'm sure we all need this hope: hope that dreams of a better world, a world where everyone can truly experience the love, joy and peace of this beautiful season.

For the Spirit of Christmas fulfils the greatest hunger of mankind,

Loring A Schuler.

Keep your Christmas heart open all year round.

Jessica Archmint

A Christmas candle is a lovely thing

It makes no noise at all

But softly gives itself away.

Janice Maeditere.

TODAY'S PAINTING----WINTER CHERRY.

Winter Cherry---mixed media on cotton paper with plain mount---see my website.

I love the winter cherry, it's cheery look brightens the colder months and I try always to make it part of the Christmas scene . Apparently it is also known as the Christmas cherry or the Jerusalem cherry and is native to Brazil. This year ours is small, but in Spring I'll try putting it outside and see what happens!

Earth's crammed with heaven,

and every common bush afire with God.

Elizabeth Barrett Browning.

I go to nature to be soothed and healed and have my senses put in order.

John Burrough.

CHRISTMAS GREETINGS----PAUL AND FAMILY.

Bugibba Square is just not the same without Paul! Throughout the summer and autumn on our morning walk his cheery wave and smiling eyes,-clear as the sea,- greeted us ,and helped light the way .

Now Paul is back home in Ukraine with his family armed with gifts for his wife and two boys.--He was so excited! ----The cafe where he worked looks sadly desolate now, ---it will have to wait until spring.!

So Paul, greetings from Malta,---we wish you all many blessings in 2010.

RIZDVOM KHRYSTOVYML -----NOVYM ROKOM !

With Love.

LITTLE WHITE FLOWER.-TODAY'S PAINTING.

Little White Flower---mixed media on cotton watercolour paper. (see website.)

Yes - it's Advent and we are trying to decorate the flat and the studio for Christmas. At this time I always envy those highly energetic, super-organised people who by now have presents wrapped, cards sent and of course a mouthwatering Christmas cake tucked away- all ready. I still love this time though,-I think it's the sense of hope and warmth that grows for me as Christmas draws nearer.Maybe it leans on childhood memories, maybe it's a deep longing for the world to re-capture its true identity as a place of beauty, love and light. Maybe I'm just a dreamer but I cling to this dream,-I need it!

For me it's the time of waiting, - waiting for the Christ Child to come again and turn the darkness to light, the pain , misery and confusion to laughter love and peace,---for everyone.

Today's Quote:

Sanity may be madness but the maddest of all is to see life as it is and not as it should be.

Don Quixote.

SLEEPY MORNING- TIME.

St. Paul's Bay-early morning.

We have just returned from the morning walk, It's a beautiful day, -the first day of Advent, and so a fitting time for The Oasis News for Winter.

The summer here was exhaustingly hot, and I think everyone suffered in varying degrees! Autumn has been erratic, but at the moment we are experiencing calm, rather mellow sunshine days, for me ,days of drinking in that fading, warm glow that helps me through the winter.

We continue to enjoy the Oasis Studio as a simple expansion of the Oasis Vision and Way of Life. It's lovely to enjoy the sense of freedom that the creativity of painting gives me, and it's lovely to be able to share moments with friends in a peaceful , sunny work -place. I think that Joe is enjoying working with the plants in the small outside setting ,-(good exercise too!)

Increasingly we try to simplify and to follow, as trustingly as we can The Oasis guidelines for living:- that simple, positive, balanced, loving , caring,happy, wholesome format that has been offered over the years.Despite the pressure, confusion, and pain that is so much a part of life at the moment, this really does give us a sense of peace.

Christmas will soon be upon us again, and I have to say that it's my favourite time. Somehow the wonder has never left me, and I feel it so deeply as a time of Hope! Don't we all need this hope to sustain us? The week leading up to Christmas we hope to be at the studio- mornings-10-00am-12-00. We will be delighted to see you , hear your news and enjoy a Christmas drink with you.

So may this Christmas be for you a time of deep Peace and Love, and may The Holy Family guide and protect us all in the New Year to follow.

Maureen

LIGHT UP YOUR LIFE.!

Having morning coffee at our local coffee shop is always an interesting experience! Joe the proprietor has usually some surprises in store . At the moment he is re-vamping the interior, and because he is a designer at heart this allows him scope to give his creativity free reign .No mean result! The scene on entering is rainbow-like with a splendid array of subtle lighting--- at once you are floating on air or drifting underwater,---just right for early morning,- and the coffee is good too!! Keep up the good work Joe!

TODAY'S PAINTING----GIRL IN WHITE DRESS.

Girl in White Dress----Textured acrylic on stretched canvas. €590---28"x36"

My paintings are simple and hopefully uncluttered, probably because this is how I feel life should be. We seem to weigh ourselves down with so many complications and often unnecessary baggage that the sense of freedom and carefree living increasingly disappears.I'm sure that true living shouldn't be this way and I suppose I am always searching for that real peace that can only come with a genuine feeling of being at one with God, oneself , everyone and everything. Doesn't this demand such faith, hope and love? --'Girl in White Dress' tries to say this, I think she is an expression of my deep longing!

JOE'S PICTURES OF THE STUDIO.

Joe's Pictures.

Last week there were some lovely,bright mornings and friends visited us at the studio: Joe-(of the 'Great Catch!)- and Ingrid.Ofcourse there was also Joe's camera. With camera in hand he can't sit still and the result -some lovely pictures of the studio.---The sun streamed through the windows bathing us in light and I think he has really captured the glow. Thankyou Joe!

'Live in rooms full of light.'

Cornelius Celsius.

TODAY'S PAINTING----DREAM-BOAT.

Dream-Boat.---Acrylic/oil pastel on stretched canvas.---24X30 ins. -750 USD.

My paintings come largely from my imagination and my vision of Life. When I paint a scene I find nearly always that I want to include a figure. Somehow I feel that I am projecting myself into the picture, and I always hope that whoever takes that painting away will do the same thing.---There is something personal and subjective there and I want it to keep alive.

Sit in reverie and watch the changing colour of the waves that break upon the idle seashore of the mind.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

POEM FOR TODAY-----'FOR MALTA.'

Aerial View of Malta and megalithic temple Hagar Qim.

I am British and I have lived in Malta for some years now. My poem is perhaps a summing up of my feelings about and for this little island:-

For Malta.

Small rock, honey-hued, circled with sapphire,

set mid East and West and winds of change;

History, Domination, deep in your soul.

Strategic, vulnerable, you cry for freedom.

Malta-your birthright is freedom!

Life, Spirit, Identity,

resonate from temples and churches.

Hear the pleas of Mother Earth- your mother.

Mother, keep close to your little one,

show it the way.

Maureen Hughes.

DOVE OF PEACE.

Acrylic on stretched canvas----24x48 inches. ---€500

Believe Me.

We really should be flying you know!

We should soar to the heavens each day,

finding new life in the realm of light.

Drenched with dew of morning as it rises in the air

soaking in the sunshine'till we flood each pore

we saturate senses with beautiful light.

We should rise to the heavens, float in space,

feel free and happy and full of life.

We should be as we wish to be ,we should be as we are.

We are Love, we are Light, we are Stardust.-

Believe me!

Maureen Hughes

Jellyfish Invaders.

Harmless?!

A gentle southerly breeze, an inviting sea , but what's that lurking close by? A few brave adventurers are nonchalantly enjoying their morning swim, unpeturbed by the growing consternation around them as people rapidly remove themselves from the water. ---I think we'll skip our exercise today!!----

Later in the day Cikko our old fisherman friend assures us that this species is not harmful or poisonous: they are scavengers coming to feed on the fish. Truly though, I just don't like the look of them !I think we'll take an afternoon walk for the next few days!

TODAY'S PAINTING----SUNSHINE GIRL.

Sunshine Girl----Textured acrylic on stretched canvas---€250

I'm working at the moment with my figurative paintings. In the studio I'm trying to create a balance between the abstract and more physical forms; I really enjoy working at both and I feel at present to concentrate on larger pieces .Thank goodness the studio is providing me with much more space than I've had, so the sense of freedom to spread out and not worry about the mess is wonderful!

Freedom as a concept and actuality has become increasingly important to me.I look around to see an escalating bureaucracy that is trying to erode the individual right to choose, and I find this sinister.I have always held a deep belief in the unique value of each human being, and feel sure that we each have a duty to preserve this .

So I approach my painting and poetry in this free way.I hope they are a true expression of myself, my soul, my spirit. They are a celebration of all that I feel is beautiful in life, my perception of reality in a very simple way.

I always feel drawn to the sun as a source of energy, vitality, colour, vibrancy and the joy of living,---infact the source of all life. I just don't feel that I can die if the sun is shining! So 'Sunshine Girl' represents for me all of these aspects--- It's a happy painting, one that I hope will uplift and offer a sense of optimism and peace.

No matter how dark the night, somehow the sun rises and all shadows are chased away.
David Matthew.

For what is it to die but to stand in the sun and melt into he wind?
Kahlil Gibran.

RIVER SWALE---RICHMOND, YORKSHIRE.

The River Swale.

We live at present in Malta, and the view we have from the window is the beautiful Mediterranean. It's a fascinating sea at all times, changing through the seasons from bright deep blue in summer, to wild foamy green in winter.Yet I know that Joe feels deeply in his heart that there can be nothing to better the clear river water of his home town, and the view of the sparkling waterfall beyond his window.

Many happy hours were spent there in childhood , many memories linger;--- the friends, the recreation, the sporting activities, the sense of peace and freedom, the rhythmic pace,the beautiful green countryside, and at the centre , a gentle, loving home life.---A childhood indeed to treasure and remember with gratitude.

Sweet childish days that were as long as twenty days are now.

William Wordsworth.

MEXICAN GIRL ON STOOL.

Mexican Girl on Stool----Textured acrylic on stretched canvas 21x36 inches----€590

It's quite a while since I've done a painting with a Mexican theme . For some reason they always prove popular.Maybe it's because Mexico 's atmosphere resonates with a pervasive haunting quality: ---The colour, the vibrancy, the music, the sense of rhythm, and the food with its colourful spicy creativity.A country steeped in history, with pyramids, Teotihuacan, -one of the worlds largest cities 2000 years ago.--- and ofcourse the Aztecs. So despite the poverty and suffering , and even the swine flu, the spirit of life and living is the drawing power that seems to have a fascination for so many, dominating with a powerful ethos and creating an unextinguishable ambience.

TODAY'S PAINTING----DAISIES.

Daisies.----textured acrylic on stretched canvas-- 12x8 inches---€ 100

Honestly it has been a very busy week, and sadly I have neglected my blog!

I really admire those fellow bloggers who, in the midst of the daily disruptions,crises and imminent chaos, stay composed, and unruffled. It takes a bit of extra activity and some unexpected happenings to throw me into a disoriented state! How I long for some magic potion to transport me to a state of blissful serenity, where I float through each day impervious to anything that tries to upset my balance, and treat each unexpected moment as an adventure! Ah well!----- and already I can see that next week is going to be busy!!

I try to take one day at a time-but sometimes several days attack me at once.

Jennifer Yane.

One of the symptoms of an approaching nervous breakdown is the belief that one's work is terribly important.

Bertrand Russell.

Ducks a Dreaming.

The weather has been wet for the past few days,---but that doesn't seem to worry the ducks. At the first blink of sunshine there they are on the rocks below us sunbathing and dreaming before they go off together for a swim, paddle or glide along the sea.

This little colony has been around for quite a few years now and they have really made themselves comfortable. They are so friendly, enjoy attention, and seem to appreciate the bread and cakes thrown to them by the locals. M y own thoughts on this though are that they are just being polite, and really they much prefer the algae and insects that they busily discover for themselves!---Much healthier too! Sadly though there was an exception;--- a white duck who besides being very beautiful was also very greedy. She enjoyed much more than her fair share of bread, and grew fatter and fatter day by day,.Then to our horror, at Christmas time she suddenly disappeared!! One of our friends, who was guilty of much bread throwing was utterly devastated, and nobody dared to suggest what might have happened!!

On to happier things! Whenever I see the ducks, a poem that I learned years ago at scool, comes to mind. I still remember bits and pieces, and I'm sure many do.It comes from the magical book 'Wind in the Willows 'by Kenneth Grahame.

A little extract from'Ducks' Ditty'---

All along the backwater'

Through the rushes tall,

Ducks are a dabbling,

Up tails all.

Ducks' tails, drakes' tails,

Yellow feet a-quiver,

Yellow bills all out of sight

Busy in the river!------

Bright colourful paintings and collage to inspire and uplift .Maureen Hughes

Bright colourful paintings and collage to inspire and uplift .Maureen Hughes

Click on title to view slideshow.

I've been a bit adventurous putting up my website slideshow here,----I have to admit it I'm not very bright when it comes to computer technology. Any advanced techniques throw me into a jittery state of confusion, and earlier this year my attempt to put up the one Bunty did for me on You Tube, put me in deep trouble! I'll try again though , ---it has music! Anyway, I'm learning!! ----And honestly, I wouldn't be comfortable being too much of a computer expert, I'm not rational enough for that!

When my daughter was about seven yars old she asked me one day what I did at work. I told her I worked at college-that my job was to teach people how to draw; she stared at me incredulous, and said,-'You mean they forget?'

Howard Ikomoto.

TODAY'S PAINTING----THIS YEAR'S OLIVES.

This Year's Olives.---textured acrylic on canvas.---€100

I know it's nothing to shout about, but our two little olive trees in tubs deserve a bit of praise;---I think so anyway!---The terrace is open to the elements on three sides, and the plants have endured last winter's buffeting especially the Gregal ,with a really positive approach;---they have managed to produce more than fifty olives,---round , fat, juicy ones at that!

So how could I not try to capture this in a little painting? Ofcourse I wouldn't dream of trying to reflect their animation and lively spirit.----and now----on to the bottling and preserving programme,----I hope so anyway, ---they deserve that too!! Mini scale ofcourse!

A great book you might enjoy is 'Extra Virgin' by Annie Hawes. It's the adventure of two sisters who set up home among the Ligurian olive groves;---a funny, magical read.

When one of my plants dies I die a little inside.

Linda Solegato.

Only when the last tree has died and the last river poisoned and the last fish been caught will we realise we can't eat money.

Cree Indian Proverb.

TODAY'S WEATHER!!

Still Summer-time!

To satisfy Bunty and to ease my conscience I have to admit that there wasn't the tiniest glimpse of the approach of autumn/winter today. Infact it was a sweltering south wind day with hardly a breath of that wind! Beautiful for swimming though ,with the sea lake-like, almost glassy this morning. ----I still intend to prepare myself though.Mind you I say this every year but I am always caught out!

Weather forecast for tonight--Dark.

George Carlin.

SUNFLOWERS.

Sunflowers----textured acrylic on stretched canvas 16x16 inches--€150

Why do I find myself painting sunflowers at this time of year?--- This week the evenings have been growing cooler and this morning we were almost caught in a torrential downpour.--- I have to admit it, I'm a 'Summer being' at heart. I love to feel the warmth of early sunshine seeping into me, and the thought of wild winds and the waves crashing on the rocks below us is a difficult one---(apologies to my windsurfing pals!)---

However I'm taking the positive approach ofcourse!--- I'm seeking out my winter woollies, hat and scarf included; I've found my trainers and a sturdy pair of boots that will be just fine,and we can look forward to enjoying a cosy evening watching some really good D.V.D.s ---and dare I whisper it, where's my hot water bottle? ---In Malta?! ---Yes, DEFINITELY in Malta.!!---Nobody can tell me that I don't try!---Meanwhile I'll carry on painting,---probably daisies next!

P.S.----How could I forget Christmas?---I love it!!

To be interested in the changing seasons is a happier state of mind than to be hopelessly in love wih Spring.

George Santayana.

THREATENING STORMS.

Storm clouds have been gathering and yesterday there were bursts of torrential rain here in St Paul's Bay. Today the scene is bleak and windy. The boats are leaving, so are the 'summer people',--school uniforms are being organised, and the beach below is looking a bit desolate.-----The end of Summer!!

The best thing one can do when it's raining is let it rain.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

Don't knock the weather; nine tenths of the people couldn't start a conversation if it didn't change once in a while.

Kim Hubbard.

AURIC PICTURE.

Auric Picture.

Years ago when living in England, friends sent me the above picture drawn by a very gifted man living near the shrine of the visionary Julian of Norwich. Accompanying the picture was a detailed explanation of the vision this person had experienced while drawing. He knew nothing about me, ---my friends had sent him a simple snapshot--myself wearing a yellow anorak. Although I did not understand too much of the accompanying notes at the time, ---over the years they have become so clear and are obviously of a very inspired prophetic nature.---This man was really able to look deeply into my soul suspending time.---- How wonderful if we could each look deeply into the soul of ourself and each other and know each other in a true way!

One may have a blazing hearth in one's soul and yet no one ever comes to sit by it. Passers- by see only a wisp of smoke from the chimney and continue on the way.

Vincent Van Gogh.

I simply believe that some part of the human Self or soul is not subject to the laws of space and time.

Carl Jung.

Souls wouldn't wear suits and ties, they'd wear blue jeans and sit cross legged with a glass of wine.

Carrie Latet

THE OASIS NEWS----AUTUMN 2009

The Oasis Studio now has a sign, and so I feel has more of an identity and personality. Of course I see it as a facet of the Oasis vision in that it offers an ambience of calm and peace and makes a positive statement through the paintings about the beauty and colour of creation, ---and a celebration of the Spirit of Life as the source of the animation.

All the facets of the Oasis vision are based on this simple acknowledgement of God's life -giving power, so it points to a way of life that follows this acknowledgement with a faith, dedication, simplicity,positive attitude and most of all love.---a love that reaches out at every moment to everyone and everything.

This way of life is the central theme of the Oasis vision, that foresees a final enlightened sphere where the enlightened people living this way will work in total harmony with the Spirit of Life to uplift the world into a New World of love and peace. The Oasis vision will then have actualised as a final and completeReality.

Maureen.

TODAY'S PAINTING-----EVENING.

A softened time,---a time to slow down from the day to absorb a moment of serenity and calm. My mandala painting draws on this ambience;a mellow colouring leading into the centre to find here the stillness and the peace.--- How we need it!

It is only when we silence the blaring sounds of our daily existence that we can finally hear the whispers of truth that life reveals to us, as it stands knocking on the doorsteps of our hearts.

K. T. Jong.

SAD SCENE!

A beautiful morning, -a beautiful sea,--- but where are the beautiful people?--- Oh no!--- THE JELLYFISH!!

My staunch positive philosophy is struggling; infact I had better make the rest of my comments privately incase I am banned from blogging!---- On second thoughts I will spend the rest of the day soaking myself in beautiful thoughts,---I might even send some good vibes out to the jellyfish.----That should do it!!

JELLYFISH-JELLYFISH!!

Sea Life----8x8 inches textured acrylic on canvas €100

Sorry to let a negative note creep into my blog but 'jellyfish' has to create an exception!! We were returning from the early morning walk, already limply hot, and looking forward to a cooling moment in the sea. All along the way was the murmur of theword'jellyfish and it was rising to a crescendo by the time we reached home.

The sight from the terrace was not a good one! Spectators were lined along the sea edge inspecting closely, others were waving theirarms,gesticulating wildly and of course the little boys were with nets somehow enjoying the scene of the drama. To add insult to injury the wind was southerly and the sea was beckoning temptingly, a smooth, beautiful lake! NOBODY was in it!

How cruel can life be? Never mind! My Sea Life painting is a nice one. Only beautiful sea creatures here,(that's definitely NOT a jellyfish you see) And I'm sure tomorrow will be a beautiful day!

PEACE.

Sunset---from the terrace.

Yesterday was hot! The kind of heat that drains you, leaving you exhausted and vacant, almost longing for summer to be over.----(Oh no!) Then a whisper of breeze, a cooling moment ---and the view from the terrace.What a blessing!

When I admire the wonder of sunset or the beauty of the moon, my soul expands in worship of the Creator.

Mahatma Gandhi.

If I can put one touch of rosy sunset into the life of any man or woman I shall feel that I have worked with God.

G.K. Chesterton.

TODAY'S PAINTING----CAPRICE----MANDALA

Carice----Mandala----7x10 inches----€100

I'm really enjoying developing the mandala collection for my website,---they give tremendous scope for the imagination as I paint, and let me work in tune with the heart.I offer them as a focus for relaxation,often for a deeper meditation to inspire a sense of wholeness and peace.The colours in this one encourage a lively mood, a lightness of spirit and feeling of joy.

It's not what you look at that matters, but what you see.

Henry David Thoreau.

Think left and think right and think low and think high;oh the thinks you can think up if only you try.

Dr. Seuss.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Happy Birthday Joe! Wishing you blue skies and just enough sunshine!----xxx

Life is a great big canvas and you should throw all the paint you can on it!

Danny Kaye.

AMBER LIGHT MANDALA.

Amber Light---Mandala.---Textured acrylic on stretched canvas--12x12 inches---€100

Mandalas are all about a journey within,---a journey to the centre, so for me they provide this medium. I rarely start with any idea , I simply let the painting evolve, take shape and colouring, and let its meaning clarify as it develops.So it helps me to relax, feel inspired and often tells me a little more about myself in an easy way.

Amber is a warm mellow colour and the amber gem is the lightest and softest of gems.In Neolithic times this'gold of the North' was regarded as a sacred symbol of the sun.

So relaxing with this mandala offers a moment to bathe in amber's healing properties; a general protection that fights depression, attracts joy and helps to maintain stability and balance.

'Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.'

Thomas Merton.

The painting can be bought through the shopping cart facility on my website.

RASBERRY SHAKE OR LICORICE?

Our friend who still prefers to stay bodiless was mopping his floor yesterday wearing his new 'licorice' shoes. He's still singing their praises,---so flexible and light,so effective , and ofcourse so much more masculine than the pink.Indeed winter will soon be here and with it the real messy floor situation! I believe he has a pair of 'chocolates 'too'---his daughter ordered them online from America. But ofcourse he smiles, you know the real source of them all----China! ------Oh---I forgot to ask him what he has done with the 'rasberries'---I wouldn't mind borrowing them for the beach!

TODAY'S PAINTING----LIVE WIRE.

Live wire. Textured acrylic on stretched canvas.---24x24 inches-----€220 (see website to purchase)

In the blog I try to stay faithful to The Oasis way of life ----really a journey to peace .This is a peace that incorporates all facets of life and believes that real peace has to mean living simply in a balanced way , using every part of oneself to live life lovingly and to the full with others. For me life is meant to be LIFE !

That's why I try to capture a lightness and brightness in my paintings---I feel we all need this so much today,--a simple awareness that life is beautiful, colourful and vibrant and we need to move within this animation as much as we can!

Seize from every moment its unique novelty and do not prepare your joys.

Andre Gide------Nourritures Terrestres.

PEACE PAINTING----NAZARETH.

Today's Painting----Nazareth.----Textured acrylic on canvas.

The concept of Peace is such a wide one I feel.---It covers the spectrum of personal, social, moral, spiritual issues and I also feel that it is the reality we are all searching for in our journey through life

When I think of Peace I suppose I visualise a state of perfect fulfillment, happiness and freedom; a clear perception of everything being real and true and beautiful, a sense of complete belonging and security, and the absolute certainty that this will always be so. Within this vision I am also certain that everyone and everything will be here, enjoying this same ecstatic feeling----a feeling of intense pervasive Love radiating from a Being who is the very source of it all.

Anyway, I long for this kind of Peace, I feel sure it is there for us all----and here in this world of ours one day!

If there is no peace it is because we have forgotten that we belong with one another.

Mother Teresa.

THE MANDALA---AGAIN.

Today's painting---The Centre---acrylic---24x24 inches---€220

I do believe that symbols have a deep meaning in terms of Life and Reality, and somehow the mandala symbol seems to creep into my paintings very often. Not surprising really, as I know that I am very aware of each person's life as a very unique personal journey to find the Truth, and the mandala as that sacred circle leads in to the very centre of L ife and the very centre of oneself--- to find oneself in Reality. Here we are able to feel complete fullfilment, happiness and peace---the end of the journey!

I use the mandala in my paintings to offer a focus for people; one that is soothing, inspiring, hopefully even healing in a gentle way.They can use the painting for meditation or simple relaxation. Also the Oasis vision that is the centre of my life and living is all about a Way of Life that leads to that real Peace, so ofcourse I try to share this vision in a practical, helpful way.---the paintings are one such way.-----I've thought about working on a Mandala Collection soon,---It should be an interesting project!

THE MANDALA.

Today's Painting---Mandala.---Acrylic on stretched canvas---20x24 inches---€220

----It became increasingly clear to me that the mandala is the centre. It is the exponent of all paths. It is the path to the centre- to individuation---I knew that in finding the mandala as an expression of the self ,I had attained what was for me the ultimate.---

C. J. Jung.

A human is part of the whole called by us the universe; a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings, as something separate from the rest-a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and affection for a few persons nearest to us.--- Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of understanding and compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty.

Albert Einstein

WOW-----THOSE PINK SHOES!

On this morning's walk we met the 'PINK SHOES'! We met the owner too ofcourse, but he prefers to be anonymous ---and bodiless on this occasion!! -- How cruel people are; they've been teasing him about the style and colour saying how feminine they are ,--- and he very decidedly a 'he' or is it a 'him'?!

Even so he has been singing their praises---(the shoes )--- saying how wonderfully functional they are.Soft, flexible, comfortable,--- and great for cleaning floors.So light too and certainly non-slip.He has decided though, that they will have to go, and he is going off to town to find some in BLACK.

How dreary! the pink shoes certainly brought a bit of lightness to brighten our day,---I will miss them! I'd even offer to buy them if I knew they would be good for dancing----- but sad to say---no such luck!!

POPPY FIELD.

Poppy Field----7x10 inches ---€ 100 ---Acrylic on stretched canvas---textured.



Through the dancing poppies stole a breeze most softly lulling to my soul.



John Keats.

HEALTHY LIVING.

I'm a firm believer in wholesome eating, keeping to a simple balanced diet, with food in as natural a state as possible.I'm certainly not a fanatic about this---I hope not anyway.

Recently when our friends Ruben and Cathy became enthusiastic about the wonder food wheat grass we joined in with gusto and over the month of june we grew trays of healthy stuff,--- bright ,flourishing and so good! I've always felt the importance of chlorophyll,--- one of the few details I remember from school biology classes ! Sad to say though july here has been really hot and our wheatgrass growing has been blighted. No longer that healthy looking green stuff but rather some sparse struggling blades---- and dare I say it, ---invaded by that dreaded mould!

Ofcourse we are positive thinkers, so we appreciate that it is time for a change for a while and so the latest juicing efforts are focused on just about any fruit and veg. we can lay hands on.--- Great practice and challenge for our little hand juicer, and it is entering into this challenge with spirit!

So I am not becoming a neurotic fanatical health 'nut', I'm approaching the situation in a relaxed, way I hope !---continuing to enjoy the present experience, and to keep true to my holistic outlook, believing that real well-being comes not only from the nourishment of food, but more from the peace of mind that comes from a relaxed body and mind working in true harmony with that Spirit of Life, the real source of all the nourishment!---- I must say though I look forward to those cooler wheat grass growing months !!

My own prescription for health is less paperwork and more running barefoot through the grass.

Leslie Grimutter.

GOOD VIBRATIONS.

Good Vibrations---textured acrylic on canvas 7x10 inches---€ 100

I grew up in the 60's,--- a turbulent time in some ways, ---a time of change,--- but it was too a time of lightness, laughter,hope,--- and oh the music!!----That crazy rhythm, that resonant beat, a sense of feeling free, and too the strong emerging social awareness that grew with the Peace Songs.

Is it just that i'm no longer 'with it', is it my imagination, or does today's society offer so much less of the lightness and sense of freedom? --- I'm strongly aware of a heaviness, a sense of fear and restriction, a sense of confinement and resignation that so many seem burdened with.Where is that feeling of optimism, joie de vivre, and that deep intrinsic need to 'do one's own thing'? I don't believe it has vanished,--- it's still bubbling away there!

Anyway my painting today echoes the words of the Beach Boys--- and let's keep those Good Vibrations going!!

Turn your face to the sun and the darkness falls behind you.

Maori Proverb.

PEACEFUL PALMS. TODAY'S PAINTING.

Peaceful Palms---textured --acrylic on stretched canvas- €100

It's lovely working in the studio in the morning; despite the heat there is some sense of freshness here. I can hear the traffic noise quite near but the bird's morning chorus seems to dominate, and the tall circle of palms exudes a strong sense of nostalgia and history, a feeling of peace---I'm happy here!

Man's heart away from nature becomes hard.

Standing Bear.