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It's been a tumultous year full of surprises good and bad and one can only speculate at what awaits us as the clock ticks over.
If there was one lesson I learnt is that we need to be our own heroes, to actively face life head on with the intention to make everyday matter. To stop believing that we cannot overcome our circumstances and rise up to reach our potential. 'But' you begin to say and start rattling off a list of excuses. Well, maybe it's true, maybe it's valid, maybe it is an actual wall.. but what I've come to realise is that you only know for sure if you go at it full force and really find out if it can hold you back. You'll be surprise at how often the supposedly insurmountable gives way. You'll also be surprise at how often that, if somehow that wall is still standing, people will notice, and if you've surrounded yourself with good people then they will help you. You are not alone, if you are worthy and your goals are worthy then people will join you and together you will become greater than the sum of your parts. You'll be more creative, resilient and inspiring than you think you could ever be. In other words, you'll become the hero of your life and not just a bystander. I am so incredibly blessed that I will not be going into 2017 alone, that Living Colours has grown beyond just me and my brushes. In future posts you'll start to meet my new family and see what incredible adventures we will get up to. For now though, I wish you a very happy New Years and a 2017 full of wonders. Ah Melbourne! You certainly have not disappointed, I came crashing into your arms and you've embraced me like a long lost friend. I've never such a blast nor have I ever felt so appreciated. Can't wait to see what delightful madness you have in store next.
Massive thanks to the BRINK crew for putting together such an awesome night, to my fabulous models for being well, fabulous and much gratitude to Flavio for his amazing pics. See more of his work here: www.facebook.com/flaviobodrogiphotography/ Within a few week of telling my friends that I wanted to become a professional body painter my inbox was flooded with videos and links to Orly Faya, the artist who merged people into the natural world. So many conversations went along the lines of 'You have to meet to her, she really cares for the environment too and she's so generous with her time - maybe she can offer some advice?' Which is all well and good, but how on earth was I suppose to get in touch with someone who could be anyway in Australia at any given point. Still, I tried, sent a few emails and facebook messages and of course I didn't hear back, no doubt her inbox is filled to the brim with admirers, clients, family, friends and other wannabe collaborators. A month or so went past, I forged ahead on my own path and made my way to Confest where after a midnight Didgeridoo sound healing session inside a sauna I realised that so much of my life has be lived in fear, and that I needed to open up to what my instincts are telling and follow them fearlessly wherever they may lead. The next day I was due to return to Sydney with my friends. My air mattress was deflated and my bags were fully packed, I was about to begin pulling down the tent and.. I stopped, I stopped because I felt the strongest sensation that I had to stay. I didn't know why, and I didn't know how I was suppose to get back to Sydney, which was 10 hours away, but I didn't care. It was time to be fearless. So I walked out, waved my friends off and I went about my day relaxed and receptive. That afternoon I noticed a little white van had pulled up, I didn't think anything of it.. until I saw it had Orly's paintings printed on the side and before my brain can go ' Oh my god, there's Orly's van', it went 'Oh my god - there's Orly!' just casually unloading her stuff. Feeling like a school boy again, I took a deep breath walked up and told her my story. She listened with a bemused look on her face and kindness in her eyes. I was expecting that to be the sum total of our experience, which would have been enough.. but then she told me that she was heading to Sydney, and that she had a seat in her car and that perhaps I was 'touched by the spirits'. I was dumbstruck, please understand that I'm a rational man, and not prone to believing the universe ever sends messages or directions - but it is hard to argue with this outcome. So the next day we took off, 10 hours talking, admiring the views, swapping stories and listening to podcasts. I learnt a great many things and felt affirmed that this was indeed the right path for me and even more incredibly I had something to offer this amazing artist - my camera. My experience as a documentary maker would come to play a beautiful part in contributing to her work in Sydney with Emma and the iconic Sydney skyline. It was a magical morning, observing her at work in the gorgeous morning light. I can only hope this is the beginning of my professional relationship with her. She said to me that we are unusual amongst body artists in our values towards the earth and humanity, I don't know if I'll ever inspire people and give back to communities the way that she has, but for now I am honoured to walk in step with this incredible human being.
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January 2017
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