"The Energy Within' Exhibition Dec 24

So excited to be sharing space with another like-minded artist in a joint art exhibition next month at Rosnay Organics Winery in Canowindra. We both create art by means of channelling and transforming energy as a means of expression and healing. We are also both studying Art Therapy so have similar perspectives about the power of creativity and how it can make positive changes in the world.

Our exhibition focuses on the the Art of transformation and healing, as in, exploring the ongoing journey of emotional and spiritual healing through the transformative power of art.

We invite viewers to connect with their inner selves and explore the connection between creativity and emotional healing. Each artwork reflects our unique creative processes of transforming energy from negative to positive, using emotion and colour, guided by our inner wisdom.

We hope the experience is a reminder that the power to heal and transform is within us all, waiting to be awakened.

The exhibition will be open from 8th December 2024 until the end of January 2025 so hope to see you there!

Venue: Rosnay Organics Winery, 510 Rivers Rd, Canowindra NSW 2804
website: rosnay.com.au

Phoebe 'Tea Pot'

One of Phoebe’s favourite sayings is “Tea fixes everything” and it’s true! Ok so maybe not everything but it does fix a lot of things… Tea often involves sitting down and talking to someone which really can help. Sometimes just taking a moment to sit and sip tea can help calm any situation. If only our world leaders would get together for tea to solve the problems of the world instead of fighting? Oh what a wonderful world it could be… xo

My latest Phoebe illustration and story…

Phoebe ‘Teapot’ illustrated by Kaz Clarke

Phoebe ‘Teapot’

Instinctively, every bone in Phoebe’s body seemed to be pointing out that she needed to do something, something really important. Meanwhile, an annoying little song suddenly burst out in her head… “I’m a little tea pot, short and stout,”. Of course!! It was time to make tea.

Make Tea. Not War…. xo

Phoebe 'Soap Box'

Lately I have entered a few art exhibitions which has involved filling out entry forms, on which I had to declare myself as either a ‘hobbyist’ (used to describe an artist without an ABN who isn’t registered for GST and doesn’t make a living from their art) or ‘an artist’ who has an ABN and is registered for GST. It’s legal smegal stuff for tax purposes of course but it really annoys me that there isn’t a third box to choose from for those artists who are in fact ‘artists’ without an ABN because it is not always possible to make a living just from your art! Most artists have another form of income to pay the bills so that they can be who they are meant to be – artists. It’s crazy! I was born an artist, it is my identity. It is not a hobby, it is WHO I AM. Van Gogh, one of the most well known artists in the world, never sold a painting in his lifetime, so does that mean he was a hobbyist? I really, really despise that word! I am an ARTIST by heart and soul… x

Phoebe ‘Soap Box’ by Kaz Clarke

PHOEBE ‘SOAP BOX’
Phoebe was having a soap box moment – she refused to be forced to fit into a non-applicable box any more! With her newly found voice, she now much preferred to be standing on a box, declaring her passion to the world. And after facing so many unfaceable fears lately, Phoebe was on fire… like a Phoenix rising!

Facing Fears

Sometimes you just have to throw caution to the wind and just face it - the fear, the unknown - and follow your heart. That’s how I live now. It’s scary, but I’m alive, no regrets. That’s what this artwork is about - facing fears… facing grief, facing things you don’t want to face, facing death, facing the unknown. It’s about journeying from dark into light and seeing things for what they truly are. It’s about who we are as souls, and how we eventually leave our bodies behind in the earth. The eyes are the windows to the soul, and show the truth of who we are on the inside, and connecting us to the Universe.

I felt strongly about doing this artwork of my dad and decided to enter it into an exhibition, even though its not typical of what you would see there. I wanted to be authentic and create something with all my heart and soul. It is scary putting it out there. It’s definitely not a pretty picture but I don’t really care if people don’t like it. It’s what I really wanted to do and I feel satisfied that I have done something that has meaning.

I hope it makes people think, feel, talk and ask questions.

Its part of the Lachlan Valley Biennial Art Exhibition being held throughout May at the Cowra Regional Gallery in Cowra NSW. There are many outstanding artworks by local artists on show there so make sure you check it out.

Planet Puffball

‘Planet Puffball’ is my latest painting created for another exhibition here in the Central West AND it has already SOLD! Whoah! Trudi Refshauge from Mid Lachlan Landcare has curated the FINE ARTS FUNGI EXHIBITION which is showing throughout May at the Rosnay Organic Winery in Canowindra. It’s a collection of around 40 artworks by 70 local artists and is absolutely incredible! Thank you sooo much to Trudi and her passion for fungi for putting this show together! So honoured to be a part of this amazing exhibition. An absolute must see for anyone interested in the peculiar... AND wine!

How could I resist painting a fungi that, to me, looks more like a planet?! Fascinating…

@midlachlanlandcare @rosnayorganic

#artexhibitions #centralwestnsw #fungi #canowindra

Expressive Heart & Soul Art Workshop

“That which cannot be said, becomes art.” - Kaz

Join me on a creative adventure with music, paint, canvas and writing to explore your heart and soul. Learn how to let go of expectations and perfectionism, to release feelings and express them visually, and create your own unique work of art.

We are all RARE works of art at heart... Who are YOU on the inside? What does your heart and soul secretly YEARN for? What is your PASSION?

When: Saturday 29th April 2023
Time: 12pm-3pm
Where: Eddy’s Guesthouse Canowindra, 13 Tilga St, Canowindra
Cost: $75 pp (Canvas, materials supplied. Bring old shirt or apron)

Contact: Kaz 0411 874 910 email kaz@planetphoebe.com

instagram: @eddyscanowindra,   @planetphoebe_kaz

Phoebe 'Recharge'

Phoebe had flat-lined. It had been a busy few months on an energetic and emotional rollercoaster, and now her battery was dead flat. She had noticed herself start to fade and slide slowly under the table, and knew then that she needed to gracefully slip out of sight and back into her cocoon. Being social was way too exhausting for Phoebs! It was time to recharge, reconnect, renew and then eventually at some point in the not too distant future, resurface.

Sometimes we just need a little reminder to stop and reconnect with nature…x

Loose Screw

Loose Screw by Kaz Clarke
Stuck. Bent.
Hanging on…
Just.
Tired of trying
To hold it together.
Falling apart,
Almost broken.
It’s just human nature
To have a few screws loose.

Excited to be entering this 10 x10in artwork into the ’Small’s! 2023’ Art Exhibition at River Bank Gallery at Eddy’s Guest House in Canowindra. Exhibition is open throughout March so please check it out. There are some amazing local artists exhibiting their artwork here.

@Eddysofcanowindra

Volatile Dream

Volatile.
Red shirt. Black pants.
Sitting still. Staring
As if catching your breath,
Calming your soul,
Quietening your mind.
Aware of your inner volatility.
Taking in each breath
S l o w l y .
Half smile hides immense pain
And the awareness
Of how quickly things can change.
But for now
Enjoying the moment,
Being present,
That is all there is.

And then you were gone…
It was only a dream.

By Kaz Clarke

Vulnerable

Lately my self-consciousness has resurfaced. I thought I had overcome it but now I realise that I have just worked out what armour to wear to hide it. I feel it mostly when wearing anything but jeans and a T-shirt out in public. The other day I wore a dress and there it was, that feeling of being vulnerable, exposed. It felt like everyone was looking at me, judging me, as if I was naked in a dress. It was so uncomfortable. In my mind, every little flaw I had was on show. It was like an outer body experience where I was standing slightly beside myself, overly aware of how my actions appeared, but at the same time not fully in control of them. Speech didn’t come freely, like there was a disconnection between my brain and voice. It was very weird and took away my ability to just relax and be myself.

We all have our shells to hide in where we feel safe and secure, and wear masks or armour when we go out in public. We are all vulnerable on the inside.

That girl that stands beside herself feeling vulnerable and fragile in a dress, she is the real me… x

Phoebe 'Farewell Doris'

It was time for Phoebe to clean up her act and Doomsday Doris was the first to go. This dreary little pest had been in her ear for way too long and Phoebs had had enough. She had tried ignoring her, sticking fingers in her ears and even ‘La, la, laaing' but Doris just wouldn't budge. And just when she thought that she had silenced this pessimistic pest, she heard the all too familiar drone of, "I told you so!". Argh…

Then it occurred to Phoebe that this was actually the perfect situation to use the dreaded F word..

"FUCK OFF DORIS!!!"

And with that, she not only freed herself of that annoying critic, BUT also overcame her fear of the F word. Touche!

P.S. Directed solely at the pesky little critic on my shoulder and no particular person called Doris. I'm sure they are all lovely... xo

Fragility

I’ve been on a high for months, so high on life and happier than I’ve ever been. But there’s been a teensy tiny part of me that has been waiting for the bubble to burst. If you’ve ever been on a high you’ll understand that there comes with it a feeling of being completely indestructible, that nothing can bring you down. Life is sooo good! But then a couple of little things go wrong. Ok not such a drama. And then there are signs that change is coming but you’re having such a good time that you can’t see them, or don’t want to.

And it then happens. CRASH! Shock… Shattered… a million broken pieces and incomprehensible pain. Things seem to fall apart in and around you all at the same time.

Then the aftermath. I had forgotten what it felt like. The slowness of time as you sit with the rawness of pain and try to work out what went wrong. And the waiting, while it washes over you again and again, as you wait for the pain to pass.

Time heals all wounds… xo

Phoebe 'Roar'

Phoebe had found her voice. It had taken a while to muster the courage to speak up, be heard and say what she really thought. Sometimes it didn’t quite come out how she imagined and often it was a little mixed up but it didn’t matter because finally she was able to ROAR. Words were now pouring out in continuous ‘blahs’ that ricocheted across the Universe in animated conversations. And although she was still learning how to harness this sometimes out of control beast, Phoebe’s voice was finally out there…

Yeehaaa!!

Phoebe 'Groove'

Phoebe was sooo ALIVE! She had found the music in her soul and let it loose. It made her sing and dance like she had never sung or danced before. It felt incredible! Finally she was groovin’ on the outside (and not just on the inside). The goddess of grooviness was free!

Move over Uma Thurman (from the iconic dance scene in the movie Pulp Fiction)… xo

Soul Smile

Sometimes when your whole soul smiles it’s such an amazing feeling that there are literally no words to describe it - that’s when expressive painting is my absolute go to. There is nothing better than lashing out on a big canvas with lots of colourful paint using a big brush (and of course my hands!), listening to my favourite music. Time seems to stand still but I definitely don’t - it’s a whole body and soul experience!

Phoebe 'Glass Half Full'

Phoebe was positively a ‘glass half full’ sort of girl. It only took exactly that amount of bubbly to send her completely off the planet. Was it the bubbles or was she simply bubbly enough? In fact, it had taken many years and many sloshy misadventures for her to realise that she was not and could not ever be a fully fledged drinker. No fun you say? Well, it’s much more fun to dance on the tables when you know you’re not going to turn into the slosh monster lying under them.

You can never have too much tea though…xo

Phoebe 'Filter'

Phoebe was a sensitive soul with many strange sensitivities but there was one in particular that affected her so much that it caused a very irritating reaction - that is, putting her fingers in her ears and singing “La-la-la-la…” very loudly (and very badly). It seemed she had an intolerance for the F word. Hearing it was so cringeworthy to Phoebes that it caused her very soul to writhe like a leach that just had salt poured over it. What was she going to do? Walk around with ear muffs on and never risk talking to anyone… ever again? Nooo… Phoebe decided that if she had to put up with hearing bad language then the offenders would just have to put up with hearing her very, very bad singing… “La-la-la-la-la-la-la…”

All’s fair in love and war!

The Edge of Darkness

My restless soul is ready to fly. It pulls at me, “Come on, let’s do this!”

I sit quietly still. But on the inside I’m screaming out – screaming at me – screaming to free myself, to be who I’m supposed to be. But I can’t get out – controlled from the outside in. I scream and cry and try to reach out, “Let me out! Please! Let me out!”. Tears are welling in my eyes. I am trapped within myself. A prisoner of my own control. Pain. My heart aches. My soul wants to be free. On my knees, I plea with myself, “Free me!”. I feel it so strongly as it continues to pull.

She stands at the edge of the darkness, ready to fly… frozen in fear… as a thousand ‘what if’s try to pull her back down.

The words above came to me today. Sometimes I just have to write without even knowing what or why, but I do it anyway and as I start to write, the words come, until they stop. I have been sitting staring at this painting which leans against the TV screen so I feel these words are its message to myself.

The spirals on the artworks appeared to me one night when I couldn’t sleep – black and white, darkness and light, lower and higher, yin and yang, spiritual ascension, overlaying the messy expressive paintings that I create. The next morning I played with spirals until the design below came to me. I was so happy with it! It was so exciting to see them together at last as if it was always meant to be. And it is very scary to now share them with the world but here goes… xo

The following artwork is available for purchase as an 8 x 10in art print in the Planet Phoebe online shop.

“Ascension 3’ by Kaz Clarke. The first artwork in my new series of spiral art.

Phoebe 'Together'

Following your heart isn’t always a journey along a straight, direct path. Sometimes we stray, get distracted and fall back into patterns from the past. I seem to loop backward and forward! However, it’s mostly a forward direction these days, it’s just a case of regaining focus on what truely matters deep down in my soul and of course in my heart. For this I need to find solace. Driving in the country does it for me. There’s something about propelling forward along a country road surrounded by great expanses of space and sky that connects with my soul. Everything becomes clearer and all the stress and worry is literally blown out of the windows. And even though I have my music blaring and I’m singing at the top of my lungs, I feel at peace, I know who I am and what I need to do. Answers and truths come to me while I’m driving… and sometimes a new Phoebe appears.

Phoebe ‘Together’ by Kaz Clarke

TOGETHER

Phoebe was all over the place and just couldn’t seem to get it together. Too many distractions, things to do and places to be had tugged her in so many different directions that she no longer knew if she was coming or going. How much longer could she keep this up? Sometimes you just need to throw caution to the wind, quit the act and start following your heart… x

And remember, always trust your heart… it knows the way.

Kazxo

Finding Peace

Following your heart is a journey that takes you deep inside your soul to find your true authentic self. Unlike the reflection in the mirror or the brave face you put on every morning to show the world just how well you are doing, your true self is vulnerable, passionate, insecure and most likely hidden under years of layered guilt, regret, lies and expectations. It’s the ache in your heart that every now and then cries out and makes you imagine how your life could be if only… Two little words that separate the life you exist in and the life you are meant to live. If only things were different. If only I could run away. If only I didn’t… So you continue struggling until the pull becomes so strong that you are forced to take a leap of faith and follow your heart. Sometimes The Universe will throw in a traumatic event just to get you moving! It’s an adventure like no other on which you’ll lose friends, family, material wealth and possibly your mind, but you’ll gain a life that’s worth living. You’ll find your purpose, love, happiness, your tribe, insight, wisdom and best of all… you’ll find peace. And once you’ve found that there’s no going back!

Love, light and peace,
Kaz xo