Embrace Innovation and Creativity with the Aquarius New Moon.
I’ve been diving into Procreate on my iPad, discovering how my collage and mixed media concepts translate digitally. It’s exciting to see the possibilities this opens up, and I’m looking forward to experimenting further.
I’ve also been researching ways to incorporate more texture into my piece for the upcoming Creativa exhibition with Collective 24….
Life Update: Navigating Challenges and Finding Inspiration
Life Update: Navigating Challenges and Finding Inspiration
It’s been a challenging cycle. My second nerve block this week meant plenty of doctor’s appointments and hospital visits, keeping me away from the studio. On top of that, Melbourne’s Summer has made things difficult. My little companion Morgana has been on a holiday at my sister’s, where she can enjoy some air conditioning. As much as I’m missing her, it’s just been too hot here for her.
I was also honoured to take part in the 101 Women Project, a powerful tribute to the 101 women killed last year by gendered violence. Dressed in black and wearing red veils, we stood in silence for 30 minutes on the steps of the State Library in Melbourne. From there, we processed single file down Swanston Street to Lonsdale Street before entering the Queen Victoria Women’s Centre. It was a deeply moving and visually striking display of art and activism.
Thank you to Fleassy Malay for organising this event and ensuring it was accessible for all participants. I also had the privilege of helping with the media release for the event, an honour to support such an important cause. Family and gendered violence, as well as the ongoing femicide epidemic in this country, need as much awareness as we can generate in the hope that governments will take decisive action.
On another note, I’ve been struggling with my visioning for 2025. My vision wall is still a work in progress, as the uncertainty of my health makes future planning a bit overwhelming. I’m trying to approach it with patience and flexibility, leaving space for hope and creativity to flourish.
Studio Update: Exploring Digital Art and Upcoming Exhibitions
With all the appointments this cycle, I haven’t had much time to pull out the paints. Instead, I’ve been diving into Procreate on my iPad, discovering how my collage and mixed media concepts translate digitally. It’s exciting to see the possibilities this opens up, and I’m looking forward to experimenting further.
I’ve also been researching ways to incorporate more texture into my piece for the upcoming Creativa exhibition with Collective 24. I’ve been working on the colour palettes for the marketing and social media promotions. We are in the process of setting the social media accounts, I hope to share them with you in my next blog post. It’s exciting to use some of the skills I’ve been learning here and on my own social media platforms. Speaking of which, I have just opened a Bluesky Social account! If you’re there, I’d love if you follow me, find me under Ange’s Studio, and I’ll follow you back.
On top of that, grant writing has been a major focus, as I delve deeper into my concepts around the seen and unseen realms of being a woman and living with a disability. There’s also a watercolour workshop from ArtisMagic.online waiting for me, I’m hoping to jump back into that soon.
#CyclesOfCraft Update: Lammas Celebrations and Creative Prompts
The wheel of the year is turning again as we approach the seasonal celebration of Lammas on February 4th. Keep an eye out for my special edition blog post next week, where I’ll share info, tips, and creative ways to honour this time of year.
In the meantime, let’s revisit this cycle’s art prompt:
Earlier this cycle, I shared an art prompt inspired by the Aquarius New Moon: "What bold visions or unconventional ideas are ready to emerge?" Reflecting on this, I’ve been exploring how Aquarius themes of originality and progress resonate with my own creative journey. As you revisit this prompt, consider these guiding questions:
What unique perspective or idea have you been holding back?
How can you show up more authentically in your creative practice?
What does "progress" mean to you right now, and how can you embrace it?
I’d love to see what you create—don’t forget to tag me or use #CyclesOfCraft to share your work!
Aquarius New Moon Art Journal Prompt - #CyclesOfCraft
Artist of the Season: Alice Neel’s Visionary Portraits and Legacy
This season, I’m drawing inspiration from Alice Neel, a brilliant 20th-century American painter known for her striking portraits and commitment to portraying real life. Neel was an Aquarian herself, and her life and work reflected the humanitarian and innovative spirit of this sign.
Neel was a fearless champion of social justice, a Leftist, and a staunch supporter of Trade Unions. Her commitment to equality and human rights was evident not only in her art but also in her activism. At a time when women were not afforded the rights we have now, Neel boldly created work that celebrated individuality and diversity while challenging societal norms.
Her portraits often focused on women, marginalised communities, and her own experiences, capturing the raw and honest essence of her subjects. Two of her iconic works are:
Andy Warhol (1970): A raw, vulnerable portrait of Warhol, capturing him shirtless with scars from a past assassination attempt.
The Family (1970): A powerful piece that captures the dynamics of a family unit, emphasizing connection and individuality.
Neel’s fearless approach to art and life is a constant source of inspiration as I develop my own projects. If you want to discover more about this courageous women, start here.
Astrology Insight: Embracing the Aquarius New Moon’s Innovative Energy
The Aquarius New Moon is all about innovation, vision, and breaking free from the old to create the new. This is a time to think outside the box, embrace collaboration, and focus on how we can contribute to collective growth.
The world feels especially chaotic and unsettled right now, and that could be a reflection of recent celestial activity. The recent Planetary Parade and the appearance of a comet have stirred up energies, bringing transformative yet turbulent vibrations to the forefront. These cosmic events often manifest as upheaval here on Earth, urging us to reevaluate, adapt, and evolve.
Aquarius, ruled by Uranus, is a sign of forward-thinking and collective progress. This New Moon invites us to consider how we can innovate in our lives and contribute to a better future. It’s a time to set intentions not just for personal growth but also for how we can impact our communities and the world at large. Embrace your uniqueness, and don’t be afraid to share your unconventional ideas, they might just spark the change we all need.
Lunar New Year 2025: Insights into the Year of the Wood Snake
This Lunar New Year welcomes the Year of the Wood Snake. The Snake is a symbol of wisdom, transformation, and intuition. Combined with the steady, growth-oriented energy of wood, this year encourages us to shed old skins, embrace personal evolution, and plant seeds for long-term growth.
Here’s a quick look at how the Wood Snake’s energy might affect each Chinese zodiac sign:
Rat: A year of steady progress but remember to trust your instincts.
Ox: Opportunities for personal growth and transformation abound.
Tiger: Creativity and intuition are heightened; follow your passions.
Rabbit: A time to focus on relationships and emotional resilience.
Dragon: Transformative opportunities; take calculated risks.
Snake: Your year! Embrace your natural wisdom and intuition.
Horse: A year for introspection and refining your goals.
Goat: Focus on balance and nurturing your inner world.
Monkey: Dynamic changes bring opportunities for growth.
Rooster: A steady year for building foundations and connections.
Dog: Trust your intuition and embrace new beginnings.
Pig: A supportive year for self-care and personal evolution.
The transformative energies of the Wood Snake align beautifully with the themes of the Aquarius New Moon. Together, they encourage us to embrace change, innovate, and move forward with courage and intention.
2025 Year of the Wood Snake
Discover New Designs in My Redbubble Shop
If you’re looking for something special, don’t forget to check out my Redbubble shop. I’ve added some new designs as well as my classic Crow Series, perfect for gifts or a little treat for yourself.
Wishing you all a transformative and inspired Aquarius New Moon. Let’s step into this new cycle with courage, creativity, and a sense of wonder. As always, thank you for being part of my artistic journey.
Super Full Moon in Aries: Boldness, Release & Progress
As we reach the full moon in Aries on 17 October, I’m leaning into the themes of boldness, initiative, and celebrating progress. This cycle has been full of breakthroughs and some personal challenges, but I’ve learned that courage shows up in many ways.
The full moon is also a time of release. With the sun in Libra and the moon in Aries, we are called to find balance between harmony and action, between peace and boldness…..
As we reach the Super Full Moon in Aries on 17 October, I’m leaning into the themes of boldness, initiative, and celebrating progress. This cycle has been full of breakthroughs and some personal challenges, but I’ve learned that courage shows up in many ways.
The full moon is also a time of release. With the sun in Libra and the moon in Aries, we are called to find balance between harmony and action, between peace and boldness. Consider what no longer serves you and is holding you back from embracing your true self. For me, I’m releasing the fear of not being “enough” in my work, my health, and my personal life. It’s been weighing me down, and now is the time to let go. What fears or doubts can you release to make room for new growth? Let go of indecision, self-doubt, or the need for approval from others so you can step confidently into your power.
I invite you to join me in this release and share what you're letting go of on social media—tag me so we can support each other through this phase of transformation!
Studio Update
I’m excited to share that the piece I was working on during the last cycle has been accepted into the Merri Bek Summer Show at the Counihan Gallery in Brunswick. The theme of the exhibition is (Be)Longing, and I’m thrilled to be a part of it. The opening is on 9 November at 2 pm, which also happens to be my birthday! I won’t share too much about the work yet—more details to come later.
In the Make, Create, Express course, I’ve been working on a few abstract pieces, and you can check out my process reels over on Instagram. Meanwhile, in my other course, The Art of Individuation, this week’s lecture, "An Opening in the Hedgerow: Women’s Mysticism in the Christian Late Middle Ages," has sparked something deep in me. It’s drawn me back to an idea I’ve been nurturing for a while—exploring the yoni as a hedgerow, both rich in symbolism.
The yoni is a Sanskrit term representing the physical womb, vagina, and vulva, literally being the source of life. It is also a symbol of the divine feminine, associated with creation, birth, and rebirth. The hedgerow, traditionally a physical boundary between fields, also holds spiritual meaning. It is seen as a liminal space—a boundary not just between the physical world but between realms, representing an opening to the other side, to the divine. These ideas are deeply connected for me, and I can feel the beginnings of a new body of work forming. I’ll keep you updated as this unfolds.
Studio sessions are not complete without some tunes. Check out this month’s playlist. What have you been listening to? Jump over to the socials and let me know what you would add.
Living with Disability
This cycle has been tough on my health. Managing pain and the emotional strain has taken its toll, but I’ve been focusing on summoning courage in my art and rehabilitation. On the days when my body struggles, I’ve been quietly working on some website updates and playing with graphic design to create a more cohesive look for my blog and socials. It’s slow progress, but it’s something I can manage when energy is low.
Artist Date
I had a much-needed artist date this week when I visited my hometown, with a dear friend, to see the incredible Kate Miller-Heidke, supported by the beautiful Georgia Mooney. The experience was nostalgic, full of old memories, and even better, I reconnected with an old friend—an unexpected but lovely surprise.
Artist of the Season: Rosaleen Norton
This season’s featured artist is Rosaleen Norton, famously known as the Witch of Kings Cross. Norton, an Australian artist and occultist, challenged societal norms through her visionary art and mystical practices. Her work, heavily influenced by esotericism and paganism, explored the supernatural, often depicting gods, demons, and mythological creatures. As one of the earliest “Art Witches,” Norton fused her spirituality with her artistic expression, carving a path for those who seek to combine magic and art. Her defiance of conventional morality and fearless embrace of the taboo make her an inspiration for this full moon's themes of boldness and release. You should definitely look into her life and artwork; you can start here. There is also a wonderful bio pic you can watch; you can find the details here.
Looking Ahead
As the Southern Hemisphere wheel turns towards Beltaine, I’m looking forward to celebrating at a Fairy Ball. The theme is Gods and Goddesses, and I’ve been putting my creative energy into making a costume. If you’re still celebrating Samhain or Halloween, remember there’s still time to order from my Crow Series and get it before the end of the month! Order you journal here. If you would like to order postcards or the Limited-Edition Framed Prints email me.
Here’s to stepping into the boldness of the full moon, releasing what holds us back, and celebrating our progress, no matter how small.