Love is....creating from the heart.

As part of my creative soul searching I have asked myself, what was my first memory of illustration that I connected with....and I realised that back in the 80s my mami used to give me these little lollies wrapped in the 'Love is...' illustrations by Kim Casali....she illustrated simple boy and girl figures that spoke a thousand words, the images were from the heart, they captured emotion and made complete sense without making a big deal. The funny thing is that 30 years later this is what I look to achieve in my illustrations, to draw feelings and to represent what some cannot find words for. As I look through some of Casali's images I realise how similar our thinking is...here is an one that made me realise 'wow, what ever we give our children moulds how they'll think and act in the future'. I thank my beautiful, thoughtful mami for sharing Kim Casali's work with me at such a young age (as innocent as she thought it was)...and for continuing to show me what love is....and thankyou Kim for spreading the word of what LOVE IS....

Kim Casali Cartoon illustrator

Maria @ AVE

x
AVE Maria

mi alegria = my happiness

An illustration published in BIG kids Magazine Artist Collaboration themed 'my first flight'

a self portrait of my girls and I....COMPLETE FROM THE GROUND UP

Creating is something that comes natural to me...I love being part of such a magical process....it comes from deep within my soul to be creative. Since I was a small chica I have created, from making the most elaborate nativity scenes to making an ice-cream parlour shop with my upside bike, but now that I am a mother, creating takes a new meaning. I just never knew how to express what I felt whilst giving birth....well, last night I found something that allowed me to understand and voice what I felt.

“Birth is very challenging in the best way possible. Every fiber of your being in alive. It’s like you are conducting electricity, literally creating something..... I felt as though I’d been introduced to myself for the first time. You become totally uncompromising, wild and fierce.”~Actress Thandie Newton,mother of two.

So now that I am a creator of art and life I am content. I am complete. I am woman. I am me. I am powerful. I am happy. I have wings, my feathers are bright coloured brushstrokes of love, painted when they were born...I take flight when I create. High up in the sky I see what it's all about.

x AVE maria

right turns....

Sorry I have been away from my blog...but I have been existing in other places. I have been thinking, dreaming, living, loving, growing, nurturing, planning, balancing and simply just being.

I have come to a cross roads place, where one road leads to another and then an intersection with no give way signs...I am on a roll with my illustrations and I am on a role, the most important one of my life - being a mama of 2 beautiful little girls. So now what I have to do is to listen to my GPS (only bc I can't read Melways without turning it upside down) let it take me where it needs to take me, however never forgetting that I am the one driving so I am in control!

The next few months it's about making the right turns and getting to the destinations....at the right pace and at the right time. Lots of places to go, people to meet and things to do in my journey. Thanks for hanging around and encouraging me!

My wish list for 2011:

• Creative space (business plan, location etc)
  
• Stockists for illustrations (cards, invitations, limited edition)
• Paper/kids exhibition
• Set up network events
• Charity art and Exhibition
• Holiday or maybe 2
• Excercise
• Learn how to use my DSLR
• Bake more
• Learn how to crochet/spend time with Abuelita Toñita (my Granma)
• Stop writing so many lists

see you at the next lights!


x AVE Maria

AVE = BIRD

The first illustration I made for AVE 'Proud Lorenza'

Lorenza at home (Dad says she's over 50 years old)

Birds are an important aspect of my work as they represent and symbolise many positive things in my life. I am a bird watcher and enjoy the way they dance with each other, the way they fly together, the way they sing amazing tunes and most importantly the way they nurture their babies and I take these as some of life's lessons.

My work for AVE is originally influenced by a particular bird called LORENZA. A green parrot who belongs to my grandma Toñita's, she has been around longer than most of us, standing beautifully on her stick, singing, laughing, whistling and talking. Her big eyes always watching as she chewed on her favourite piece of corn.

I dedicate AVE to Lorenza and her bird friends for entertaining me as a child and for teaching me some lessons as an adult.

'the best things a mother can give her children are roots and wings' anon

x AVE Maria

handmade love

A knitted doily rug created by (Ladies and Gentlemen Etsy store available) so gorgeous to decorate the floor

Stretch with an embroidery frame. They almost look like spider webs carefully woven by delicate vintage looking spiders

Amazing shadows for a pretty corner with plenty of light

I have a facination for crochet doilies, to me they are the perfect combination of handmade love, sweet vintage, delicate patterns and amazing memories of my Abuelita Toñita (Spanish = Grandma) making them.


I have a little collection which include some special ones that have been handed down to me and others that I have found at random op shops. But I am not one to display them on top of my side tables so here are some funky ways to get the most out of these pretty little things and appreciate their detail and intricacy.

x AVE Maria

wondering where the birds go...?

'where do the birds go when it rains?'

I know everyone talks about the weather when there is nothing else to say, but this is not that type of conversation, I promise!.



Today in Melbourne - it was cold, windy, raining, let's say it was perfect for a cup or two of hot chocolate and a movie under our knitted blanky, however we didn't do that as we went to visit a friend and her two little girls...on our way there Allegra noticed there were no birds out, so she asked me 'where are the birds mama?' .....it was an unexpected question to which I replied 'they're sitting ontop of the clouds where there is no rain or wind', hoping that this was a good enough explanation for my nearly 3 year old, ...she said 'mama I wanna go there!'.....



I love how my little girl surprises me with wonderful words that make me wonder, think, imagine, smile and cry with pride.



x AVE Maria

I'm perched...

I have been away for some time, making a nest, watching my egg hatch and flying high, in other words I was organising my home for the arrival of my second baby and being extremely happy with my life...hence the reference to one of my favourite illustrators Madeleine Stamer's piece 'Perched girl with bird' ( http://www.littlecircusdesign.com/ ).

I missed blogging...I hadn't done it much but I liked documenting about my inspiration, my thoughts and the life behind AVE. Now, I'm back and am delighted to have you here!

thanks for sitting on this branch with me......it's a nice view from here!

x AVE Maria