My pre pain life was… well bliss…. filled with endless activity and huge lists of ideas and tasks that were always completed. Who had time for a book or television? I was active, I had capacity, boundless energy to execute my creative thoughts, meet the expectations of a full social calendar and fill a website and blog with projects, stories and inspirations.

There was no ‘tired’, ‘sore’, ‘fatigued’, ‘have to rest’, there was no ‘pain’. Like I said, life was bliss… until a fitball that I was sitting on went pop (well burst actually) on March 1, 2007. Since then it’s been… tricky… to say… the very, least.

As an artist with pain I feel a little luckier being able to express my feelings and get them out either through my writing or drawing, or posting to my website and blogs. But I can’t say these fragments are satisfying my creativity, they carry no arty weight.

Still, I couldn’t ignore the pain character that had presented herself to me, and no surprises she appeared as I love characterisation. So, I collated her, (yes, ‘her’ not my) writings, thoughts and doodles into a kind of body of work, a sort of online exhibition -I know I’m stretching it out here but stay with me because the main aim is to create awareness for a misdiagnosed and unidentifiable Pelvic Chronic Pain issue, Pudendal Neuralgia. Oh yes, and to release the pain that not only comes from the issue itself but also from WorkCover frustration. It’s about reaching others in a similar situation, helping them express their pain, provide empathy but most of all, perhaps a cure or pain management that’s actually relevant.

So please forward the website address on, not for art’s sake but for awareness sake. It took me 4.5 years to be diagnosed, early detection can prevent permanent damage.

And as for future exhibitions and bodies of work… well… I’ll stay hopeful.

www.pudendalnerve.com.au

One of the very enjoyable aspects of study has been revisiting simplicity. Keep it simple Jeff says and then begins to look around my studio for objects that will become the next still life arrangement. Knowing this task was coming up, I went through Mum and Dad’s house for simple pieces gathering an old Johnson’s Baby Powder tin (yes mine), a 1950′s peppercorn grinder, Dad’s Old Spice after shave bottle, etc etc. But nope, they were still a little too prepared! Jeff’s simple ended up being right unde my nose. I hesitated… don’t like painting black but you don’t get a choice with homework which was another aspect of study I loved, I got out of my comfort zone and pushed my boundaries. I was pleasantly surprised.

Another fulfilling event and life long memory for me. I’m standing in one of my favorite local galleries, James Makin Gallery, sharing a great milestone for someone who not only inspires me but has gifted so much of his experience, and so enthusiastically, to my own art practice. Books are my weakness but to now own, in my hot little hands (well, Jeff does in these photos and rightly so) a copy of this book with a treasured inscription inside is really quite the full package. (Oh yes, and there were bubbles too!!).

Certainly a critical moment for me, I flew straight back to the studio.

This is such a brilliant idea. I couldn’t pass up the chance of having my sketchbook travel the world (and then live forever in The Brooklyn Art Library). After all if I can’t travel why should my children miss out hey? Fly, kiddies, fly!

So basically I registered online, ordered my sketchbook and became super friendly with the posty for a few weeks until he finally handed over my parcel. On arrival I must admit I was disappointed, it was a small sketchbook… so I had a few words to myself, “Soula, you always have to push don’t you, always have to set a much larger target. Remember you’re battery operated now and a small sketchbook is actually sufficient for you, probably even pushing it”. I can’t STAND that voice of reason.

So here I go folks, I’ve made a start. Look out for my travelling child, it will be making a ‘home’ pitt stop at NGV Studio November 10th-25th, Federation Square with the rest of its worldly family.

Excerpt from the official website

“…Thousands of sketchbooks will be exhibited at galleries and museums as they make their way on tour across the world.

After the tour, all sketchbooks will enter into the permanent collection of The Brooklyn Art Library, where they will be barcoded and available for the public to view.

Anyone – from anywhere in the world – can be a part of the project. To participate and have us send you a sketchbook that will go on tour, start by choosing a theme to the right.”

You can see my profile on the website and thousands of others too. A brilliant idea.

Sales/commissions: Theo Mantalvanos
0418 514 335
soula@soula.com.au


My audience can be the judge here. I’ll look forward to your comments.

Site design and creation by Soula.
Business cards scratched and etched by Soula and editioned by Theo.

Design/sales/commissions: Theo Mantalvanos
0418 514 335
soula@soula.com.au


Sales/commissions: Theo Mantalvanos
0418 514 335
soula@soula.com.au


If you would like to sell my Winter Light cards please contact me, I’d love to hear from you.

More Winter Light: The exhibition at Bsg or at The Convent Daylesford

Winter Light Greeting cards. Size: 155mm  x 110mm. No message inside.

A few purchase options are listed below, please feel free to contact me for custom orders or if you wish to sell my cards. Postage is calculated in your Paypal window (starts at $3, based on Australia Post rates).

Card Description

1 Set of 6 cards $15.00 2 Sets (12 cards) $30.00 3 Sets of (18 cards) $43.00 4 Sets of (24 cards) $58.00 5 Sets of (30 cards) $70.00

Your email address

Postage details

As far as I knew it wasn’t possible to print your own image on glass in a kitchen as the usual film used is not fire safe. But we were working with The Splashback Company and they happened to be looking for an artist to showcase their new technology… fire rated print on glass! Funny how sometimes the things you love just find you. So I drew my version of the painting and now we live with this piece every day.

Of course I am available to draw your splashback idea too.

Sales/commissions: Theo Mantalvanos
0418 514 335
soula@soula.com.au


I am currently drawing actress, Meredith Penman, fortnightly. The 3 hour session usually starts with two minute poses to warm up, then to five minutes and then 10 minutes. I’m using charcoal and drawing ink on paper for now. Let’s see where this goes…