'True Colours' - portrait painting retreat at Hawkwood College

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Hawkwood College is a residential centre for holistic adult education and personal development.           An integral part of the Hawkwood mission is to bring people together from many streams of social, artistic and spiritual learning and to honour its founding anthroposophical impulse. www.hawkwoodcollege.co.uk

If you live in the UK, then you are probably aware of popular TV series like 'How to look good nacked', or 'Faking it'. Today's society seems to be obsessed with self-improvement entertainment programmes, and better still, people are actually willing to expose themselves & come forward to make positive changes in their lives infront of a national audience. This is very impressive to say the least.

 It is my understanding that we are here on this planet to evolve and to release blocked energy - meaning that we have to face our own dark, ugly, inner shadow which plays out physically in the outer world as confusion, resentment, disease, doubt, hypnosis and pain. We have chosen that in order to help us end the 'Duality Integration Game'  to come out of separation and return to Oneness as divine creator beings! This is not normally known and we need to accept first that they are an aspect of us... then look at it objectively for for what it is, before finally releasing the situation and taking control over our lives. For that to happen we need to give up all victim hood, forgive everyone who has ever hurt us and trust ourselves intuitively in order to start loving ourselves & others unconditionally again.

A lot of new age teachings nowadays talk about the importance of using guiding imagery and repetitive affirmations to bring about such a personal transformation. You might have heard of various principles such as creating a 'Vision Board' and writing down an 'Ideal Life Letter' in the 1st person to yourself to help define your goals and visualize positive outcomes that will help manifesting your idea of an empowered life. Painting is one way of achieving that & also an amazing tool to attain a maximum of self-awareness through which you can increase your reality

Day 1
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17:00 - 17:30    Introduction
17:30 - 18:00    Life coaching questionnaire
18:00 - 19:00    dinner
19:00 - 20:00    create a collage/ vision board, using affirmations
20:00 – 21:00   write your ideal life letter "What do you really want?"


Day 2
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9:30  -  11:00 am   photo session in pairs
11:00 – 11:30 am  break
11:30 – 1:00 pm    selection of images/ identifying your colours
1:00   -  2:00pm    lunch
2:00  -  3:30pm     warm up sketches / painting techniques
3:30  -  4:00pm     break
4:00  -  5:00pm     developing composition


Day 3
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9:30  - 11:00 am  start on final portrait
11:00 - 11:30am  break
12:00 - 1:00pm    painting
1:00   - 2:30pm    lunch
2:00  -  3:30pm    finishing touches
3:30  -  4:00pm    exhibition

Beforehand:
- complete an astrology report (astrodienst) and Pamala Oslie's aura colour test @ www.russellrowe.com to evaluate your dominant emotional, physical and mental colour personalities.

- bring magazines, old photographs etc. for vision board collage
and digital camera, props and clothing for photo shot;
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You are a powerful being, beautiful and extraordinary!

It's time we set clear goals for ourselves and our world. We need to establish balance and harmony with our bodies, our lives, with each other & our surroundings in order to build the beauty of our true selves. It begins with improving our world and for that we must learn to improve our conditions, our character, our deeds and to be honest with oneself. Ask for strength, courage, faith, guidance, healing—whatever you need. How much of your will are you going to put behind your request? Just a little or your entire being? You are here to be happy, to learn, to grow, to evolve, to love, to laugh, to serve—and to experience the joy of your limitless Being! ...simply put, when we learn to build our goals and intentions on the positive emotions - we are healing our world!
Here are a few things you can do ...

• Be love 
• Quieten Your Mind     
• Detox your body & mind with lots of time in nature         
• Use steam, sauna, charcoal, clay, raw food, herbs, bark, wheatgrass          
• Create a low stress lifestyle
• Have lots of lush plants to absorb electromagnetic radiation      
• Eat spiritually-blessed clean healthy food/ pH balanced diet          
• Drink lots of springwater    
• Release Emotions     
• Overcome Fear
• stop watching TV
• Heal past trauma
• Eliminate limiting beliefs
• Lead a healthy physical, mental, emotional & spiritual lifestyle

Furthermore, beautiful art is having a big influence on the flowering of human consciousness. Remember, by introducing bright, vibrant, energetic feng shui colours to your home, you'll stimulate creativity and add lot's of positive 'chi' to your life! Additionally, in order to overcome any issues about yourself that are bothering you, you need to show the Universe exactly what you want. You must write it down and bring this statement to life with an inspiring image that illustrates your wish,
before releasing it ...

We need a new vision of an empowered female. We need more vibrant, stimulating, exciting art in this world that makes us feel good - art that celebrates our vital life-force and lights up our lives! Such art should combine power with gentleness and strenght with feminine beauty, as it will remind us of our original fluid, pliant state that is capable of easy sensual movement, expansion & interconnectedness.

Things we will be dealing with in the retreat:

1. how to conquer your internal war
2. learn to make peace with your body
3. create a vision of dynamic wellbeing
4. Receive guidance on artistic compositions
5. an exhibition of work to review your success

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Essentially, this weekend will be an introduction to the power of harmonious colours and forms, reflecting on spiritual awakening and the return of the divine feminine energies. Created in a fresh & fun way, this course will teach you how to balance your life through looking at your aura colours and astrological portrait. From that you will learn how to create an empowering self-portrait that reflects on your true self... guiding you towards self-love, self-acceptance and authentic being.
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Does it work...?
My own artwork is essentially a response to a life time of suffering and personal trauma and has helped me tremendously to see the light inside. My paintings gave me the incentive to re-sculpt my body, which I hated so much until then. I realized upon seeing an actual example of how I wanted to look like, that I can indeed attract this as a definite reality into my life! I now want to inspire others to achieve the same.

To be part of the next 3-day course, get in touch under info@annett-bank.co.uk. You can also check out: www.annett-bank.co.uk

Art for the Bedroom

Feng Shui is the art of creating a home environment that supports the life you wish to live. In feng shui they say: 'You are what you see', so if the images on the wall are lonely single and solitary - that's what you'll attract into your life.

Try changing your artwork so the images you hang are more romantic, paired, coupled & sensual - by your description & feelings - they should reflect what you want your love life to be like, so when you lie in bed and look at those scenes, that's what you'll attract.
Also, contrary to the common believe, it is Golden-Green Yellow, not pink as mostly assumed that is the colour of love. Yellow is the color of the sun and signifies longevity. This is immediatly followed by red, which is the colour of joy - joy transmutes into love. Remember the last person you fell in love with? They did so, because you had so much joy with them...















So here is what you can do to re-create this. Place powerful “energy enhancers" such as uplifting artwork around your home and before you know it, you'll feel better and start exuding the characteristics of a joyous, happy person...

Rounded shapes and the colour orange symbolize yin, the passive female principle and are implied in the curves of the female human body. Orange, is the vibrant blend of red & yellow and lends passion and understanding to you and your partner. Yang is the masculine part and represented as the light, active principle and the colour azure. Yin and Yang evolved from a belief of mutually dependant opposites that cannot live without the other. Whereas the Western perspective assumes separation and unrelatedness, the Chinese see it as evolving and cycling. There is neither right or wrong, but rather there is balance, transformation, interaction, and dependent opposition. Established Figurative Artist Annett E. Bank beautifully illustrates these ideas in affectionate artworks that reflect on this inter-connectedness of two already complete individuals; providing a holistic vision of harmony, unity and oneness between both energies.


It's always a good idea to clear your clutter, sort out your life and become silent and still through meditation and round, leafy plants & flowers in your living area. As a result, your home will be fun and pleasurable to be in- and your vitality enhanced!

• have pictures of love,
• tasteful nudes
• couples in an embrace
• or images of affection

The ideal colour for your bedroom is anything from ivory to mahagony, like blushy skin coulour. Green symbolizes life & love and is considered to be a color of freshness, growth and peace, which makes it ideal for bedrooms. Blue is the colour for wisdom, clarity and knowledge. And finally pink. Pink flowers enhance relationships and create a positive energy for both singles and couples alike.

In this way art helps you to achieve a harmonious flow of nourishing, sensual energy that invites you, lures you in, excites you -
yet calms you down at the same time....

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Unique Wedding Gifts

Consider this: spas, hair salons, fashion designers, bridal shops, etc. have long been a normal part in preparing you for the Big Day of getting married- may it be a straight, or gay wedding.


So why not include striking art into your list of unique, elegant & memorable wedding gifts for the couple's new, contemporary home?


Much of today's art reflect on aspects of ourselves - it depicts what we like, feelings with which we can sympathize with, or concepts that ring true with our intellects. The overwhelming majority of people really like art and would want to give it, or receive it, if they found something really nice that they felt comfortable about buying. People want fabulous, colouful paintings that energizes their living space and reminds them of the idea of passion, not passion itself. So it is really no surprise that this simple lifestyle and home improvement is so important nowadays, when these things are perceived to be elitists and expensive.

However, when it comes to choosing a perfect artistic gift for the bride & groom, people are often at loss of where to start looking and are afraid to set foot inside either a contemporary, or traditional art gallery. Hardly anyone dares to impulse buy from artists they've never met, or whose work they are experiencing for the first time over the internet. They know what they like, but naturally, they prefer to see the artwork in the flesh before they make a decision to buy. In the end, most people opt for modestly priced decorative gifts, or even bargains, instead of buying a beautiful, original work of art that the people they'll give it to will cherish and enjoy forever.

So here is what you can do about it?

First of all, you should buy art because you, or the receiver loves it! If its value grows, that's just a bonus. Buying art is a touchy feely business, so check out any opportunities to go to private views and Artist's Open Houses - it's fun and you never know what you are going to discover. Art needn't be expensive. An exhibition is a great place to lose yourself and browse and enjoy the work without being obliged to buy anything straight away. Before buying a piece of art sleep on it if you can - it should have some sort of longevity and it needs to be personal to you. And finally, if it's meant to be yours, then you feel this spontaneous passion for it and keep thinking about it. That's when you need to get in touch with the artist!

You can view her complete portfolio online at www.annett-bank.co.uk
or contact the artist at: info@annett-bank.co.uk

Art that makes you feel better

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All spiritual teachings demonstrate to us that we need to find our true human potential – to strive to be all that one can be and recognize our own “true beauty” that emanates from within. It was from that notion that I felt inspired to transform myself not only physically, intellectually and in ethical terms, but also in psycho-energetically respect. As a typical woman I sought peace, harmony and cosiness and cared for all things sensual, especially since they were crudely lacking in my life until that point. I used this situation to my advantage and developed an artistic language that aims to ”ennoble” others to get the Creative Spirit’s idea of perfection. In my work I thus hope to inspire people to reflect on the experience of spontaneous joyful, mindful living that makes one feel good. It is my conviction that we need more art in the world that promotes health, positive energy and stability– art that calms you down, yet simultaneously lifts you up - raising your consciousness along the way. My work has all that in mind; it is very intriguing, warm and mature, and designed at the core to enhance one’s energy. Characterised with a great amount of sensitivity, musical rhythm and visual decadence it embraces dynamic movement with stillness.
I firmly believe that any piece of fine art possesses the qualities of its author and by using my own personal standards as an example; I have chosen to produce paintings on the subject of the expressive human being whose strength radiates from the inside out. The figures in my work therefore show a capability for balance, wisdom, purity of mind, tranquillity, control over one’s senses, fitness, goodness, truthfulness, light, poise and equilibrium.

When we are aware in these inner areas - predominantly in the psychic nerve system and the super-conscious nerve system - the cells of our bodies respond and we begin to look more refined too. Also, if a woman is going for perfection, she has to supplement herself with masculinity – meaning absorbing the best qualities that the best of men possess; in the same way as a man who is going on to perfection has to supplement himself with femininity - seeking the best of female qualities. When you manage to bring together these male & female principles into one single, successful artistic composition, the artwork will then be enhanced by a powerful ascending, actinic and contemplative quality.

Conclusively my paintings are about combining these masculine powers with feminine gentleness & male strength with female beauty - conveying a certain attitude that women possess a divine faculty of separating within mankind their good intentions from evil thoughts. In this way the artwork becomes symbolic for purification and heals the surroundings in which they are displayed in.

The artist Annett E. Bank works and lives in Brighton, UK where she can be contacted at info@annett-bank.co.uk, or 0044-01273205251. She currently completed 2 successful solo shows and can be seen again at the Affordable Art Fair in London later this year. All her current works and accomplishments
can be viewed at her website: www.annett-bank.co.uk

Harness the Power of Womanhood

Have you harnessed the power of your womanhood? Are you walking and living in strength and control? If you have been searching for something more in your life, perhaps it is time to become an empowered woman. Remember, the wise do not indulge in hopefulness, nor do they dwell in regret, but instead address things just as they are, so that with awareness, honesty and steadfastness they may go The Way in spiritual surrender.

LIVE LARGE EVERY DAY

Do you live your life with passion and conviction? Do you wake every day, seeking new possibilities along the horizon? Make every single day of your life better than the one before. How, you ask? By making the most of each moment, you will experience life in a much greater way than you ever imagined you could.


STOP CRITICISING YOURSELF

Do you condemn yourself at every turn? It is so easy to be cruel to yourself but self condemnation is nothing but harmful to you and your self-esteem.An empowered woman builds herself up by loving herself and being kind to herself. Harness your inner power by praising yourself for all your hard work. Recognize your strengths and accentuate them, instead of focusing on all the things that you don't like about yourself.


Why waste any time doing something that makes you miserable? That is total wasted time and energy that you could expend on doing what you love. Living a miserable existence can never compare to a life full of happiness and joy. Doing what you love opens that door to peace and contentment.


DO WHAT YOU LOVE AND BUILD HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS

















At the heart of every self-empowered woman, you will find solid, healthy relationships. Without this, you will feel unsteady and anxious. Healthy relationships are built upon a foundation of trust, honor, peace, moral values, and communication. Can you become an empowered woman? Absolutely! The choice is yours though. Now that you have some of the keys, start living your empowered life today.

find uplifting, energizing art @ www.annett-bank.co.uk

Healing the Dark Night of the Soul

It's all coming to the forefront now - the next couple of years are going to be the most interesting and the most full of growth opportunities for people. Perhaps a dark night of the soul for many first, but nevertheless an opportunity to not only change the way we live, but also to change our perspective on how we want to live. Really think about what is important? Is it the money, is it the big car, is it the million dollar home? It isn't any of that. We don't need all this. It's our family and our friends that are important and who we are! Where are we going with ourselves? Have people looked inside themselves and said: 'I do all this work, I support other things and other people, but am I actually fulfilling what I want to do? Am I infact following my passion? Am I truly happy in my effort in what I have done. Have I made any difference whatsowever and what's going on here in the world? Now, you can be a clerk in a large corporation and say "...yeah, this is my life's fulfillment!" Well good for you, great. But I know in actuality there are far and few in between. People really need to start evaluating their live and get extremely creative in order to figure out what they can do to fulfill themselves - to fulfill their dreams to at least know what those dreams are and start going after them. Ultimately, when you come right down to it, the question that has to be asked is.....WHO AM I? What is it that I want? What is it that I am creating? What is it that I want to create? How much am I actually valued by myself my family? Am I loved? Am I respected? Am I following my hearts desire? Am I spiritually evolving? Or am I just on this automatic treadmill that the media and the all earth religions have put us on? You feel good on Sunday but by Wednesday it's all worn off. And that's because it's not genuine depth, it's not genuine happiness- it's instant salvation. And that doesn't work. It's not that anybody actually needs salvation, they just need to love themselves. And in finding that and in truly embracing that love, that passion for themselves and honouring themselves - you'll be amazed at how much waste that is right now in you life will just fall away. Because, what isn't real will just fall away. When you are actually on your path then it's all about self-responibility and that isn't going to change. That's where the real growth is and real evolution comes from...not who you are going to screw over next in order to amass more material gain.

Live pure and simple - creative solutions for an elegant life

I imagine picturing the interconnectedness between people, whilst embracing & affirming life. I want to communicate an idea of intensified, sophisticated simplicity, which makes room for what is wild, powerful, sensual and beautiful.I thus present my work in a lighter, warmer, more uplifting light – reflecting on our true perfection and conclusively arrive at a fresh, experimental approach which turns out to be quite unique, colourful and free-flowing. From the begining of my artistic career I specialized in dynamic, tactile, multi-layered patterns, whilst reflecting on our constant transition and physical complexity. Please see: www.annett-bank.co.uk

We need to give beauty a more relevant place in life and care for the soul, since the soul is nurtured by beauty. It’s not only pleasure and conviviality we thrive upon, but also on beauty, which is ultimately necessary for the return of the soul.Many of the beliefs that contemporary culture subscribes to today is that art is purely aesthetic and will never change the world. I believe however that when art actively engages with people’s issues it is often intensely aesthetic, because it responds compassionately to whatever it is touched by and is therefore helping to create a more beautiful world.