Happy New Year

White Musical Flower With Blue Stripe Background

Why I Painted "Musical Flower"

I would like to introduce "Musical Flower" which is one of 3 canvasses of different sizes, all with a musical theme. I wanted to create a group of related musical paintings for my music room where I teach and play my musical instruments.

 The "Musical Flower" is inspired by several factors. Read on to find out.

 1. My Interest To Paint  I like to paint whilst relaxed on holiday at Lake Rotoiti. Canvasses are great to paint on. I used acrylic paint for the paintings.

 2.The Background I like blues and purples and wanted a stripy effect. The texture is created by painting the colour first and then dabbing the brush head along this colour. My daughter was doing art at high school at the time and she had done this effect in her paintings. So I wanted to try it out.

 3. The Flower This was inspired by my swimming bag. I wanted something to stick some music on and the flowers on the swimming bag stuck out as the obvious choice. I copied a suitable flower from this and painted it white as a contrast to the bluey background and to enable any written music on it to be seen.

 4. The Musical Notes I like Musical Theatre including Les Miserables. I drew the first few bars of the song "Castle On A Cloud" from this musical. I used a black felt pen for the musical notes instead of painting them, in order to give a neater finish. The idea of putting musical notes on an object like a flower came from an existing print I have on my music room wall already.

  What Can This Painting Be Used For The design is square so there are a number of products this design would be suitable for, as seen on places like zazzle. I have used the design for a print on Christmas Cards but they can be used for any occasion cards especially if music and / flowers are something you or the recipients like. If they are blank you can write your own personalized message on the inside.

 Maybe you are a music teacher or a flower enthusiast and would like a canvass for an appropriate wall.

My Three Musical Canvasses

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Japan Earthquake and Tsunami 11th March 2011

As you know Japan was struck with a magnitude 9 earthquake and tsunami on March 11 2011 with devastating consequenses.

Take a look at more information on Japan's earthquake,tsunami and nuclear problems.

Japan needs all the help they can get.

You can donate HERE and make a huge difference.






If you are unlucky to be exposed to radiation from a nuclear reactor release such as in Japan, then these iodine pills help.

Canterbury Earthquake 22nd February 2011

A deadly earthquake rocked Christchurch at 12.51pm on the 22nd February. Many homes and businesses were destroyed and lives were lost. People evacuated houses and fled the city- some never to return. It was one aftershock too many.

What these people in need require is money, to help rebuild their lives and future. This is where you can help.

If you would like to donate to the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal click HERE

A Christchurch musician was inspired to write a song after this earthquake in the aim of spreading a positive message while raising awareness to donate to the relief and red cross. It was recorded with a choir of other Christchurch musicians.

Have a listen HERE

You can view more information and pictures of both Canterbury Earthquakes - 4th September and 22nd February HERE

Be Prepared Yourself from disasters.

Grab an Earthquake Survival Kit now.

Who knows when or where the next big one will hit- Haiti, Christchurch, Japan ......

New Zealand Earthquakes

Here is a list of days in history when the earth moved in New Zealand with earthquakes measuring 7 or more magnitude.

1. 1848 October 16 Malborough ( top of the South Island ) 7.5 magnitude

2. 1855 January 23 Wairarapa ( lower North Island ) 8.2 magnitude

3. 1863 February 23 Hawkes Bay ( lower right North Island ) 7.5 magnitude

4. 1868 October 19 Cape Farewell ( top left South Island ) 7.5 magnitude

5. 1888 September 1 North Canterbury ( middle top third South Island ) 7.3 magnitude

6. 1928 March 9 Arthers Pass ( middle left South Island ) 7.1 magnitude

7. 1929 June 17 Murchison ( left top third South Island ) 7.8 magnitude

8. 1931 February 3 Hawke's Bay ( right lower middle North Island ) 7.8 magnitude

9. 1931 February 13 Hawke's Bay ( same as above in 8. ) 7.3 magnitude

10.1934 March 5 Pahiatua ( lower right side North Island ) 7.6 magnitude

11.1942 June 24 Wairarapa ( lower North Island ) 7.2 magnitude

12.1942 August 2 Wairarapa ( lower North Island ) 7.0 magnitude

13.1968 May 24 Inangahua ( left side near top South Island ) magnitude 7.1

14.1995 February East cape ( middle right North island ) 7.0 magnitude

15.2003 August 22 Fiordland ( lower left side South Island ) 7.1 magnitude

16.2009 July 15 Dusky Sound ( bottom left South Island ) 7.8 magnitude

17.2010 September 4 Christchurch ( middle right South Island ) 7.1 magnitude

This book is aimed at the young child - perfect reading if you have experienced an earthquake , know someone who has or for a school project on earthquakes.











This is an action story for older kids and above.













This adult book is great if you are really interested in knowing facts on earthquakes.