Red Hibiscus and roses floral art

It's nice to be relaxing this morning and actually got to sleep in which is not often what with my school run in the mornings and after school transporting everyone everywhere and then doing the same after school.

Made this as a way of relaxing into the day and love working with the different colour combinations as a prospective customer asked me yesterday if I had anything in the way of reds for a bridal arrangement. So here we are.

I think my favourite flowers over the years continue to be roses that Fritz often gives to me on special occasions but then I like all kinds of flowers as they are uniquely designed. I guess that is why they feature so much in weddings as a testament of a creative designer.

Greenstone gift (pounamu)

Was blessed yesterday when I received this carved greenstone from Maria, a first year student, from one of the degree classes that I support. She explained that she travelled to Mercer (some 2 hours) to acquire it, a precious stone in New Zealand that has a lot of special significance to Maori.

The 3 ridges signify the 3 baskets of knowledge and the shape is in the form of a teardrop. My younger sister, Maria also received one from another student that she works with in a different shape with the same ridges and with much appreciation.

For Maori the significance is when you receive it as a gift rather than buying it for oneself. I'll be wearing it on special occasions as this is not given out easily. Often it is due to ones service to others and I feel very honoured to receive this and it also got specially blessed for me as the wearer.

Floral Artistry

 

These are recent samples of the floral art that I love to arrange for weddings. I particularly enjoy working with silk flowers due to the lovely range of colours and flexibility of use that make it more affordable for newly wed couples.

I first became interested when I got married in Fiji in 2001 and thought it would be easier to design and take with me to Fiji for my bridesmaids, flowergirls and the groomsmen. Our bride and groom flowers were lovely tropical white orchids that were a part of the wedding package. Sadly, I had to reluctantly part with them at customs when we flew back into Auckland.

Have been making up floral arrangements for the past few years and enjoy it as a pleasurable hobby that assists newly wed couples as compared to fresh flower wedding arrangements that can be astronomical in pricing but only lasts for a couple of days.

Happy Birthday to my sis (twins for a day :)

A very special birthday to my sis Norma whose birthday is the day after mine and a year older. She's also wiser and has looked out for me over the years. A special older sis that I thank God for. I wrote a short poem for her and painted this as a special tribute to her.

From a very young age you've always looked out for me
older, wiser, faster, stronger and I've looked up to thee
Love bears, believes, hopes and endures just like you do
and I thank God for a sister like you that makes this true

Now less than a month till Christmas and looking forward to the festivities and taking time out with family. Will be posting more artwork and floral art as well as writing. Have been really blessed with an understanding family who understand when the writer, artist, thinker is at work...

Thanks for all the 'Happy Birthday' blessings

Thank you to all my family and friends for the special birthday wishes and blessings. Have had a special day with promises of a specially cooked brunch by my Masterchef husband, Fritz, who's full of surprises and blessed me with a birthday poem(s) that's posted on my Facebook page.

Birthdays are really special in our family in that we get to honour the person on their special day and thank God for the amazing things that we are gifted with in the gifts that each person possesses. And I've heard that there's even a 'chocolate mud' cake and KFC in the wings (then will go vegetarian :)

Wonders never cease to amaze me as we reflected on the Wedding vows that we said some 13 years ago yesterday and how so much of it was prophetic in what we've experienced over the years and then to top it off with birthday blessings makes each year worth living. Thank you God!

Happy Wedding Anniversary

A special 'shout out' to the love of my life, my husband since 2001, married this day in Fiji at Sonaisali Island Resort - Tofilau Fritz Filisi. A big thank you for the lovely lunch out with our family and the beautiful poems shared today (I didn't know I'd married a Samoan Shakespeare:).

We've been blessed and looking forward to what the future holds for us in the time ahead. I thank God for you and with your support I've been able to paint again, write and study to my hearts content. I look forward to writing books with you and passing it on for the generations to come. Love you!

Am also posting up some of my latest artwork on my blogpost 'Artwork' section. All acrylics on canvas. Happy to answer any questions or comments. Have a blessed week...

Travelling family and friends

Missing my parents as they travelled back to Samoa yesterday morning. The weather there is much more warmer and the food is fresher i.e. bananas and mango etc. daily from their own land by the beach. Looking forward to visiting them with my family soon.

Yesterday, we had lunch with some of my husband, Fritz', friends from Bangladesh. It was so interesting in listening to them tell their stories of what it was like as they journeyed to different parts of the world. They've asked me to assist them in telling /sharing their stories - an amazing opportunity to be part of something that is a privilege for me to share.

Enjoying painting and will have some of my works pics up in the gallery section soon now that I finally have a Samsung phone to take pics. Would love to have an exhibition at the local arts gallery but that is another story with so much to focus on. Looking forward to Christmas...

Indie/Self publishing

Indie/Self publishing is definitely not for the faint hearted. Since graduating last year with a Masters degree in Creative writing, I found that little time was given to discussing self publishing and if anything, most of what I have learnt has been through my own research time and effort after the fact.

I can't wait until I am able to flick through the pages of my first Indie published books but there are so many things to consider like; the front cover design, the amount of pages, the paper for the books and font, layout, editing - not to mention the ISBN no., the writing name that I will use etc. and that's before even mentioning the contents of the book.

The first two books awaiting this production process are: "Pacific Hibiscus" my first collection of poetry and "Maui and Sina" my first play that I wrote that was performed at the High school that I as working at, in fact it makes me think that I should go into my archived photos and see if I can source some photos of that time and place.

It's quite exciting but also daunting to have to project manage both books from start to finish and at present trying to source funding through 'pledgeme' on: www.pledgeme.co.nz/projects/2757. Only 10 days to go but I have certainly learn a lot though the process and that is that... self publishing is not for the faint hearted!

Attending my cousin's ordination as a Minister

This week has been quite busy with my cousin's intended ordination as a Minister for a Samoan evangelical church here in Auckland. From Samoa, my aunty summoned her children from far and wide and we met last night at my parents house (they're back from Samoa for a time) and it was good to meet my cousins who had been mainly brought up in Samoa but now live in USA, Australia and NZ (diaspora).

It made me think about how Samoans, in particular, revere having Ministers in their families ie. that people can be called from far and wide for this special occasion. Fine mats (ie toga) and money exchanging hands. Moreso than a graduation, and on par with having a wedding or funeral. It will be a two day occasion with a blessing on Saturday followed by a family occasion on Sunday. Will keep posted...

Painting and other important works in the making

by Helen Tau'au Filisi 2014

I've finally started painting again after a few months rest and it's wonderful to be back and painting in acrylics when it's quiet in the morning or late at night when everyone is asleep.

I love being able to create and after a while to stop and take a look at what's been accomplished. I started painting with acrylics after I'd left High school because painting in Oils took far too long to dry although it is my preferred medium to paint with.

I'm currently studying tapa prints as I love the geometric shapes and the natural browns but I like to add my own colourful flavour. I'm painting some gifts to pass on as birthday presents and hope that over time they will increase in favour.

Hoping to post some of my works soon too...

Spring changeable weather

It's quite funny how the weather has been quite changeable recently in experiencing four seasons in a day i.e. usually consisting of starting cold and then it warms up by lunch time when it turns into a beautiful hot day followed by a cooler evening.

I must say that Spring is my favourite weather time but I've noticed in the past couple of years that it seems to be quite cold and that Christmas time is not the usually hot weather but it only seems for a few weeks of hot sun and then it tip toes away quietly.

Granma Asia's 95th Birthday

My Granma Asia turned 95 yesterday and today I celebrated it with her at the Parkhaven Rest home with her and my dad and aunties, uncle and cousins. It was very special as it isn't everyday that you get to spend time with someone who was born back in 1919 and still communicates well with us although she no longer has sight.

It made me realise that I need to spend more time with her and to take my children to spend time with their great grandmother. And there are many stories that I'd like to write about my times with her and the things I learned under her tutelage like how to make a potato salad and trifle (except I don't add the peanuts.)