I came up with this bright idea for a photo exhibition a month or so before I went on my big 9 week trip around the world. I wanted a creative project to focus on when I returned from my travels and felt compelled to share my bright and colourful images. Little did I know the anguish, torment, excitement, anxiety, stress and enjoyment this one bright idea would evoke.

I came up with a tentative range before I left on my trip, knowing that after travelling to another 8 countries I was bound to have more photos to add. Sure enough I did! There were so many more I would like to have included, perhaps this could be for another range?

On the Monday night we had a bloggers night and a high tea; kindly prepared by my vivacious Italian friend Federica. I love her. I met her by chance at another event I went to recently and felt compelled to exchange details, knowing that I would like to know her better. She has a radiance, a glowing healthiness, one is drawn to her bright energy like a bee to honey. Her clear blue green sea eyes are so crystal clear you just know she experiences the ultimate in health. She prepares raw vegan food; for hours on end using a dehydrator and other tedious contraptions. The end result is deliciousness, healthy and satisfying raw food. I was really surprised by how good everything tasted. Thanks again Federica for your amazing contribution to the night, I wish you the very best in success for your amazing raw vegan food business. She is soon flitting off to a Bali resort to teach other chefs her raw vegan secrets. What a legend. I feel a trip to Bali calling me…check out her website below.

We had three great bloggers there on this night too which was lovely to see. Collaboration is the way to go and I really like connecting with fellow writers and creatives. Thanks girls for coming along!

October 6 was the day of the opening. On purpose I set this date auspiciously to coincide with my Mums birthday, she would have been 61. I felt like I wanted to honour her in a special way, by expressing my creativity and sharing my journey. She was so creative her whole life, I am too, just in a different way. During the day I bought her a bunch of fresh roses and I could just feel her by my side all day, which was awesome.

Once all spruced up, I made my way to the gallery with the support of my close friends Vicky and Sophie. They were my rocks (really good rocks, shiny iridescent bright ones that I love and want to keep forever) through out the whole process and I want to say a huge thank you to the both of them for helping me, making executive decisions, being precise and paying attention to the details, more than my anxious and nerve struck brain could handle at the time.

The night rolled along very smoothly. Many of my friends came along and a few people I did not know too, which was lovely. It was really special for me to share my journey of transition with you all. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed taking all the photos. Looking around at the end result also inspires me to continue travelling, continue taking beautiful photos and to continue stepping forward on my life journey.

Appreciating and capturing nature, flowers, beautiful landscapes and new countrysides around the world are what make me feel awesome and inspired. This is my passion.

Although my loving parents are not there physically anymore, they are now around me in spirit, continuing to push me forward, encouraging me to let go of the past, to know that everything will be okay, that life will turn out well.

Overcoming the self doubt within myself was something huge in this process. Being creative is one thing, sharing it with the world is another. My advice to you is to continue to push out of your comfort zone. Do what you love to do, express, create, make, develop, and put it out there for others to enjoy. That is what life is all about.

What creative process are your envisaging? What is stopping you? Make your dreams a reality, feel the fear; ignore it, and just do it.

Love Anita xx