Monday, October 13, 2014

Recent Roaming's

Recently I took part in a
collaborative exhibition



In conjunction with my 
ArtISability Project

A Professional Development Program
for visual artists living with disability
and mental illness.


This exhibition was held as part of
Disability Action Week 2015.

To show case the talent of 
artists living with disability in
the Ipswich City Region.



Secret Garden
by Debbie Chilton
Acrylic on board
Sale Price $150

  
   
Me at printmaking workshop
Nick Darby who I've been mentoring fir 12 months
at our recent art exhibition.




A recent class exercise at
Brisbane Institute of Art

"Gabby is not for sale!"



Monday, June 23, 2014

End of Semester Exhibition

We're ready to . .
Show Off our 
Semester's Work
Opens June 27th  




Friday, April 18, 2014

Signature Style


One of the styles I am playing around with in Expressive Watercolour Class this Semster. If you like any thing on my blog, like me know and I'll tell you if its on sale. 

Debbie 

Under The Sea!

Creating Art Books . . . 




Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Purple Day Update!


March 26th Purple Day



. . . Is Fast approaching! Have you combed you wardrobe yet to work out you purple day artier?  It your still straching your head you could try some purple day merchandise  just follow the links to pick up your gear! Or you might also like to try Go Fundraisers Online Store.

While many organisations who support those living with seizure disorders have fundraising, Purple Day is about taking the opportunity to talk epilepsy! 



 World wide it is estimated 50 million people suffer from epilepsy. In 70% of patients seizures are controlled by surgery or medications. 2014 is and significant time for us to be talking about epilepsy as recent medical break through have be able to determine the are to broad types of seizures, the that occur in a generalized area of the brain and those that have a focal point.  This is one reason why epilepsy seizures can present so differently.

  
The presentation of seizures varies widely from person to person. Recently the way medical practioners and epilepsy educators talk about epilepsy has undergone a great deal of change.  We no longer talk about grand mal and petti mal seizures, but a generalized or focal seizure. You can read some other interesting facts here.

In the event you need to call 000 for a stranger on the street having a seizure using  the right language can be helpful in the paramedics assisting you to give assistance to the patience over the phone.

As well as research developments and changes in language, the way we assist a person having a seizure has dramatically changed, here is some essential fist aid informaton .

So I have epilepsy but epilepsy does not have me! I am one of the 30% patience whose seizures are not controllable by surgery or medication.  Just as my cerebral palsy has not prevented me form achieving a fully independent life in my community nor has epilepsy. I am assisted to live independently in my own home.


I may look brave, but I take precautions to manage my illness.  Despite my seizures not being controlled medication does provide assistance and I don't go out alone if I am feeling unwell.  Family and friends have a spare key and I have a medical alarm to call for assistance.

Purple day is a great opportunity to use my art for advocacy,. This is my 2nd annual online art auction. It's a chance to demonstrate that people with epilepsy can make valuable contribution to our community.       

50% of sales of my artwork will be donated to Epilepsy Action Australia my purple day online auction is  registered  with go fundraiser and the International Purple Day Organisers. All payments and donations can be made secure online.  Terms and conditions are available on the auction site and it is strongly recommended you resigester intention to bid before 25th March.  

All artwork and the relative information can be viewed on the site now. Please contact me if you need further information or assistance. 

Debbie

Friday, March 7, 2014

Purple Day is fast approaching

Purple Day is March 26th - Purple day is an international day to talk everything "epilepsy" About 50 million people world wide suffer from some type of seizure disorder, on March 26th my message is . . . 

"I have epilepsy . . . but epilepsy does not have me!"

  From Midnight to Midnight on

March 26th (Queensland Time)

I am hosting my 2nd Annual

Online Art Auction

You can test the auction website now

and view the 13 artworks 

up for sale on March 26th 

If you would like either a

PDF or hard copy of my

2014 Caterlogue they are now available


Do forget to register to bid

by 5 pm on March 25th   


Saturday, March 1, 2014

Let's talk Epilepsy

Hi!  "I have epilepsy but epilepsy does not have me!" March 26th is International Purple Day.  Purple Day is a chance to talk about epilepsy. Epilepsy is the most common neurological disorder and around 50 million people suffer from some type of epilepsy world wide. 

Over thirty different types of seizures have been classified, however even within a classification type a seizure can present very differently.  The language and terminology we use to describe "seizure activity", is currently undergoing rapid change . . . So this purple day "we're talking epilepsy!" So we can get the word out there!

"A seizure" is a generalized term to describe abnormal activity of the brain.  I like to describe it as my brain is misfiring .     A bit like fireworks exploding in my head. In fact exploding fire works, flash light, stage lights even more subtle light changes can trigger me to have a seizure.

In 70% of patients seizures can be controlled by medication of through seizures.  You do not need to suffer from epilepsy  to experience a seizure.  In very young children seizure can if they develop and very high fever.  These seizure may look like someone is having a "grand mal seizure or 'fit' or 'fitting' in the old language.  These are now known as "generalized seizures", given there is no specific cause, these seizure impair consciousness and the brain wave function become disrupted.  A person having a seizure may just appear blank, stair in to space as if the mind is absent from their bodies, seizure can last from a few seconds or minutes or hours in the case of a absent seizure, with the patient having no recollection of the seizure. A few patients may experience behaivoural changes and appear 'perfectly conscious', even though they have no awqareness of what they are doing.    

Patients may either "stiffen", "cruel the limbs", 'become jerky' or 'shake violently'.  As we learn more about what causes the brain to miss fire or meltdown, many of the first-aid steps we much used have changed.  Regardless of the presentation of symptoms

  • DO NOT MOVE THE PERSON
  • DO NOT TRY TO RESTRAIN MOVEMENTS
  • DO NOT PUT ANYTHING IN THEIR MONTH
  • DO NOT ATTEMPT CPR
  • If the presentation continues for more then 3 minutes call an ambulance.
Other types of seizures occur in a specific area of the brain the were once referred to as petti mal or partial seizures, the are now termed focal with patients usual remaining aware during the seizure.  The functions of the brain and what happens when the brain malfunctions is only now starting to be discovered.

Many people who suffer epilepsy and non epilepsy seizures still like in secertiously, shame and isolation as misconception in the community leads to ridule.  The introdction of new termology make purple day 2014 an exciting event.  New ways to understand serizure activity and why these occur, gives us a lot to talk about.

Let's Talk Epilepsy
On March 26th 
Purple Day!


Purple day is a great day to open people's 'eyes up' to "What Lies With" the mind of someone living with a seizure disorder.  I chose to do this through my art. By hosting online art auction.  I may be living with disabilities, including epilepsy, but my life, love and passion for art knows no boundaries. 

My artwork gives testimony to my termination to embrace love and fly like a free butterfly.  I chose to use purple day to raise funds for Epilepsy Action Australia.  50% of all sales on March 26 will be donated to Epilepsy Action Australia. Or if art is not your thing you might like to make a donation at : my fundraising page  

Following the auction there will be a number of ways to make you payments electronically. Including my fundraising account, paypal and direct debt.  Please note: postage and handling is in addition to the price of your purchases.

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Debbie's Whereabout's


Wishing I was some where here!  Walking along a beach sounds so inviting in the Queensland heat wave.  Speaking of waves . . . Work as an artist seems to come in waves and I am entering into a bust period. 

I am back at the Brisbane Institute of art studying expressive watercolour. Despite all my protest I am enjoying exploring the medium and above is a monotone from week two class. 

I am also continuing my professional development program with Access Arts in developing my career as an arts worker.  I am almost ready to run my first program for artists with a disability here in Ipswich.  We have 6 keen artists ready to tackle the art world.  It's exciting to see my project finally get underway.  I like to thank all those who have supporting me in making my vision a reality. I just want to name two special people Sheree and Donna who have support me into the wee hours of the night without pay. 

As you know during March I balancing two projects, ArtISability and my Purple Day online Auction.  I have about 12 paintings to put up for sale and there be up on the auction site a little after 1st March, hope you'll forgive me.  

I also have  2 pieces of work in the Brisbane Rotary Art Spectacular. Well on wards to establishing myself as an artists.
Debbie

  

Saturday, February 1, 2014

Latest Dribble . . .

Goldilocks’ Search

It was not porridge,
Nor a chair she sort,
But bed for back support.

Whether it was . . .
Too hot, too cold,
This time was of no concern,

Size had been determine,
Too big, too small,
Did not even rate,

This time round through,
Goldilocks had to pay,
She had a budget to her dismay,

So her decision came down,
Too hard or too soft ,
Just right was what she sort,

This one seems to be ok,
However next changed her mind,
Still she remained unconvinced.

So she ran to
Another house.
Positioning herself on the bed.

Instantly she jumped off,
‘Finally I’ve made my choice’.
‘To the last I must return’, 

Just to check,
Her choice was indeed,
Just right to give a good night’s sleep!

Better get up Goldilocks /Deb
The worker said,
It’s time to pay. 

Breakfast Time

darken forest she treads,
to the morning bird song,
a familiar smell passes her nose,

welcoming her into,
a house of strangers,
porridge small invite her,

large bowl captures,
her eyes as hunger strikes,
temptation  too strong,

the hot sting,
burns her mouth,
spits the porridge out,

too hot, too hot!
she cries . . .
burning sensation lingers,

down in sizes lies,
an invite bowl,
again a spoonful enters,

Splats flies all directions,
She coughs clear throat,
Too cold, yuck! Yuck! Yuck!

Forced to settle on the
Smallest bowl,
Gone before she starts.

Umm, finally satisfied,
Just right, just right!
Goldilocks, cries.

//ends




Caught in a circle,
Heat
Rain
Sinus
Loss of apatite
Lack of fibre
Blocked bowl
UTI


Heat
Rain
Sinus
Loss of apatite
Lack of fibre
Blocked bowl
UTI

Until it starts all over again! 

Many Tails

Deep
in London’s bowl,
wet stench,

Oozes through,
trundled streets,
as smell rises.

Eyes appear,
first a pair,
now thousands,

Thin tiny tails
snap wagging behind
as invades over grow,

The deep,
recesses,
of London’s bowl,

Putrid smells,
escape into streets,
tails slide from city drains,

Skipping over,
cobbled road,
invading city streets,

stretched beyond,
the natural eye,
tails wag behind these eyes,

Smells release,
the germs,
from city sewers,

invading homes
releasing plagues,
as sons and daughters die,

Even if one,
could leave homes,
tails now rule,

Small, sweet sounds
whisper over head,
hypnotising pest’s tails,

In a daze each
pair of eyes,
seeks sweet melodies.

Luring them from
the streets,
still crawl out of drains,

Tails dance their way,
out of town,
in search of different pipes.

As final Invader crossed,
 London’s boundary,
this tale comes to an end.   

The Australian Way

Cattle musters on brown land,
Teenage heartthrobs on horseback,
Driving the cattle towards home,
For one more last time.

Drought has set in and the grass dried,
Paddocks lacking the musters feed,
Farmers heartbroken, leaving the land,
Ownership not taken up by next generation.

Lack of cash flow, heartthrobs’ head for town,
Promise of jobs in a high tech land,
Cattles for share markets, horse for cars,
This the new look for the modern land.

The hustle and bustle, replace the peace for the bush,
As heartthrobs’ feet now walk the city streets,
On buses and trains, caught in the traffic,
The city clock ticks past nine o’clock otherwise known as 9:01.

The beeping and buzzing of office machines,
Telephones called mobiles belt out the tunes,
Microchips for diamonds, ipads the new trend,
Gone the old telegraph, we now use skype.

Date banks are now things of the past,
Heartthrobs’ now store information in clouds,
Face to face meetings are drying off too,
Meeting their new brides on twitter and facebook.

For this odd duck it’s hard to keep up,
Everything instant, something to do with gram,
DOS is now referred to as terabytes ,
Phones that use date, what’s that all about?

SMS and messaging, what happen to email?
Now they’re all swapping tweets on heartthrobs,
Posting their photos on instantgram even in clouds,
Oh I can’t keep up. Think I’ll waddle back to the farm.
 

Switch-a-Roo

When I meet you a writer of song,
Dabbler of watercolour,
Academic writer publishing papers,

My intent to be a psychologist,
Lost to a passion to share the word of God,
Shattered by illness drown  in pain,

Then in poetry and writing words,
I thought I’d stumble on my calling,
You the artists  encouraged my writing,

Demanding a poem a week be in the mail,
No email to be found back then,
Snail mail we waited for weekly replies.

A dribble of publishing here and there,
Then came the 4 books quickly published,
While you doddle with your watercolours.

The years passed and we were
By then penning creative writing,
My publishing seem to dry,

When yours begin to flourish,
Now my turn to pick up a brush,
Transforming the canvas too colour.

Seems you and I have done a switch-a-roo,
You walked away from lecturing,
To finally tackle your novel and other pursuits.

I am now an artist’s filling my days with colour,
You your days now consumed by words,
I wonder what the next switch-a-roo will look like?

Missing you

Did you miss me?
My monkey tricks?
Smart comments,
Back chat . . .

Did you miss me?
Troublesome student
Whinging her way,
Through class assignments,

Did you miss me?
My many complaints,
Excuses for work
Presented not up to starch?

Are you ready for my return?
My cheeky remarks
To stir you
For yet another term?

Are you ready for my return?
The student who loves to complain,
Armed with excuses,
For why she’s not got your attention?

Are you ready for my return?
Full or reasons why my work is late,
Art that goes missing as it’s in the bin,
The nightmare student has returned.

Now tell the truth you missed me,
As much as I’ve missed teasing you.

Friday, January 31, 2014

Re Purple Day

Dear Friends and purple day supports,
I am writing on behalf of Maegan Cassidy, the founder of Purple Day International. A name change has been requested by the International Body responsible for epilepsy awareness as the name is cultural offensive in some countries. However it creates a huge up heavel for the purple day organisation in terms of re banding and marketing. As an organisation with no funding supported by individuals such as myself this is a cost and time commitment we can not resource without considerable lost time awareness needed to rebuild our profile. I am joining Casidy in asking you to contact your local member of the international Bureau of Epilepsy http://www.ibe-epilepsy.org/members-in-the-western-pacific-region/ and request the block a name change. Below is a copy of a letter I sent to me representative. You may adaptive to your circumstances.
Many thanks on behalf of Cassidy and myself
Debbie Chilton
My name is Debbie Chilton I have 45 years old and have participated in Purple Day for the last two years. I have notified a number of local disability support Agencies to the International Purple Day celebrations on March 26th and thus raised awareness of the issues people with epilepsy face in the daily lives.
I know firsthand the discrimination and fear people with epilepsy face as I have suffered from epilepsy for 23 years. In 2012 I almost lost my life to the condition and was intimately for a period 3 months. Purple day has struggled to be established here in Australian and a name change world result in a significant time commitment of campaigners like myself to re establish the name. This time commitment is I believed better directed to public education and raising Purple Day’s Profile. We understand that ‘the colour purple’ is culturally offensive in some countries, however a name change would result in a serious upheaval in more countries, than countries which would benefit from a name change.
I am asking you to fight for us keeping the name Purple Day for March 26th
Regards
Debbie Chilton
Ipswich Queensland Australia 

Sunday, January 26, 2014

Purple Day - March 26th 


Creates Awareness of epilepsy
and the needs of those living with epilepsy in the community.
Around 50 million people around the world have 
some type of seizure disorder or experience seizure activity.

One of the messages of Purple Day is . . . 

"People with epilepsy are ordinary people 
who do everyday things..."

the condition should not create any barriers for
us living in the community and yet,
ensnarement, fear and isolation 
still accompany the condition.

My name is Debbie Chilton
"I have epilepsy but it does not have me!"
 


Join my online Art Auction on

March 26 th to raise awareness 

for those living with epilepsy. 

Thursday, January 23, 2014

Dribbles of the week!

Surf’s Up!


This time
Two weeks ago
We were
Hit
By a wave

Wave of heat
WACKED
43.7
Towering over
Previously
Records

I have,
Just,
Resurfaced,
NOW
A wave
Stares
Me
In
Face.

37, 39, 40 plus
Its height continues
To build
Its direction
Unchanged
It’s coming our wave.

Surf
Is
Very
Dangerous
This
Year.

Look out! 







Dumped

Dumped!
Flatten by
A wall of heat.
Saw
It
C
O
M
I
N
G
But the impact,
Knocked flat on my back,
The heat
S
L
A
M
M
E
D
!
Into me,
Wipe out!




Word search

Searching for words
Somewhere in the recesses
Within my fatigue mind,

Words to colour tones
ordinary reflected
by the tone of my voice,

Instead a blank page 
sits demanding my attention

to represent my emotions,

Words to tell of pain,
disappointment and disillusion,
mixing with words to express love.

To tell the story of events,
celebrations, gatherings and
making of new friends.

Words to colour
the joy and wonder of discovery,
and words to convey tears . . .

To share the flow and
the rhythms of life
as the my story unfolds.

Words to express
laughter, jokes and kidding round,
told with awareness words can hurt.  

I have struggled to
complete my word search,
I’ll try again tomorrow.



‘The Hunt’

Positioned!
Too hard,
too soft,
not right.
This is the one!
New mattress arrives Wednesday!