In the 1990s there was virtually no secondary art market in India. Between 2000 and 2008, the price index of Contemporary Art multiplied by seven! While Anish KAPOOR and Subodh GUPTA are among the world’s fifteen top-selling Contemporary artists with auction revenues..

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I adore the vibrant colours of these two pieces by Anish Kapoor. They sing! Clearly the Indian colour palette incites joy!

Labels: Colour, Spirituality in art, Thecolourgirl.com

"I have always been able to see what others were unable to see; and what they did, I did not see."

- Salvador Dali

Several years ago while in New York I stumbled on a book that was to change my life - "Psychic living: tap into your psychic potential" by Andrei Ridgeway.

"In this technological day and age filled with busywork, " he writes, "many of us neglect our psychic potential. Our instincts are repressed and our inner voices buried...."

"...For many, the word "psychic" is so big, so titanic, they can't accept it. They don't realize it is a normal state of being, that as a lover, and a friend, we use this part of ourselves all the time."

Today as I continued to feel my way toward my preferred future, my true path with heart, and needing a boost I decided to try one of the exercises in the book - evoking the seer.

"For an artist, whatever, he is looking at has meaning. He doesn't need to use the word "clairvoyant, " because the whole universe is holy. Whether it be a spirit that appears out of thin air, or a piece of fruit on the table, it has soul," he writes. Then he encourages us to see the world as an artist and expand our vision to see into other times and places. "It is a wake up exercise, like a cup of coffee for the eyes."

Seeing exercise

Try Andrei's exercise - I just did and it was extra-ordinary! (I've posted my experience at the end of this entry)


Step one Go to a bookstore, library, art gallery or museum and visit the art section. You can make it a filed trip with a friend or lover. Give yourself time. Pretend you are living in the Renaissance, before the invention of People Magazine, when art mattered. Go through the books as if you have never seen any of those painters before, and be especially open to painters whose work you have never seen before. If you have not been in the painting world for a while and feel the need for a starting point, try one of these artists: Salvador Dali,Alex Grey (especially his book Soul Mirrors), Georgia O'keefe, or Claude Monet.

The books that you are drawn to will contain images and colours that resonate with your soul. Go through the pages/view the paintings at a leisurely speed. When you find a painting that really moves you, that stirs your optic cells, sit there and stare at it for a while. Let the light and the colour fill you up.


Step two Write a paragraph about your favourite painting, why it touched you, what is was about it that awakened your soul, Write stream of consciousness (IE just free write without "thinking") I liked the painting because it made me think of god and being a little kid and no end to wonder with yellow warmth and excitement in my belly. Let your pen go wild. No censorship.


Step three When you enter back into reality - your home, office, or the coffee shop next door - see if you can perceive in the objects and people around you the same level of beauty you saw in the painting. Rarely do painters create strictly from the unconscious. Most of them combine their hidden selves with the world around them, blending spirit with matter int heir own masterful way. See what it feels like to perceive life through this double lens, to bring your soul vision into the mundane, to see in the face of a stranger the same wonder and intensity that lived in the painting.

If the painting you chose was famous, buy yourself a print and put it somewhere in your home. It will act as a reminder of how your soul sees the world, keeping your eyes attuned to beauty as you pass through the day."

(excerpt from "Psychic living: tap into your psychic potential" by Andrei Ridgeway, pg 43)

Seeing Cass


Leap Away Girl 1969, Ian Scott

Today I went to Te Papa and after wandering around the many walls of art this painting "Leap Away Girl" by Ian Scott immediately called to me.

Here's what I wrote:

"Fresh yellow greens, clear blue sky and white puffy clouds - the colours call to me as does the name of the painting - Leap Away Girl. "go follow your dreams" the painting called, "look to the horizons and keep following your dreams, allow the fresh, invigorating colours of nature to guide and inspire you - the red energy of passion and goals, of motivation; green the energy of pastures news, of the heart chakra , of feeling energetic and alive, connected to nature, of following the seasons; blue the colour of peace and calm of warm days and summer skies of mother earth and the heavens that envelope her; white the colour of purity, marriage, union, partnership and marriage - contracts of love."

The energy and vitality of the painting arrests me, stops me in my tracks, draws me deeper still - it's joyful, hopeful, sensual,epxectant . The curvy shapes of the clouds in the sky and of the hills - dancing, playful, irregular, creative, uniform - heralding surprises, defying expectations.

"Let go. Let live. Follow your dreams," it challenges and encourages me. Allow the green of the heart - of courage and positive emotion, growth and renewal to nurture you; the blue of the horizon and sea to guide you - to flow like their currents to distant shores and new memories awaiting. The white of the clouds to soften your fears to life you higher still."


Now that I am back at the office the painting lives inside me still, whispering to and challenging my soul. I have printed out a copy of the painting and placed it on my inspiration wall, saved it as my screen saver, and pasted it in my inspiration journal. I see myself in the image of the girl - colourful, jubilant, happy beyond belief. It reminds me of my dream "I dream I am on vacation, it's the perfect career for me" - taken from a song by the Eagles. And of my morphing back toward art, writing, photography and photo journalism - and there on my business card for all to see is a reminder:
Cassandra Gaisford - Artist, life coach, author, photojournalist"


"Art washed from the soul the dust of everyday life." Pablo Picasso


Try this exercise yourself - I'd love to hear how awakening the seer within transforms your life.

Labels: Colour, Cultivating Creativity, happiness, intuition, Life coaching, Motivation, Spirituality in art, Thecolourgirl.com

I received an email today from a lady who attended one of my The Colour Girl workshops: " how colour and personal branding can enhance career and life success."

"after attending your inspiring workshop I know it's time to rid myself of black," she wrote

yay! I thought.... I can't wait to help. As my Dutch friend and dress designer says, "why does everyone in New Zealand dress like they are going to a funeral?"

here's what the ladies at the GBL sponsored function said:
"it's easy
it's slimming
we don't have to think
it's safe
it goes with everything
no one notices us - we don't stand out
it's strong
it's sophisticated..."

While black is not without its merits too much black can be:

bland
boring
depressing
aging
draining
tiring
sombre
unimaginative
career limiting
everywhere!

Do yourself and everyone who comes into contact with you a favour and create more joy in the world - wear more colour

Stand out from the crowd and watch your life soar - you'll be amazed at what a bit of colour can do. Wearing colour makes me feel happier, look younger, attract positive attention, generate business, inspires others, feeds my passions, led me to my life purpose, and attracted my soul mate

what will colour create for you?

Labels: Colour, happiness, Thecolourgirl.com

I returned to my desk, picked up several of the shopping bags, disappeared into the ladies for a few minutes and changed. When I returned to face myself in the mirror the person staring surprised me. You put on a simple but beautifully cut black suit with a simple black silk blouse and stylish shoes, and you suddenly think: There's a grown-up in the mirror. As I had so rarely dressed up for anything, the transformation surprised me. Clothes have a language, reflecting your sense of self, your class and education, your aspirations and the image you wish to present to the world. Maybe Trish was right: I always saw myself as something of an eternal student in hiking boots and chunky sweaters. But now, having changed into that suit, I appeared to be someone with responsibility and money. Much to my surprise I liked the way I looked...even if I knew I had neither the responsibility nor the salary that the suit signified.

Excerpt from Leaving the World, by Douglas Kennedy

One of my clients, a lady in her 50's, was told recently that women as they age should wear navy. The trouble was that the idea of wearing navy left her cold. Navy, viewed by her as conformist, middle aged and bureaucratic, simply did not suit her sense of self. "I want to be funky, playful and stylish, " she cried enthusiastically, "someone edgy and chic."

Clothes are a great way to give expression to your dreams and aspirations and the internal longings of your soul. In the same way as actors gain reinforcement from their costume, clothing allows you to communicate not just what is but what might be.

The colours, fabric and style of clothing you chose to wear reflects both conscious and unconscious views of your inner self and outer sense of self. As best selling author Douglas Kennedy confirms what you wear communicates both who you are and who you want to be.

Get the edge and dare to be different. Stand out from the crowd and break free from whatever is holding you back,. Create a new self image today. You can begin this process by asking the following questions: How do you want to feel? How do you want to look? What image do you want or need to project externally? How will this help complete your inner and outer transformation? If these questions leave you scratching your head contact me at The Colour Girl for a style make-over. I'd love to help.

Benefits:

• Improved decision making – saving time and money by choosing clothes and accessories in colours that suit you best
• Look more vibrant, younger, healthier, thinner and sexier!
• Increased confidence and self-esteem
• Enhanced energy and personal success
• Create powerful, lasting first impressions
• Increase your visibility and raise your profile
• Build a reputation that precedes you
• Increase your options by wearing colours you never thought you could
• Gain and maintain a competitive edge
• Fare better in economic downturns
• Attract your soul mate
  

Are you feeling brave enough to change the way you look? Click the following links if either your confidence or self-esteem could do with a boost first.

Labels: Thecolourgirl.com

What do you think of my new logo - my wonderful friend Lionel Taylor (www.taylormcallum.co.nz) designed it for me - he is a real whizz. We knew each other when we were 16-17 and this year he FaceBooked me! And voila - look at the marvel he has created. I am helping people bring more colour into their lives.

Here's what one wonderful lady said to me, following a period of deep grief:

Thank you for your guidance and inspiration. You have made me rethink my Autumn palette and I love it! I have still been feeling a little fragile with grieving and your enthusiasm has helped me to be uplifted by colour. I would be interested in contacting the dressmaker at some stage. Where is she based? Thank you for your advice regarding stores that stock my colours. It's great that you are looking for me. Thank you again for being so giving with your time and energy and for brightening my world.

That feedback rocks my world. I feel blessed to be able to help brighten other people's lives:)

Labels: Thecolourgirl.com

First impressions are lasting impressions.

Impressions are formed by a variety of factors – it’s not just what you say, but what you wear, that speaks loudly about who you are.  Do you, like 80% of the corporate workforce, dress head to toe in black? 

What does black communicate? For many people black is the colour of mourning; the grim reaper; depression; conservatism; boredom and nothing at all. 

Are these the messages you want to send out? 

Boost your visibility. Stand out from the crowd and add colour to your corporate wardrobe.  

“Godiva stood before them all, wearing a dull black dress that she only ever wore at funerals. With no jewellery and with her long, newly graying plait hanging down one shoulder, she resembled an aging maiden. The effect was worse than a funeral; she seemed to be dying on her feet before their eyes.” - Extract from Lady Godiva, Nerys Jones

 

A colourful Personal Brand can help you to:

 • Create powerful, lasting first impressions

• Increase your visibility and raise your profile

• Build a reputation that precedes you

• Be known as the expert in your field

• Gain and maintain a competitive edge

• Fare better in economic downturns

•Boost your confidence and self esteem

• Increase your income

Contact The Colour Girl now and live a life more colourful

“I had a lovely time with you yesterday evening. I was delighted with the colour consultation and it was a lot of fun. I’m very excited about starting to wear more vibrant colours! I feel more confident about broadening my range of colours now. You came across as knowledgeable, enthusiastic and authentic with the Colour Girl service, and of course you looked the part.” - Julia Napier, Communications professional

You may not be ready to toss out all your black but with help you can begin to explore other alternatives and wear a range of colours confidently. You may find, as I did, that the best colour for me was one I never, ever, dreamed I could wear. Orange and yellow have become my signature colours and people stop me in the street to tell me how fabulous I look. More importantly they tell me how wonderful seeing these colours makes them feel.

You may be wondering why you need to see an image consultant? Times are changing. More and more people are seeking a life coach for inner transformation, a career coach to help find their best-fit career. As competition steps up, for jobs (and relationships) smart people are turning to image consultants to help give them the edge.

Get the edge - schedule an appointment with me - the colour girl - now!

 

Labels: Colour, Thecolourgirl.com

Glorious summer is still here but winter looms on the horizon. The worst thing about winter in NZ is not so much the cold, it's the deathly march of people dressed head to toe in black. :(

Please, please try to make the world a more colourful, joyful place by not dressing this autumn and winter as though you are going to a funeral. There is absolutely no reason to dress head to toe in black! Many people are depressed enough. One eye sees and the other feels – so do you part and help people feel great in the months ahead.

If you need more courage to wear colour contact me for a colour consultation – I would love to help!

Black is very rarely chic - more often it is dull, boring and depressing. It is also incredibly aging and tiring.

Black is the colour of:
Mourning
The vultures that circle cemeteries
Black crows announcing bad things to come
The grim reaper
Depression
Conservatism
No colour at all



In New Zealand June 01 is officially the beginning of winter. Join me in the Colour Girl challenge and ban black from your wardrobe this season. Everyone is depressed, or repressed (depending on your world view), enough as it is. We'll be encouraging everyone to mark the first day of winter symbolically by colouring their hair a glorious colour. This can be permanent or temp - it's up to you

Do yourself and everyone else a favour and stay well away from black - NOW! I dare you!

Colour gives life! It makes people feel joyful, sexy, motivated and hot to trot!

I just received this lovely feedback from a recent client of my new service The Colour Girl. It was so exciting to see how wonderful she looked in vibrant colours. So much better than than the funeral black garb everyone thinks is chic. :

“I had a lovely time with you yesterday evening. I was delighted with the colour consultation and it was a lot of fun. I’m very excited about starting to wear more vibrant colours! I feel more confident about broadening my range of colours now. You came across as knowledgeable, enthusiastic and authentic with the Colour Girl service, and of course you looked the part.”
Julia Napier, Communications professional

Just read this in a book I have just finished - sums up the deathly overtones of Black perfectly:


“Godiva stood before them all, wearing a dull black dress that she only ever wore at funerals. With no jewellery and with her long, newly graying plait hanging down one shoulder, she resemembled an aging maiden. The effect was worse than a funeral; she seemed to be dying on her feet before their eyes.”

Extract from Lady Godiva, Nerys Jones


If you would like some help injecting more vibrancy into you life contact me to arrange your personal colour analysis session - start living a life more colourful today!

Labels: Colour, Thecolourgirl.com

Have you ever wondered how many people appear to master the art of effortless style? Chances are they've had the help of a professional image consultant. I know I did!

10 years ago I had no idea what suited me and,like many people, dressed head to toe in black.

The colour black is a colour that only a very select few can wear confident in their knowledge that it flatters. For the large majority of people black drains them of colour making them look sickly, old, tired and dull. Is that really how you want to look and feel?

You may not be ready to toss out all your black but with help you can begin to explore other alternatives and wear a range of colours confidently. You may find, as I did, that the best colour for me was one I never, ever, dreamed I could wear. Orange and yellow have become my signature colours and people stop me in the street to tell me how fabulous I look. More importantly they tell me how wonderful seeing these colours makes them feel.

You may be wondering why you need to see an image consultant? Times are changing. More and more people are seeking a life coach for inner transformation, a career coach to help find their best-fit career. As competition steps up, for jobs and relationships) smart people are turning to image consultants to help give them the edge.

First impressions are lasting impressions - and you don't have much time to make one! 10 seconds at last. 30 at most!

Impressions are formed by a variety of factors - but what you say speaks loudly of who you are. You may think people should spend time getting to know the real you, but the reality is very often they won't. Time is short and visual impressions are lasting ones.

Anyone can look great and anyone can wear colour. It's not dependent on age, lifestyle, budget or body shape. Some of my most successful outfits cost less than $10. Yesterday I bought a dress for $8 and everyone raves about it. The trick is knowing what to wear and how to wear it in a way that makes you look and feel great. Confidence plays a big part.

An image consultant can help you break free of bad habits and encoruage you to find and try a new look more suited to who you are and who you want to be.

The key to dressing well is to understand your colouring and body shape and then dress to flatter it.

In each consultation I spend time getting to know more about my clients - what they love and what they dislike, their hopes and their dreams and the outcomes they most want. This is an important part of understanding who they are on a deeper level. I don;t want to force a style onto people but help co-create one that truly brings out the best in them.

I then spend several hours analysing and confirming their best-fit personal colours. These are the colours that light up their face and make them sparkle. A trained eye can see it straight away. I then spend time doing a warddrobe audit. 80% of most clients wardrobes are full of black, yet less than 10% of people can wear black well. It's not always easy or necessary to bin it all at once. I teach people how to make the most out of what they already have and how to introduce shots of colour inexpensively.

If the budget allows we then go shopping. I have a special knack for picking up bargains and great relationships with fabulous designers, including dress makers who can tailor something fabulous just for you.

I can't stress the importance of investment shopping enough. You should always buy key pieces each session that give you maximum versatility and a great cost per wear return on your investment. If you have great building blocks you can get more mileage out of your clothes and lower cost items can look like they cost a million dollars.

Take a good look at your wardrobe. Most women will waste thousands of dollars over their lives on clothes they never wear. The majority of my clients say they only wear 20% of what they own. Some even confess they never even tried them on in the store!

When I do a wardrobe audit I go through and work out where the gaps are. The aim is to build up a working capsule wardrobe. This helps clients mix and match with confidence. My creative talents also come in handy - helping people to combine unusual colours and accessories to maximum impact.

Information overload? Leave it to me! I love what I do and I do it well. Employ me to help create your personal image and I'll do the work for you. You'll be left with a new fabulous image, an organised wardrobe, a swatch book of sensational colours that flatter your skin tone and makes the most of your natural assets. Plus you'll look younger, feel confident and turn heads with your fabulous new image.

Treat yourself to a make-over now. You're worth it!

Contact me via email or phone to arrange an appointment 04 972 4663 or Cassandra@cassandragaisford.com

Discover how a strong Personal Brand can help you to:

• Create powerful, lasting first impressions
• Increase your visibility and raise your profile
• Build a reputation that precedes you
• Be known as the expert in your field
• Gain and maintain a competitive edge
• Fare better in economic downturns
•Boost your confidence and self esteem
• Increase your income

Contact us on +44 776 800 2840 or email Cassandra@cassandragaisford.com

Labels: Colour, Thecolourgirl.com

Have just purchased a website domain "thecolourgirl.com" and all ready to get out there and fill the world with colours that incite positivity..I have been feeling a bit flat myself this week - has been a very taxing, trying week

I realised with a jolt that much of my flatness was due to the bleakness of the sky, the blandness of the buildings that surround me and the harsh grey road that weaves its way around the city. Plus, here in Wellington everyone looks like they are permanently going to a funeral - black reigns king.

So now I am busy injecting more colour into my world. So far I have been busy rearranging my paintings and moving more colour onto the walls and have just purchased the most amazing citrus orange shot dress and a zingy yellow one too - nearly purchased a red silk flowing number..but don't feel just ready for red yet - too strong......will post photos!

Colour always uplifts my soul. As fellow visual artist Paul Klee said, "one eye sees and the other feels." That's why surrounding myself with and wearing more of the colours that make me feel the way i wish to feel are an essential took in my wellness kit.

How could you wear more joy in your life? Right now I am planning to purchase another Gimblett - this one a juicy quatrefoil in succulent orange, meadow green and a dash of cheery red...ooh nearly forgot the dashes of heartwarming yellow...a very joyful piece indeed.....Common universe...send me some $$$$ to pay for it! As always I begin with my intent and challenge the universe, and myself, to catch up.

My new business line, I am sure, well definitely help! So many people have said it will be fantastic..a french can thought I could be the Gordon Ramsay of the colour world! (the C word!..c for colour that is!)

Am wondering if i need to decamp, sell up and move toward the tropics myself...will see what flows in weeks leading up to Christmas..everything so grey and windswept here - a domination of black and grey threatens to consume.

Talking about one eye seeing and the other feeling...take a good look at this image and consider "how does it make you feel?"
It's horrifying to think that this is the Child Youth and Family Mental Health Centre in Wellington. IF you weren't depressed before you will be once you clap eyes on it. What a nightmare....unloved, uncared for and painted an insipid mental ward green.

Labels: Colour, happiness, Thecolourgirl.com

I’m excited to announce my new business line Thecolourgirl.com. As many of you know one of my greatest passions has been colour. I love the energy, vitality and transformation that colour can create in people’s lives. So now I’m making a bold, colourful commitment to make helping people bring more colour into their lives.
So as of December I’ll be extending my range of personal services (life and career coaching; creativity workshops; and art and photography) to include:

• Image and colour analysis
• Personal style and body shape analysis
• Personal shopping
• Wardrobe analysis and make-over
• Make-up techniques
• Corporate workshops and seminars
• Interior design

My new website www.thecolourgirl.com is a work in progress at the moment. I’m off to Auckland to study with professional colour and image consultant Beverly at the Fashion Academy.

You know when you’re in flow when things seem to happen effortlessly. I’d just made the commitment to do the training when a lady approached me and told me how much she loved what I was wearing. I told her what I was planning to do and the next thing I knew not only had she booked an appointment but four of her colleagues had too.

I’ve already practiced on one of my friends. Initially I went over to help her with her wardrobe and colours, but the moment I went to her house it was obvious the house needed a de-clutter too! “How do you feel when you look around your home?” I tactfully asked. “terrible! There’s so much clutter – I just don’t know where to start!” “one room at a time I suggested, and off we went! It was great fun and therapeutic too. I know because I have had a great friend help me too. Everyone needs a helping hand from time to time – there’s no shame in that!

My friend was so thrilled. “Thanks so much for the motivation yesterday. You are amazing. I have never had anyone like you. What you did was so lovely – the combination of actually getting me started on some action within taking over. You have that gorgeous way – it’s a fine balance motivating people and you’ve definitely got it. “

If you would like to book a pre-Christmas image make-over and/or help to de-clutter your home contact me now. I still have a few spaces in my calendar prior to Christmas. My aim is to help you recession proof your life by making change affordable too. Call me now on 04 972 4663 0r Cassandra@cassandragaisford.com It would be such a joy to hear from you

Labels: Colour, Thecolourgirl.com