I’ve been gifted the opportunity to nurture a Creative Arts Therapy group at @dayspringtrust
This group is for māma in the postnatal space, exploring the creative process through a therapeutic lens. The mahi toi shared above are meaningful expressions of identity and where they come from.
Opportunities like this are what led me to become a creative arts therapist ~ grateful ✨
Thank you @artswhau for your support and funding these sessions.
Proud to officially share that I am now a Registered Creative Arts Therapist, graduating with First Class Honours 🥹🌱
The past three years have been full of growth, challenge and full circle moments. Stepping into academia was something I never thought possible, let alone something I would love and thrive in.
This mahi has shown me how much of a privilege it is to hold space for people, their stories and their lived experiences. It has changed me and given me purpose beyond the artistry many of you know me for.
Music will always be part of who I am. Gifting my stories through song is something I am still deeply committed to. Creativity and song remains my first language, a place where healing, expression and truth meet. Now, alongside my artistry, I have the opportunity to be of service to my community, walking with people as they reconnect with themselves and make meaning of their lives.
Today, I am allowing myself to pause and celebrate this milestone. To acknowledge the work, the resilience and the becoming it took to get here. Wins like this matter, and they deserve to be honoured 💚 Best believe I'll be posting up when I graduate in April 🤏
Endless gratitude to my friends and whānau for being my anchor over these past three years. You know who you are x
📷 by @jeromewarburton
This morning I woke with tears in my eyes and a heavy heart. It has been a year to the day, since Menieres disease showed up in my life, and changed my lived experience of the world. This past year has been a time of learning, grieving, healing, rehabilitating, and attempting to figure out how these new puzzle pieces fit within my worlding. I've been trying to navigate how to parent my two small children, be a loving partner, show up for my wider whānau, attempt to nurture friendships, complete my Masters in Creative Arts Therapy, mend my fractured relationship with creativity, all the while grappling with a diagnoses and chronic illness. Yeah, it's a lot
Menieres is not a life threatening disease but it is certainly life changing. It is an inner-ear disorder that leads to episodic vertigo attacks, hearing loss, tinnitus, aural fullness, dizzy-spells, balance problems, and for me also sight impairment. Tbh I thought having two children tested my sense of identity, but being diagnosed with Menieres disease has been a whole other beast to tame.
The nature of this condition is unpredictable and symptoms fluctuate, which has made it challenging to find my rhythm again. Menieres is an invisible disability, so others can' see the mamae and true effects I feel and tbh I've become pretty good at hiding it. This past year has taught me to deepen my capacity to be empathic to others, especially those experiencing changing embodied landscapes. I have been forced to see the world through a different lens and I'll forever be seeking the silver linings. Sure it can be pretty unbearable at times but I believe this condition is part of my becoming in this lifetime.
I know my portal to healing and wellness is through music. I can feel it in my bones. What that looks like for me, I'm not sure. But this is something I hope to embark on in the near future. I have mixed emotions about that journey, but it is so necessary for me to explore. Yes for myself, but also for others, so I can gift insight and offer something back to my community.
This past year has gifted many learnings, highs and lows. I proved to myself I am capable of...
....Continued in the comments below....
@womadnz 2024 💚 Thank you for having us. This show was one for the books & a festival off the bucket list. We were the only NZ act to be on this stage ~ feeling grateful & thank you for the opportunity.
Thank you to my teammates @tombroome@adamfuhr@samv.1010@itsjarna ~ forever blessed to share the stage W yous. How we didn't manage to get one band photo I have no idea 😅 but you already know ~ Adoration always 💚
Hard to put into words but big feels in having my grandfather sit side stage for this show. In Taranaki, a sacred place we both call home. If it wasn't for him and his commitment to creativity, I probably wouldn't be doing this, sharing these parts of myself and my lineage w you x
Photos by @andyjacksonphotographer & ZED pics
Feel like I fell in love w my tiny people all over again. Grateful for family, connection, and health. Knowing it's a privilege to watch them grow 🥹 Love yours 💚 @tony_tz
Off to handle my business
Peep me tomorrow morning on the @amshownz at 8.50am 🫣 talking about the Baby Mama visual and all things creative.
Styling by @yohozo ❤️🔥
Photo by @angiefraser 👏
This weekend the @nzmusicmonth celebrations continued with the stunning @baileywiley featuring on the @spotifyaunz EQUAL billboard in the heart of Tāmaki Makarau’s CBD ✨
If you haven’t already, stream Bailey’s new single, ‘Baby Mama’ - OUT NOW on all DSPs 💿
Well this is a bit nice. 'Baby Mama' made it into the Hot 20 NZ single charts this week.
Thanks for listening 🥹 and running up those numbers! If you haven't heard/seen my latest artwork ~ peep the link in bio 🤍
Here's a cute photo of me and my baby girl Dallas on set for the Baby Mama video. Photo by @angiefraser
