Tomtiki's Weblog

Surviving the First 12 Months

tomtiki — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 10:31:31 +0000

Wow! I can’t believe it, but it’s been 12 months since my first blog. Much has happened and will continue to happen as I’m more excited now than I’ve ever been. You know working for yourself would be the most challenging experience that I’ve encountered in my working life, which would be about 26 years. (Give or take a few). This couldn’t be more so than when you know the surfs pumping and you’re ferreting around in your studio finishing, or starting for that matter, the long awaited sculptural piece that you’ve been dreaming of doing for years. It’s as if the waves are crashing just outside your gate, teasing you to drop tools and head to the beach for that elusive barrel you’ve been reading about. But not to be, disciplining yourself to remain on task certainly has it’s spin-offs, that’s of course if you manage to finish the piece in time to catch the dwindling swell at the other end. Everyday is a holiday, and it certainly feels like it. The difference being that a huge part of your holiday is spent in and around the studio. This year is already forging ahead full blast. Having just completed a 15 day kayaking expedition down the Whanganui River with over 100 people who affiliate to the river, inspiration will not be hard to come by. In fact I have many ideas that will be put to the test, glass sculptural pieces, traditional and contemporary carvings, and a series of prints to conclude. Can’t wait so keep a look out all you keen wanna work for yourselfers.

Awhi Mai Awhi Atu

tomtiki — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 08:19:44 +0000

Hey world! Isn’t it amazing? The world I mean. Can you imagine what it must have taken to get the formular right to enable our world to be created for our enjoyment? Makes you wonder aye? When you start to contemplate what it took to create it really puts the day to day mundane concerns that we all delve over into perspective does’t it? What are you doing to make this place a better place? Did you help someone or others during your day of drudgery at the workplace? You know since I’ve been on this journey it amazes me at all the wonderful opportunities that present themselves, particularly in the area of creativity. I had an idea that some fellow students might be interested in learning about how to improve in the area of presentations. Sixteen students turned up giving up their own creative time, and we are now into week three. The feedback that has been received by our tutorial staff has been nothing short of amazing. I’m just stoked that some fellow students would be interested as much as I am about how we as artists can better present ourselves, and unltimately our art works to the wider universe. What really blows me away is that these students are from only three classes. There are many more classes in our campus, and many campuses around the country. How many of you have the same concerns that my fellow students have when it comes to presenting or talking in public? Hmmm! I bet there are a few out there who would really like to know how to better improve in this life skill, don’t you agree? By the way the title of this discussion is called ‘Awhi Mai! Awhi Atu! which is from a song written in the Maori language meaning to embrace one another. Hopefully you’ll feel it within you when you’re next at work to embrace your fellow colleague and offer them your wonderful words of wisdom, love or compassion. Heaps of smiles

“Fraction too much friction”.

tomtiki — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 09:50:24 +0000

You know I was listening to Bob Proctor recently on a recording and he shared something which really got me nodding my head. He was quoting someone when he said something along the lines that “change requires movement, and movement requires friction”. So whenever anyone wants to change something it involves friction between two or more things. This could never be so true since I ‘quit’ working for someone else and decided to go it alone and be the creative person that I am. Those closest to you just don’t seem to get it, no matter how much you try to get them to see your point of view, it just doesn’t work. So now I figured the best thing to do is stop trying to change their point of view and concentrate more on what it is that is my lifes purpose. I’m pretty certain I never came into this world wanting to be a teacher. Funily enough that’s where I ended up for near on 20 years. Can you remember coming into this world wanting to be a dentist? doctor? web-designer? accountant? lorry driver? I don’t think so. So why is it that we feel compelled to have to want to be ‘something?’ Just remember next time when you’re talking to little Johnny or Mary or whoever, just rephrase the “What they want to be?” question to “What do they want?” from life. I’m sure that will give you more of an insight into their personalities than the first question. This Bob Proctor guy has some fairly revealing statements to make, and some that get you thinking that we need to change our ideas fairly quickly to get a taste of what life ought to be about, and that’s freedom.

working with bronze!

tomtiki — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 08:50:41 +0000

Working with bronze would have to be one of the most demanding creative exercises that I have encountered since embarking on my creative journey.I’m working on 2 pieces at the moment and am finding the second piece which is in the shape of a gourd to be the most challenging. What I’m inclined to do is etch the surface of the gourd which is in wax at the moment, which is practically what artisans have done with the natural form for years. The challenge is that I don’t really wnat to go down that track of transferring that technique onto bronze.I really think it needs more to highlight the 3D nature of the piece. Whoever is working in this field might have similar thoughts as well, for me it’s been a bit of a give and take. I’ll give the wax something, then taketh away…and so on, and so on. It’s gotta stop somewhere, otherwise I’ll melt it and start on something else….hey that’s an idea!

7 Tips on what to do when you quit your job.

tomtiki — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 22:52:47 +0000

Ok the 7 tips that I have to offer for those of you who have quit your job or wanting to quit.

Tip No 1: Commit. Now that you have actually convinced yourself that this is what you actually want to do, then follow this up by committing yourself to the plan, and quit. Obviously there will be some time-frames that need to be adhered to like 2 weeks notice, or set a date. Once that date has been set then you are ready to transfer the energy you have been committing to your job to the pathway that lays ahead. Believe me when I say you’ll need that energy.

Tip No 2: Put it out There: Most importantly is to let people know that you plan to quit your job, especially immediate family. What you’re going to do after that date is a little foggy at this stage, but what you do know is that you no longer need to turn up to that previous workplace ever. That is quite liberating and bloody scary at the same time. It also conjures up many other feelings of disbelief, excitement, anxiety, fear, absolute relief, and many many other feelings. There are many self-help books for the entrepreneur, but nothing is more powerful than taking the time to think. It’s one thing that you have neglected for too long, and now you have all the time in the world (well not all the time) to think things out .

Tip No 3: Direction: This is a really good time to set down some goals, make a list what you would like to achieve in the short-term and not so short term. What is your vision, where you would like to be in say a year or two. I would suggest doing your own strategic plan, and why not, You’ve just spent a huge amount of time realising the vision, or goals for someone else’s business, why not do the same for you.

Tip No 4: Research: You are now your own boss with your own plan. You are also responsible to ensure that you are well read in the area of your pursuit. You no longer get to attend all the conferences and in-work training opportunities that you were once used to receiving. So now you have to research those course that are available, which ones are more vital at this stage like business and accounting systems, planning and proposal preparation and tax requirements. This is your responsibility now so choose wisely.

Tip No 5: Networking: I can’t reinforce this enough. This would be the most important marketting tool for your chosen pathway. Join clubs that have members that you want to get to know, attend community courses, accept invitations to faciltate workshops or voluntary work in areas that you are passionate about. Register yourself onto reptutable social networking websites like, Linkedin, Stumbleupon, Twitter etc. The power of networking should never be underestimated.

Tip No 6: Budget: This is as good a time as any, probably more pertinent now that you have finished working for someone else, to update your financial situation with a budgeting plan. It makes no sense to bury your head in the sand, as your earning prospects rest in your ability to think for yourself, act for yourself and make decisions for yourself and the benefit of those around you.

Tip No 7: Positivity. In a media world dominated by negativity you need to inject positivity into your space. Read books on self improvement, talk to people who have an exceptionally positive take on life, add quotes from famous and not so famous people to your speaking tool box. Paint vibrancy into your day by looking at all the positives that come out of what you are doing. But most of all remind yourself that you are special, that what you are doing you were destined to do. Remind yourself that you have everything that you ever need right now, in abundance. Now go for it.

How to quit your job in your 40′s

tomtiki — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 06:45:19 +0000

Kia ora to those of you who have stumbled upon this my first blog.

I’m so excited by the possibilities that I really don’t know where to start.

In short I’m an emerging artist, having decided at the tender age of 45 to pursue my art as opposed to clocking up corporate time at the office, or in the classroom teaching.

Why has it taken me so long to realise that being a full-time artist was my calling you might ask?

Let’s just say that the type of advice one gets from a parental figure at times can be somewhat misdirected.

Ok, so here’s a question for you now, and be honest with yourself.

How many of you would quit your current job today if you had the opportunity to do what you’ve always wanted for as long as you can remember?

When I broke away from the pack I was amazed at the number of people who said they’d love to quit their job to do what they’ve always wanted to do.

This is no Pied Piper philosophy cause sadly, most never do.

Saying it is the easy part, but doing something about it is different.

In closing our lives are a series of stories, and this is one that I have decided to track. Not just for me, but also for those of you who are already there and those still waiting for the push.

My first offering is, ‘There is no better time to start than right now’. So get your resignation letters typed, strap yourself in, and enjoy the journey because you’ve got no idea what lays ahead…yahoo!

Tune in to the next blog for 7 tips on what to do once you have quit your JOB.

View some of my work here: tairawhitiarts.net