SKETA's Blog

Image - Sketa Oz - Just me in the studio... ​You know, there are a million and one things that I could write about, to tell you the difficulties female entrepreneurs experience, over the lifetime of being in business.
Yet, the truth is - female entrepreneurs have always had a solid, uphill road to hoe, ever since the year dot - since the very inception of this planet; when we decided we wanted to be heard not for just being a mum, a carer, a teacher, a nurse ...nor for being the opposite sex - but for just being human - for being seen as a unique individual that has something to say, change or to inspire others to be whole - greater than - and definitely worthy of receiving in this world, and the next. 

Being the gentler of creatures (I know, this is a sweeping statement, but by and large - true), I believe there is always and has always been, a need to compromise and yes, even forgo one's dreams, to a certain extent.  Why would I say such a thing?  Because we females are the bearers by sex and the nurturers by blood; we know how to get families organised - get things done - get things ordered, cared for and on track in a family - we are the micro-managers of life.  This is not a bad thing - it is a natural thing and our control over this is probably non-existent!  

Because the human race depends on at least one member of a united couple, to take care of the nest...and in doing so, there was and still is - an expectation that because a woman bears the child - naturally a woman would want to rear and be present in a child's formative years of life - at least.  We might not want to admit it, but a male's instinct is to protect the nest, and is proud, confident and extremely capable of doing so - and yes, vocal about how this is important to them.  
​
Yet...why do our dreams arise, if we are not expected to act on them ...to only haunt us - to tell us that the male counterpart is more worthy of creation and dreams to come to fruition, than a female?  In today's day and age, I would like to think not.  But I would be lying, if I did not tell you that to some degree, I believe this, to be the case.

Over the last week, I have endeavoured to crank up my efforts of watercolour and focus on a 'Christmasy' theme.  And although not a huge collection of works surfaced, I have learnt that it is not the amount of work one puts out, but indeed the quality of work that evolves.   I have learnt a great deal, stretching myself toward other areas of watercolour technique that I would not have explored had I not chosen to pursue a different theme of enquiry.  Playing around with all sorts of paper again, using what was intended for a variety of uses (of which watercolour painting was not suggested), enabled me to test my ability to produce works, even though the conditions were not perfect.  This meant, I was compelled to resolve whatever issue that arose. 

Some of those issues were: soggy paper, pilling, weak colours, inability to layer paint and glaze, transparency of the final product, mounting issues and the list goes on.  However, valuable lessons can be learned and discovery of which types of surfaces one prefers to paint  on, can also be discovered.  And believe it or not, I have now come to the conclusion - after all these years, I don't really like painting on the standard 300 gsm watercolour paper, presently available . ​ My reasons for this, I love having the freedom of creating a free, easy and very fluid style of sketch up with graphite or ink. 
I hate my tools catching on the grain of the paper because of the coarse-textured surface.  Ah, I know what you are thinking.  How about trying smooth surfaces like hot press Arches, Fabriano or Waterford?  Well there you have it - smooth surfaces are available to work on, but both the pencil and ink nib do not easily glide easily across the surface; there is still a great deal of tension involved.  They're nothing like sketch paper.

So, I compromised.  I sacrificed the ability to apply huge layers of watercolour, for the ability to bring back life to my drawings.  I went back to the basic 80~100 gsm copy paper.  Yes, copy paper.  I grew up using much the same thing.  Having three other siblings in our family, meant we weren't always blessed with spare cash to buy up all sorts of paper, whenever I needed it.  So, I got used to testing out a picture on copy paper or whatever paper Dad had lying around in the paper recycle basket.  Using this sort of paper, I really needed to lay-down watercolour quickly, because if I didn't the paper would get all soggy and the surface would be a mess.  

Anyhow, this week I got so frustrated I actually went though my entire drawer of art paper, just to see if I had any old paper - so I could 'find my hand, again'.  If you're an artist you will understand what I mean.  You'll also be asking, who keeps paper for that length of time.  Me.  Over my years, I have learnt to savour each sheet of paper, because it was always hard to come by, when I was a kid.  Plus, I'm a bit of a tree-huger and I could never waste a tree's precious gifts, knowing they take so long to grow.   

Back to my point,  surprisingly I found in the back of my drawer, a sketchpad of 'Bockingford' paper.  Can I remember from where it came or when - Nope.  Yet, this lovely paper has delighted me all week and I am now on a major search for this exact paper.  I expect it won't be as yellow as mine and will have improved over the years, but I hope not. I'm keen to see what I can find.  

I'm also keen to know, what watercolour paper you use?  Any pet hates?

#element-0476ddb4-8923-41a4-adcd-ceda70c15df7 .waddons-blog-image.hideImage { display: none;} #element-8ab92714-546e-4407-961c-031f3971492c .content-color-box-wrapper { padding: 20px; border-radius: 0px; background-color: #5ce0b6; border-style: None; border-color: #555555; border-width: 3px;}Visit Greenpeace Australia Pacific to Help Keeping our SeaLife available for all generations of people, is paramount. Protecting sea creatures such as sea turtles, whales and dolphins by Green Peace Australia seafaring crews, enables our biodiversity to continue for generations to come. It is everyone's responsibility to ensure such wildlife is protected from oil giants like Woodside, who are adamant to continue drilling in our Australian waters, despite their presence destroying all that lives, in the vicinity.

Please help Green Peace and Sketa Oz protect these wondrous creatures and their never to be found again, environments.

https://www.greenpeace.org.au/ https://www.sketaoz.com/one-world.html#/
Help us protect our oceans! #greenpeace #sketaoz 
Sea Videographer - Jake Parker #element-04a9de96-61d7-4015-8c3a-b8a980a6aa42 .content-color-box-wrapper { padding: 20px; border-radius: 0px; background-color: #5ce0b6; border-style: None; border-color: #555555; border-width: 3px;}Visit Greenpeace Australia Pacific to Help

Being ‘brave’ is one of those illusive things for me, for it means finding courage to attempt and believe in - the ‘impossible’.

It means standing up every day and shedding my fears; letting the world see the real me – the one who smiles gently, listens quietly, then wishes secretly that I could do all that others seem to do, so fearlessly.

Illusive for me, I find this to be, because I have to work so hard, every day – telling myself – being my own cheer squad – that anything is possible if you just ‘believe’.

This has been my motto for life – for performance – teaching – writing – art and business, but throughout all that … learning to be ‘brave’ has been an ongoing, uphill battle of nervous, creative energy needing to be released – to go somewhere and then, finding the strength to quieten my anxiety, shed my insecurities long enough ~ to get it done.  So many times, I ask myself, ‘Why can’t you do that? Why not? You have talent.’  And then, I hear all the realists who say, “don’t be silly – you are not a kid – get a real job – you’ll never succeed at that!’

So, I find myself shelving all my ideas - doubting myself, believing that someone else’s ideas are more worthy than mine – losing my ‘brave’ and going back to my ‘real job’ because it is secure and fits the model of society’s belief that to work a 9-to-5 job for someone else…is normal.

All over my personal space, I have motivational quotes and art to remind me to be ‘brave’ – to put my best foot forward, to put myself out there without care of judgment or ridicule…to be brave in every part of my life because it seems bravery is so fleeting, and society’s ruthless methodologies for getting ahead in life – hits my heart so intensely, I must always rebuild and remind my head – so my heart does not faulter.  And yes, this is so hard.

Creative ideas, artistic works, business creations – all different facets of me, under the persona of ‘Sketa’, has allowed me to grow – as if I am just helping someone – guiding them…sort of like being a mentor, but in this case, they are all facets of me – a broken me – slowly trying to stitch herself together every time, I lose my ‘brave’.  And so I do not have to explain myself to anyone – I just reinvent myself and the image people have of me… when I am struggling with life, its unreasonable demands, its noise and expectations of what I can and cannot do.

In all the meaning and energy behind such a statement, ‘I really do believe anything is possible’ – it creates its own energy, purpose and momentum; the more times you start again – for in starting again, and again… one learns to be ‘brave’ – until one day something truly begins to stick.  It becomes your purpose, becomes your meaning for life and nothing and no one gets to fill your head and heart with nonsense.  You finally say, ‘Enough - I can do this and I do not care how the world works.’  

I will stand by me – fight for me – be my own best friend – remain honourable, diligent and honest to me, my journey, my growth, my belief that ‘I am Possible!’

And in that – I shall find my balance, love, healing, resilience and my energy to ‘make it happen’!

Many of you might not yet realise, Beth Joy Rotteveel passed peacefully away on the 17th of December, 2025 – six days before Christmas; 26 days after ‘Jon’ – formally known as Johan Albert Rotteveel (Beth’s husband) passed away; 15 days before the New Year of 2026.

But what makes her death so remarkable, was that even in death, Beth was teaching me, yet another lesson, about life – for on the anniversary of my mum’s death the 30th of December, 2025 – who passed the year prior – was also the day of Beth’s funeral.

They say, loss of a loved one changes you, but none so much as those who impart valuable lessons about learning to be brave – to rise – to get up – even when you feel you have nothing left to give – to face the challenges head on and say ‘phooey’ to it all.

Getting up on the day of her funeral was one of the hardest lessons, I have had to endure and put to memory, for without these lessons of resilience, I would not be standing, today.

Bethy Joy was like a second mum to me – she was far more than family – she was a tower of strength, my mentor, coach and confidant throughout my dancing years and childhood.

We spent hours, days, weeks together – finetuning my abilities – she was there for me, every step of the way; loving and supportive, and I would not be who I am without her.

‘Jemima Puddle-Duck’, she affectionately called me - for as a dancer, I had lots of turn-out, but no strength or control.  I was always making mistakes with my gangly, fine body and was never quite confident enough to just ‘give it a go’. 

If ever there was a wrong way of doing things – I found it, but she was so patient, understanding and passionate for life – nothing could ever feel wrong, because she always made it right.

Beth was there for me – for every blister, callous, tear, joy, disappointment, exam, rehearsal, opening and closing night.  She was there to remedy the muscles, aches, sprains and broken feet; the embarrassment of flipping over backwards on my very first pas de deux lift, and the heartbreak at finding out my leading man was gay (yes, she smiled wisely at my innocence); the pain of family falling apart; my nerves, disappointment and exhilaration at exam time; driving me to venues, auditions – telling me to, ‘Calm down, Jemima – you don’t need to stretch any more – you’ve done enough.’

And when things did not turn out as I expected and I thought I had disappointed her – she would warmly smile and say, ‘There’s always next year, Jemima – they just don’t know you’re about, yet’.

And when I thought, my life would never amount to anything as a dancer, Beth knew it was just the beginning, for she stood proudly on opening night of My Fair Lady and said, ‘Phooey to classical ballet – this is where you belong!’
Resilience, being brave and finding confidence to take the first step, jete’ and pirouette on everything in life and what it will throw at you – is not easy.  It is not something you magically find overnight, nor find in a cabbage patch.  It is built from years and years of hard work, putting in the hours and never giving up.  It is someone believing in you and the path set out before you; it is the dedication and tireless efforts of one soul, passing on the energy of life to another.

#wsite-video-container-699684304539326121{ background: url(//www.weebly.com/uploads/b/26707168-805... } #video-iframe-699684304539326121{ background: url(//cdn2.editmysite.com/images/util/video... } #wsite-video-container-699684304539326121, #video-iframe-699684304539326121{ background-repeat: no-repeat; background-position:center; } @media only screen and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 2), only screen and ( min-device-pixel-ratio: 2), only screen and ( min-resolution: 192dpi), only screen and ( min-resolution: 2dppx) { #video-iframe-699684304539326121{ background: url(//cdn2.editmysite.com/images/util/video... background-repeat: no-repeat; background-position:center; background-size: 70px 70px; } } And while you think as a child, it is all about just finding one’s feet – as you learn – it is also about learning the lessons of life and remembering them, when you hit rock bottom – when you are at your lowest point, when all the chips are down and gone.  For in those moments, one finds the spark that fueled the flame – to continue walking – to run – to dance back into life – reinvented, stronger and ready to start all over, again.

So, come Christmas ~ New Year period – the spirit of Bethy Joy sat heavily on my heart – to be exact, I did not know how I was going to dance my way out of this one – to say goodbye to someone who meant so much to me and who was so much a part of me – was excruciating.

‘Would I survive a triple whammy?’ I thought.
Then Bethy said, ‘Of course you will, Jemima – there is always tomorrow.’
 
Thank you, Bethy. Thank you for sharing your soul, loving heart and spirit with me.
​You taught me so much about life.  God speed - I’ll miss you…

Image - UNICEF 2025 Everyone deserves food, shelter and safety. No one should have to fight for every breath. No one should have to be living on emergency 🆘 mode every day of their lives - not knowing if they will wake up dead or alive. Life is not something anyone person, government or society has the audacity to take away.

Life is given to us by God, the Universe, Mother Nature… It is ours to hold - free of charge; ours to enjoy - with out pain; ours to share with another - through love, procreation and growth…for this is life.

Anything less than this - is not living, but merely existing; and in most cases, for these people, not even existing is on their minute-to-minute survival.

Because they are caught between the planes of life and death - someone else living in surplus and greed, holds their hands on their lungs 🫁 like a pin 📌 to a balloon 🎈extinguishable at their whim, for their pleasure and purpose.

Please 🙏 take time to think about this. They have no control over their presence on this planet, and are being held hostage to the cruelty of greedy individuals.


Tell me, if this was your life…would you do what they have to - every single day? Would you survive? @sketaozgroup @unicef

Scrolling over to: UNICEF and show you care. Do not let someone else control their presence on this planet…one day it could be you.

https://www.unicef.org.au/
https://www.unicef.org/
Image - UNICEF 2025

Having time to get back to the drawing board is not always, an easy task.  So, this revisit, is a watercolour I worked on, in late April.  It always starts off as a bit of a scratch arrangement, and somedays - like this particular day - I was not a hundred percent committed to the task.  My mind was elsewhere, yet my watercolour and painting are always good therapy.   This Mother Hubbard is sort like my world - working day-in-day-out, with the hope of getting ahead and then, things change and one's world often falls apart.  I think, all mother's feel a bit like this.  One puts in so much effort in life; only to see it boil over. So, you refill the pot for the umpteenth time, and hope you do not burn things, again.  You hope you have the recipe right and you pray; you can fill all the bowls. Some days, you get caught out and you find yourself, staring in the mirror - asking why?

Keeping our SeaLife available for all generations of people, is paramount. Protecting sea creatures such as sea turtles, whales and dolphins by Green Peace Australia seafaring crews, enables our biodiversity to continue for generations to come. It is everyone's responsibility to ensure such wildlife is protected from oil giants like Woodside, who are adamant to continue drilling in our Australian waters, despite their presence destroying all that lives, in the vicinity.

Please help Green Peace and Sketa Oz protect these wondrous creatures and their never to be found again, environments. https://www.greenpeace.org.au/ https://www.sketaoz.com/one-world.html#/

Help us protect our oceans! #greenpeace #sketaoz 

Xavier Xue - Prix de Lausanne 2025 Candidate / Photo Courtesy - Prix de Lausanne 2025 Rhyan Foerster - Prix de Lausanne 2025 Candidate / Photo Courtesy - Prix de Lausanne 2025 A dancer’s life is always one of struggle, resilience, patience, pain, agony and shear brut guts and determination. There is not one athlete~artist on the planet that goes through more heart-breaking, enduring loss and then reshaping of mind, body and soul.

They are loved for their beauty of line, ridiculed for their style of perservance, envied for their form and athleticism. They are often given the cold shoulder by educators; schools-family-society persuade children not to follow this path of artistic learning in their senior years - because it is not a ‘real job’ - much like the condemnation of most artists in the world.

But do you know what?
‘Artists’ are not fickle creatures and are the ones who truly shape this world 🌎 They are the dreamers, the believers, the givers, the doers and are the ones who set the standards for reaching goals; for seeking the pinacle of excellence; for giving up their entire life - shelter, sustenance, spending time with others for the solitary existence they pour their heart into.

They live penniless most of their lives, but they are the beings who will be remembered for their selflessness to their art form. They are the names that fill the history books; who inspire the young to dream of magic, princesses and unicorns 🦄. Their art form is what you seek in design, music 🎶 theatre, books; everything you see to live, love and enjoy your life - you can thank that creative - dreamer called - the ‘Artist’.
Hanxi Wang - Prix de Lausanne 2025 Candidate / Photo Courtesy - Prix de Lausanne 2025 The ‘artist’ has shaped this planet beyond our wildest dreams.

Give thanks and gratitude to these givers - you owe them your mental well-being, your love of life, inspiration - past, present and future.

You owe them belief in miracles, snails 🐌 fairies 🧚‍♀️ and the ‘’I’m Possible”.

…Working with a lot of smokey pinks, with black inking - not my usual nib, more pen like Unipen and Micron. My drawing board has experienced a major delay of many months - school, life, and all other ungodly known excitements... have dropped on my doorstep - once again.  However, I am alive and kicking, and definitely not letting it get the better of me. Just a few brief sketches can turn into something, quite unique. Ideas can end up surprising you, after working hard at them. So, this is where I am at this week - trying to catch up on the list (I always have a list - Yes, it does get bigger!) that I usually get around to working on, over the school holidays.  Even my writing suffers during school terms. I just manage to find the strength to keep up with the socials - can't let that die away - or I am in big trouble.  Well, that's the plan anyway. 
And for me, my sketches always lead me down the path of intricacy. I have been working through a few surface design ideas, that usually start off as either pen and ink pieces, or watercolour designs.  Given, I pass heaps of gardens - walking to and from school every day, my designs have gone a bit rouge; the weeds and flowers are dominating my work. This one started out as a small watercolour and transformed into a piece, I am quite happy with... And the results have become quite intricate again, but they look quite okay as surface designs - that is my thought anyway.