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William Stanhope

@wstanhope1206

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Find the divine in all things.

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THANK YOU all for being so supportive and showing an interest in my art, my writing and my photography over the 10 years I have been on social media.🙏🏼🎨📝

THANK YOU especially for all your thoughtful, funny, loving and inspiring comments whenever I have posted new art, which just didn’t happen during 2025, even though I continued to work on many illustrations and prose writing, including several future book projects. 📚📕 Despite my stalemate on my gallery, intermittently I have continued to find time to visit your awe inspiring art, writing, music and photographic galleries where I learn more each day, and continue to be overwhelmed by the talented artistic people who are part of this international community. I also enjoy other friends accounts just to keep our connections linked across Australia, and with friends in other countries.

I would also like to reach out to my international friends who live in countries with much unrest and sadness, who are in fact refugees and have been displaced from their own countries, not by choice, who cannot be with their families this year.

Most especially I send my love and condolences to those who have lost loved ones that they will deeply miss, whether through war, unfortunate accidents, fighting a long illness, a incurable disease or as in my case losing a parent, a sibling, or a friend unexpectedly through unforeseen circumstances.
In October 2025 my beautiful elderly mother had a tragic fall that led to her untimely death 5 days later. It was a sad journey keeping a vigil by my mother’s bed before she passed.
I know I will continue grieving for the loss of Mum in my life, however her spirit definitely lives on and I think of all the wonderful memories she has left with us….

Compassion and kindness with a good dose of humour, and loads of hugs and smiles, are the words that encapsulate my Mum’s personality for me.

Having a mother who is loving, accepting, supportive, creative and non judgemental, allowing freedom of choice from a moral set of boundaries, is a very special mother and difficult to aspire to. My Mum fulfilled all of these attributes and more.

This video is a tribute to My Mum

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It’s good to be back chatting with my Insta friends after a long break.
In a time of heartbreak and sadness in places around our world where so many people feel threatened, frightened, homeless, and trapped in a war that they didn’t create I feel we need some joy. A time to value a warm smile, the love of a dear friend, in fact any special moments that make you happy.
I feel powerless to stop such horrific events that I watch unfold on my television screen day after day, week after week so I decided to post a video of some of my favourite places in my world that are still safe and beautiful. I also delighted in browsing my extensive photographic folders to select photos of my favourite animals that make me smile. I’m hoping you feel some joy while listening to John Lennon singing ‘IMAGINE’ and Cat Stevens singing ‘PEACE TRAIN’.
A special THANKYOU to my dear friends here on Instagram and Facebook who have taken the time to show a real interest in my illustrative art and my writing. Thanks for your heartfelt comments and often thought provoking ideas. It is reassuring to know many of us feel a bond in adversity. That many of us have no words to describe the horrors of wars and other conflicts that impact adversely on millions of innocent lives. Let us join together in thoughts of positivity and peace.
I promise to call by your accounts ASAP to explore your posts that I haven’t had the opportunity to view yet and leave you some words of encouragement and friendship.

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In Memory of all the Israelis and Palestinians who have suffered and died in the ongoing war in Israel and Gaza.
May this travesty of Tyranny end now.

THE FAERY OF LIGHT FIGHTS TO SURVIVE IN
OUR WORLD OF WOE
I have no answers for the reason I’m here in this world of woe and strife,
Where corrupt politicians have no regard for the preservation of human life.
While the planet heats up and the polar ice caps melt,
I’m not sure how I should feel and for the longest time what I have felt.
A deep melancholia strangles my emotions when I dwell on the plight of our present day world. 🗺
As continued evil and mayhem with frightening speed have long unfurled.
Where common species of plants and animals become exotic and rare.
Have we all become complacent and just don’t care? 🤷‍♂️🤷🏻‍♀️
While millions of people are displaced and wander homeless across the barren landscape,
For them calling a place home or leaving poverty, disease and pestilence behind... there is no escape.
And so we cling to the thread we call “the meaning of our existence: our reason to be,
And this is where we are alike ‘you and me’....
Although from different cultures and different generations in fact,
Both of us can clearly see there is no turning back
To a simpler life of Beatles songs when life was a melody.
Alas, alack modern day life now plays out the tune of a tragedy.
Will it only be when we are all turned to dust at last,
That this planet and all who dwell on it will be nothing but THE PAST!
My dream has always been to make a difference, to leave my presence as a gentle loving touch to remain in someone’s memories,
But now I’m more concerned that the difference will sadly only be the continuance of men’s travesties...
What think you my friends of my melancholic thoughts that I have penned here?
Do you see this world of wars, famine, pestilence, and destruction like me with the same sadness and fear?
Can you listen and watch the world’s news with indifference and no responsibility or care,
Or do you cringe and shed a tear watching the turmoil brewing throughout the world out there?

Illustration & Prose
Maggie Pike 💔
@mags_creates

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This is my beautiful talented friend Edi @edyta__art sharing my picture story book ‘Troublesome Bruce Bear’ 🐻📕📚📕 and my cards that I sent to her recently. Edyta is an extremely talented artist. I had such pleasure organising these gifts for my beautiful friend. I am absolutely inspired by her incredible imaginative paintings.
Edi has become a beautiful friend who continues to inspire all of her followers here on Instagram.
PLEASE visit her account to be amazed and inspired by her magical artworks. 🪄🌈🎨🖌️💖💖💖
THANKYOU Edyta for being a wonderful friend. Sending you much love and hugs across the seas. Your Aussie friend Maggie 🙏🏼💖🙋🏼‍♀️🇦🇺

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Several months ago I left Leonard Lion lying on the ground with his legs in the air unsure of his immediate future!🙀🦁
LEONARD LION AWAITS HIS FATE AS THE HUNTERS APPROACH 🦁
Monkey continues, “Having wasted so much time the hunters will soon be approaching so you are no longer well AHEAD.
Leonard, I suggest it’s time for you to be a sensible lion, flop down and play DEAD.”

Violet realises Monkey’s crazy advice is a perfect SUGGESTION.
If their plan is successful, Leonard will live, but only if he acts without QUESTION.

With a sharp peck on Leonard’s snout Violet pleads, “This is no time to be brave. If you put up a fight you WILL be DEAD!
Now do as I say: flop down, keep perfectly still, play dead! Hurry up! Pronto! Right now! Hop to. Do what I SAID!”

“Like this?” asks Leonard, sprawling on his back, eyes shut, legs spread-eagled in the air, motionless, even his PAWS.
“Perfect! Don’t twitch a whisker or wiggle an ear! Not a peep out of you Leonard,” Violet IMPLORES.

Violet instructs her vulture flock to swoop down on their play acting lion, who is trying not to quiver with FRIGHT.
“Swarm all over him! Peck! Peck! Make it look real! The Zoowhatsits MUST believe Leonard’s desperate PLIGHT!”

Instantly the bone picking vultures swoop all over Leonard, squawking and squabbling, pecking away at their make believe FEAST.
As the Zoowhatsits charge over the hill, they are astounded to find Great Simba, sprawled under feasting vultures, already DECEASED.

Meanwhile the other animals have raced off in different directions to their own hiding PLACE.
When hunters approach being nearby is unwise: now they have all vanished without leaving a TRACE!

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A portrait of myself with my son when he was little and I was a young mother. I am delighted it actually looks like us! 🙏🏼🎨 ✍🏼
A poem about my love for my children. ✍🏼📝For all mothers blessed to have children to nurture and guide through this life…

A MOTHER’S LOVE ❤

In my heart my grown daughter and son
will always be my little girl and little boy to me.
They snuggled in close for cuddles and love,
I was their friend, their confidante,
nurturing them, then setting them free.
Warm embraces for me and stories to share,
Eyes wide open with wonder at the world
As they played and explored without a care.

They tested their limits then challenged themselves more,
Climbing the highest trees, determined, courageous,
Nature lovers, carefree, curious, keen to explore.
Yet at night snuggled safe in bed, they would need reassurance, and closure on the day just done,
Retelling of stories of their day’s adventures where they were the hero and always my number one.
Stories where they conquered their fears in a safe world we created,
Quietly singing to them until they fell asleep, I felt an unconditional love that has never abated.

From tiny babies on my knee, through an inquisitive childhood filled with fun,
Through the challenges of adolescence, and now assuming the responsibilities of mature adults, a long journey they have come…
Sharing many joys and challenges together over these ensuing years,
And when there are concerns they continue to welcome my advice to reassure them and help allay their fears.

We do not own our children, so we must set them free to learn,
Make their own choices and mistakes,
Being there to advise, love, forgive and show concern.

A woman and man stand now where my little ones used to be,
My daughter and son, both have become wiser and stronger adults,
And the sight of them all grown up deeply moves me.
I know their love for me is strong and our bond is close,
We love each other to the moon and back, infinity and beyond,
Yet I am no longer the one they love the most.
I know they are confident and self possessed,
Kind and wise adults, loving, gentle yet strong,
As a mother I see this and know I am truly blessed.💖💖

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Happy New Year! We enjoyed our traditional New Year’s Day hike with old and new friends on the farm and a warm and hearty meal of soups and conversation back at home. My favorite way to start the new year!
#hiking #newyear2023 #buncombecounty #soupson

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Time for something different! If you can spare a few minutes stay awhile to hear me share my poem: AFRICAN MOONLIGHT DANCE, while viewing a montage of my artworks that to me represent friendship and being together.
The story of Harry and Horace Hippo is regaled over a series of 5 short linked videos. So just play one after the other to hear me tell their story. A story of working together, in fact as another dynamic duo (just like Chester and Cedric), in a successful attempt to overcome their fears, and approach their lives with confidence.
Some days we can all do with some of that team work and friendship to boost our confidence and self love.
I hope you will stay the distance and listen to the whole poem as it is a masterpiece of careful editing and perfect timing!🙏🏼📹🎤🗯😂
Instagram will NOT let me post it as one long video even using Inshot and other Instagram specific apps, however I am determined to post it despite great adversity. I think ‘Horace and Harry Hippo’s’ determination has worked its magic on me.

I hope you can see the connection between the characters in each illustration in the videos as each one tells its own story. Some of you will already know the story each illustration tells. Can you spot illustrations I am posting for the first time on my account?

I am truly thankful for the genuine friendships I have formed here with wonderful people from around the world.
In a time when international travel is difficult we are fortunate we can communicate across the world through social media.

An ode to you all….

MY WORLDWIDE FRIENDS 🌏♥️
Our lives have been so far apart,
our journeys our very own,
With our personal friends and close family
special significant moments we all share,
Yet across several continents I feel
a connection and know that I do care...
About many artists who are creative,
multi faceted and unique,
Sharing your culture, your art, your music,
your prose, your photography, your thoughts,
Into your lives you let me peek.

SCROLL LEFT THROUGH PHOTOS TO READ THE REST OF ‘MY WORLDWIDE FRIENDS POEM 🌍💖🙋🏼‍♀️🇦🇺 typed on scenic pics.

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Time for me to share some recent art and story writing. Imagine an unlikely scenario between an old lion and a flock of vultures. Sometimes we find friendship where we least expect it and when we need it the most. Sadly I’m the decrepit old lion who is fortunate enough to have a wonderful network of family and friends who I can rely on when times get rough. I hope this unusual tale might make you smile and awaken your ‘inner child’ once again.
SCROLL LEFT TO VIEW LEONARD LION- PART 1🦁
*1 watercolour illustration and *3 graphite sketches followed by the rhyming story typed on African savannah scenes.

The story begins:

On the banks of The Congaloozi Creek, a decrepit old lion called Leonard rests his weary head on his mangy PAWS,
For many years he has been the proud king but now his mane is scruffy, while most of the thunder has disappeared from his ROAR.
Whenever the lions gather for a feast, Leonard doesn't dare join in as the other lions snarl and fight for the tastiest morsels, playing far too ROUGH,
So old Leonard waits until the other lions have had their share and even the scavenging jackals and hyenas have eaten ENOUGH.

Finally Leonard joins a squawking, squabbling flock of vultures for the scraps left in the clutter of BONES,
Leonard dislikes these bad tempered birds so the tired old fellow prefers to munch the leftovers all on his OWN.
If a vulture ventures too close he snarls and scares the bird off with a rumbling growl, "Keep away you mangy noisy BIRD!"
"What a disgrace it is to have come so low that I'm eating scraps with you awful squawking creatures. It's just too ABSURD!"

Leonard ignores these bad mannered lowly birds, turning his back as he munches, pretending the vultures aren't even THERE,
Until one day an old vulture lets out an ear splitting scream, continuing to howl and screech, even giving Leonard a SCARE!
When Leonard turns on her in a snarling fury ready to pounce, he realises the old vulture is screaming for HELP,
As a vicious mean eyed jackal has caught the vulture by a wing and is dragging her away gripped in his sharp teethed MOUTH.

Creatures Leonard dislikes more than vultures are the nasty cackling jackals and hyenas so….

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A cosy winter musical evening scene for my friends overseas in the grips of a bleak snowy January. I gather Europe and the east coast of the United States from Canada down to North Carolina are experiencing extremely cold temperatures and heavy snowfalls. Hope this warms your heart and makes you smile.❄️☃️

Even if you are not familiar with chilly winters, a gathering of friends to chat with, or to sing and dance together, is always good for one’s soul. Here in the Eastern States of Australia, now Covid restrictions have eased, it’s both a delight and relief to be able to share a meal with friends and enjoy gatherings with live entertainment. Such a pleasure after many months of isolation.

The accompanying poem is typed over my original acrylic pour painting canvas artworks using the app MIXOO.

Scroll left to read the rhyming story of this scene, and to view the new cards I have created for my collection.

MUSICAL SOIRÉE
On a long winter's evening when it's too cold to be out wandering alone, and the snow is softly falling all AROUND,
The forest animals gather together for a musical soirée,
Where they sing in harmony, creating a beautiful SOUND.

The badgers leave their dark dens and traipse great distances through the dense forest, blanketed in a thick coating of SNOW,
Being fearless animals, not even the threat of attack by beady eyed weasels will stop them from missing this musical SHOW.

Other less brave creatures, like the hedgehogs and moles, arrive a few days early to ensure they don't miss this grand AFFAIR,
Taking their time, travelling in daylight, when it's safe and they need not concern themselves that nasty creatures will be lurking EVERYWHERE.

Each animal brings his favourite songs to share with their troupe of friends, as well as their particular talents and SKILL,
Delighting in entertaining each other with dancing, singing, reciting poetry: secret performances planned, rehearsed, ready to THRILL!

The moles are first with a dancing routine they have practised and now perform with unexpected FLAIR,
Twirling and twisting, prancing and dancing, with one acrobatic mole even leaping high into the air!

SCROLL DOWN FOR MORE: 📝

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I’m back! And so are Chester and Cedric! Today I want to share this detailed graphite and pastel illustration that is crucial to the ongoing drama between our Dynamic Duo. If you are unfamiliar with the story timeline view the video in my previous post. The other half of today’s story in verse continues in the follow up comments section. Creating this scenario has been so much fun. I hope my work makes you smile.😊
The story so far:
Cedric faints with fright after the train stops just before the broken railing. You may recall he is on his quest to find his friend Chester. Meanwhile Chester has settled in well to his new life on the communal farm, however he regrets he hasn’t made contact with Cedric yet. This absence of his dear friend in his life fills him with a deep sadness.

THE DYNAMIC DUO REUNITE 🐷🌈🐪
After Cedric realises the train hasn’t crashed and the passengers are safe, he wobbles upright with surprise, instantly racing off into the fields surrounding the TRACK.
Harry, the engine driver shouts, “Oh no our camel hero has disappeared into the dark night. I fear he won’t be coming BACK!”

The thought of being captured again by humans fills Cedric with DREAD.
He keeps a steady pace until he sees the barn, with thoughts of capture racing around in his HEAD.

Cedric’s friends Harry and Horace Hound are pleased Cedric has returned safely, quite impressed he saved the TRAIN.
Cedric remarks, “I didn’t wait around in case they locked me up. I’m still on my mission to find Chester AGAIN.”

As the sun rises over the hills and sunlight fills the barn, Cedric and his hound dog friends are keen to be on their WAY.
Cedric suggests, “Let’s follow the train track east to find the nearest town without DELAY.”

Horace replies, “With luck there might be news of Chester living on a nearby FARM.”
Harold adds, “Where we could join him, eat regular meals, sleep in a cosy bed and be safe from HARM.”

The friends set their sights on discovering what adventures await them as they approach the next TOWN.
However the hustle and bustle of this strange place combine to make them feel quite DOWN.

SCROLL DOWN : 🐷🐪🐖📕📚

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Off grid thanksgiving in the sun 2020 style 🙏

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