Oh What Fun It Is To Dye

The weather has been so nice lately with the sun shining and the fragrance of spring in the air so I thought it would be nice to sit in the garden today, have a glass of wine, some cheese and other nibbles. However the weather took a turn for the worse and so the time in the garden was cut short.

Once inside I thought I would bundle up some cloth and have a go at dyeing. I has some recycled linen from a shirt bought in the op shop for $2.75 which I had unpicked. I wrapped some brown onion skins, sour sobs and dried rose petals in the linen and tied them up tightly. I then steamed the little bundles in an old aluminium pressure cooker also bought cheaply. After the steaming was complete there was coloured liquid in the bottom of the steamer - dye! I folded up another piece of linen and clamped it down with a bulldog clip and plonked it into the dye. I rushed out to take a photo in the failing light even before the cloth has a chance to dry. Haven't even rinsed them yet. Ok I think I'm truly hooked.

The second photo is a print I took of a violet flower and leaf by hitting it with a hammer. This dyeing and printing is just too much fun. It like opening prsents and its not even my birthday.

Happy Father's Day Dad.

Felting Fun

I know I've put way too many pics on here but how can you choose which ones to post when it was such a fabulous weekend? I must learn how to do that slide show thing.

There were 11 of us including the tutor, Val. It was just so great being with a group of women. We worked, we ate, we drank wine, we talked and above all we laughed. Women need to be with women from time to time I reckon. We stayed in Sylvania Park, a bed and breakfast and mohair farm just outside of Horsham, Victoria. The accommodation, food and wine was all included in the cost of the workshop and believe me there was so much food which Val had prepared for us. During the day when we worked Val had asked Pat to come and help with lunch. Pat was such a sweetheart. She would come around and make cups of coffee and tea for us and set up morning and afternoon tea so we didn't have to stop working. She would then come and whisk away any dirty dishes when we were finished. I could get used to that, I could get used to that very quickly.

Sylvania Park homesteads which is also home to the Mulgowrie Mohair Goat stud

500 acres only 15 minutes from the Grampians

Went for a walk and did some exploring when we arrived on the Friday

The Wimmera River is dry due to the drought with only stagnant pools here and there

Sunset and time to end my walk...

but not before finding this eagle's nest

I became a goat whisperer as I walked back through the paddock. I had to keep walking as stopping meant my clothes would get nibbled by the friendly goats.

In the kitchen having some pre dinner drinks

Dinner is nearly ready

My room, I loved it!

My work space in the back corner of the shearing shed

All the wool slivers laid out ready for felting my scarf

Val (in green) showing Glenn how to start felting her beret

Hard at work

I forgot what this technique is called but its felting onto silk chiffon. This was created by Wendy and it will be finished with some fresh water pearls being hand stitched here and there.

We made slippers and left them to dry near the fire. Mine are the blue ones.

Some hats.

We pinned folds into our berets and left them to dry on the on the fireplace

Here's Wendy creating another piece of beautiful silk chiffon with felt and fibre embellishments

Oops already uploaded this pic hehehe

The shearing shed was full of activity.

I had such a wonderful time it really recharged my batteries. I have put my name down for next year. I also bought a lot of wool slivers to take home. The first thing I want to make is a little bag for Zoe in her new favourite colour, pink.

Some Good Finds

Had a few fabulous finds in the op shops. Bought some old saucepans to use for dyeing. Found an old rusty iron one I had lying around and cleaned that up. Also bought an old linen shirt very cheap. It was coming apart in the side seams which gave me the idea to unpick it and use the pieces to dye. I spent the late afternoon sitting quietly, mindlessly unpicking. Those mundane chores are very good for me. They still my mind and I somehow find peace. I thoroughly enjoyed myself. I adore the holes the machine stitching leaves and the different shapes of the pieces with button holes here and frayed edges there. It shows the fabric has had a history and that's somehow comforting to me. Mmm all too delicious without the calories. Will no doubt come home on Monday with some newly made felt which I will endeavour to dye. My excitement is building and building.

I finished the commission piece for Naracoorte Primary School that I will deliver to them on Thursday. Not sure on the title. Usually the title comes to me while I work on it but not this time. "Letters and Numbers", "School Days", "Learning", "ABC and 123", "Days at School" are some titles I have come up with but none seem quite right. Any suggestions???

altered, stained and found papers on canvas

100cmX75cm

Can't Wait for the Weekend

I'm finally over this cold and feeling more like my old self. Back to gym tomorrow, yay! Feeling a little frumpy without my usual exercise. I notice how grumpy I get without it. I think those close to me notice too hehehe.

I'm off to Naracoorte on Thursday morning. Will deliver the commission artwork to Naracoorte Primary School and say hello to the kids I met while I was artist in residence. Then going to pull down my exhibition and pack up all my artwork before going out to dinner Thursday night with Vanita and some of her friends and then Friday I'm heading off to Horsham with some new friends for the felting weekend. I haven't been in that neck of the woods since the 1970's. Horsham is the gateway to the Grampians which is one of the most beautiful places in Australia with waterfalls and fabulous bushland. http://www.thegrampians.com.au/ Well it was in the 70's hehehe.

Had a few low times in the last couple of weeks so this trip should really lift my spirits and once home will get back to cleaning out the shed so I can try out some dyeing and eco prints and felting. Oo exciting times ahead.

sniff

Still sick, sniff. Not really sick enough for bed but not well enough for gym. Just feel blah! Not getting a lot done which makes me grumpy :(

Its Sunday. I did end up getting a bit of a cold but not bad enough to stay in bed. The big shed clean up is moving along so slowly, groan. I do the same as I do for my artwork; small doable actions daily. Then the small actions will add up and before I know it the shed will be done, right? I try not to look at the whole thing. Just little sections. The shed is quite big, factory size so it will take some time.

Been reading Eco Colour by India Flint. Its a fabulous book about dyeing fabrics using natural dyes rather than synthetic. I really like the eco prints where leaves and flowers are used to imprint onto fabrics. The old fingers are itching to get into it and experiment with this world of textiles that this book has opened up for me. It will be my reward for cleaning out the shed. I need the space in which to do it and I'm determined not to use my kitchen. Check out India Flint's website but be warned its addictive. http://www.indiaflint.com/

Pruned my roses yesterday. Yes I know I'm about a month late but its been so cold and gloomy outside that I just couldn't bring myself to do it before now. I didn't intend to do it but I was walking through my much neglected garden yesterday and the sun shone with the promise of spring. I just needed to be out in the garden doing some ordinary mundane thing and before I knew it the roses were pruned and my hands cut from the thorns. Yes I have gardening gloves but didn't stop to put them on.

Today the sun is shining again and its been a pleasure doing the washing and hanging it out on the line. Its still cold but its nice to get some sun.

Watching Olympics

Made quite a big hole in the shed cleanup on Wednesday but now I'm getting a cold grr! Spent Thursday taking it easy. Laying around in bed, watching the Olympics and trying hard not to let this cold take hold. Now its very early Friday morning. Woke up hot with sore throat and thick head. No! I don't want to be sick now. Hard to stay healthy when people around you are coughing and sneezing. Ok, a big drink of water and back to bed, its much too early to be up.
Good news, got my requirement list for the felting workshop. Very exciting. Its only two weeks away.

The Shed

Is it just me or is time moving more quickly than usual. Hasn't been anything on the news about this scientific phenomenon so maybe its just me that thinks so.
There's been a few family issues of late. One involving my sister Ilka and another involving my daughter Julia. Too personal to discuss here but I can feel their weight on my shoulders. I'm very worried and saddened but trying to keep positive thoughts going.
Had a couple of bouts of overeating grr! I've been doing so well and then I made chocolate chip cake for Bob's birthday. My thought patterns are this: if you are going to have a piece of chocolate cake you might as well eat chocolate and biscuits and all those other naughty things you know you should keep away from. Chocolate chip cake is all gone now and I've vowed to get back on the straight and narrow.
After gym today I'm finally going to start clearing out the shed. I need my new studio space as I've truly outgrown the space I'm using now. I know it will take some time to clear the shed properly but it will be worth it. Artwork will probably be on hold for awhile although I know I will have to spend some time on my art otherwise I'll get really grumpy. My need to create is as strong as my need to breathe sometimes.
Wish me luck as I head off into the uncharted realms of the shed. If you don't hear from me soon, send out a search party. Yes the shed is that bad. I might need to leave a trail so I can be found in case I lose my way.
Off to gym first.

Photos of My Week in Naracoorte

THE EXHIBITION OPENING

Interview for the local newspaper




THE COLLAGE WORKSHOP

some beautiful papers were stained

and altered

made some new friends

Hi Grant

lots of sticking, sticking and more sticking

WORK FROM STUDENTS OF NARACOORTE PRIMARY SCHOOL

I was really made to feel special in Naracoorte. The Naracoorte community is made up of such a wonderful, warm and friendly group of people, who accepted me into their midst, it brought a tear to my eye at my exhibition opening.

My week as Artist in Residence at Naracoorte Primary School was an absolute delight. I had so much fun with all the kids, some of whom came to my exhibition opening, that I felt quite heavy hearted to leave them. Hi to Graeme, Annie and Adele. I wish to sent a very big thank you to Dylan Bartels who was such a support to me that I really don't know how I would've managed without him. He gave up his recess and lunch times to help me clean the multitude of brushes, paint trays and water pots and helped me set up for the next class. He worked tirelessly putting out chairs and helping me without even being asked. He's such a special kid and I hope I get to see him again when next I'm in town.

I also enjoyed the collage workshop I gave and made some new friends. I love sharing information I've gathered in my artistic exploits and in sharing I also get so much back. The group who attended the workshop have inspired me with a whole lot of new ideas which are formulating in my head. My art will have to take a back seat for a little while as I've outgrown my studio space. I'm about to give the shed a good clean out and plan to be ruthless and throw out as much as Bob will let me. We used it as a pottery studio and now its storage and a general dumping ground. Well that's all about to change so I can set up a nice studio space where I can leave work in progress set up and not have to pack up every night. Oo I'm so excited, plan to start the clean up next week.

Anyway that's me all caught up after my exciting week away. Will be going away again around the 28th Aug. My exhibition needs to come down and then I will be joining a couple of new friends in a felting workshop weekend which is being held in Horsham. Have wanted to get serious about felting for some time now but never got around to it. What's that saying of Buddha, "When the student is ready, the teacher will appear". That's how I feel about this felting workshop. The exhibition, residency and workshop I was working towards was over and I was ready to explore new grounds and a new media when I heard about this felting workshop. Spooky isn't it? hehehe.

One more thing, a big happy birthday to my Bob who is 57 today. He's still my knight in shining armour and my best friend :)

Back Home From Naracoorte

I had the best time in Naracoorte. The community is so full of warm and friendly people who excepted me and made me feel so welcome. I'm having trouble fitting back into my normal routine. Still warm with the glow.Will post some pics soon. Still haven't unpacked all my art supplies, groan.

Now Its Saturday

Its Saturday! The day before I leave. My to do list is getting shorter. I'm off to gym this morning to have a swim, do my aqua aerobics class and then have a nice relaxing spa. Once back home its packing time. Have to pack all my art supplies, my artwork for the exhibition, collage supplies for the kids and my personal stuff like clothes etc. I only have a little car so I will have to be a super packer. Hope I can get it all in. Want all that done today as I want to be on the road at 8am tomorrow morning. Oh yeah want to do some last minute washing as well. Better get a move on.

Its Thursday

Its Thursday already and I'm heading off to Naracoorte on Sunday morning. I just need to finish off a couple of altered papers and then start packing my art supplies and collage materials etc. I also like to do some cooking for Bob and freeze it otherwise he will eat junk while I'm gone and we can't have that. I'm still a little nervous about the whole thing but my very wise friend, Laura advised me to "just tell them what you know". How simple is that? I know once I'm there I will have a great time. I mean who wouldn't have fun? A whole week with 380 children ranging from 5 to 12 years old (number has risen from 350) with glue paints and collage materials. I should arrive in Naracoorte about lunch time on Sunday and in the afternoon I will be shown the school and will be able to set up so all will be ready to start on Monday morning. Note to self: pack warm clothes, coat, gloves, scarf, Naracoorte is very cold in winter.
Looking forward to visit Gare's Swamp again. Its at the end of Vanita's street and its an ancient aboriginal meeting place. I feel really connected to this spot and can see why the aboriginal people used to meet there. It has a very spiritual feeling to it. It feels like you are connecting with the earth more deeply when you visit there. In summer the swamp dries up and there's just a meagre little pond left but its winter now and there will be loads of water and lots of bird life. The air will be crisp and it will be soooooooo peaceful, mmm.

The New Eating Plan Report

Its been two weeks since I started my new eating plan. Eating small amounts six times a day rather than three large meals. I have to say with a big smile on my face that this really works and its easy to maintain. Ok I had what I like to call two little "accidents" of overeating in the fortnight. Went out to dinner with a friend, overate, then had dessert. Thought I would celebrate my overeating with lollies and chocolates the next night. Tried not to be too hard on myself and got back on track. Weight is shifting fairly easily and I'm never hungry. Eating more protein, making sure I have three serves of dairy and watching my carb intake is fairly simple. Even with my two little accidents I still managed to lose 1.7kg (3.7lbs) yay! The big test will be if I can manage to keep it up while I'm away, fingers crossed.

tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock

Hear that clock ticking? AAAAAHHHHGGG! Just starting to freak out a little. Will I remember to take everything? What if I forget the staple gun? Still not 100% clear on the project I will do with the 350 kids. Still need to alter some more paper before I leave. Shall I leave on the Saturday or the Sunday? Inner critic working overtime.

Ok a nice deep cleansing breath. Today I have a date with Zoe. Its school holidays and she would like to visit the museum and maybe also the botanical gardens to feed the ducks. If there's enough time I will also take her to the children's library. She is such a little healer I'm sure a day with her will do me the world of good.

Countdown - 2 Weeks to go.

Only two weeks before I leave for Naracoorte. I felt so organised but as the time is getting closer I feel the panic set in. It feels like there is so much still to do but is there really??? Not a great lover of lists but I think I will make one just to make sure I don't run out of time. Hope all my artwork will fit in my car.

The computer is playing up. Turned it on this morning and it crashed and froze and then I couldn't even get it to load. Took about half an hour of turning it off and on, off and on before it decided to finally start. Its too old to bother getting it fixed and there's not enough money in the kitty for a new one.

Off for a walk and then its time for some washing (perfect drying weather) and hopefully some art will get done as well.

Only two weeks before I leave for Naracoorte. I felt so organised but as the time is getting closer i feel panic

The Right Text

I've been a bit slack in the art department. Been concentrating on fitness and diet. Back on track now. Finished the background of a new piece yesterday. I used my favourite technique of gluing on book pages, newspaper, phone book pages etc. onto canvas and ripping them back. Then a thin layer of acrylic paint and its ready to paint/draw on. I just need to find the right text. It sets the stage and starts the mind thinking about the story. Off to gym and a nice long soak in the spa. Hopefully the text will come to me.

This and That

Delivered two collages for the Blackwood Rotary Art Prize and Exhibition yesterday. Julia has entered as well but in the photography section. I used to exhibit in this event quite a few years ago but that was before I started doing 2D work. I saw the entry form lying on the counter of my local art shop so I thought why not enter again. Its good to get your name out there.

Picking Julia up from the airport tonight. She's been in Melbourne spending some time with a good friend of hers. A lot of shopping was done I gather and some much needed girly time.

After gym I'm spending time with my good friend Vanita. Being a teacher and living in Naracoorte I only get to see her in school holidays. Haven't seen her since February and I'm looking forward to connecting with her today. We always say we are going to do something different and end up having lunch and shopping every time hehehe. Lucky I love to shop.

P.s. New eating plan is working a treat. Never hungry and full of energy.

Nibbles All Day

Just a quick post to let you know that having little amounts of food more often feels great. No hunger, no cravings which makes me a happy happy girl. And as Bob says "A happy Uta makes for an easier life". How rude hehehe

Metabolism

Had a hissy fit yesterday about my weight. Well not so much my weight as my inability to lose weight lately. I decided to check my kilojoules/calorie intake as I thought I really wasn't eating very much but I could've been wrong. That was all ok. I know I exercise hard as well so I was really getting upset. Its harder to keep the flab at bay as you get older but I felt like I really work hard at my diet and exercise and I should see better results. Its all very depressing.



I don't like fad diets. I want to adopt an eating plan that I can stick to for the rest of my life. Very rarely do I eat junk food. I eat wholegrains, lean meat and fresh fruit a vegetables. Not much processed food so what am I doing wrong?????



People kept going on about metabolism and metabolic rate so I thought I would look on the net and see if there is anything to speed up my metabolic rate. Here's a couple of inspiring sites www.redbookmag.com/your/speed-metabolism-yl www.matraining.com.au/Content_Common/pg-matabolic.seo

It seems from reading this research I'm not eating enough. When you don't eat enough your body thinks there's a famine and slows down its metabolic rate in order to conserve energy and last longer. The body also holds onto its fat stores. I should be eating 5-6 small meals a day instead of 3 larger ones.

Anyway I thought I would give it a try. Anything that tells me to eat more is worth a try hehehe.
This is the sort of diet I will try along with my aerobic exercise and weight training.
Breakfast - wholegrain cereal and low fat milk
Mid morning snack - yogurt and fruit
Lunch - a little lean chicken or fish with green leafy salad
Mid afternoon snack - nuts and a piece of cheese
Dinner - Lean meat and steamed vegetables
After dinner snack - fruit
This is sort of how I eat now except I don't eat as much protein and I only have one snack in the afternoon and that's fruit.

Wish me luck. Thought I would try this out for 2 weeks and see how I go.

Hibernation

Been a bit slack on my posts but the weather is gloomy, cold and raining and I think I hibernate just a little. Can't complain about the rain, we need it so badly. Been in drought awhile now and haven't had our usual amount of rain through autumn and now winter either. Still the weather makes me want to stay in bed with a good book and eat chocolate. Bad girl! No chocolate, bad! Oh well I can dream can't I?

A Little Panic Starting

I just had a little panic this morning about my up and coming exhibition. Everything is going smoothly so where that came from I don't know. A big deep cleansing breath ... in ... out.

I'm not working on an artwork at the moment and it feels strange. I'm usually thinking of the next piece while completing the one I'm working on but The Best China was so big and consumed me so completely that didn't happen this time. Doing my reading for The Artist's Way Journey told me to just start and see where I go from there. How simple is that? Just start! So today I'll give my studio space a little clean up (something I like to do after I complete a new piece) and just start. There are a few little airy fairy ideas floating around so if I simply start, something will happen I'm sure.

Off to gym first to work on my health and then I'll be ready to slay dragons.

Time Travel

Had a lovely time with my friend Kris yesterday. Kris has had a bit of a rough time lately so I thought I would pamper her a little. I took her to Tangerine Treasures and Tea Rooms on Rose Street in Glenelg.

The music and decor act as a time machine so we went into the back corner away from the world and let the tearooms transport us back in time probably to the 30's or 40's. The tearoom is an L shape so if you walk to the back and turn left, there are no windows to remind you what century you are in.

Before we went in I told Kris the rules. "As we are stepping back in time we leave our troubles at the door. We only talk about nice things inside." I said.

We arrived mid morning so we decided to have some breakfast. Waffles with cream and maple syrup for Kris and raisin toast for me. Of course we shared so we could have some of each. I had a pot of Taylor's Earl Grey tea and Kris tried green tea with jasmine and we were set for a lovely morning of women's talk.

We were having such a good time we didn't want to leave so after a quick pit stop (too much tea) we decided to stay for lunch as well hehehe. So more tea and some sandwiches and more women's talk.

When it was time to leave and we finally walked through the door and back into reality we were very relaxed and contented. It was just one of those glorious days that becomes a treasured memory.

I love that quaint little tea shop. None of the tables match but each has its own old world charm and each has a doyley or an embroidered table cloth. The china is old English with floral patterns and not a matching set in sight. From Wednesday to Sunday, if you book in advance, you can have high tea (oo la la), sampling different teas with an array of delicious finger food. That will be our next adventure.

Paper Work

Yesterday was a day of catching up on some paper work. The way I figure it, if there's paper work you must be going forward. I wrote the proposal for an exhibition I'm planning to have with Julia and Zoe. Three generations of women. Worked on updating my CV and making it relevant to the proposal.

I also finalised the details for the artist in residence position coming up in the end of July at Naracoorte Primary School. I'm really looking forward to this one. I will be showing 350 primary school children (ages from 5 to 12 years) how to do collage. They each will get the chance to create a collage on a stretched canvas and the school will be having an exhibition in the art gallery. What fun, getting paid to play for a whole week.

I have a weekend workshop coming up in the beginning of August and I'm nearly organised for that as well. Just need a few more supplies.

My SALA exhibition plans are all coming along too. Just need to finish off the invitation. That's today's job.

The money I will be earning is going towards reclaiming our huge shed. We had it set up as a pottery studio and when we stopped doing that it just became a dumping ground and storage facility. Well I'm getting in some very big garbage skips and am going to be ruthless and throw everything out and turn it back into a studio. I had dreams of buying a new computer with that money but decided it would come to better use cleaning out the shed. I think its the next step in becoming more serious and professional with my artwork. I need a bigger studio space. A place where I can invite people to come and play with me. Some comfy chairs in front of the fire place (yes the shed has a fire place) to have a cup of coffee surrounded by art stuff, now that's what I call bliss.

Big White Scary Canvas is Finished

The big white scary canvas is completed. Its called "The Best China" and its 91x122cm (36"x48"). I have to say I have enjoyed the process of this piece so much that I'm a bit sad at it being over. I'm a bit lost now :( and not sure what to do next. Yesterday I tried working on the board books I want to alter but just couldn't get into it. Usually, as I'm working on a piece, I'm already formulating the next one in my mind but "The Best China" just mesmerized me and totally consumed me. It was great fun.

Market Day Has Come Around Again

View of Adelaide from the market car park. Won't find this view on any post card but I love it.

One of the flower stalls.

Fresh fruit and vegetables mmm yum.

Adelaide Central Market is alive with sights, sounds and smells to delight all the senses.

Bliss

Well I did get to spend the whole day doing my artwork yesterday YAY! The big white scary canvas is nearly done and I'm really happy with it. Will post a pic as soon as its finished. I love using text in my work and I'm having trouble fitting all the words in that I want to use. I will keep trying to resolve it because the words add another element and tell the story. Off to gym and then more art!

Whole Day in the Studio

It just so happens that I have a whole day to spend in the studio today so I'm not going to ramble on. Don't want to waste a second. Off I go weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Little Bit of This, Little Bit of That

Had a really good day yesterday. Been a bit mopey lately but now my high spirits are back. I did little bits of everything yesterday. The washing (its still on the line, too lazy to take it off yesterday), some more to the big white canvas, some photography, I watched my usual art programs on tv, my favourite being Sunday Arts and I spent time with Zoe.

The digital photography meet I've been attending, sets a mini project to do in the month till the next meet. This time its using macro and making sure your camera is on manual and you do the settings yourself. So I spent a few hours yesterday exploring the ideas I have for that but haven't got anything I'm happy with yet. Thank goodness for digital cameras where you can see the shot straight away and not wait (and pay for) developing.

Today is Mark's birthday (son in law) and we are going out to lunch but first I must head off to gym to keep my body healthy and my mood happy.

Fast Forward

Big white scary canvas is coming along nicely. All the background is done. Just need to add some text (love my text) and then onto drawing or painting my wooden chairs with a nice little teacup placed just so on the corner of one of the chairs.

Also have many ideas to alter the board books. Can't wait to get to them. There are so many ideas floating in my head at the moment and so many things I want to try I need two lifetimes or maybe more to get through it all.

Julia bought me a book on felting. Another project I want to get back to. I really need a fast forward button hehehe.

Anyway enough rambling, time for breakfast and a quick trip to the gym for my exercise. Once back home its back to the big white scary canvas and some washing. Thank goodness for automatic washing machines. They leave more time for art!

Photography

Went to a digital photography meet last night. They are held once a month and this is the second I've been to. We are learning and discussing how to use your camera on the manual setting. I've learnt about aperture and shutter speed and what settings they should be on for different situations. It gives you greater control over what the shot looks like rather than letting the camera do all the work on the auto setting. I have also learnt how inadequate my camera is. Oh well it will do me for now and what I use it for. No doubt in the future I will want to upgrade but I will cross that bridge when I come to it. Number one on my list of must haves is a new computer. One that's not a hand me down and doesn't crash five times in a row (and that's just when I turn it on).

Been good on the food and exercise front over the last couple of days and I'm feeling better for it. I do get tired of constantly battling with it. I swear I just have to walk passed a cake shop and I put on weight. I think I've got the slowest metabolism in the world. Listen to me complain, moan, moan, moan. With all that complaining you wouldn't think I'm in a really happy mood and raring to start the day.

Sex And The City

Went to the movies with Julia (daughter) yesterday and saw the long awaited (for some) Sex And The City. I never watched the series on tv. Was probably on too late or something but I really wanted to see the movie. Julia is a big Sex And The City fan and it was really special to see it with her. The movie was fantastic. It made me laugh and cry and was over far too soon. It was so enjoyable I consider it the best movie I've seen in a long time. Would love to see it again and will definitely buy it when its out on dvd.

Bad Girl

I have been doing so well with my eating and exercise habits that I thought I would treat myself to a few forbidden delicacies when I went to the market on Friday. That was the first mistake. I spent the whole weekend eating forbidden delicacies. I felt like I had a cold coming on so I thought I would take some time off and not go to gym. That was the second mistake. Can you see the destructive path I'm on? I have to stop this now before it spirals out of control. Off to gym this morning and then back to work on my big white canvas (not white anymore really). No thoughts will enter my head about my favourite soft and oozy cheese that I didn't manage to completely devour on the weekend. No its back to healthy eating and exercise. To be honest, eating the wrong food for 3 days has made me feel sluggish so back on the straight and narrow for me.....I hope.

Scared of the Big White Canvas? Not I.

I've started work on a large canvas 91x122cm (36"x48"). The large whiteness scared me at first. That's normal. I just grabbed the canvas and start sticking old book pages on and felt much better. My mind is working faster than my hands on this one. Probably due to the size. Its a bit frustrating when you want to get to the next stage, the next layer, or try the next idea and you still have such a big area to fill before you can go on.

This collage will be based on the old wooden chairs I bought second hand recently. The canvas is big enough to make the chairs nearly life size. Its going to be all about the background with the chairs to add interest to the foreground. These ideas could change as I go through the creating process but that's the joy of it, letting a piece evolve and not forcing it to go where it doesn't want to.

Its funny because these are the things that are frowned upon when you study art formally. Its meant to be planned out completely, doing little tests and mock ups until you get it right. No intuition or going with the flow is ever encouraged. Maybe that's what you have to go through to learn the principles of composition, design, colour and once learned you can go on what feels right and follow what you heart tells you.

In the Name of Progress

An eye sore to some but I just adore this old building. Its going to be demolished for what I consider ugly apartment blocks. The port has this old world charm. Hope that's not lost when all the modern buildings take over.

An old sailing boat on the Port River

How cute is this door? Its on a church close to my home. I've driven passed it for so long and kept thinking I must get a photo and I finally did. It would my a good painting.