Photo Shoot Locations

Julia and I went out to look at a possible photo shoot location. It was 20-30 minutes drive from home and we hadn't heard of it before. How can that be? I have lived in this area since I was a child and have never heard of the Onkaparinga Recreation Park. The park boasts many attractions and activities like bushwalking, wetlands walk, nature walks, rock climbing, fishing, cycling, picnicking and canoeing. We went on the Pingle Farm walk which is a walk to the ruins of an old farm built in 1862. There was no one around and the winter air was crisp. It was very invigorating. The ruins have been fenced off but there were big holes in the fence where people have climbed through to paint graffiti on the walls. I'm not sure how I feel about the graffiti. The ruins would be nice to see without it but somehow I was attracted to the contrast between the natural limestone walls and the bright colours and patterns created by the graffiti.

Pingle Farm

The front

out buildings

felt like a mini stone henge

the fireplace in the kitchen where all the cooking was done

The kitchen was usually a separate building due to the hot summers.

It helped keep the house cool.

a beehive in the chimney

out buildings

time to leave as the sun was setting

Glorious Fresh Food

I suppose you think I've been a bit of a snob lately. No new post for ages! Life is just rolling along, one day after another and I feel like nothing really interesting has happened for me to blog about. Does anyone else ever go through that??? Well today being Friday means its shopping day. I usually go to the market but felt I should put in another morning at gym so I shopped locally instead. When I saw all my lovely fresh fruit and vegetables sitting on the kitchen counter waiting to be put away, I just had to take a picture. We are really lucky to have all this glorious fresh food to eat.

I have been reading the memoirs of one of my favourite artists, Jeffrey Smart. He's still considered an Australian artist even though he now lives in Tuscany. He grew up in the area where I live and when he describes the things he did and the places he hung out I can totally relate. I hung out in the same places as a kid only it would've been some 30 to 40 years later. It makes me feel very close to him. He went to school in the school down the road and he even became an art teacher in Goodwood Technical High School (always known as Goody Tech). Its closed now but it was always of interest to me as a teenager as it was a school for boys hehehe. Anyway I think I might be able to get a few more chapters in before dinner time so I'll be off. Its winter so its ok to lay about inside where its nice and warm reading books isn't it?

This and That

Zoe is coming for dinner tonight. Her Mum and Dad are going out to a comedy show so Bob and I are baby sitting. We are very excited because there's no school tomorrow (pupil free day) which means Zoe can sleep over and go to the market with me tomorrow. Zoe still loves to sleep in grandmas bed. I wonder how long before its not cool to do that any more. I'm going to enjoy it while I can.

I went to Ikea today with my Mum and Julia. We had lunch there. I love those Swedish meatballs. I must confess I did buy something. I bought one of those tables specially designed to hold a laptop. Yes I'm getting ready for the new laptop. As soon as I get the money for the artwork I sold I will be off to buy me a brand spanking never been owned by anyone computer. I will be able to talk to the world from the comfort of my warm bed on a cold winter's morning or from the garden in springtime.

The big shed cleanup is finally getting closer. The holdup has been taken care of. I'm going to be ruthless and throw out everything that's not nailed down hehehe. Then I'm setting up my brand new studio. I've outgrown the corner of the bedroom and need somewhere I can make a huge mess. I say shed but its really more than that. Its quite a large workshop that my dad built complete with its own toilet. I think Bob is worried that I will never come inside again. Maybe he's right.

Dismantle

It was the last day of 'Peeking Through Someone Else's Window' yesterday so today its time to dismantle it. I'm not sure on the final sales but last count I know I've made enough to buy a nice shining new laptop and some wireless broadband. I've never had a new computer before. Only ever had old hand-me-downs that were made in the dark ages. Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful for the hand-me-downs but I've outgrown this poor old computer that's struggling with the new technology more than I am hehehe. Mixed feelings about today. I'm really happy about bringing my work home. I've missed it (silly I know) and feel strange that I'm losing some of it because its sold. Here I am making work and hoping to make money from it and yet I'm reluctant to let it go. These works are very personal pieces that have been inspired by particular people and situations in my life. On the other hand I'm rejoicing that people have thought enough about my work to buy it and have it in their daily lives. Artists are strange people aren't they? Can't please some of them hehehe.

I am happy to announce that I have pulled myself out of the doldrums. I faced a giant fear. I sent an email to a commercial gallery I'm interested in, enquiring how to go about exhibiting there and being represented by them. They replied stating I was to email my cv, artist statement and images of my work and if they think my work suits their vision for the gallery they will let me know. My inner censor grew very loud, telling me I was silly to try, that I wasn't good enough and who do I think I am trying to get into a gallery like that etc etc etc. But guess what??? I pressed the 'send' button anyway woohoo! Of course I had trouble breathing afterwards and thoughts of 'what have I done' were swirling around my head but this morning I feel very proud of myself. I faced a fear and stood up to my inner censor and that's a step in the right direction no matter what the outcome.

I went on a photo shoot with Julia yesterday. I was the photographers assistant which means I carry the camera bag and watch out for traffic so no one gets run over. Oh yeah and I also got to drive the car to and from the location hehehe. We headed off to Port Adelaide with two young models, Jai and Adrian. It was a cold stormy winter's day and we were hoping the forecast of torrential rain would hold off till the photo shoot was done. Port Adelaide has some amazing old industrial buildings with raised loading platforms and lovely old stone or red brick walls. Some of the loading platforms had 'no parking' painted underneath and there were bits of broken glass etc strewn around to add to the atmosphere. It was perfect for that young urban street culture look that Julia was aiming for. The models were easy to work with and changed clothes in the freezing conditions without complaint. And yes the rain held off. We were in the car about two minutes when it bucketed down. A good fun day.

Well I'd better stop rambling. I'm off to dismantle!

My Unprofessional Photos of the Photo Shoot Location

To check out Julia's new work click here and here

Home Yet Lost

We had a lovely relaxing weekend. The highlight was going out for breakfast on Sunday to one of the wineries. I had a winemakers breakfast which consisted of a thick piece of toast, bacon, pork and fennel sausage, mushroom, tomato and a poached egg. This was washed down with a hot cappuccino. We then proceeded to a cheese tasting and bought a nice mature cheese and also a buffalo cheese, yum. We looked through the shops and galleries in Penola and then went for a wine tasting before heading back to Naracoorte. Breakfast was so filling we had no lunch and only really nibbled at dinner time. I didn't really take any photos except for a few drive by shootings from the car. Needless to say they are a bit blurry.

typical rural scene

it rained

some cattle

the weather cleared in between showers

this is coming home at night with the lights of a passing truck

The blues have been setting in. Is it because I need sun? Am I hibernating for the winter? Maybe its because I haven't got a direction at the moment. The shed clean up has been held up yet again so all my plans are on hold, groan. I'm a little lost.

Holiday Weekend

With the Queen's birthday holiday (not her actual birthday ???) before us, Bob and I are taking the opportunity to go away for the weekend. We are heading off to Naracoorte to visit Vanita. Back on Monday some time.

Meet the Artists

As you know I had to be at the gallery on Sunday for 'meet the artists'. I felt uncomfortable at first. Do I approach people??? Do I wait for them to approach me??? What do I say??? As I was talking to a group of people, not really knowing how to pull myself away, I saw an old friend out of the corner of my eye. We went to high school together. She learned about the exhibition on facebook and thought she would surprise me. We have known each other for forty plus years and our paths always seem to cross throughout our lives. I haven't seen Glenda for 15 years I reckon and she hasn't changed a bit. Our children used to play together. She came with her daughter Laura who is a mother herself now. We hugged and I got a bit misty.

She Performed Her Duties to Perfection

mixed media on canvas

60.9x50.8cm (24"x20")

Glenda bought my favourite painting and I'm really glad its going to live with her. Its fitting somehow. Its a painting of two of my treasures, my grandmother's frying pan and my great grandmothers colander.