Remember Me?

Yes, it has been a while...again. Not that I think that anyone is anxiously waiting for my next blog, but you never know. Anyway, things are very slow on the creative front just now, due to a whole lot of work going on. I have given notice that I won't be keeping on with the curriculum leader thing next year, which will hopefully free up some time and mental space to focus again on my work. In the meantime, I am trying to prepare for a planned exhibition in November. It will be entitled 'Rock Pools' and below are some of the pools I have put together so far.

 

 

The exhibition will be an installation involving a minimum of at least 50 separate 'pools' and some associated creatures, mainly birds. So far I have 14 pools and three birds. Going to need to get cracking!

 

 

Where's your mind art?

Sorry for those of you who look in regularly, it's been a month. I did start the year with the ambition to post at least once a week, which I thought was doable considering that good bloggers post once a day. But didn't happen. Largely thanks to the fact that my life is dedicated (against my will) to being a secondary school teacher. Anyway, that is in hiatus at least for the next two weeks.

By the way...if anyone wants to argue to toss about how many holidays teachers get, just be aware that they are necessary to prevent multiple homicides, suicides or other unhealty addictions. My term ended with two hefty adolescent boys going at each other during art class. Took 3 mins and 3 teachers to get them apart...you could smell the Testosterone...everyone involved a wee bit freaked out.

Yes, all in a days work for a lowly teacher. Anyway, been doing a bit of automatic drawing again, cause I need to do something creative and I can't quite find the time to get into proper projects. Some results below. Not sure what they say about where my head is at...

Then there was this, which kind of started out as a blotches and blobs and went from there. Not quite automatic drawing, more like semi-automatic, I guess.

Bunya Art

Been back three weeks now and feels like three months. The last few weeks have been stupidly busy and pretty crap, really. So it is nice to revisit the photos from the Bunyas and here are a couple more. They take me to another 'happy' place, wish I could be there in reality.

How cute is this little emerald dotted frog?

And, half his luck, this is the kind of little mini-Eden he calls home:

Speaking of which, the following is the digital piece I will be putting in the Moreton Bay Awards this year (opening this month). It is titled 'Self-portrait as Ophelia'. It features a number of Bunya creatures as well as me and the kitty. Even though it is a bit dark (given that Ophelia killed herself), I think it is a lovely peaceful resting place.

Finally, the following is a watercolour 'doodle' that 'happened' while I was relaxing up there and communing with nature. Heavy sigh.

Back from the Bunyas (again)

Just returned from what has become a yearly trek to the Bunya Mountains. Well, actually it was a week ago, and in the ensuing week back at the grindstone, the trip has faded into a distant memory. I could swear it was at least a month ago. The break was heavenly as usual. I have put in some pics below and more will follow when I get my act together and get them off my hard disk. Can't say I am thrilled to be back. Still, it was a boost to the ailing batteries and I got to hang out with some of my favourite people - of the avian variety.

There's this gorgeous young man (Satin Bower Bird) - I also got some good pictures of his harem members:

The little fellas are hard to catch with a camera - they're little teases, actually, showing up and posing then flitting off just when you get your focus right. Anyway, managed to catch this Eastern Spinebill after his bath.

Meanwhile, blogger has a 'new look' - some more change for the sake of it. I'm all for progress, but can't they leave stuff alone for 5 minutes? If it ain't broke...

WetlandCare Gallery

WetlandCare have now uploaded the gallery of this year's winning entries (including yours truly) to their website. It is definitely worth a look, some great kids' art and fabulous photography.

Click here to go to the WetlandCare gallery website.

New York

Right in amongst a particularly hideous school day (note I said particularly - all the days now seem to be varying degrees of said hideousness), I received an invite to do a solo exhibition in NY, NY. So in the second half of next year, I will be doing just that. This time I hope to go with.

More news as it comes to hand.

International Womens Day

I have just watched an excellent video on YouTube called The Burning Times. It is a well-measured Canadian documentary which discusses the place of women in the Christian Age. I strongly recommend viewing to all, especially to those of us who align ourselves with the Christian faith. It is in six parts, with part one below: