New Guinea

My friend ZZs Birthday today and I made her this card.  It come from a joke when I was starting to loose my hearing and I thought she said she used to live in New Guinea. I was talking about New Guinea for alot months with her and she never asked what the fascination was.  She puts up with a lot really, like when I showed her a shortcut to her home, which actually was 800m longer that her usual route. It all came to a head when I was helping her with her application to work in an Indigenous Organisation and I said well, I don't have to tell you whats it like cos you already lived in New Guinea.  She said - No, Ive never lived or visited there and so the joke began....along with her ribbing me about shortcuts.

Darker Mornings

Season is changing and there is not as much light around now especially in the morning. Ive been waiting for the right time to post this lovely winter scene sent to me from my friend in Hobart.  This was taken in 2005. Looks like a golden morning to me. I am hoping for a lot of snow this winter.  Thank you Heidi.

Creative Monday

Creating a birthday present on the public holiday was a real buzz. I'm pretty slack with presents but decided this girl needed gifts because she has given me so many.  I'm hoping she will take up the option of creating arrangements too. Its nice to have something on your workstation instead of a pile of chewed fingernails.  Saw that one coming didn't you......

Canberra Day

We get a day off because living in the nations capital is just so stressful trying to keep up with all the cultural activities including the Balloon Festival that I visited at the crack of dawn.

Honorable Ikebana

This arrangement has been created with Jodi Mary Kylie Scattini in mind because its been one year of sleeping in 100% linen sheets.  I'm still perving on all the the creases and soft undulating shapes the sheets make and wish everyone could experience such pleasure. Three tiny scraps sit on the left hand side of the dish to symbolize the Holy Trinity.

Two Of The Very Best

These two - no matter how badly I behave - stick by me. The knight and Lady of the highest orders. A true blessing in this post authentic world.

Enlighten

This festival gets better every year. They even had moving images going across the buildings.  As part of this festival they had a starlight dinner which I treated my best friend MissEbberle to.  The dinner was to be on top of old parliament house under the stars with the ability to see all the images being projected on to the building and the lazer lights shooting up to the sky.  Because it was overcast and raining intermittedly we couldnt eat up there, but we were allowed to view the action for 1/2 hour from the roof while being serenaded by a gorgeous young woman singing opera.  

The dinner was out of this world.  I have never thought to put a gourmet dinner on my bucket list and was not really interested in the whole idea of 4 courses accompanied by aperitifs, wine and beer sort of thing so how amazing was it when it was the most unexpected pleasure I'm glad I didnt miss?  I had no idea that my tongue was capable of such oral splendor. At no other time have I been consumed physically and emotionally with such strength of taste while indulging in the act of eating.

So thankful for this experience that I could have missed in my lifetime had it not been for my friendship with Miss Ebberle who is a top cheff as well.

Work Conversation

Conversation I heard today..

We don't talk about things on water and it looks like we not talking about things on land either. Doesn't leave much now the space shuttle programs gone arse up.

Well, I'm still trying to reconcile the fact that Tone exists and hes our captain.

Dad - On The Job

Here is picture of my dad teaching an apprentice to fix an engine in 1974. His hair look dark still and he was 36 years only. I love watching him work on things.  His lovely shaped hands have a wisdom of their own. Big square manly hands. They are still really strong and can still do the smallest intricate moves. Especially when hes cracking a can to ease his thirst.

Funky Words

Creep! I used to call the neice and nephews at the time when they were too little to understand what I was saying, Creeps.  It was a term of endearment. Id say to my sister when they were walking towards her beep beep - here comes the creeps and we would both burst out laughing.  Well, in this photo the word creep is obvious. As I get older my hair is slowly creeping backwards.  If it keeps going, people will think Im Art Garfunkels sister.  The younger one of course.

My sister has been under the pump recently as she has had her moon boot removed and trying to rehabilitate to walk on both feet again.  Due to this her brain is so overloaded with messages from her foot and shes coming up with some purler words like these;
Pummick Stumped. - stomach pumped.
Doliade - She was talking about a doll that she sent to the dolls hospital in Adelaide recently.
Jocky and Loady - Jody and Lockie.

Brings a smile to my laughin gear.

Best Boy

Today I recieved the news that Paul Croft, who I have been praying for in my prayer list for many years, had gone to Godde sometime in the last 3 days.  Im bruised Im teary.  Want to write this pain out.

So I met Paul when he first came to Katherine with Mark (my brother in law) Bungie, I call him bungie coz thats what he would be to me in Aboriginal society.  Pauls Marks little brother.  We used to hang out together in the 80s as Mark and Simmone were an item.  Things progressed with the couple and Paul went back to NSW to work and Simmone and Mark eventually went back to NSW and then back to Katherine to marry and raise a family.

On Simmones and Marks wedding day Paul was the best boy and I was the best girl.  There was no hint at that point that he would become addicted to alcohol.  He was an amazing self taught Taxidermist and an delicate sculptor and basically could turn his hand to anything with intelligence kindness and talent.

You know, the older I get the more I see the smart talented and sensitive souls of this earth wither and die before their time, just because the gifts and things they have to offer our world are not valued especially in a monetary way.  So he struggled on producing his wares and farming the land and being alone in nature.  He loved the bush. I remember being so touched when I saw that even through the ugliness of addiction he managed to grow some food, care for sick animals, and always kept himself and the house clean and tidy. That would have been so hard. So many emotions come at this point... angry is winning.

We would talk about his struggle with the piss at Simmones place in Taree, he knew Simmone and I understood the battle and could face him in it. After once such talk, when the rest of the family just sat and looked at the floor, I said - come on bro, lets go to the office and I will show this little bird on the computer that sounds just like a chainsaw he was imitating when the Zoo was having renovations done.  He was tickled pink. Im so glad I did that for him.  There would have been not much of pink in his life in those years leading up to today. His big brothers love for him was and will continue to be precious. Godde Bless them!

Purple Patch

This amazing quilt turned up in the mail on Monday. Totally unexpected and very thankful my cousin Trish created and designed this with me in mind.  I now have a handmade quilt in the house to use. Ive given so much of my handmade things away I am now going to create things for myself to use.  Love surprises.

Cut Loose

I did the picture of my friends lounge room in Katherine a few years ago. I didn't send it to her because I drew it the wrong way. The red chair should have been on the right hand side. I felt it wasn't good enough. Anyway today I found it in my storeroom and loved the textures in it so much I decided to send it to her today and she can decide what to do with it. Nice to cut loose from perfection.

Offering To My Muse

Even started eating once a week with chop sticks. Starting a new course next Saturday "Traditional Chinese Painting" which will give me skills with ink.

Keiv

Mazin how a Keiv can lure a lady boomer into a pub all alone.

While there some one messaged me and asked if there was free WiFi - just an eye candy walked in....  Naughty lady!!!!!!!

Blessed Heart

Some blessed heart has had a shit load of prayers coming their way today. Arnt people fabulous who plant trees where little eggcarton residents can go pick their love (Almonds) in action.  So tender that pink which appears when the air hits the wet flesh. Godde is good! AMEN!!!

Storyboarding

Had a rather productive day yesterday with getting ideas on to a storyboard. Working out a name, where the floor plans might go and streetscapes. At least I know that I want streetscape in the work for sure now.  This little house was my grandparents and I found while drawing it I was smiling a lot. Feeling a sense of peace all around.

Still need to work out if im drawing them as designed, actually built, when they were first constructed or like they are today.

Discovery

Pushing boundaries not sure I can do perspective and feeling relieved that if all fails I will be able to use Sketchup to do my streetscapes. Im also feeling Id like this discovery phase to go on for a very long time but know that is one of the weaknesses and really need to output with progress if the project is going to come to completion. Feeling rather excited started granny square making most afternoons now which is relaxing.

New Little Person

This is a photo of my great bubster. Another generation coming into our family. Into a loving relationship between the mother (Jessy) and father (Adrian). I'm so emotional and filled with hope.  Ive already started a special crochet blanket for our little one. It will be the first one made with the same yarn as Simmones 50th birthday present and I will continue on to make 2 more exactly the same. So all the nephews and niece will have one exactly the same for the first babies that links to the grandmother cotton blanket. Got to have meaning. See you person in August darling!!!

194 Lucy Street

Oh Godde! Doubts galore today. Nuthing is the same when my eyes are open.

Frangipannis

Frangipannis are my favorite flower, especially white ones. Always spend time at the cemetery with mum and the ancestors when I visit Katherine and it was relaxing and enjoyable to collect the flowers and do the design. Part of my grieving process included planting the lawn she now rests under and lifting huge bolders into the boot of my car and creating a border for my garden.  Funny though that years later I wanted to change the design of the garden and had to get a bloke from over the road to help me lift them into the new area. lol!

Dillybag

A few years ago I did a course on line where I had to draw the same thing for a month. Well I got to 10 day and couldn't go on. I found this image from back then and was surprised at the shape and texture I had achieved.  Love these earthy colours and organic shapes. Helps to start on black paper to get out of your comfort zone.

Emily at 20

Its lovely and painful at the same time to see my mum in all her beauty and health before she gave me life. She looks so carefree and strong.  I think this was when she was hitchhiking to the Northern Territory in 1952 with her two girlfriends. Rather a brave thing to do even back in those days. Love you mum, miss you mum.

Wrapped In Crochet

Nuthing like seeing the ones you love wrapped in crotchet you created to keep them warm and safe.

Staying On Track

No matter how ugly things get I'm not giving up. Coloured pencil (the one directly above) is winning so far..   Sparks an emotional response so at least I know I can do that now.  Orange one is so fuggly.This project is consuming me. I see the wisdom in drawing the same thing over and over again. Its quite noticeable how the pencil control develops.

Today I saw a bunch of Autumn leaves out my window and looking forward to the lovely weather and perhaps that baloon ride that was supposed to happen 3 years ago.

Any one up for a hottie?

Birthday Card

Portrait of my adorable sister for her 50th Birthday card.  Was rather pleased with the outcome of this one. Made so many mistake which then turned into something better. That's what I love about art. You have to trust.

Design Phase

Today is pretty exciting as I have entered the drawing phase of my project. This drawing is larger than I normally do taking me out of my comfort zone. By the end of the week its my goal to be able to select the best medium for my art book. This was created with pastels and coloured pencils. Pastels make me angry so I can only use them for a short time. The effect they give is superb which over rides the emotion. Also trying some photo manipulation in Picasa which identifies where I need dark and light. Hard to be objective when colour is involved. Be prepared faithfull reader for many achietectural illistrations over the next few months.

On the lighter side of life; heard these words yesterday which had me all inspired to find a way to use them.
Stereo Heart - Nice name for a painting.
Thunder Nuts - Nice name for a speed boat.
Wart on Wart - Nice name for a heavy metal band.

What have you heard lately?

HJ

Love the can do attitude of those creative people in Katherine. I was saving all the posts up to attach photos of my visit and it just became too hard with out access to WI- FI and proper camera software.

On the whole the visit was a major success. Good to see the family, enjoyed frolicking in the driving cold rain on Christmas Day and New Years Eve. Rather special that was. Spending time interviewing my dad and helping with the Christmas Preparations and Sisters 50th where I presented her with her crochet cotton blanket.

Also completed all the research needed for my Tropical Precinct Project and now just have to sort out a storyboard and do the drawings. Archives mob were very accommodating and I met a man who is trying to document all the buildings types of the Northern Territory since 1950. He was kind enough to share some of his plans with me which might be useful for the next project.

Missed seeing the most dedicated blog reader Leigh Breath who is based in Darwin but will catch you next time Sista.