Exploring paint with children and making a start on my new rug.

After giving us all lots of worries while he was "cooking" in the womb, my fourth grandchild arrived safely and has proved to be a cheerful, healthy and adventurous little mite.  Gorgeous.

 

While his parents were busy getting ready to greet him, I had the pleasure of babysitting his sister.  A friend had to work, so her daughter joined us in our painting day.  We used gesso and some watercolour techniques- straws, rollers, salt, spray bottles - and had the most amazing fun.  As they said,  making mess is wonderful. 

 

Later on, they insisted on experimenting  a bit more, so we tried out collage, using cut outs of our drawings, glue and glitter.  More wonderful mess.

The next babysitting day, we were joined by one of my grandsons and tried using acrylic paint, home made stamps (including halved and carved potatoes), stencils and hands:

 

I played too, but using inks for these two pieces:

 

 and mixing all types of media for this one:

I also participated in a grandma play date.  She crocheted:

while I knitted that eternal knee rug I have been slogging at for what feels like centuries.

  I have also been working on my new "penny rug", using wool felt squares and embroidery:

 

As you can see, I have a fair way to go before it becomes a quilt.

PS.  This is a lovely surprise present that I received in the mail the other day:  a porcelain pendant  by artist Nancy Brown.  Love it!

 

 

 

Seeing Melbourne through the eyes of visitors.

 

I was fortunate enough to be invited to join in an exploration of Melbourne by some visitors from the UK recently.  In their plans before arriving in Australia, the highlight of their tour of Cairns, Sydney, Canberra, Victoria and Melbourne was to be Melbourne, and particularly the Art Gallery, because they had heard such amazing things about this glorious city.  Unfortunately, the day we set off was a Tuesday, and we discovered that the Art Gallery shuts on Tuesday.  And, it was the first 45 degree day of a horrendous bout of  horrible Melbourne heat.  Nevertheless, armed with water, we found lots to enjoy in the city and I found lots of art inspiration.  And, they now have a reason to return , at vast expense, to visit me again - and, of course, the Art Gallery!

 

There were, of course the wonderful views of the city and the gardens along the Yarra River to be admired.  It always amazes me that more landscape artists aren't interested in depicting this.

 

 

 My two comapnions also introduced me to the brightly coloured painos which were dotted around the river banks.

They also led me to the Eureka Skydeck, with its golden bees and its incredible 360 degree views over the city:

 

 

Next, they led me across a bridge festooned with padlocks,

to where finally I had the chance to show them that I knew something about our city, by leading them through some of the alleys and arcades that make Melbourne so enchanting.

Reverting to ignorance, I couldn't work out how to get to the Museum by tram from the Burke street Mall.  This is where fellow Melbournians (one of African origins, one of European Origins and one of Asian origins) who were travelling on the tram with us, joined in to guide us to getting off at the best stop.  A wonderful demonstration of Australian hospitality, knidness and generosity.

The Museum was a real eye opener to them and a reminder of how good it is to me, with its user-friendly displays, its openness, freshness and fun.  I found more artistic inspiration there too.

First, there was the incredible Federation Tapestry, designed and made by the Victorian Tapestry workshop.  A mini history, humorous, varied and colourful.  Lovely work:

 

We also enjoyed exploring the Mind exhibition, where I found these carvings done by some of the patients of institutions.

An artist can get so much material in the Melbourne Museum.  There are the usual collections of drawable and paintable insects, skeletons, dead animals and shells, but they were dispalyed with imagination.  I was drawn to the fossils:

and the watercolour/ ink effect of some of the rock formations.

This everchanging installation was beautiful, and accompanied the story of the wedge tailed eagle Creator, Bujil.

 

 

We also enjoyed the Te Vainui O Pasifika display of watercraft, although we would have liked a bit more information on the sails.  This bark cloth gave me some ideas for lino prints and inchies.

Outside, the heat continued, but we still managed to find some more art - sculptures, yarn bombing and graffiti.

I definitely have to do this again - on a cooler day- so that I get to know my city better, and to get more ideas.

New Years arts and crafts.

Happy New Year, everybody!  I am determined to learn new art and craft skills in 2014 and create, make and  do more!  I have a challenge ahead of me since I will be renovating my house and garden, doing the same for my mum's house and garden, and, hopefully, building a garden studio over the year, but it will be fun too as I discover new shops, new classes and new activities.

With this is mind, I reacquainted myself with Bulleen Art and Garden, not only getting some ideas for my garden:

but, getting ideas for how to use art in the garden

checking out the art for sale in the Bolin Bolin Gallery,

and the workshops available .

 I also intend to attend as many art and craft markets in Melbourne as I can find, as they are great places to discover amazing artists.  Before Christmas, I visited my son's card and framed picture stall "Breakfast Time" (which can be found on-line at http://www.etsy.com/shop/breakfasttime or https://www.facebook.com/breakfasttimecards )  at the monthly Lonely Hunter market in the Cape Lounge in Fitzroy. I bought some beautiful porcelain mobiles there, resisted the great jewellery and vowed to return.  He and his girlfriend did well as people discovered and liked his work.

I also caught up with the Rose Street market, which is also in the area,and had a lovely time photographing all the street art in the area.

Over Christmas,  I received some great gifts thanks to very generous friends and families.  My handmade present by a very good friend  was this fantastic knitted pineapple t-cosy, to remind me of life in Queensland!  What fun!

In return, I made her this little doll, inspired by her dog, Rusty. .....though he is much cuter and fluffier than the doll.

I also started on a family group of deer, which I can display next Christmas!

 

Inspired by some of my pins from Pinterest, I have experimented with my interpretations  of traditional  prehistoric rock paintings on my hand rusted paper, using ink, charcoal, pastel and conte. I am mad on horses, so of course I had to draw some of those.

And. visiting a new friend, Henry the cat, I decided to keep up with my knitting, but he was not impressed with my efforts, and decided to improve on my knitting style!

 

 

I'm plotting some new projects right now, so in the next few posts you should see some new pieces taking shape.