Unhappy Bananas.

 Maybe they knew they were going to have to stay home on Christmas Day! 

Another interesting set of numbers.

 Today is 21/12/21 ... 211221 (in case you hadn't noticed).

Probably my last blog for 2021 - unless something wonderfully interesting occurs. (I was going to say last post but that sounded a bit ominous.)

I went to the NGV today and had a look at the Rosalie Gascoigne and Lorraine Connelly-Northey  exhibition. It was amazing - some very large pieces all made of detritus left on the land. You'll have to look it up to get a better explanation than that! Some of the pieces were huge, others were smaller but still large. 

I had found my membership card and managed to put it in the rather limited collection I now carry around with me - no need for cash, lots of cards are useless these days and I haven't been going anywhere much. But I didn't need it, the exhibition is free, as are most of the NGV exhibitions. It is a truly wonderful place. 

I only took a couple of photos - ones that spoke to me for various reasons.

                                        

I'm hoping you can read the text as it was interesting. 

Most of the reasons they spoke to me are to do with possible ideas for tapestry challenges that are upcoming. Our online group that I have participated in for about 10 years is now Australia only and this next one is likely to be the last one. The wonderful people who have put in all the effort over the years have decided to stop doing it. But there is one more to go, one more incentive for me to do some weaving. 

I have actually warped up my tapestry loom. It took me twice as long as usual (and I am slow!!) because, once again, I put double the warp. Not sure what is happening to my mind, I'm blaming Covid. Anyway, now I just have to finalise the image, choose the colours, get the cartoon onto the warps and START. That will be a few days, probably not before Christmas - but I'll keep my fingers crossed. 

Then I wandered off into some of the other rooms in the gallery. It was all a bit much at once, especially as I have been a bit housebound in the last two years. But I have been reminded that I used to do an Artist's Date (from The Artists Way by Julia Cameron). So I might try to reinstitute that practice. 

Arthur Boyd - The Wheatfield.

Howard Taylor

Landscape Unfolding

Out and About

 I have been to a couple of exhibitions in the last few days - trying to get some creative interest going but also to see some wonderful work! 

Yesterday I went to the Australian Tapestry Workshop to see the Kate Derum and Irene Davies awards for small tapestries. I had seen the online exhibition and opening but it was SO much better to see it in person. 

I thought the voting for the public's awards was shut but found this on Facebook just now: it is a link to the event and then the voting button is further down. 

Having seen them in person, I was able to go back and see them and know which ones resonated with me when I could almost touch them. So I have voted. 

I actually know a few of the people who have put works into the exhibition but I didn't let that influence me, I went with the one that had the most to say to me. (No, I am not going to say what I voted for.) 

I saw one piece by K Spoering and thought, I know that name! Then I realised that is it someone whose blog I have followed for years! 

I took some photos but didn't get the names of the artists, so I won't post here. You will just have to go the site to see them. 

However, I did get the names of some artists at the AQIPP exhibition that I visited the day before. I have posted already about the wonderful online recording that is available but, as usual, there is nothing quite like being there in person. 

The exhibition has been extended till February, so take the chance to visit, if you can.

There was a great variety of interpretations and techniques. I found it very inspiring. A lot of the artists were affected by the lockdowns caused by Covid 19. Some were sadder than others. But they were all very interesting. 

I really liked the piece of dyed silk that wafted over the background. 

This one was interesting to me, especially, as I have recently done the Cas Holmes online course and there was quite a focus on using paper collage as the background. 

I found the artist statement 'spoke' to me. And the combination of machine and hand sewing was lovely. 

The Miracle of Water

 I am pretty sure that I usually put up a picture of the hydrangea at our front door closer to Christmas. But this year the plant has flowered early.  (Maybe not, I have checked past posts and some are early December - it just seems early this year.)

Each year I am amazed by the difference water makes to the plant. I took a picture of the flowers starting to wilt - it has been warm the last few days (we seem to be getting summery weather later than usual) and then another today after having watered the pot. The pot plants need regular water, more than the ones in the ground. We have had some rain too, giving us more humid weather than we are used to - at least, historically (in my memory). I think we had a more humid summer than usual last year too. 

I also had to post because of the date - 2/12/21. I meant to post yesterday, 1/12/21. Such is life.