Saturday 26 December 2009

Shadows in a Gallery



I always suspected that I was an angel, and here's the proof.  While watching a video installation at the Gallery of Modern Art during the week (see here), the film stopped and there we were standing like a couple of startled rabbits in the headlights.  It wasn't until I downloaded the image onto the computer that I noticed the halo - a little spooky!

If you haven't experienced Shadow Shot Sunday, why not hop over to Hey Harriet to view some wonderful shots, the last for 2009.

I hope your Christmas was as happy as ours, surrounded by family and friends, and I wish everybody the best for 2010.

Thursday 24 December 2009

GOMA



What happens when the family arrives from interstate for Christmas?  Where's the first place we all head?  The decision was unanimous - the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) to take in the 6th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art.  Opened in December 2006, the gallery has proved to be an instant winner, encouraging the participation of all members of the public, right down to the youngest of children.



Voted the most popular piece by the children in the family was this incredible deer ...






... closely followed by People Holding Flowers.





Hmmm ... fascinating.


The reclining Buddha captured the children's imagination.  Closer inspection showed it was composed entirely of stickers, and our intrepid two-year-old grandson immediately found Postman Pat out of the thousands of images in front of him.





The ultimate Aussie caravan.



These paper mushrooms were stunning in their simplicity.


There was time for a quick drawing session ...


... followed by the tossing of leaves.




The exhibition is a remarkable success, and leaves a smile on everyone's face.  So if you happen to be in Brisbane between now and the next couple of months, don't miss it.

A very happy and peaceful Christmas and I hope your new year brings you much joy.

Saturday 19 December 2009

Paris Shadows

There I was, all set to capture some great shadows when the inevitable Brisbane thunder and lightning show rolled into town, right on cue.  When all else fails, you can always rely on Paris.


Akhenaten humming Me and My Shadow in the Louvre


Reflected shadows in a boutique window. 
Oh, to have the youth and figure to get away with this little number, but you can keep the bear head.


Possibly the first man in history to be shadowed by a miniature poodle.

To see some really stunning shadows, visit Hey Harriet's blog - you won't be disappointed.

Saturday 12 December 2009

Christmas Shadows

IT'S THAT TIME OF THE WEEK AGAIN. The last few days have been pretty full on and we finally finished the Christmas decorations this afternoon just hours before our guests arrived for dinner.

I hurriedly festooned our Renaissance style bust ...


... and arranged a vase of lisianthus fresh from the markets.



If you go to Hey Harriet's Shadow Shot Sunday at http://www.heyharriet.blogspot.com/, you will be amazed by some of the most beautiful shots.

Wednesday 9 December 2009

The Threads that bind us together


THERE ARE EIGHT OF US, good friends going back over a period of sixteen years. We are The Loose Threads, a group of quilters who hang out together twice a month. We do a little hand sewing, eat lots of cake and drink probably far more coffee than we should ...



... apart from a couple of healthy ones who indulge in herbal teas.



We come in all shapes, sizes and ages and our beliefs and political persuasions vary widely, so what has kept us together all these years? If I knew the answer I could solve the world's problems. All I can say is we are comfortable in each other's company. We have been there to hold hands with those among us who have suffered great pain, and to give joyous hugs during the happier times.

Our gatherings take place every first and third Tuesday of the month, and after all these years we still await those Tuesdays with great anticipation.

Every year we indulge ourselves with a marvellous Christmas Lunch at a chosen restaurant. In years past we would draw a name from a hat and make a special gift for that person. Two years ago, we decided to take a different tack and make fibre art postcards for the nominated person. It's been a good exercise, forcing us to think beyond the square to come up with something appropriate for the recipient.

Yesterday was our special Christmas Lunch day. The restaurant was blissfully cool, protected from the soaring heat of a Brisbane summer, and the food was superb. The company, of course, was brilliant, though sadly we were down to seven, with one thread escaping to Sydney for a few days. We were warned to keep room for dessert, and I always obey orders.


It was one of those "I'll have what she's having" moments, only better.


The afternoon was drawing on, so it was time to open our postcards. I was absolutely delighted to receive my card from Loani, who has regular art exhibitions. Now I have my own piece of her original artwork and I love it.


Muffin makes the most superb heirloom hexagon quilts using Liberty fabrics, so she received a postcard which echoed her beautiful work.


On our recent trip to Paris, we came across this restaurant and as one of our members is Margot and it was my turn to give her a postcard, it was the obvious choice. I worked on it in Photoshop, blending two images, and then printed it out on fabric.

I am kicking myself for not taking photos of the other cards, because they were wonderful - including a classic women's pushbike (and there's a tale behind that one!), a brilliant interpretation of work by the artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser, and many more. Blame it on the heat and the sugar rush. However, here are a couple from earlier times.


Time for coffee (or healthy green tea) and some shortbread before hitting the heat waiting for us outside.

So what keeps us together? Loose Threads.

Monday 7 December 2009

Market Report

We were up with the birds - we had no choice. Our feathered friends are early risers at this time of the year and like to get the residents of Chez Fudge up and out of bed by around 4.30 - 5.00 at the latest. After a hastily consumed piece of toast and cup of tea, the car was loaded and we were on our way to set up at the BrisStyle Indie Designers Market.



It was already warm, with promises from the weatherman of temperatures reaching 30 degrees Celsius (that's 86 Fahrenheit), so I was grateful that I was located inside the hall where we at least had the advantage of overhead fans to keep us cool.


I was in the best of company, with the delightful sisters Bec and Jade who make up Beckybean as my neighbours, and other friendly and familiar BrisStyle girls scattered around the hall.

Meanwhile, the activity outside was reaching the the final stages.

Many of the stall holders were able to take advantage of the sprawling poinciana tree with its huge branches hanging protectively over them.

Then we had a little Field of Dreams moment - we built it and they came...

... in great numbers.

Close to my stall were Em and Bel, who make up the team of EmBelISH. Now, these two friends do everything in pairs. They have two little sons around the same age and six months ago they produced second sons within days of each other.

These little men delighted all who met them, smiling at the customers and charming them into purchasing something from their mums. They were so good and spent much of the day staying cool in the shade and dreaming of their next meal.

Several of my friends visited throughout the day and one particular friend was chuffed with her purchase from Sophie of Strat Designs - a fabulously long red necklace, beautifully packaged in a noodle carton.

I had a fair amount of left-over fabric from the sewing frenzy that I had whipped myself into over the past few weeks. Hating to waste such a stash, I recalled how handy the shoe bags were that I made for our recent trip away, and decided at the last moment to make up a few to test the waters. I feel it's always advisable to have some less expensive items to cover all price ranges.

They proved to be very popular, so maybe I'll whip up a batch for our next market in March.

I didn't have much of an opportunity to visit many of the other stall holders, but I did manage to buy a couple of little things from Amanda of Twinkle Star Art.

Amanda is our BrisStyle resident artist and her children's illustrations are a sheer delight.

Despite the heat, everyone had the most wonderful day, helped along with the sounds of jazz played by Rob and Kev, freshly brewed coffee and the most tempting of cup cakes.

I can't believe that I missed out on my sugar rush AGAIN! Next time I'll be standing at the counter when it opens, just like this gentleman.

I had my most successful market day ever, so I was relieved all that hard work was not in vain. And now for a break leading up to Christmas and then back in the New Year with renewed energies and plans for our next BiDM in March.

So like the current world economy, the market is looking up.