Lost Aussie on the loose

Out and About, NYC

We had a grand day in the City, meeting up with our friends Christine and Andreas from Germany.  Christine has been a long time art friend (and student) of mine for years and it's lovely to catch up when we can, even though our meetings are few and far between.

Today the four of us walked the High Line in NYC and checked out LOTS of galleries between W14th and W26th Streets and chatted much inbetween.  The hightlight was the Roy Nachum exhibition at Joseph Nahmad Contemporary, 450 W 14th St.  Well worth a visit if you have the opportunity.

We topped the day off with a tasty Italian meal at La Carbonara - which never fails to please.

From One Day to the Next

Same beach, different day.
It's cold and rainy again.  I hope the weather gets better by Tuesday as I have a little side-trip planned.

TodayI had a fun meet up with one of my Blog Pals today - the hugely talented Cindy Lane.  She is a pastel artist and calligrapher and teaches art classes here in the Northern Suburbs of Perth.

It's lovely to put a face to a friend I have corresponded with over the internet and even nicer to find her in my part of the world over here. We both have boys taking exams this week too, so lots in common and lots to talk about.  Turns out we probably bumped into each other some 20 years ago on a golf course and just did not know it.

Small world huh?

Over at the Altered Page - A New Pulse

Acrosss at the Altered Page, Seth is getting ready to unveil the latest episode of "The Pulse".

and to mercilessly borrow from his eloquent words ... The Pulse is ...

...." an online survey in words and pictures of over 125 artists, starts out with a bang this coming Fourth of July weekend.
The Pulse is a collaborative project that has been part of The Altered Page since January 2008.
Its purpose is to "tap into the pulse" of the mixed-media arts community and share with you the "state of the art."
This project will introduce you to new artists, help you get to know familiar faces even more, and provide a window into the creative hearts and minds of the talented pool of artists working today."
Seth Apter.

Seth is also introducing Style File - a response to ‘How would you describe your artistic style’.

I'm not quite sure if I can remember what I said, but apparently it's going to be part of the "Style File".
So check out Seth's page this weekend.
It's sure to be full of artistic goodness and delight!

Evidence

.....of the first snow

in New York - Long Island

 

of coffee sipped with a friend

a few weeks ago in Perth

(Can you really spend 4 hours over coffee?)

 

 

of Julia of Ju-North

having fun with her Snowflake Brush download!

Thanks for sharing Julia, and if anyone else would like to share artwork created with the brushes feel free to send it on!

A Thanksgiving Greeting

To all my Friends and Family in the US...

A Thanksgiving Greeting

hugs and love from Down Under

xoxoxoxo

The Magic of Twilight

Before I jump into my next little Perth adventure, I want to say a BIG Thank YOU! to everyone who has signed up for the new Online Class sessions!  The response has been awesome and places are filling up FAST so if this is something you might have on your Christmas Wish List, then don't delay!!
This class is going to be a lot of FUN!

And speaking of fun.....
Yesterday I got to do a little of what we call "Twilight Sailing" here on the Swan River.  It's a local tradition whereby each Yacht Club on the River has a night during the week where the members and guests take to their boats, hampers and beverages stowed and do a little sort of leisurely race around a loosely set course.  This is supposed to be a "fun version" of what is normally done on Saturdays - namely "serious" racing!

I'll admit to it being sometime since I have crewed in any said "serious" races but it seems that my capacity for the more social sort of event has in no way been impaired by the passing of time! :D
Although my bow lines were a but rusty I still had vague recollections of how to get the spinnaker up and make a little headway in the lovely afternoon breeze.

There are times when I chaff at the slower pace of Perth, but I must admit, there is nothing quite like "Twilight Sailing" - watching the beautiful sunset, enjoying lovely selections of local wine and cheese - consumed on the water as the breeze wanes...not to mention the benefit of great company of old and new friends.

And the Sunset...did I mention that? ... can't you tell, absolutely spectacular...

Happy Mail Day

Recently when I was in NYC and visiting at the Apple store I decided that I would treat myself to a new iPhone cover.  Sad to say I was disappointed in all the ones that were to be had - boring and dull to say the least.   #1 Son did however buy a case and with it came a coupon and a note saying where it came from.  So, ferret me, decided to check it out and lo and behold it turned out that I could upload my own artwork and design my own phone cover.

And...........pointing left, that's exactly what I did last Wednesday and I am very pleased with my new, super dooper original phone cover which arrived today.

So, check it out at GET UnCommon and perhaps you will have your own art gracing the cover of your phone soon too!

I've actually submitted this design to add to their artist gallery for public choice, so I will keep my fingers crossed and see if it gets accepted!

Not only did the UPS man bring my phone cover today but the Mail Lady brought me a lovely package from my friend Christine in Germany.  She and I have been friends now for many years, but she is also a student in my current Digital Magic Online Class.  Her package was filled with goodies, art and a lovely message (written in English!) and was a lovely treat!  So Thank You, Sweet Friend!

Having a Ball

Last night DH and I were invited to attend the Brooklyn Hospital Silver Anniversary Founders Ball.

It was a great event, honoring, among other worthy candidates, a good friend of ours, Doctor Ramesh Gulrajani.

The event was held at Steiner Studios, part of the historic Brooklyn Navy Yard, which now boasts studios fit to film movies and commercial TV series.

I'm not quite sure who organized the 'bash' but if ever I want some catering and large scale function organising done, I am going to find out who did this affair.  It was quite wonderful!  Great food, wonderful wine and the band was perfect for a middle aged (ugh) bump and jiggle towards the end of the night!

I think I was one of a few women who eschewed the obligatory black dress - I'm having a love affair with Teal lately!  What can I say? ...other than you don't see me in pictures very often ever ...  so grab the moment!

Wonderful Mail

My Blog buddy Chris, has just got back from a fabulous trip to Hawaii!  Before she left she slipped this little puppy in the mail and it arrived a few days ago - it's now gracing the walls in my Studio! 

Awesome details, lovely vibrant colours and I'm just pretty darned thrilled that she would send it to lil' OLDE me!  Thanks Kiddo...you ROCK!

Attacking the To Do List

My "To Do" List seems to have a mind of it's own...never ending and always something MORE to add...

I dunno, I guess that's the way they are meant to be!

After more months than I would care to guess at, today I finally finished the re-work of my friend Elaine's wedding pictures.


 She had a professional shoot the original images, but he sent her the files "Straight out of the Camera", without so much as a color balance or crop,  so I have had much joy and pleasure in giving her pics the 'Wedding Treatment'!
I've now burned all the re-vamped pics to a couple of CD's and then done the artsy fartsy thing to a slew of the images and ordered her a Photo Book which hopefully will arrive in a few days time for me to send down to her.

Otherwise, I am tinkering around.  Been experimenting on a bunch of new substrates for mixed media printing, including some new wood veneers, balsa and Plexiglas. 

No joke, once the sun comes out, my mind stars racing at a bazillion miles an hour!!