If you are in the neighbourhood, I am going to be doing a Mixed Media demonstration using Golden's Digital Grounds at Jacksons in Joondalup. I'll be talking about creating your own mixed media substrates and the use and application of the digital grounds for inkjet printing.
Here is the blub from Jacksons Facebook page!
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?
After what seems like days of dreary cold and less than fabulous Aussie weather, the sun came out yesterday and I took to the beach like a a cricket on skates. No-one else had the same good idea and I walked for an hour or so in blissful communion with the sand, sea and sky all to myself.
Maybe everyone else was off getting ready to visit with the Queen and drop a little curtsey (as one does - if one is well brought up!).
I've spent the past few days "down South" surprising my Mother with a quick visit. It was lovely to spend time with her even if it was cold, rainy and not conducive to taking pictures. Next visit I hope.
On my way back to Perth I stopped at Pinaroo to visit with the Kangaroos. They were having quite the lazy time. The joeys are all quite big now, barely fitting in the Mum's pouches, long legs and heads overflowing around the edges. Not a bad way to ride while you can though.
These kangas' always seem so laid back and content and are not averse to you getting quite close with the camera lens. Such lovely creatures.
Yes, I am finally here. Already finding the unique colours of Australia with the lens of the camera.
Back soon with more.....
How is it that I am 6" shorter?
And I am not that short....
We stepped along the Highline and had cameras in concert.
Some things come unbidden
and they are perhaps the best.
I hopped in the Otero "Go Go Mobile" a few days ago to trip down to see my Mum in Manjimup.
Thanks to a freeway extension and some other road work, the drive down there has been much improved from a 5 hour slog, vieying for road space against logging trucks and sundry other farm vehicles to the point where I can get to her in just under 4 hours - including coffee and photo stops.
On the drive down the scenery is always awesome! That fabulous combination of Australian Blue combined with stunning shades of green and gold ... (and yes, you can even find special paint colours here made by Art Spectrum that work for duplicating our own lovely landscape).
Although it's barely Summer, it's been hot here and things are already starting to look a little on the "crispy" side - beautiful nonetheless.
Pristine beaches,
The symmetry of a sea shell...
Black Swans, not white
These are the things that Australia
is made of...
There is this place I like to walk down by the River.
The trees there are enormous and, I suspect, rather old.
Their trunks have stories inscribed on them.
You don't see it when you walk underneath them,
but from a distance, their stance has been shaped by the wind.
The new trees they are planting are not the same.
But I suspect that over time, they will tell the same sorts of stories
and bend with the breeze too.
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...
