Restaurant sign

Public art

This installation of fish heads was at a Tea Tree Plantation in northern NSW, but I didn't get the artist's name. The plantation had a walking path around many sculptures setup in their grounds. Pity the mossies were so fierce- we didn't linger longer than necessary.

'Give assistance and kindness wherever needed'

American Indian Comandments

from Essence

Printing

In this warm weather I have been using the outside studio area for 'messy' activities. I gathered my paints & printing supplies & then went into the garden for the raw material to print- leaves.

The photo above, is of my set-up in a hotel room. But a word of warning- if you are travelling with paint pots wrap them well in plastic, as I've had them leak a couple of times. However, no damage due to double plastic bag wrapping! 

Looking forward to seeing you Francie & Bronwyn & I'm glad you like the new bag. Drop by my classroom for a pattern.

Lisa just imagine if we kept our wrappers for a year, what size quilt we could make!

Mongolian trash to treasure

Earlier this year when I was visiting Mongolia, I decided to keep the wrappers of food I was eating & other bits  & pieces of what would otherwise be called rubbish. What was I going to do with this stuff? I didn't really know at the time. Then we were presented with a challenge at 2QAQ- make a found object A3 size quilt.

This was a chance to experiment with tulle as my quilt layers, holding my 'treasures' in place. See this quilt & more from 2QAQ at the Queensland Quilt Show October 19-23.

New bag

This is my finished bag, using the oil stick patterned fabric. I have put a small patch pocket on the front using fabric designed by Terrie Hancock Mangat & also added a couple of decorative elements. A velcro closure will help secure contents in this across the shoulder handbag.

Students at PIQF next month in my Oil Stick Intensive workshop will be given instructions for this bag. Hope you can join me in California or in Florida at the World Quilt Show Nov 10-12.
Ginny I think you could try the oil sticks on felt- I've not tried but a heavy hand should get colour on.

Playing with oil sticks

I picked up my basket of Indian wood blocks & went out to the table in my wet studio area which is undercover outside. It was a beautiful Spring weather day- perfect for having some fun with oil paint sticks!

I began adding colour & designs with a commercial rubbing plate & my own home made plate- the purple spiral. The background is a commercial fabric I had in my stash.

I'm quite happy with the result- now to turn it into a small bag for my travels.

Lin Hsin-Chen

I would love to be in Taiwan to view the work of Lin Hsin-Chen in person. Her exhibition 'About Quilt' September 13-25,  features 24 of her hand stitched art quilts.

Lin says, "I am a traditional artist who is fond of needle and thread culture; slow path of quilting makes me feel like there is a wise man who leads me into self-reflection of mind growing world so that I can adjust my wrong ideas. Therefore, I don’t find it difficult making large pieces by hand (like 320x360 cm). When I finish a piece, I can share my experience with people."

Lin's work is also part of the "Horizons of Art Quilts 2011" curated by the Taiwan Art Quilt Society, September 17- October 2. 

Public art

Another installation from 'My Private Neon Oasis' was in the walkway at Market Square. A bamboo & wire construction  with small potted plants in some areas. It was possible to walk through in a constricted & directed manner.

I kept thinking of the use of 'line' long after I'd left the installation.

Public art

Last Thursday I showed some photos of the bright yellow & pink tulle that was wrapping the foot bridge at Sunnybank. I have since discovered more about this project- it is part of 'My Own Private Neon Oasis' & is sponsored by the Museum of Brisbane. Going onto their website I have discovered more that I'll be seeking out in my area, but here are a few photos taken yesterday.

I never thought 3,500 plastic bowls could be so interesting!

Spring #2

Yes Jan & Caity, I'm so glad that 'snakey' is a lizard instead! I didn't see him yesterday so perhaps he has come down from the roof. These lovely heliconias are not in my garden, but how I wished mine looked like that.

And with the advent of the warmer weather I've been able to get my tootsies out of boots into sandals & also give them a coat of colour!

New pet?

With the arrival of Spring I have been working in the garden, removing ferns that have taken over some areas & just generally tidying up.

It has been good to be outdoors in the very pleasant weather we have been experiencing, but my joy was tempered with alarm when we found an uninvited visitor in the gutter of our patio.

I quickly ran the Council for a number for a snake catcher. Jeff assured me it was best to leave Carpet Snakes alone as they do a good job keeping other nasties away. The 'snake' kept his head over the edge watching us on the patio & was still there on Sunday. We though we may have had a new pet!

When we heard him moving into another area of the roof we quickly raced upstairs, to get a view from one of the windows, of how long he may be. Imagine my delight when we saw he was not a snake but a Blue Tongue lizard! But how did he come to be so high up & how was he going to get down?

Lunch with friends

Caught up with 2 lovely friends over a leisurely lunch of tapas in South Brisbane at Granada. The mushrooms cooked with Sherry had a deliciously sweet Marsala taste, but everything from drinks to dessert was a winner. I especially enjoyed the crumbed green olives.

Brisbane Festival

The Santos City of Lights laser light show is on each night during the Brisbane Festival & we had to see it! While waiting for the 7pm show we listened to live music at the Southbank Cultural Forecourt in the Santos Lounge and admired the artwork ABOVE which hangs on the QPAC [Queensland Performing Arts Centre] building. It is inspired by the work of Sally Gabori, an artist from Bentinck Island in the Southern Gulf of Carpentaria.

Much of the seating provided were light cubes which changed colour. They were easy for people to move around.

Thanks for your comments on yesterday's colours Kate & 'thesis writer'.

Spring

Before I went to Melbourne last week, this bright yellow & pink nylon ribbon was being wrapped around the foot bridge in my area. I thought it may have been 'guerilla' wrapping, but no- there is a finished project. Is it part of the Brisbane Festival? I love it!

Undercurrents exhibition

Today is the last opportunity to see the exciting textile & mixed media work in the Undercurrents exhibition at the Art Factory Gallery, corner of Merivale & Glenelg Streets South Brisbane 10am- 4pm. Above L-R Felicity Clarke & Tricia Smout standing in front of Tricia's work & below some of Felicity's pieces.

Mel Forrest is the other exhibiting artist. The personal interests of each artist is clearly represented in their work & sing together on the white gallery walls. Congratulations.

Point Cook Homestead #2

The cafe at the Point Cook Homestead has a tasty menu & a stroll around the grounds can whittle away the extra calories.

Point Cook Homestead

Point Cook Homestead & the surrounding property is a lovely spot to visit. Now owned by the National Trust & with a cafe on the grounds, families can enjoy the few farm animals & a stroll to the water's edge.

Yes Joanne, it is a good outcome for rescue animals to be wanted by a loving family.