Artists Blog

This was an entry originally posted 2 weeks ago. I had to delay it’s publication until now due to media committments.

If you’ve been following this blog, you may remember my recent painting, the very first I’ve sold - of the birds eating the snake.

Even the journalist said it was an amazing karmic coincidence.

In this internet age, it is simply astounding how this news has travelled the globe, proving it’s just not Far North Tropical Queensland that holds a fascination for such things. According to London newspapers, I live “in the jungle”. That’s inside the house I reckon!

On a sadder note, the departed cocky has left behind a lonely mate, who sits in the same spot in the bouganvillea all day, looking a little lost. Thankfully the python won’t be hungry for quite some time…

17 November 2008

Unfortunately my last sentence above proved horribly incorrect. Or maybe it was another python. But he was taken also. This one we tried to save. (I had only hours earlier removed a paralysis tick from above it’s eye). I hosed that python with a full strength hose, but he wasn’t giving up his catch.

There are a lot of images, and I think everyone’s seen most of them around the internet sites and newspapers, so I’m not sure if you would want to see them again on this blog?

Let me know what you think.

A new evening job is to make sure there are no guests sleeping over in the The Tree of Death….

6.50am, my phone rings, waking me from a restless few hours of tossing and turning (finally got to bed at 2.30am after thinking, thinking and more thinking…)

“Get here quick if you want to see a huge python with a big belly” Jeff told me.

Now if I’m going to jump outa bed, into the car, with my hair only getting a look from a brush, a big python is going to do it.

Only about a km away, I arrived at Jeff’s work, where one big slithery friend was making it’s way across the road.

See where it’s headed?

Spot the problem yet?

It tried for a while, but breakfast was just too big.

Once it reversed a bit, the gate was swung back to let it go on it’s way.

Can you see the next problem about to happen?

I think a lot of us suffer from the same issue…

We just don’t think we’re that fat….

even though we can’t seem to fit into anything ‘cos it’s such a tight squeeze…

It seemed a bit stumped, so curled up for a think.

All the while flickering that forked tongue.

We left him on his own to work out where he was headed, and not long afterwards, he was gone.

No one has seen Reg, the resident rooster. But I think we have a pretty good idea where he is.

So long Reg.

Reg and Scrub Turkey friend in happier days…

I’m so lucky to be living where I do. In our last home we had “delightful” children living behind us that hurled rocks into our pool. Surburbia at it’s most uninspiring.

Living here, I sometimes take the bush for granted, and forget that a whole other world exists beyond the wooden palings. This morning a tiny movement caught my eye. Can you see it?

Moving through the dappled sunlight two brand new babies moved with their mum and dad.

During the day these Bush Stone Curlews (or Thick Knees) are usually very, very   q-u-i-e-t.   At night it’s totally another matter. They are screaming, wailing banshees, with blood curdling cries of ear drum piercing proportions.

Those great golden eyes don’t miss much. Spot one of the chicks?

Just gorgeous! And they don’t throw rocks.

It’s been a while since my post - so much happening it’s like someone has cranked up the speed on the merry go round!

The final night of the “BIG exhibition” was last Friday, with the top 10 artworks (in terms of bids), going to a final  live floor auction. I held little hope of making it out of the 120 established artists exhibiting. It was expected of course that the famous names, Archibald winners etc would make up the 10. This was the last few minutes before the deadline that people could still silently bid.

I was nervous, sweaty palmed and rather anxious. I told Jeff that I didn’t want to be in the live auction - how embarrassing if no one bid on my work? I looked over to my piece and saw someone on their mobile, staring right at my work. They took a pen out and wrote in a new bid. Phone bids? I was shocked. Then someone else came over and upped the bid. Shock was replaced with open mouthed disbelief.

Jeff and I were volunteers on the night to hold The Ribbon. Once the bell is rung, a ribbon goes up across the works on the wall so no more bids can be placed. In past years, this was the time when people would try and sneak in bids in an effort to get their chosen piece. Sometimes fisticuffs were involved I was told. All quite civilised tonight.

Then I was told that I had made the top 10. I was horrified. I could hardly think straight whilst other peices were auctioned. When it was my turn I wanted to leave. What if it was passed in at the final silent bid price? The embarrassment would swallow me whole.

I couldn’t believe it when there was one bid, then another, and another…. was this really for my work? (can you tell I was having a hard time believing any of this?) I would’ve taken photos of the lively auctioneer, with hammer banging down so decisively, except I was rooted to the spot with fear.

Anyway, my first piece sold ever, 20+ years after I was supposed to go to Art College to train to be an artist. Better late than never ever ever.

The biggest thrill for me was to have my work cheek-by-jowl with the big names of the art world from the past 50 years. All of us on the same auction table.

Pressure’s on now. A commission for someone and other exhibitions soon. This is where I would have traditionally run away screaming. I’ve a different mindset now.

A big exhibtion at the Regional Gallery is on next month. Closing date for entries was yesterday. I made it with 18 minutes to spare, thanks to 3 am finishes on the weekend.

Sooo, what else has been happening apart from my art dramas?

“Spring” (30 degrees C), has meant that all manner of critters are out and about. Finally caught the backyard bandicoot bandit on camera. Big bugger too. Our backyard is filled with bandicoot potholes. They dig cone shaped holes through the lawn to catch cane beetles. This one likes to dig up pebbles. Beside each massive crater is a smooth round pebble or pile of pebbles. He’s OCD for sure.

They are riddled with ticks (especially the deadly Paralysis Tick),  so don’t let them in the house.

(I’m looking out the window at the moment and the scrub hens have wandered in, helping themselves to my garden, scratching up anything in their way. Typing quietly here…..)

I took a shortcut through Uni the other day, through the bush and dry creek bed that was a raging torrent just 6 short months ago.

Someone had created a lovely sculpture made from the riverbed pebbles.

The stones had such beautiful patterns carved by years of rushing water. Soon enough they will be covered again for another Wet Season.

There was a huge vine snaking it’s way across the creek. I immediately thought of the snake warning in the news. They are out and about and on the move.I followed the vine up the bank where it twisted itself into pretzel shaped knots.

So much more to do, I’m really looking forward to Uni finishing so that I can catch my breath.

Tomorrow is my 6 minute speech /reading - simply terrifying!

I was thinking about what Elizabeth said in her last comment on my previous post. Is Mundane perhaps only a state of mind? Change the parameters of my day and maybe Mundane disappears.

I think this semester at Uni has thrown Mundane-ness at me.  I’ve been dreading some of the tasks set for my Effective Speaking subject (a required core subject and not one that I would have chosen freely), and this has flowed over into everday life. A public speaker I am not, and this subject is forcing me to put myself into some very uncomfortable situations, both in front of an audience and on paper. A good thing perhaps if I look at it from a “Stretching the Comfort Zone” point of view. Still loathsome though.

Watching a very shy, hardly seen, visitor tip-toeing with giant orange feet into my backyard made me rethink my “mundane” day. Very privileged is how I felt.

Assessing the doorway between The Wild and Civilisation. Camera lense fogged up straight away, although the humidity has been much more bearable today.

“Why is it called the Orange Footed Scrub Hen” Jeff asked me facetiously.

Up until a couple of months ago I had no idea what was making the manical raucous cackles at night. All night. Imagine a turkey being strangled whilst singing an aria, and all of it’s friends joining in with the chorus. That’s what these wild “chickens” do to while away the dark hours.

This bird is one of a pair that have decided that something good is going on in my backyard.

Old Cocky ain’t happy having to share.

Gotta go, I can see  both of them now coming in for one last look around before the Opera begins..

It’s been overcast, drizzly and HOT. Steamy like a Costa Rican jungle. Not that I’ve ever been in a Costa Rican jungle, but I almost feel as if I need a machete to cut through the air, it’s so thick.

My Mountain is in there somewhere….

Uni today was using cameras in different ways. I’ve used my telephoto lens as a macro lens for these  luscious red berries. Like bunches of miniature pomegranates.

“Spring” in the tropics has unleashed all manner of triffid-like growth with berries and blooms.

My lecturer told me today that he saw my photo in the weekend newspaper - all news to me as I didn’t bother with the papers this weekend. I did hunt a copy down this afternoon.

The competition has now closed, and judging begins. No cash prizes, but a chance to have your work printed in some limited edition posters.

Back now to the drudgery of homework…..

Port Douglas was laid back as usual, with people kicking back with coffee and conversation.

Whilst we enjoyed our brews at the Marina, I heard the waitstaff whispering about “the lady who was doing some awesome paintings on the pier”.

I wandered over to say hello, and she surprised me by saying that she knew me! She was doing the watercolour class a few feet away from me at ArtEscape last month.

Her name is Delia and she’s also a member of the Cairns Art Society. After a brief but inspiring chat, I left her to her watercolours. I’m terrible with names, but I did remember talking to her about the class at ArtEscape. My memory definately needs some improving!

Granma & Granpa enjoyed a cuddle on the pier.

At Uni yesterday we got into the more intricate techie side of Photoshop. Here is my lecturer attempting to create 3D images from my photos. Ok, they are actually his sunglasses.

The first canetoad of the season reared it’s ugly (and I mean ugly!) head IN my fishpond.

The Man scooped it out.

Cool as you like it was. They never hurry for anyone.

Later in the evening we caught up for a farewell drink with Kim (Bigblog), her Mum and her Man. You can ask her about the binoculars!

The Art Room has been transformed into the Music Room.

Row upon row of gorgeous xylophones, symbols, tambourines and maracas.

What a job of setting up that was! The music teacher (standing on a ladder) was frantically writing out sheet music on the white board. That’s dedication.

Tomorrow the board will be wiped clean, and the room filled with the smell of turps and oil paints.

We have more lovely visitors escaping the winter chills down south.

Granma & Granpa enjoying a cuddle on the Palm Cove jetty today.

Kim (Hosky from Bigblog) is here in Cairns with her family.

Celebrations began with cocktails down at the harbour.

Kim was delightful. It was like catching up with an old friend.

Another cocktail, just to celebrate you know.

After pre dinner cocktails, it was on to the Esplanade to dine at Rattle & Hum.

Hopefully we’ll see her and her family again this week. More food, more cocktails!