Sketching and gallery visits

Hog weed, lovely to sketch and play with, done last night while I was watching tv and feeling rather tired. I think the wandering we have been doing over this month is finally catching up and I am only just getting over it all. While we were in Melbourne we went to see this magnificent exhibition they are paintings from the Prado in Spain and I have to say I think they were the best I have ever seen of the overseas gallery exhibits that have come here. Not that we see all of them but we try to get to the ones here and in Melbourne. The faces were amazing. This was taken from a flyer but I did buy the book and am so glad I did. When we got home we went to Adelaide to see the Dorrit Black exhibition, she was some sort of relative of John's and I also have a small painting of hers my father bought, it was interesting to see her work, but I really liked her cubic style paintings best. I also have the book, so we have been pretty exhibited out. In seeing the Dorrit Black we also saw the Mortimer Menpes exhibition, which I found hard to see as my wonky eyes have problems and there were a lot of small dark drawings. The Waterhouse Natural science prize was also in its last few days over in the Museum, this has a lot of different categories and it was confusing trying to work out what went where, on the whole I was a little disappointed this year although there was a wonderful piece of basketry by Garnbaladj Nabegeyo from Gunbulunya in Arnehm land which I think could have merited more than just being a finalist. But then I suppose basketry is not such an important part of art and I loved the Tjanpi piece as well as I had done some sculpture work with them a few years ago. Off to play on my altered book.

From my small sketchbook

I always carry a small spiral sketchbook with a pen in the spiral in my hand bag. These are a few of the sketches I did while flying or waiting for people. The first two were done as we flew from Adelaide to Coolangatta. over the River Murray and over the hinterland behind the Gold Coast. Then while waiting for a coffee on Tedder Avenue, a flowering Gymea lily and from the Botanic Park some lichen on a tree trunk. No colour but a nice reminder of the time away. At the moment I am trying to sort out all I have to do before going to Melbourne tomorrow, instructions for the house sitter, cat to the cattery, pack and hope I have all for the classes at the Art Event in Melbourne. Still lots to do, not sure how much blogging I will manage while we are away.

Playing

A busy day and while I was having a breather I drew some of these little things and coloured them in. Maybe useful for my altered book I am doing next week end with Ro Bruhn. I am really looking forward to my two classes with her, both different but at the moment I am still trying to catch up after the two weeks away. I find it takes me longer to get on with things these days.

Leaf

We went walking in the botanical gardens again this morning and brought this lovely gum leaf home, battered and worn but a lovely thing to do quick pencil sketch of. Our last day up here, we leave tomorrow around midday but have hair cuts before we head home so it will be a long day and no blog. We will be sad to leave but think J will now be able to manage on her own.

Feather from the beach

A bit slow posting, actually a bit slow doing anything as we seem to be rather flat out, between visitors, physio and doctors and trying to keep the patient under control. I found this feather on the beach the other day and finally had a few minutes to paint it. As well as the above a bit of relaxing has been going on.

Coffee on Tedder Ave

Sitting this morning watching people and loving the gardens as we had coffee this morning, a quick sketch.

Palms

Palm trees are every where I look, such a statement in many gardens and fun to play with on paper with paint. We are having a busy time, walks, lunches and so far I have caught up with a lot of the stuff I brought up with me to play with. Mostly while the 2 J's are having a rest, I rarely sleep during the day. Still sunny but cooler and windy, so not as lovely as the past couple of days.