tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65005029419528579292024-03-14T19:02:13.553+11:00GEMMA BLACK : ARTIST / CALLIGRAPHERmodern, decorative and traditional works of qualityGemma Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10630138318071963976noreply@blogger.comBlogger453125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500502941952857929.post-35045700923294552172024-03-14T19:01:00.001+11:002024-03-14T19:01:21.504+11:00A short excerpt ... <p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">... from today's journal entry I would like to share this paragraph:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><i>"And on that point of feeling blessed, I do feel blessed not in a religious sense but in a secular way of being fortunate. Faith, I believe comes in secular forms as well as religious. Belonging to community. Community that is already with us … all around us. And it is free, you don’t have to “join up” you just have to be brave and reach out. It all starts with two people having conversations and moving on proactively from there … three people, four people … more."</i><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">And though presently my health is still under par the rheumatologist and I have a plan which is a huge step in the right direction. So, how about I share this very green photo of one of my regular smoothies. The ingredients here are: kale, apple, orange, hemp gold protein powder & mint. Mint is so underrated and gives the most heavenly taste to many recipes.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Optima;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Optima;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Optima;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_NknPT5i6ptvdd0Li7BmCC61fFDvjoJSgvGXuKP_gvjOHyy5h06DAej4w3zsLTU7-f5bPQKx9syNXzjmUsaIydAx8FQKU9E7e1KFHHPSp2-wim93cnMGpZ8gpY2R1-FFLG3wG27tcPspieJegQcgGtIzVWPDK3o4Atw5VGq3kkFhzgLfw0S2yHmcgEGi_" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="745" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_NknPT5i6ptvdd0Li7BmCC61fFDvjoJSgvGXuKP_gvjOHyy5h06DAej4w3zsLTU7-f5bPQKx9syNXzjmUsaIydAx8FQKU9E7e1KFHHPSp2-wim93cnMGpZ8gpY2R1-FFLG3wG27tcPspieJegQcgGtIzVWPDK3o4Atw5VGq3kkFhzgLfw0S2yHmcgEGi_=w559-h745" width="559" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Optima;"><br /><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Optima;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Optima;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></p>Gemma Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10630138318071963976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500502941952857929.post-5303676717151617492024-03-02T15:38:00.004+11:002024-03-02T16:01:10.331+11:00The bluebottle ... <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvhHU_hyFmGETfixEI9wazcCoFK4LhBneLMf9M_KTtbluqfkIXx3A4OGzuxIxY8lNlD4EqwBGq558fAFsjC_c8tbBeW57RRdhR_rpDQQ-1ARdPUxobGnPq7_A0Pfit_Q7YkHWPV9eT0uS1pfRh51tDjaB9uHs3-RJjBvuAAKQ9XHbdWziDYMxqQDMmhyphenhyphenAw/s2176/IMG_0317.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2176" data-original-width="1169" height="1155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvhHU_hyFmGETfixEI9wazcCoFK4LhBneLMf9M_KTtbluqfkIXx3A4OGzuxIxY8lNlD4EqwBGq558fAFsjC_c8tbBeW57RRdhR_rpDQQ-1ARdPUxobGnPq7_A0Pfit_Q7YkHWPV9eT0uS1pfRh51tDjaB9uHs3-RJjBvuAAKQ9XHbdWziDYMxqQDMmhyphenhyphenAw/w620-h1155/IMG_0317.jpeg" width="620" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOpf1Fl5TD6JwJQ3oibSmVlzQCRlkjXyjXCbfFf_5ILkOFt9IwXoSlXNE4NxObdv31o7oFbk1S3Xgio2xfJPhN8Q8dcdrlLOrLsT2DTs9Dl0hp3pn-YiYn5PFtCc3Qb_9TjeGK5ZZaLGOzc3yJYOdvAaQ9f7y7IBEthJH7_Ma7jAM69lgqqpapbEsryp8u/s2325/IMG_0318.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2325" data-original-width="1170" height="1226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOpf1Fl5TD6JwJQ3oibSmVlzQCRlkjXyjXCbfFf_5ILkOFt9IwXoSlXNE4NxObdv31o7oFbk1S3Xgio2xfJPhN8Q8dcdrlLOrLsT2DTs9Dl0hp3pn-YiYn5PFtCc3Qb_9TjeGK5ZZaLGOzc3yJYOdvAaQ9f7y7IBEthJH7_Ma7jAM69lgqqpapbEsryp8u/w617-h1226/IMG_0318.jpeg" width="617" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">... it is a beautiful and dangerous thing!</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>But ... once stung you will never forget the burning sensation that made you cry, scream and run up and down the beach. WHAAAAAAA! As a child though, one got to know the nature of the beast ... such a little thing ... that sting.</span><p></p><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Just like the jack jumper ants in Tasmania, the remedy is not far away. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I noticed this bluebottle on Malua Bay beach, Yuin Country yesterday. If I had have encountered it in the water I may be telling a different story. As children we would be warned to watch out for bluebottles and on occasion we would be stung. The pain is immediate. The remedy: grab a handful of wet sand and rub the sand very hard and roughly into the raging red marks left by the long stinger tentacle. It was dreadful when they wrapped around your legs in the water ... you had to get out and get the sand to rub at the tentacles and get them off. Sometimes you could kick the tentacles off in the water but you had to be very careful. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I am glad I haven't been stung by one of these in a while.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Oh, the jack jumpers ... grab the bracken fern growing everywhere in Tas ... rub the fern well into the bite and it will, eventually negate the sting! </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div>Gemma Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10630138318071963976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500502941952857929.post-55252382365914396202024-03-02T11:54:00.008+11:002024-03-04T18:33:51.978+11:00And so we move forward ... lessons learned ... walk away<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgyywInFU2ihvwxjBvh3YPVw2N22_Nmb18LregPYR_5iOcj65LIsUa_rJFAcJvMzeRkQbCu8dSPzSC5pab7c1EfjFNB_7w93OcGTRXH5VvqJrGzfQT5aQ78YO5wfXxBmEO0gHNRQq5YJR84fuQ2uBhRH20GXi7dxWmYyrVBQkEWVnu_ReS567ynF7JUD6l3" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1713" data-original-width="4028" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgyywInFU2ihvwxjBvh3YPVw2N22_Nmb18LregPYR_5iOcj65LIsUa_rJFAcJvMzeRkQbCu8dSPzSC5pab7c1EfjFNB_7w93OcGTRXH5VvqJrGzfQT5aQ78YO5wfXxBmEO0gHNRQq5YJR84fuQ2uBhRH20GXi7dxWmYyrVBQkEWVnu_ReS567ynF7JUD6l3=w652-h277" width="652" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yuin Nation country, Malua Bay, NSW</div><br /> <p></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">I must say the ellipsis, the ... (dot dot dot) ... punctuation mark is one I tend to use quite a lot. People have different reasons for using it but I use it for two. One, it acts like a thought pause similar to when you're speaking and you look up to some unknown point, waiting for inspiration. I also use the ellipsis as a way to omit an unspoken word or phrase. It comes from the Ancient Greek: <span lang="grc">ἔλλειψις</span>, <span title="Ancient Greek (to 1453)-language text"><i lang="grc-Latn">élleipsis </i></span>meaning 'leave out'.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">I am enjoying our time away at the coast. Malua Bay is a beautiful area and to walk the beaches and drink good coffee, have time to relax a little and heal. I say "heal" in the way of healing both my physical condition which at the moment is the poly myalgia rheumatica mentioned in a precious entry as well as the mental difficulties and disappointments I have been experiencing lately. Many of which I have carried for a long time.</span></p><p style="margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">The past eighteen months has been an interesting one. As you already know, I have chosen to retire from teaching for a couple of reasons. Every classroom I have ever entered, I have taken my position as guide/teacher very seriously. I remember my first class at the Crafts Council of the ACT I was so nervous that I was almost shaking and crying. I managed to settle that type of reaction as time went by and my experience grew. But my god ... if I wasn't not prepared for my classes then I was not happy. It is a pressure willingly put upon my own shoulders. And that's okay as the prepping is part of the process. I revel in that, but it was always ultra-pressure time ... for me.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Of course, over time I managed to swap things in and out of my lesson plans according to how the actual class in front of me at any given time, was going. Mostly adult participants, pay a lot of money to be there with me as their guide. Thus, I have always felt a huge responsibility for their learning. Heck, on the very odd occasion I have gone into class as a late-notice tutor and managed to "wing-it". The upside of that is that I have always been delighted to see my students do well, feel good about their progress and manage to pick up a bit of work of their own. It has been a very satisfying giving sharing.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Now as the globe returns to our <i>new normal</i> (as the phrase goes) another reason for giving up teaching is that I am still asked to teach via online platforms. To be honest, I am totally platformed out. I have run classes, privately via the Zoom network, locally, nationally & internationally. Many have been wonderful, and I have <i>“always” </i>appreciated invitations. Rarely these days though, are groups prepared to invite me to teach in-person. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Being an in-person guide allows for a two-way experience in sharing. Not just information, but the fine demonstrations and details required between the tutor and student that allows for the tutor to watch and see the student work, make suggestions, and help in every way when required. Taking <i>their</i> pen, <i>their </i>brush, looking closely and trialling <i>their</i> ink and wet media … and so on.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Sitting in my studio, with cameras switching between my face and my hands <i>allows me to see only that</i> … my face and my hands. It is only when I switch over either at the beginning of the session or at the end of the session that I can see the whole classroom or little squares with little faces. You get my drift!?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">The participants on the other hand have a birds-eye view of everything! Don’t get me wrong here … I know that is <i>perfect</i> for them! I as their tutor is the one who is missing out and it is that aspect that truly saddens me.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">And there is one other just more than slightly annoying aspect to teaching via an online platform as I am the only person responsible for the smooth running of the class and that is <i>movement</i>. I like to move. I demonstrate sometime with my body. I express some writing movement with an elegant move of my arm or a swash with my wrist. I sit sometimes for two hours without movement. Take a break for maybe fifteen minutes then sit again for two hours or sometimes three. This type of restriction does not lead to either good long-term posture, and dare I say it, weight gain!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">My life has been so fortunate in many ways and one of them has been invitations to teach widely. Privileged really. I have a sound formal background in calligraphy and lettering and have always relied on my training and knowledge gained over many years to advance the exciting lettering fields. I have always enjoyed being a student as well. My friends and colleagues will continue to find me popping up in their classes in-person and online as I firmly believe in life-long learning. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Last year a friend mentioned to me that another person was teaching one of my courses and that I should check it out. That same "someone" was also teaching one of their courses. Lo and behold! My friend was right. The entire course, including notes, descriptions and samples stolen and taught by one of my long-time students without a mention of my name nor a request for "may I" use your handouts, notes etc. Shocked to the core. I subsequently discovered that two other students (and one very close friend) were doing similar.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Another huge disappointment was discovering the blatant sharing of my class handouts, documents, and recordings. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><b><i>Sharing without permission a tutor's notes, recording and handouts, is stealing.</i></b> This shows selfishness and a total lack of respect to me as the tutor. It didn't happen just once, it happened more than a hundred times in various courses, that I know of. How unfair that lack of respect is for fellow students who have paid a good deal of money to undertake a course only to have it shared with others who have not paid a cent. Again, it is stealing.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"></span></p><p style="margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">I ran very successful online classes right throughout the covid-19 period and I had done so for one of the big international conferences during world lock-downs. I was more than happy to contribute in that way then because of the global situation. So, I know what it is like to zoom at big conferences and small group events. Many, in the middle of my night … and that’s okay. But … for now … that time has come to a huge pause. I am exhausted. My mental health has taken a big hit and the disappointment in my heart has left me feeling wretched. It is time to heal. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">The 2023 year continued with many teaching successes particularly in Europe and Australia. I arrived home from Europe and threw myself into the solo exhibition work for the Art Society of Tasmania which was by all accounts welcome, poignant, thought provoking and successful. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Then I fell ill. <i>Is it any wonder ...</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">With the help of my wonderful rheumatologist Dr Ling San Wong, who I met last Thursday and with whom I built an immediate rapport, I will steadily improve. Plus with the love and support of my family, the kiddies, David and close friends who really do know me, the road will be an easier one. And for them I am truly grateful. The teacher in me has been taught a huge lesson. <i>Ancora imparo ... yet I am learning</i>!</span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Gemma Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10630138318071963976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500502941952857929.post-78139031387180686752024-02-25T18:20:00.000+11:002024-02-25T18:20:09.222+11:00Do not look away ...<p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheFzv8oH9REygMr0A3oLF4YjsV_hIoUpMEzrooHh-KNA5pcRwOJAeFHrxaSToEh-mprJIh4tegbYiJ-qMmxnhRPc-BirRNbNUQ2n1K-8reyTp09cctPh5dCA_RU2PcPFAmVCba9Oi_mEU8Y5MNCbXEkoKrP-rIKgHFxLxjZTTg8w05Njws-UJ9vQBglvAX/s2391/Pieces_of_Peace_17%20copy%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2391" data-original-width="1706" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheFzv8oH9REygMr0A3oLF4YjsV_hIoUpMEzrooHh-KNA5pcRwOJAeFHrxaSToEh-mprJIh4tegbYiJ-qMmxnhRPc-BirRNbNUQ2n1K-8reyTp09cctPh5dCA_RU2PcPFAmVCba9Oi_mEU8Y5MNCbXEkoKrP-rIKgHFxLxjZTTg8w05Njws-UJ9vQBglvAX/w354-h496/Pieces_of_Peace_17%20copy%202.jpg" width="354" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Pieces of Peace</span></i></div><p><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: times; font-size: large;">"As individuals we cannot possibly take on the pain of the world, but we must bear witness to it. Our work here is to tell the story of our time for future generations. Atrocities beget atrocities, life is cyclical. And, as many more famous a person has said before me when will we ever learn. Surely if we stand up and show up and write about it and make meaningful things these will help us all. There are better, kinder humans in the world than this. Surely at the very least, can’t we disagree agreeably starting within our own community." GB</span><span style="font-family: Optima; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>Gemma Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10630138318071963976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500502941952857929.post-85777356805484665122024-02-04T17:20:00.008+11:002024-02-06T16:51:08.969+11:00Blank diary day ...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm2205zrSzdK_10FpzXnPEEsQgUulAJgbaKhEgm6EEvyuqm4Ke7LpBC_RQCUZ1ruvu0rSswy9LYORwmaYiC6MjYcqdUuxnBJ48pm5WMjKdyE0v56Z9sGscWq-zA1PskZ9jg5dTy0vRBIk_DJ72LprsjRA6qSyTXlltUuHkSzSTtD0UshBet9A2UNPNjho9/s3523/IMG_0085.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="921" data-original-width="3523" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm2205zrSzdK_10FpzXnPEEsQgUulAJgbaKhEgm6EEvyuqm4Ke7LpBC_RQCUZ1ruvu0rSswy9LYORwmaYiC6MjYcqdUuxnBJ48pm5WMjKdyE0v56Z9sGscWq-zA1PskZ9jg5dTy0vRBIk_DJ72LprsjRA6qSyTXlltUuHkSzSTtD0UshBet9A2UNPNjho9/w642-h168/IMG_0085.jpeg" width="642" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>One of many book shelves in our home.</i></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span>It is really soul refreshing to have a some time to myself. I love it when I look at the diary for tomorrow .... any tomorrow ... and there it is, </span><i><b>blank!</b></i><span> Vita Sackville-West once wrote: </span><i>"Days I enjoy are days when nothing happens"</i><span>. I can relate to that feeling. Although, on days that start out "blank diary day" all sorts of wonderful little things happen.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">So, on this "blank diary day" I spent a little time gathering book titles of recent reads. I compiled this list for my Journal, and, as you can't read my journal I thought I would share some books with you. Some are from The Sister's Bookclub I share with my three sisters:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><i>General:</i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Where the Crawdads Sing, Delia Owens<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">The Moreville Hours, Katherine Swift <i><span style="color: red;">fabulous thank you Georgia</span></i><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">The Weekend, Charlotte Wood <i><span style="color: red;">really enjoyed this book</span></i><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">And Every Word is True (re. Capote’s In Cold Blood), Gary McAvoy<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Whole Notes, Ed Ayres<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">American Dirt, Jeanine Cummins<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">The Light Between Oceans, M L Stedman<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Becoming, Michelle Obama<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Saturday, Ian McEwan<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Boy Swallows Universe, Trent Dalton <i><span style="color: red;">enjoyed this book</span></i><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">The Silent Listener, Lyn Yeowart <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">State of Terror, Louise Penny & Hillary Rodham Clinton <i><span style="color: red;">a nice little action/thriller romp from two people in the know</span></i><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Coal Creek, Alex Miller<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Phosphorescence, Julia Beard <i><span style="color: red;">didn’t like this book at all</span></i><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Code Name Helene, Ariel Lawhon <i><span style="color: red;">good book!</span></i><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">The Vanishing Half, Brit Bennett<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Into Thin Air, Jon Krakauer (again)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Scary Monsters, Michelle de Kretser<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Still Life, Sarah Winman <i><span style="color: red;">really enjoyed this book</span></i><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Tilt, Chris Hammer <i><span style="color: red;">always a good read Chris Hammer</span></i><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">The Islands, Emily Brugman<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Less, Andrew Sean Greer, <i><span style="color: red;">really enjoyed this book</span></i><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Limberlost, Robbie Arnott<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">On the Java Ridge, Jock Serong <i><span style="color: red;">great book, best read of the year</span></i><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">The Lamplighters, Emma Stonex<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">The Frenchman, Jack Beaumont<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Homecoming, Kate Morton<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Dark Arena, the Frenchman series, Jack Beaumont<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Stone Yard Devotional, Charlotte Wood<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Iris, Fiona Kelly McGregor<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Masterclass, Morris West<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">My Antonia, Willa Catha (again) <i><span style="color: red;">love this book</span></i><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">The Thursday Murder Club Book 1, Richard Osman<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">The Seven, Chris Hammer <i><span style="color: red;">loved this book<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Lola in the Mirror, Trent Dalton<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US">Everyone in my Family Killed Someone </span><i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: red;">loved this book<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Bulldozed: Scott Morrison, Nikki Savva<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">People of the Book, Geraldine Brooks<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US">Wifedom: Mrs Orwell’s Invisible Life, Anna Funder </span><i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: red;">OMG what a book!</span></i><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Snow Country, Sebastian Faulks<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">The Seventh Son, Sebastian Faulks<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">The Wintringham Mystery: Cicely Disappears, Anthothy Berkeley & Tony Medawar<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Wolfe Island, Lucy Treloar<br />Bruny, Heather Rose<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Outback, Patricia Wolfe<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">The Rush, Michelle Prak<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">The Fire and the Rose: Robyn Cadwallader<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US">The Bookbinder of Jericho Pip Williams </span><i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: red;">great book!</span></i><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">The Katharine Code, Jørn Horst<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">When it Grows Dark, Jørn Horst<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US">Breath, The New Science of a Lost Art, James Nestor </span><i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: red;">really loved this book on breathing, great insights</span></i><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><i>Series:</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US">Chief Inspector Gamache, Louise Penny </span><i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: red;">every single one, love them to bits and I crave the next one!</span></i><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">On the Fens, Joy Ellis<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">A Deadly Scandal: The Deadly Series, Kate Parker<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">The Åre Murders, series Viceca Sten<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">An Oxford Murder Mystery (Briget Hart series) M S Morris<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">My Name is Jensen, Heidi Amsinick<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US">All the Vatican Secret Library books 1 – 7, Gary McAvoy </span><i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: red;">love them for pure escapism!<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Lake District Mysteries, Rebecca Tope<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US">William Warwick Series, Jeffrey Archer </span><i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: red;">great little reads</span></i><span> </span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><i>Other authors I love in general:</i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Richard Flanagan (such insight)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Helen Garner (such insight)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Jane Harper (great Australian fiction)</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Ruth Ware (lots, she spins an easy yarn)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Michael Rowbotham (always intriguing and frenetic)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Val McDermid<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Anne Cleeves</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Joy Ellis<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Ken Follett (always historically huge and interesting great yarn spinner)</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> .... ah, there are way too many really special authors.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span>This sort of covers it even though I know there are a few more. I do love reading. On occasion I read an actual hard copy book, that special </span><i>must have</i><span> book to touch and feel the words though mostly the books listed here are my everyday listen-to unabridged books. I listen while walking - now I can walk again that feels good - while I am ironing, cooking and the most relaxing of all, while I am painting. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><i>"My hands are always busy, making, doing things"</i>.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">I can't however, listen at all while I am writing. To concentrate on my calligraphy is paramount. It is a completely different environment for my creativity. Even as I concentrate I get lost in the words and the work just flows. That in itself is equally as rewarding. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Of course not all, but most of these books are intriguing, mysterious or crime fiction. I love clever writers. I love the mystery of the puzzle. <b><i>"Here are the facts reader, work it out"!</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">And then there are the art books. I'll leave those for another "blank diary day". </span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></p>Gemma Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10630138318071963976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500502941952857929.post-7583341166462136732024-01-17T14:07:00.001+11:002024-01-17T14:10:22.279+11:00Making time my friend ... and poly myalgia rheumatica<p> </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU9r0Ns-XpXnGLhKOC1kQWzK8qboKZaWh4BPDbecaLngGxIwG9-UWKNXjPTe77CPOd4DJ_ASdQ8EM7xiPFibZ22fkSLro-IqUIHvFVehFQk0szluaxWnSdZjbtYwVuPO_09K9Ya-P_BqhzkP28iQoN9AzJnAeuD0v-gqoJsHkP-1egfBh42Ob3ry-eyaY4/s4240/Gem_Boats_Official.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2384" data-original-width="4240" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU9r0Ns-XpXnGLhKOC1kQWzK8qboKZaWh4BPDbecaLngGxIwG9-UWKNXjPTe77CPOd4DJ_ASdQ8EM7xiPFibZ22fkSLro-IqUIHvFVehFQk0szluaxWnSdZjbtYwVuPO_09K9Ya-P_BqhzkP28iQoN9AzJnAeuD0v-gqoJsHkP-1egfBh42Ob3ry-eyaY4/w492-h277/Gem_Boats_Official.JPG" width="492" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The past fifteen months has taken its toll on me as there has been a lot of pressure and stress. Self-inflicted of course, as that is the way of things with me. Subsequently I have been diagnosed with (nothing sinister) poly myalgia rheumatica which has seen me at a low painful ebb. Coupled with very high blood pressure which is not a good mix, we are now just getting that under control. As my lovely doctor says <i>"Gemma, you do not want to have a stroke"</i>. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">To address the PMR issue I have just started a steroidal pain management treatment and the prognosis is very good. I have known for some six months or so that something was not sitting quite right with my health so it was only about a month ago that the body responded with a "<i>stop now</i>". It’s just a bit of a pain really but I do wish to live a long a fruitful life. Who doesn't, right!?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;">Some of you know I have taken steps to slow the rhythm of my everyday life to manageable and more enjoyable levels. While this has seen me leave behind my classroom and online teaching presence, the joy of being more focussed on studio-based work allows me to make time my friend again and hopefully refocus on the preciousness of friends.</span><span style="font-family: times;"> I am very grateful for that. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;">The four minute film <i>"The Boats of Humanity"</i> an expose of my exhibition work, can be seen <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvfbYOgKfTU" target="_blank">here</a>. C</span><span style="font-family: times;">reated by chief story catcher Lara van Raay <a href="https://www.facebook.com/smallworlddocos/" target="_blank">Small World Documentaries</a>.</span></span></p><p><br /></p>Gemma Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10630138318071963976noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500502941952857929.post-39253606375356568792023-09-26T14:27:00.000+10:002023-09-26T14:27:25.998+10:00From the Heart<p> <span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">From my heart & mind: a voice "to" Parliament is not a voice "in" Parliament. If my simple message amidst all the noise out there sways a couple of undecided friends on which way to vote, I will be more than happy. Consider how fortunate we are in this country to be able to have our say - and this is a conscience vote not a political vote - also please keep in mind that our First Nations People did not have this right at all until the 1967 referendum. Please consider this. Go well.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p>Gemma Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10630138318071963976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500502941952857929.post-53148265624796906052023-09-26T14:25:00.000+10:002023-09-26T14:25:25.782+10:00YES ... all that noise ...<div class="xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs x126k92a" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">There is a lot of talk amongst "the noise" about us all being equal. You all know that according to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948, Article 1 states that: "All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood".</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Some say that here in Australia there is no need for an individual group to have a voice to Parliament, and that we are all equal <span style="font-family: inherit;"><a style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit;" tabindex="-1"></a></span>according to the law. But, in reality, and if we are heartfelt & honest, this is not the case for many minority groups and most seriously for our First Nation's people. Hence our upcoming referendum. Observations follow from both my experience and readings of the Yes and the No cases as I believe that the mental health of our nation could be in peril. </div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">There are a number of very good ethical reasons for a Voice for our First Nations peoples to be enshrined in the Australian constitution. If you wish to read further the Ethics Report on the Voice is available online. </div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">We learned at school that our Constitution was written on a falsehood. The British claimed and colonised the great southern land known then as "Terra Australis Non Cognito" (but strangely enough also called New Holland) as both the French and the Dutch were here as well - not to forget the many islander trading nations. The British claimed, according to international law at the time, that the land was "terra nullius". </div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">This Latin term means “land belonging to no one”, which has been interpreted as a complete absence of people and additionally the absence of “civilised” people capable of land ownership. This premise was obviously false and subsequently the Australian Constitution written was written on this falsehood. </div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">What has happened in this country since then is unconscionable. Most Australians will remember "the White Australia Policy" but if you don't ... you'll find it online too. </div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Australians will also remember that the claim "terra nullius" was overturned in 1992 by the High Court of Australia's Mabo decision.</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Enshrining a Voice to Parliament in the Constitution cannot be undone by any one future political party, group or individual. So in other words it is a very serious amendment to the law upon which this country has been built and not just some airy-fairy talk. It creates serious ethical reparation in writing ... in righting the wrongs and making amendments by moving forward to allow pro-active discussion with all those immediately concerned for the next step, Treaty.</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Timeline:</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Sixty-odd thousand years or thereabouts, Indigenous peoples continuously live on and from the land </div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">22 August 1770, Captain Cook (journal entry) took possession of all of the east coast of the great south land in the name of the English King, George III</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">26 January 1788, Captain Arthur Phillip raised the flag of Great Britain</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"> 1 January 1901 the Australian Constitution took effect after being passed by a British Act of Parliament in 1900.</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">1967 a referendum successful in creating citizenship for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders </div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">1992 "terra nullius" overturned in the High Court Mabo Decision recognising Native Title and their continuing connection to the land </div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">2008 Bipartisan support passed the Motion to the House, "Apology to Australia's Indigenous Peoples"</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">14 October 2023 Referendum. At the time of writing, the outcome is unknown ... </div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Crystal Ball: </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">YES vote gets up civility wins and Australians stand proud</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">NO vote gets up, it's a backward step, civility loses, all Australian's lose and a further stain settles over the Nation which will be hard to recover from this time</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">As the noise gets more vicious and louder I am tuning out and turning to my drawing board where I shall find solace in making things ...</div></div>Gemma Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10630138318071963976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500502941952857929.post-62053481156007323322023-08-12T02:39:00.007+10:002023-08-12T03:15:13.173+10:00This Antipodean traveller ...<p> </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo9zgMMiFy1F3fUAEOflQUycBwrX2k3TyrKx261cnA58X7WQNWEQrl8FIRNpx3TpZkNEAwYpWmB1w3robe0WNUbhb4n87ERDRnCBwpj_EFhmfxY5vZaIO37MEWEXKdDM_S3TYvcDeYqjY27ezlwrhq2TT7p8zJfXDPoa6Anj0Sha2XP7rswj-VpV2DoLjL/s1272/IMG_6312.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1272" data-original-width="1170" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo9zgMMiFy1F3fUAEOflQUycBwrX2k3TyrKx261cnA58X7WQNWEQrl8FIRNpx3TpZkNEAwYpWmB1w3robe0WNUbhb4n87ERDRnCBwpj_EFhmfxY5vZaIO37MEWEXKdDM_S3TYvcDeYqjY27ezlwrhq2TT7p8zJfXDPoa6Anj0Sha2XP7rswj-VpV2DoLjL/w589-h640/IMG_6312.jpg" width="589" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span>International departures gate Sydney 9 August 2023</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span>I must say there is both a sense of relief and trepidation as I leave the country. Relief, because I can stop all my micro-planning - my itinerary, my workshops, my lesson plans. Trepidation, because I am anxious about what is to come and how will I handle anything that doesn't go to plan. Even though I have ventured through this gate often enough I do know that everything beyond the gate is rather easy and straight forward ... even though I also know that what does go wrong is beyond my control. <i>How does my family cope with me!?</i> I have often been called <i>an intrepid traveller</i>, a label that doesn't quite sit right with me. I can tell you I am very fearful and often anxious though I appear calm most of the time!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span>This tour will see me visit the United Kingdom, Italy and Belgium where I shall mix with likeminded people or as some of us say in the field <i>my tribe</i>! I have already arrived at the University of Warwick in Coventry right in the heart of the UK. My flight from Australia was uneventful and I was delighted to have been upgraded from cattle-class to premium cattle-class where I was given a bubbles on arrival and every courtesy was offered by the Qantas staff. On the first nine hour leg I watched a couple of movies, ate too much junk, slept a bit ... slept a lot actually then after a strange layover of two hours in Singapore did some more of the same on the thirteen hour second leg. It is a physically draining trip. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span>I am bewildered however, by the two hour layover in Singapore. I left the plane along with all the other passengers. Once off I was told to come back to the same gate an hour later to start the security process again even though we couldn't leave the terminal. There were no shops open to browse ... actually there were no shops just gates and I couldn't find a lounge. All the seats were taken and people were strewn around the floor. Very strange indeed. When the time came I queued up to go through security even though I had already been through security to get on the plane I was getting back on to. The security man who I just happen to get by chance, told me to do up my cardigan as it was not acceptable to have only the top two buttons done up ... I had to have them all done up. Let me tell you I had a long sleeved, crew necked top on under my cardigan so this was not a case of the exposed bosom. It was the weirdest request and I am still perplexed. But, I know better than to argue with an airport security officer.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span>As I said the journey was uneventful, smooth and reasonably pleasant. I arrived at Heathrow and walked the ten minute journey to the Central Bus Station at 7am. My coach to Coventry wasn't until 10am. The place was packed. I decided to ask the ticket office if there were an earlier bus but they told me to come back in an hour because the National Express computer system was "down". <i>Down where</i> I thought. After a coffee and croissant - very nice - I observed the throng of travellers discovering that not only was the computer system "down" but so too the the automated ticket terminals. Travellers could not purchase tickets on the day. Lucky I micro-managed that one from home before leaving. Fortunately the coach interchange platform board was working and gave information on which bay to go to get your bus. The drivers were told to accept funds and allow people to board. It worked.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span>Leaving the confines of the airport precinct I sat back and relaxed to enjoy the two and a half hour journey. Ahhh, how pleasant. Our first - and last - stop was a mid-sized town not far from Heathrow called Hemel Hempstead. The coach had broken down. The driver said he knew something was wrong but continued to limp into the town rather than stopping on the motorway. If he had have stopped on the motorway not one passenger would have been allowed to get out of the bus - insurance policy condition. Good on the driver!!!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span>Most passengers we very understanding and we were all glad the driver managed to get us into the town. The driver was superb in his handling of the situation. His manners and politeness were exemplary. </span><span>After a few failed attempts and a two hour wait in Hempel Hempstead the National Express company booked several cabs so we could complete our onward journey. For me I was with two other passengers travelling to Coventry. It was a very pleasant hour and a half cab ride ... in the end. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span>Welcome to the University of Warwick. I am in the Radcliffe Conference Centre enjoying this beautiful university and its surroundings. I am here for CLAS<i>fest</i>, a festival held by the Calligraphy and Lettering Arts Society. I did a campus reconnoitre after breakfast looking for my favourite places to hang out the - co-op bookshop (<i>all universities have them</i>), stationary store and the Library. Having spent a good of time at University campuses in my life I was surprised to find there was no bookstore ... at all. No stationery store either. There are no longer enough students living and studying on campus these days that their stores had closed. They do have a beautiful Functions & Arts Centre with live performances, arts exhibitions and three cinemas showing six plus screening per day. I think the two cities Coventry and Warwick are heavily invested in the Arts Centre as it is rather grand.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span>But, the most fun part of my day - so far - was my on-campus supermarket experience this morning. I wandered in to this huge store just browsing my way around when I noticed a big burley bloke hanging about at the end of my aisle, he was trying not to look at me. I thought <i>hmmm what's he up to then</i>. I popped an item here and there into my bag slowly working my way through the aisles as I was in no hurry at all. Then I noticed two blokes keeping an eye on me. So I made my way to the electronic registers with the blokes in mind thinking they were thinking I was going to steal my little collection of goodies. When I got to the registers I asked the assistant if she knew where the campus pharmacy was, she sounded nervous and said she didn't but as I was talking with her the two blokes hovered close by ... ready to pounce. So I moved to a self serve register and started the scanning process. The lass came up to me and said "<i>next time you come into the supermarket do pick up a trolley"</i>. I told her I knew something was wrong when I first noticed the blokes watching me then we all fell about laughing. One fellow told me <i>a red flag went up</i> the minute I walked into the store. Though shoplifting is not a laughing matter and obviously the Uni gets a lot of them, I thanked them all kindly for giving me something else fun to talk about with my students! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span>Day one ... all but done! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p>Gemma Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10630138318071963976noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500502941952857929.post-31591310228941331882023-07-30T16:47:00.001+10:002023-07-31T11:26:02.395+10:00Uluru Statement from the Heart<p><br /></p><p>... it's only 417 words</p><p>read them</p><p>and you will know in your heart</p><p>what to do ...</p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">U L U R U S T A T E M E N T F R O M T H E H E A R T</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Optima; margin: 0cm;">Our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander tribes were the first sovereign Nations of the Australian continent and its adjacent islands, and possessed it under our own laws and customs. This our ancestors did, according to the reckoning of our culture, from the Creation, according to the common law from ‘time immemorial’, and according to science more than 60,000 years ago. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Optima; margin: 0cm;"><i>This sovereignty is a spiritual notion: the ancestral tie between the land, or ‘mother nature’, and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who were born therefrom, remain attached thereto, and must one day return thither to be united with our ancestors. This link is the basis of the ownership of the soil, or better, of sovereignty.</i>It has never been ceded or extinguished, and co-exists with the sovereignty of the Crown. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Optima; margin: 0cm;">How could it be otherwise? That peoples possessed a land for sixty millennia and this sacred link disappears from world history in merely the last two hundred years? <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Optima; margin: 0cm;">With substantive constitutional change and structural reform, we believe this ancient sovereignty can shine through as a fuller expression of Australia’s nationhood. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Optima; margin: 0cm;">Proportionally, we are the most incarcerated people on the planet. We are not an innately criminal people. Our children are aliened from their families at unprecedented rates. This cannot be because we have no love for them. And our youth languish in detention in obscene numbers. They should be our hope for the future. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Optima; margin: 0cm;">These dimensions of our crisis tell plainly the structural nature of our problem. <i>This is the torment of our powerlessness</i>. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Optima; margin: 0cm;">We seek constitutional reforms to empower our people and take a <i>rightful place</i> in our own country. When we have power over our destiny our children will flourish. They will walk in two worlds and their culture will be a gift to their country. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Optima; margin: 0cm;">We call for the establishment of a First Nations Voice enshrined in the Constitution. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Optima; margin: 0cm;">Makarrata is the culmination of our agenda: <i>the coming together after a struggle</i>. It captures our aspirations for a fair and truthful relationship with the people of Australia and a better future for our children based on justice and self-determination. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Optima; margin: 0cm;">We seek a Makarrata Commission to supervise a process of agreement-making between governments and First Nations and truth-telling about our history. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Optima; margin: 0cm;">In 1967 we were counted, in 2017 we seek to be heard. We leave base camp and start our trek across this vast country. We invite you to walk with us in a movement of the Australian people for a better future.<o:p></o:p></p><p><br /></p><p>For more information please visit: <a href="https://yes23.com.au/">https://yes23.com.au/</a></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Gemma Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10630138318071963976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500502941952857929.post-31589187074474675312023-05-15T16:19:00.004+10:002023-05-15T16:36:05.337+10:00A life of learning and curiosity continues ...<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwgCauRgv8_Rjy32J9zvO9PNov87dWQvOzXbgcc-4dWs3NXvKMA3v5-Dmbzzgq3bUvsRzpSKfZaXyx5US49-amGqRSJzWr_z12NToptq_QqPlNd-jIlFsP2HThYp9qmXlSZXTA_nTcLVDU6v6-VHxZm3W0dt0OTf31js0zscVlqNcMXw6WYExJKAX6rQ/s937/IMG_1365.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="937" data-original-width="750" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwgCauRgv8_Rjy32J9zvO9PNov87dWQvOzXbgcc-4dWs3NXvKMA3v5-Dmbzzgq3bUvsRzpSKfZaXyx5US49-amGqRSJzWr_z12NToptq_QqPlNd-jIlFsP2HThYp9qmXlSZXTA_nTcLVDU6v6-VHxZm3W0dt0OTf31js0zscVlqNcMXw6WYExJKAX6rQ/w512-h640/IMG_1365.JPG" width="512" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">1991 Photograph by Michael Thorne</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span style="color: #666666; font-family: verdana;">It was 1986 when I was approached by the Crafts Council of the ACT to teach calligraphy. I had only been learning calligraphy for a few years though I was already through my Showcard and Ticket Writing and Sign-writing Certificate and well into my Diploma of Calligraphy and Bookbinding through the Roehampton Institute UK. I felt I was neither ready to teach nor <span style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">prepared for it but the lass on the end of the phone said she had seen my work and would I be prepared to "give it a go"? So I did.</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #666666; font-family: verdana;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #666666; font-family: verdana;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">Thirty-seven years later and after a lifetime of learning, sharing and guiding others, the time has come for me to farewell the classroom and the zoom room due to a rise in lecture & presentation requests and my ever increasing want to add to my artistic collection and calligraphic repertoire. All my current teaching commitments will be met until the close of 2023. How fortunate to have made so many friends here in Australia and around the world and to have have the opportunity to travel and learn and share extensively in my field. I have been wanted, welcomed and included.</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #666666; font-family: verdana;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #666666; font-family: verdana;">I know I will miss the classroom and all that that preparation, research and experimentation involves. I see the move however, as an exciting step in into a world of curiosity and learning and I am truly keen to know where it will end up. My studio and its contents beckon me. My mind is brimming with ideas, research initiatives, articles to be written and just the pure urge to make more things with my hands.</span></div><div><span style="color: #666666; font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #666666; font-family: verdana;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">There will still be travel. There will still be a sharing though my lecture series and there will still be calligraphic works telling the story of my own zeitgeist. It is, after all my purpose here. There are also some very special people who I will enjoy spending some more quality time with. And, here are some of them.</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #666666; font-family: verdana;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #666666; font-family: verdana;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYaYqIAjUmMLODCAthdI0NFnSqiQHZjuoNexZwLxMuLawMOCoczRobGMdfolyxk8O-cFZEfJUGoNm9ttaSuC_Ut6sWk0NE3kmex7iQ2c8CJOCn-J7UHBOfEQMO_FUxvSMwWOnxvcm9S5LwjhwslHUCAMEjIQOy0vHEAWQYKLSrFLvSyZpkFSB5CGhsrQ/s3642/IMG_4759.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3642" data-original-width="2924" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYaYqIAjUmMLODCAthdI0NFnSqiQHZjuoNexZwLxMuLawMOCoczRobGMdfolyxk8O-cFZEfJUGoNm9ttaSuC_Ut6sWk0NE3kmex7iQ2c8CJOCn-J7UHBOfEQMO_FUxvSMwWOnxvcm9S5LwjhwslHUCAMEjIQOy0vHEAWQYKLSrFLvSyZpkFSB5CGhsrQ/w514-h640/IMG_4759.jpeg" width="514" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hamish and Mads, serious and curious about making things.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div>Gemma Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10630138318071963976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500502941952857929.post-1305428568185482482023-01-13T17:36:00.000+11:002023-01-13T17:36:22.191+11:00A beaut way to start the year ...<p> </p><p><br /></p><p>Twenty-twenty-three has come at last. Let's all hope it is better than the past few years have been and the world settles into a more pleasant place than what it has been. This year I am determined to find my creative gene again.</p><p>I am fortunate in that my year has started beautifully. Getting back into the classroom with ten dedicated and delightful participants was pure balm for the soul. </p><p>The Sturt Summer School in the Southern Highlands of NSW saw two hundred participants and tutors come together for five days of creativity in multiple disciplines. It is always enjoyable meeting new people both tutors and students. The grounds alone, full of beauty, inspire creativity.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhws00LP6N2OTtmBIoR90Huoqx2aTAWI5oRvyHyy_ttn3nqQF2EzAC_e6yMTIRcQlR6N1qsRW_8rgQkU-dRQFgByBOxc1PC0v7BA-PP_fEh36PvWmiclUEaHa4CMH_QewwggObmqp8p0qBD_BbsZHiPAzVbS502gETJ_9-iR5XUt7kZ4AOjRjQnMnPKow/s3595/IMG_2986.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3595" data-original-width="2566" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhws00LP6N2OTtmBIoR90Huoqx2aTAWI5oRvyHyy_ttn3nqQF2EzAC_e6yMTIRcQlR6N1qsRW_8rgQkU-dRQFgByBOxc1PC0v7BA-PP_fEh36PvWmiclUEaHa4CMH_QewwggObmqp8p0qBD_BbsZHiPAzVbS502gETJ_9-iR5XUt7kZ4AOjRjQnMnPKow/w456-h640/IMG_2986.jpeg" width="456" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggOYblsnr16zRKOD11Y1idC1Y9S5n7Aq-_Vj7En92IC0XAlfWTuhGbl6cyL8EFaH6OpoFTbjTJ6BVvsXlXjRPg49aRaVoLKALaNFVGju3Ig0MNPz0QCsb_12Brs0z9AuIf6OoI3e-EPSs-mzRfzJ5yuYpDWG2M44BgLMd1ExlzIFYyGe96kZQMnBAlew/s1800/645DDCF6-3D18-431A-8AC6-7DDD5A2FB76B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggOYblsnr16zRKOD11Y1idC1Y9S5n7Aq-_Vj7En92IC0XAlfWTuhGbl6cyL8EFaH6OpoFTbjTJ6BVvsXlXjRPg49aRaVoLKALaNFVGju3Ig0MNPz0QCsb_12Brs0z9AuIf6OoI3e-EPSs-mzRfzJ5yuYpDWG2M44BgLMd1ExlzIFYyGe96kZQMnBAlew/w512-h640/645DDCF6-3D18-431A-8AC6-7DDD5A2FB76B.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVG_CnIC0A0eL4Hri8Or-qaEP89ATXoFejq2d3QLWThXIhBFE4MeA95nJQreyYqO9hWb8ybNfonehY_OE0Helt1iarXMXzgIX2-ngCoZhnLpAFvTRACnmzT2zcXUvMxPH0AuYCRJQJS4hmVPcf6HhOqvj9XlUchr4J16HID2ubYKBQ4fKQmz_R3RjOHQ/s1800/A0A67DD0-A5F5-4362-B8E7-E6FAC2D17E1A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVG_CnIC0A0eL4Hri8Or-qaEP89ATXoFejq2d3QLWThXIhBFE4MeA95nJQreyYqO9hWb8ybNfonehY_OE0Helt1iarXMXzgIX2-ngCoZhnLpAFvTRACnmzT2zcXUvMxPH0AuYCRJQJS4hmVPcf6HhOqvj9XlUchr4J16HID2ubYKBQ4fKQmz_R3RjOHQ/w512-h640/A0A67DD0-A5F5-4362-B8E7-E6FAC2D17E1A.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3jRkVJb5P3KazL27TcFRGJcqU1JgWJSGkWo4deVL3w217vH7FAAq7JG1EueOVExl-A-Uo7Ri6McdqaLNwGKddQcxsxvYBdOOnTis3qmEMhUeofcs9EJi8N5R9VfDrx2XsNm9jOl7f3mn5nQY5UnGm8OBZ1wXftiAP5CF65YCh9rAxfgJIc2pGzhklAQ/s1800/E7D2A47A-4C2D-440D-A5E9-94207A1C4EC8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3jRkVJb5P3KazL27TcFRGJcqU1JgWJSGkWo4deVL3w217vH7FAAq7JG1EueOVExl-A-Uo7Ri6McdqaLNwGKddQcxsxvYBdOOnTis3qmEMhUeofcs9EJi8N5R9VfDrx2XsNm9jOl7f3mn5nQY5UnGm8OBZ1wXftiAP5CF65YCh9rAxfgJIc2pGzhklAQ/w512-h640/E7D2A47A-4C2D-440D-A5E9-94207A1C4EC8.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsmCUlxRUnsS6DUdduLfVSCOVUmq5cirzzc1C-Qpahuq5iJDAdZx_q_TVr1LewvK9RVRItlOKDquY07oVr4o3HwPd3M22NzxN98c1taJWdXMPFqDNooYn7wX9X8UV8ruckY5hpHIcLmraMsPayO4j6s_PMHjbDz2N9AA3bTl7ulWsUoueH1it3xGUnsA/s4032/IMG_2879.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsmCUlxRUnsS6DUdduLfVSCOVUmq5cirzzc1C-Qpahuq5iJDAdZx_q_TVr1LewvK9RVRItlOKDquY07oVr4o3HwPd3M22NzxN98c1taJWdXMPFqDNooYn7wX9X8UV8ruckY5hpHIcLmraMsPayO4j6s_PMHjbDz2N9AA3bTl7ulWsUoueH1it3xGUnsA/w480-h640/IMG_2879.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7mTiDQ3k20rcMr_WiJ1eEP78d4ZHKPl3HEQ4cX3O4k1tyc8pXpV_LkPtIKSnitLxoLSgFwmHTiOHpBYpUJzclBjkUGzfRJf29ZpPUEz1zFP53FYYBavvFkIZFs0pe5ummaJekutv7-SToHlMVkWIa6ocERn675fiwt9geOLgzwaGrJfMZkQP7MHsrWQ/s4032/IMG_2885.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7mTiDQ3k20rcMr_WiJ1eEP78d4ZHKPl3HEQ4cX3O4k1tyc8pXpV_LkPtIKSnitLxoLSgFwmHTiOHpBYpUJzclBjkUGzfRJf29ZpPUEz1zFP53FYYBavvFkIZFs0pe5ummaJekutv7-SToHlMVkWIa6ocERn675fiwt9geOLgzwaGrJfMZkQP7MHsrWQ/w480-h640/IMG_2885.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgp5a3rAGITFTYbyhKtfMRHJBnU0sXzirnX3-BXWll9V3YlLWBEHHyvbHQcJLg6lZIqIk6aNGb1QFVGyVz1NaFnj6hnZ-sW5f2A554pMBLdyeJtlU-rW_HaxFwQM4GWnSfXgQa5_kwaPX3y3l-ZiQtMXq7d8pcOqNdwI5HCA7fuTlJeTQz9SP44Ja50A/s4032/IMG_2898.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgp5a3rAGITFTYbyhKtfMRHJBnU0sXzirnX3-BXWll9V3YlLWBEHHyvbHQcJLg6lZIqIk6aNGb1QFVGyVz1NaFnj6hnZ-sW5f2A554pMBLdyeJtlU-rW_HaxFwQM4GWnSfXgQa5_kwaPX3y3l-ZiQtMXq7d8pcOqNdwI5HCA7fuTlJeTQz9SP44Ja50A/w480-h640/IMG_2898.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>The weather was gloriously cool. I first went to Frensham in 1988 and took a class with Sydney friend and calligrapher Helen Warren. Then a class with the beautiful & talented Elaine Witton. The summer schools were then run by the World Education Fellowship. I have enjoyed teaching at Frensham many times over the years and feel privileged to be invited. Sturt Centre for Contemporary Craft has been running both winter & summer schools since 2009 (I think).<br /><p>This year I called my workshop "Writing & Illuminating & Lettering" as a homage to Edward Johnston. This is the name of his book ... the calligraphers bible ... first published in 1904. The course was skill based not project driven so we did lots of small experiments and had a great deal of fun doing just that. No pressure, just fun. A few random shots follow:</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCCa3vD1NTYgcbkrwOHjyIZFCioPh4JD-h3AfnGeBv6AAjBmG0wTVkNGUmFDfAemdQpcY6Ulop26aClXTz3vbdq-J3o1F-hLbk-18PGFkhCOStHG0gJo-nIPz6aiWFOehlW-2_qdRn8fziNdxAjakOv9Jx9q1zGv_ruOYNQubS9ZxAT86wp1seRsLt4A/s4032/IMG_2866.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCCa3vD1NTYgcbkrwOHjyIZFCioPh4JD-h3AfnGeBv6AAjBmG0wTVkNGUmFDfAemdQpcY6Ulop26aClXTz3vbdq-J3o1F-hLbk-18PGFkhCOStHG0gJo-nIPz6aiWFOehlW-2_qdRn8fziNdxAjakOv9Jx9q1zGv_ruOYNQubS9ZxAT86wp1seRsLt4A/w480-h640/IMG_2866.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Tony sketched David while chatting in the rec room.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxBp9vwEPeIK__GcM_aAhuvVN1nN9RbaviKzxv5e7ZOmsSJMYdujJgSZdCDWGDr-Sk5GKG0sd9YI36tx4eWDEhpi_uf1njioPmteBmhgT8TdjrxSSDI7v_bFw3viny9Z33r_Iwezvgx_ygsKL5Ejqxott8-TCDX0eC5tPrinNsNiE8Ly43Y7yAPN3aFg/s3817/IMG_2939.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3817" data-original-width="3022" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxBp9vwEPeIK__GcM_aAhuvVN1nN9RbaviKzxv5e7ZOmsSJMYdujJgSZdCDWGDr-Sk5GKG0sd9YI36tx4eWDEhpi_uf1njioPmteBmhgT8TdjrxSSDI7v_bFw3viny9Z33r_Iwezvgx_ygsKL5Ejqxott8-TCDX0eC5tPrinNsNiE8Ly43Y7yAPN3aFg/w506-h640/IMG_2939.jpeg" width="506" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The calligraphic line ... lettering with a shell</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgshGydeXNHL75CXTz5bgnC8aVdHLVJJBJv3v8qz75zfuyM1pJCZ24VgQpWYgTR1907c45ZZQHfZReHgfmaf19brV4hSol5EXbCNL82LGHPT8QitGJvn6kbyeq-mHV0Q0qXvKlUtf1se8ndq0OBVjQtLxa1vnCBXMglwGYN1e172qUxr8i4ghNUBqKjNA/s4032/IMG_2944.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgshGydeXNHL75CXTz5bgnC8aVdHLVJJBJv3v8qz75zfuyM1pJCZ24VgQpWYgTR1907c45ZZQHfZReHgfmaf19brV4hSol5EXbCNL82LGHPT8QitGJvn6kbyeq-mHV0Q0qXvKlUtf1se8ndq0OBVjQtLxa1vnCBXMglwGYN1e172qUxr8i4ghNUBqKjNA/w480-h640/IMG_2944.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A bit of letter-building</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEO5SBMkbuVW7itExC7ezSXqz8sR1xyo48OFcYz9vfq-I8atdHfMs0I5cbsP2E1XyGpjB9Z-AVOhb5gj7xkOecw9GmRTffjaD5sQ17esFDOp58IKWifZpxA8eLB0NI52X2WvqYjTN_kP5mLjP577xaB06MOavph5P7c1cjOYRASj5mFSYEKBE64cNNYA/s3893/IMG_2978.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1823" data-original-width="3893" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEO5SBMkbuVW7itExC7ezSXqz8sR1xyo48OFcYz9vfq-I8atdHfMs0I5cbsP2E1XyGpjB9Z-AVOhb5gj7xkOecw9GmRTffjaD5sQ17esFDOp58IKWifZpxA8eLB0NI52X2WvqYjTN_kP5mLjP577xaB06MOavph5P7c1cjOYRASj5mFSYEKBE64cNNYA/w640-h300/IMG_2978.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The last evening reward</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrjXbtIjutyDlaigy_gBzBDzjZ0fGi8Abrl-H_x48lgUYv9E7V5yS0MUGPklYQHFU_n1sfzQm1t_S_1f--raUrR5P8zaFtlxFg5ZIp7pxJGYURQjen8eBT-WTITJJILnDTKcnwc9dz1sOLgFlFFKcWWG8P1r7s4euLwQhwKhbNMAvWJF3C1A349t8CWw/s1096/IMG_3012.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="697" data-original-width="1096" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrjXbtIjutyDlaigy_gBzBDzjZ0fGi8Abrl-H_x48lgUYv9E7V5yS0MUGPklYQHFU_n1sfzQm1t_S_1f--raUrR5P8zaFtlxFg5ZIp7pxJGYURQjen8eBT-WTITJJILnDTKcnwc9dz1sOLgFlFFKcWWG8P1r7s4euLwQhwKhbNMAvWJF3C1A349t8CWw/w640-h408/IMG_3012.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Building more letters</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfMbnC_1iXKgWmhosVzy346jSMXK3NoIbPdChV4hjJu4NuLUBIAYxyOjXN0NCqrHM2zlMLGfWDxboeX8HxlY5asTNmNaLbTAer37HXw9bR0TAwqZwTak9iKGiMHCnSXnK3cxH8F2bMa-qyAEHXR0b7R55vjbF5hFLauIQv5MgbkLEuCjCzb8oojHiHBA/s2324/IMG_3016.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2324" data-original-width="1722" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfMbnC_1iXKgWmhosVzy346jSMXK3NoIbPdChV4hjJu4NuLUBIAYxyOjXN0NCqrHM2zlMLGfWDxboeX8HxlY5asTNmNaLbTAer37HXw9bR0TAwqZwTak9iKGiMHCnSXnK3cxH8F2bMa-qyAEHXR0b7R55vjbF5hFLauIQv5MgbkLEuCjCzb8oojHiHBA/w474-h640/IMG_3016.jpeg" width="474" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The calligraphic line - illuminating with a shell</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs1F1sv5OHu4S26msFRsK21aEf4DWFW69ozdEuR3rI_6LQFhGC7vZK5UHp7c9JHoo1PxRSdzFP9-Zf0ESOlxKlAGKFpOmTfxDZ-c2Clnt0-7uUE5xGPNX2F57fjvH5HhXYdWsDShUtktnNApdrLKHX0gaWZPvzye0I5CF99XfJNNdAipI3GQLuwej2oQ/s3852/IMG_3045.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3852" data-original-width="2340" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs1F1sv5OHu4S26msFRsK21aEf4DWFW69ozdEuR3rI_6LQFhGC7vZK5UHp7c9JHoo1PxRSdzFP9-Zf0ESOlxKlAGKFpOmTfxDZ-c2Clnt0-7uUE5xGPNX2F57fjvH5HhXYdWsDShUtktnNApdrLKHX0gaWZPvzye0I5CF99XfJNNdAipI3GQLuwej2oQ/w388-h640/IMG_3045.jpeg" width="388" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The calligraphic line ... with a shell</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLQvsCqE_w5PL-6twAhaDf7JjOAlmnlIS5igrNgjVKEZAtNZYncDkow8JBXXHyQ9_LNAvK6f6zOedK3UGDIeBbcwHkB9YO7BiFiXVm7uWa370EUICTF-eLbRvs8LgEYEL335-mpUtS4vmqHc2rJqjiK35LewbsQWO93d2WzPE-HatE4td4kN7OVqjHNw/s2400/Steven-Foster-Photography-Sturt-Summer-School-096-5617.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1597" data-original-width="2400" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLQvsCqE_w5PL-6twAhaDf7JjOAlmnlIS5igrNgjVKEZAtNZYncDkow8JBXXHyQ9_LNAvK6f6zOedK3UGDIeBbcwHkB9YO7BiFiXVm7uWa370EUICTF-eLbRvs8LgEYEL335-mpUtS4vmqHc2rJqjiK35LewbsQWO93d2WzPE-HatE4td4kN7OVqjHNw/w640-h426/Steven-Foster-Photography-Sturt-Summer-School-096-5617.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Demonstrating under the document camera</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9bFhHYcM-azHSpI4bK-L0Y5yotCi0G89ijrayihWWXvZK7ZR1sUsq3gRmpsO39fdxia9kyt1nERFWjA5tcdoUxyA2DeiZ7A_DHeSGhT9nwk4JOoXeMeNnEdexEs6caNkQmrC1KYCsuraV_VQXbMHlkXCpxreDnKfYai6ePf0CwhRZHC5GDjSzrhSUXg/s2400/Steven-Foster-Photography-Sturt-Summer-School-097-5623.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2400" data-original-width="1597" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9bFhHYcM-azHSpI4bK-L0Y5yotCi0G89ijrayihWWXvZK7ZR1sUsq3gRmpsO39fdxia9kyt1nERFWjA5tcdoUxyA2DeiZ7A_DHeSGhT9nwk4JOoXeMeNnEdexEs6caNkQmrC1KYCsuraV_VQXbMHlkXCpxreDnKfYai6ePf0CwhRZHC5GDjSzrhSUXg/w426-h640/Steven-Foster-Photography-Sturt-Summer-School-097-5623.jpeg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Almost candid camera ...</div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Gemma Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10630138318071963976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500502941952857929.post-52280672919790916382022-09-18T12:24:00.002+10:002022-10-05T11:36:56.797+11:00A new start ...<p> </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr3g2i7ox480nWtDDeIi5_GZw1AlWWptFaMJJNBw3pzNMuThtiZcyE5Oxx8wl21llI_wDPyEq25aiMCYh3xtX7sx6YAoTBZSF-iRtXnpyD8FqpGvnkn_zq9tujD8bsPbn57RO824Nw5WnAdGMvC3jrrbrIMzpAEMbbHhSQujMklg2zoItGsvjNQxf1Uw/s3342/IMG_1344.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3342" data-original-width="2853" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr3g2i7ox480nWtDDeIi5_GZw1AlWWptFaMJJNBw3pzNMuThtiZcyE5Oxx8wl21llI_wDPyEq25aiMCYh3xtX7sx6YAoTBZSF-iRtXnpyD8FqpGvnkn_zq9tujD8bsPbn57RO824Nw5WnAdGMvC3jrrbrIMzpAEMbbHhSQujMklg2zoItGsvjNQxf1Uw/w364-h427/IMG_1344.jpeg" width="364" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p>And so it transpires we have found a beautiful yet quirky little home to start our new Canberra chapter. The home once owned and built by a very climate conscientious pharmacist is now ours to enjoy and care for. Tanks for water, tanks for grey-water, solar panels, double-glazed windows, trombe walls and clerestory windows all thrown into the mix to help our new solar passive home along. There are two good sized bedrooms and a remarkable room perfect for a calligrapher with an artistic bent. Just ready to walk in and get started.</p><p>Built c. 2005 the house is almost hidden from external view. I like that. Nestled at the end of a very quiet cul-de-sac it is a little off the road in Lyons, a central suburb in the ACT giving us the opportunity to travel in all directions to be anywhere we wish to be within minutes. The greatest joy of all and one of my essentials on the "must be" list is that it is very short walk to the Woden shopping & health precinct. For me the hardest decision was, not was this home suitable for us, but the fact that we found it so early on in our search. The property had been passed in at auction as a high number in the ACT have been lately. All the street names in the suburb, named after former Prime Minister Joseph Lyons aTasmanian, are name after locales in the State of Tasmania and ours is named Maria Place after the famous Tasmanian Maria Island, pronounced Mar-i-ah. How serendipitous.</p><p>Canberra is very cold in winter and very hot in summer so being prepared for both is essential. Having lived in Canberra for thirty-three years I know what to expect regarding the weather. Being closer to the family makes for much much happier times for me and I hope for David too.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Gemma Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10630138318071963976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500502941952857929.post-87944428905677523142022-08-08T16:25:00.003+10:002022-08-08T16:25:44.070+10:00AGM Farewell Fare-forward<p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Today I stood down from the presidency of the Kingborough Womens Club. The group is the umbrella organisation that runs and looks after the Club House for women of all ages. Started just under fifty years ago to encourage women new to the Kingston, Tasmania area to meet, find company and share friendships. Each member is a remarkable woman in her own way, open, honest and collegiate.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Each day of the week sees a different activity including craft, mahjong, fit ball & scrabble. Thursday has been our day for the past five years and we have enjoyed many wonderful activities made strong friendships. We call ourselves LARS the Lettering and Arts Group and we call our meeting house the "Shed".</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The AGM saw my formal stand down and farewell by all the group representatives. I cried of course ... quite a bit ... and I could see in each person's face their full understanding where I was coming from. Huge support and flowers were presented. I wish the Club continued joy & success and long may they enjoy the company of like-minded friends. I will miss them all terribly!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>Gemma Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10630138318071963976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500502941952857929.post-80666054180118954172022-07-24T13:08:00.000+10:002022-07-24T13:08:12.499+10:00<p><span style="color: #990000;"> The happy news is I am moving on, or rather <i><b>we</b></i> are moving on. As my website states:</span></p><p><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="color: #990000;"><strong style="caret-color: rgb(141, 36, 36); font-family: Roboto; font-size: 16px;"><em style="position: relative;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A quick little note: </span></em></strong><em style="caret-color: rgb(141, 36, 36); font-family: Roboto; font-size: 16px; position: relative;"><span style="font-size: small;">Due to a home relocation from Hobart Tasmania to Canberra Australian Capital Territory, classes and commissions are currently suspended until January 2023</span></em></span></p>Gemma Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10630138318071963976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500502941952857929.post-53821921653786185722022-07-24T13:06:00.003+10:002022-07-24T13:06:43.126+10:00TOUGH few months<p> </p><p>I wrote this a couple of months ago. Now I am moving on.</p><p><br /></p><p>_______________________________________________________</p><p><br /></p><p>It is time for me to seek a path I haven't travelled before. I have become so very disillusioned with my creative work, my teaching and my commissioned works that I am truly unsure as to what my next steps will or should be.</p><p>Over the past few years I have been slowly slipping into a mindset where my confidence level in both my work and my personal life has just hovered above zero. These past few months have been the toughest yet and I have slipped way way beneath zero mark. I no longer have anything left in the tank to offer and yet I yearn to continue to "make things" with my hands and my heart.</p><p>My health is not in a good place, with two tears in my right shoulder rotator cuff and the accompanying pain is so incredibly great that there has not been one night where my sleep has not been drastically disturbed and I whimper like a dog with the pain. The doctors are trying to work out a pain management procedure but I feel they really "just don't get it!" I get this sort of "there there" attitude and "let's see if this works!". </p><p>Of course one thing is compounding the other, and the other, and so on. </p>Gemma Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10630138318071963976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500502941952857929.post-68070697709287630302022-05-02T17:44:00.001+10:002022-05-02T17:44:19.934+10:00Creative process: <p> </p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I feel this is pretty apt for me!</span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><strong>The creative process:</strong><br /><em>1. This is awesome<br />2. This is tricky<br />3. This is shit<br />4. I am shit<br />5. This might be ok<br />6. This is awesome</em><br /><i><br /></i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><i>It came to me as author unknown ... (though it could be a <span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(15, 20, 25); color: #0f1419; white-space: pre-wrap;">Marcus Romer after I did a little research)</span></i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><i><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(15, 20, 25); color: #0f1419; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><i><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(15, 20, 25); color: #0f1419; white-space: pre-wrap;">I hope you're having a beautiful day!</span></i></span></p>Gemma Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10630138318071963976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500502941952857929.post-80549333244432902182022-01-05T16:29:00.000+11:002022-01-05T16:29:13.187+11:00The card not sent ...<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKDZqkqb8FRWcw_AEyC-fg1vQ0M8kr9IW05YOuaFcGNRyLh8wMiJccuuq5dxz9c4tF9Eg02ydohtrk0xCXsZfHNAnDVJNczDTQFrkKw4ZgRvoWtewXGHjV77-CXaQsN1BosbcUtItk2b_8/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2760" data-original-width="2563" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKDZqkqb8FRWcw_AEyC-fg1vQ0M8kr9IW05YOuaFcGNRyLh8wMiJccuuq5dxz9c4tF9Eg02ydohtrk0xCXsZfHNAnDVJNczDTQFrkKw4ZgRvoWtewXGHjV77-CXaQsN1BosbcUtItk2b_8/w437-h470/Merry_Christmas_2021.jpeg" width="437" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>Gemma Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10630138318071963976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500502941952857929.post-71952453473133713002021-12-29T13:28:00.002+11:002021-12-29T13:28:47.004+11:00Attempt on the mountain ...<p> </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjiMNe0A_anRuJWTelA6BSqH2QwGDgXnl7loNRrSzKJ7RAUYdhzXTAEKytsJm4384EYJX9qyiTE1CeuW_n5a9yjCydofubA_1__d01kd6Bpmk3-OXmkgt9jfTIIFuwyTa6Fk-ecGO5FN9vBzePEokIzyJ1_XDVUQDeQnniu1FGgIa2KdVztdghzX-Rr-Q=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="441" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjiMNe0A_anRuJWTelA6BSqH2QwGDgXnl7loNRrSzKJ7RAUYdhzXTAEKytsJm4384EYJX9qyiTE1CeuW_n5a9yjCydofubA_1__d01kd6Bpmk3-OXmkgt9jfTIIFuwyTa6Fk-ecGO5FN9vBzePEokIzyJ1_XDVUQDeQnniu1FGgIa2KdVztdghzX-Rr-Q=w331-h441" width="331" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This morning we took advantage of the beautiful day here in Canberra to visit the Botanic Gardens nestled at the base of Black Mountain, walk through the rainforest, the eucalypts, Wollemia pines and play with the water dragons. We started with breakfast at Pollen and as the morning got warmer and warmer the place to be was the cool of the rainforest.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgBkKal74z6JDPr-uu9bRLEPtD_RDsGWJaaGx-xHvWB__itWQhmCP4-6OY9eKm47iOexrmaP_ht43ppzSpbvZdo05YLtvz6kmclkxv0CFzC6fqVkhDUeiALkjf9aIgIQlqrnfD7X8twbgpAUh7U1k2FFvu_CdJAyiSm-AmPwNFg4ODSoZbJeui8dwM0YA=s3739" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3739" data-original-width="2858" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgBkKal74z6JDPr-uu9bRLEPtD_RDsGWJaaGx-xHvWB__itWQhmCP4-6OY9eKm47iOexrmaP_ht43ppzSpbvZdo05YLtvz6kmclkxv0CFzC6fqVkhDUeiALkjf9aIgIQlqrnfD7X8twbgpAUh7U1k2FFvu_CdJAyiSm-AmPwNFg4ODSoZbJeui8dwM0YA=s320" width="245" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I saw a very interesting sign. My mind did a flip and my hear a flutter <i>"could I possibly walk to the tower on the top of Black Mountain?"</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjoI0mmPF_OHHNtZsnNtfQKuU0czdnMMkUNGgxuv932gTJKQ4duXwKsLvQjzZYNkwd5fdCPNNkgukJpLxAHjeHv2To-MZ5ID1Ulhq5cpo6b022nd3cE4jIfrybupwOlIrT7vuK6_t4WQjhQN7xqkVhIjWi7yoF7EP6Sn_sO3A3_yCEzfEppZz2sLKwgDw=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="385" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjoI0mmPF_OHHNtZsnNtfQKuU0czdnMMkUNGgxuv932gTJKQ4duXwKsLvQjzZYNkwd5fdCPNNkgukJpLxAHjeHv2To-MZ5ID1Ulhq5cpo6b022nd3cE4jIfrybupwOlIrT7vuK6_t4WQjhQN7xqkVhIjWi7yoF7EP6Sn_sO3A3_yCEzfEppZz2sLKwgDw=w289-h385" width="289" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">A truly beautiful red eucalypt</div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhvM0zlXbMJVadmXOESN8dKYnyx7GPLprPm4ldztPqcrFPbZcYWAYHlpyYeG0ZDbbvB2wMogrLGZctgdxIMb6iQzQL0dQMKquCk9bPTb0Duyx3ipopwvta4LkjH2oMJBIqR0Qv8tpbg46vzgReddpnV7NcwBj-1nnfIiEpOK-wSrUKbP9FLJmhz-i0iCQ=s3291" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3291" data-original-width="2961" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhvM0zlXbMJVadmXOESN8dKYnyx7GPLprPm4ldztPqcrFPbZcYWAYHlpyYeG0ZDbbvB2wMogrLGZctgdxIMb6iQzQL0dQMKquCk9bPTb0Duyx3ipopwvta4LkjH2oMJBIqR0Qv8tpbg46vzgReddpnV7NcwBj-1nnfIiEpOK-wSrUKbP9FLJmhz-i0iCQ=s320" width="288" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Natural rock texture along the way.</div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhHj3sv6sDsi0UclKQwAfqG4916yVLIl5BanY7AMrp4oxE3N1Dx_Kj81Y2L64ibeiz_tkJNWD8EHUK68sCbC2gzIs_m5yDew3DGBtYKajx6q_wVSHrixaBfAG9HKE6RSF0KqL7W-kCVlgOsBWglr9_TCXZW158-4JjNc2pxt6G0NWSozfXWekTnA7o80Q=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhHj3sv6sDsi0UclKQwAfqG4916yVLIl5BanY7AMrp4oxE3N1Dx_Kj81Y2L64ibeiz_tkJNWD8EHUK68sCbC2gzIs_m5yDew3DGBtYKajx6q_wVSHrixaBfAG9HKE6RSF0KqL7W-kCVlgOsBWglr9_TCXZW158-4JjNc2pxt6G0NWSozfXWekTnA7o80Q=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We made the decision to walk to the top though I had reservations as to whether I would make it. I knew David would as his fitness level is much higher than mine.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I could hear my heart beat in my head and my pulse was racing as sweat dripped from my whole body.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I made the decision to turn back after some really difficult (for me) steep slopes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhp7WVYJAQ9NnWDC9ulLuHp9hsGzTzqlWEkxNofFPY4VeomlkyLgsQTW-q_vjcb13LdtXbTBtQ9FYm66Az5tHNM-CB5L6SdfZ963yTxLlKss03yY-QvxUy5-ZvfiVr_7XPAO78MJPw4EaS5AapzRH903ohaW26HLtHA6iXwVRr4whhVhCEAcEkttWzabQ=s2847" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2847" data-original-width="2179" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhp7WVYJAQ9NnWDC9ulLuHp9hsGzTzqlWEkxNofFPY4VeomlkyLgsQTW-q_vjcb13LdtXbTBtQ9FYm66Az5tHNM-CB5L6SdfZ963yTxLlKss03yY-QvxUy5-ZvfiVr_7XPAO78MJPw4EaS5AapzRH903ohaW26HLtHA6iXwVRr4whhVhCEAcEkttWzabQ=s320" width="245" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">David continued to climb as I headed back down to get the car from the gardens and drive to the Mountain to pick him up. He got there before I did!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjcGCXunRYrCRoP6e1mv7tOkmD4m8dK7DGhOdiMmNnqVKMALfw7omZGhMsEWD5ar4eevoUKk_VdpP3HtZuQeeXXxsevRYXZ0xHioClZRK18fY3cDhv6UQvc2N3YEw6RFkcuY7EIjYvMurtTuPn6qnrczpbNmlLurUeMRMkdzPQjo3ILu0pb9wPc5HQT6w=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjcGCXunRYrCRoP6e1mv7tOkmD4m8dK7DGhOdiMmNnqVKMALfw7omZGhMsEWD5ar4eevoUKk_VdpP3HtZuQeeXXxsevRYXZ0xHioClZRK18fY3cDhv6UQvc2N3YEw6RFkcuY7EIjYvMurtTuPn6qnrczpbNmlLurUeMRMkdzPQjo3ILu0pb9wPc5HQT6w=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Gat leaving the gardens</div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh4voD9Eyrra6qqJsdJJVzqSu4BCBxuQaKknVHjMwCJkWYGXnc33UzdsL2iHu-cxmD02fxD56qZtjK58ARbCHYmpTqFd6xd6FtODqzPDNUNOQdlmqlvBp6WeaZgSvKvsF09lpYXX13LESroFqdyp_GRsyVEBjq9Rsc9ugxw6tcT385mYE30Sz9qu9l6DQ=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh4voD9Eyrra6qqJsdJJVzqSu4BCBxuQaKknVHjMwCJkWYGXnc33UzdsL2iHu-cxmD02fxD56qZtjK58ARbCHYmpTqFd6xd6FtODqzPDNUNOQdlmqlvBp6WeaZgSvKvsF09lpYXX13LESroFqdyp_GRsyVEBjq9Rsc9ugxw6tcT385mYE30Sz9qu9l6DQ=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Orana Ngunnawal Country</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjz34x6F3233FxL6AVpLSqV7LS69WJc8RP9lNJ87O159uQHW5K_RhtJaDhjUSSL6upjTm3gxSLg4MAYqkl74JwV7BzULITb1wizbDJU66XSkoDSBV00gYFxxTxRWhzcGp_SxoQxRAgLcnkFwHKVXAjrWW9e3z67eNGXdMu3rigspcRjFSGXubmH0Q83GQ=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjz34x6F3233FxL6AVpLSqV7LS69WJc8RP9lNJ87O159uQHW5K_RhtJaDhjUSSL6upjTm3gxSLg4MAYqkl74JwV7BzULITb1wizbDJU66XSkoDSBV00gYFxxTxRWhzcGp_SxoQxRAgLcnkFwHKVXAjrWW9e3z67eNGXdMu3rigspcRjFSGXubmH0Q83GQ=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The tower ahead</div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj6CL5ymlwvN5hNYMBXJjWxCD-tuKJruKPWCIE_mGExR_toJxLSHHyzkImqlMXbAOnJfowKTO7rrNboM9CSFg7SP3xZVBm4Uc98rdYp6BpcE2cVrasSPKs8nKsxEcv1jPD2vE9F9RHlAT-vFSholCCinXId1kOaswJdENpEFLPJCh72g_ytcwyI_aG2ug=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj6CL5ymlwvN5hNYMBXJjWxCD-tuKJruKPWCIE_mGExR_toJxLSHHyzkImqlMXbAOnJfowKTO7rrNboM9CSFg7SP3xZVBm4Uc98rdYp6BpcE2cVrasSPKs8nKsxEcv1jPD2vE9F9RHlAT-vFSholCCinXId1kOaswJdENpEFLPJCh72g_ytcwyI_aG2ug=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It was closed</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgeCyBbTwq1uCZxZtVNeyc873o8WGuwSC3zMFHlV5SzPmm9gfvKfwCpp_dPnLSPWJ2cvt3NLGNTBvFIZvOMj2adFc64GNYWFJwicuazEAhpOj-xBMtLqOrjJRVAwxyEGbOEkOC9ZM9EFU6FzmFWHiOpk3xif1H-P-uSOmmIfYdMZViEQP_r3iRY-fBXNg=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgeCyBbTwq1uCZxZtVNeyc873o8WGuwSC3zMFHlV5SzPmm9gfvKfwCpp_dPnLSPWJ2cvt3NLGNTBvFIZvOMj2adFc64GNYWFJwicuazEAhpOj-xBMtLqOrjJRVAwxyEGbOEkOC9ZM9EFU6FzmFWHiOpk3xif1H-P-uSOmmIfYdMZViEQP_r3iRY-fBXNg=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">Looking toward the arboretum</p>Gemma Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10630138318071963976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500502941952857929.post-75083310308773013022021-12-11T13:12:00.004+11:002021-12-11T13:12:41.738+11:00David's interview with Shaunagh O'Neil<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEinFiGpqnZR5Jia23UqUBRQ8vJ8oZVVvT_bn-XNZJSlz43MTgCac9gOD60sgqXgXIib3F-vFTVa6emEsb4aFKqXkc8fUWxYmb_cIq8KhgDrk_s8vxy-F5tmaVQFX3_pZCb5_rLQEcgPu9VBnRAkgZkd10SYQl5TAS7tINYRmXADfnmN7kZgIICLSDG0iQ=s2048" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1147" data-original-width="2048" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEinFiGpqnZR5Jia23UqUBRQ8vJ8oZVVvT_bn-XNZJSlz43MTgCac9gOD60sgqXgXIib3F-vFTVa6emEsb4aFKqXkc8fUWxYmb_cIq8KhgDrk_s8vxy-F5tmaVQFX3_pZCb5_rLQEcgPu9VBnRAkgZkd10SYQl5TAS7tINYRmXADfnmN7kZgIICLSDG0iQ=w470-h263" width="470" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US">David Nuttall Interview<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Thoughts on retirement … or not!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span lang="EN-US">I’ve been playing the oboe for a long time now, it’s part of me. It’s not everything, but it is a major part of my makeup and I love it. I love classical music in all its forms, from as far back as you can go to contemporary music. I love it all, so to finish with Beethoven is not a bad way to say farewell. Beethoven Seven is hard work but it’s spectacular, and I’m sure the audience would have been all revved up. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Caroline was very generous with her words for all of us retiring last week. I wasn’t sure how I’d feel finishing up my professional performances but as well as my hugely supportive orchestral colleagues, I have had a great support team who’ve kept me on the stage. I have had excellent masseurs and a fabulous physiotherapist and GP as do sports people who travel with an entourage. For instance, Ash Barty always talks about the team who look after her, not so much about winning or losing. There is an understanding in our orchestra that there are many behind-the-scenes people who help us to do our best when we perform. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Dinah wrote the most gorgeous poem which she read at the after concert party for which I thank her. We have worked so well together and for such a long time. I remember guesting here when Dinah was completing her probation. I couldn’t have wished for someone more supportive and easy to get along with. She such a good musician, a wonderful oboe player and a beautiful person. We’re a little team within the bigger team. We’ve had as good a time as you can have. I have also had a very long association with the orchestra. I can’t remember exactly when I first played but I know I played the Richard Strauss Oboe Concerto in both the Odeon and the Princess Theatres in 1984 and I’ve been full-time with the orchestra for 16 years.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Hobart is such a fabulous place to live and work. I came from Canberra, where I lived for 22 years. It’s a place similar in size, lots of lake water, but not water of the magnitude of the River Derwent, which is just across the road from where we work! And the people I have had the pleasure to work with they make the organisation. We’ve got an amazing bunch. Caroline has enhanced what was before, which was already good and now it’s even better. I have only praise for what’s going on in the TSO. Some exciting changes have come as a result of the pandemic though some orchestras haven’t been able to rise the challenge. You can say, “this is too hard” or you can say, “actually, this is really hard but we’ll do something about it” and now that places us in a much better position than many other orchestras in the country. Everyone has contributed in their own way, it doesn’t have to be the same contribution, but people have been prepared to give it a go.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><i><span lang="EN-US">What are some musical highlights from your time at the TSO?</span></i><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Every time I go on stage is a highlight for me and especially with Eivind. He is one of the finest musicians I’ve had the pleasure to work with and he is an incredible conductor. Eivind conducts shape, his rhythm is impeccable, and he’s compelling, you can’t ignore what he’s trying to say. Not since I’ve worked with Franz Br</span><span lang="EN-US">ü</span><span lang="EN-US">ggen have I seen anyone at that level of engagement. You know he’s conducting what’s going on at the time on the stage with a plan and staying in the moment. He’s inspiring and he truly believes in what he’s doing. It’s researched, thought through, he has felt the phrases. That’s the best kind of music-making, when something special happens on stage, and you get brought along with it, because you know you’re part of it. It’s incredibly rewarding having that connection between the players and the conductor.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span lang="EN-US">We’ve had wonderful soloists as well. Nina Stemme was amazing. I haven’t heard live singing of that calibre, that musicianship, technique, beauty and stamina since I heard Jessye Norman live. That was phenomenal and with John Lundgren too, just fabulous. Marko Letonja was incredible to work with as well.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><i><span lang="EN-US">What are you looking forward to in the next phase?<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span lang="EN-US">I’m looking forward to less consistent pressure. When you play any instrument at a high level, there’s a lot of pressure, physical and mental. That doesn’t mean I won’t play the oboe as I have no intention of selling my instruments. I will enjoy not always having to have one or more reeds around that I can manage. The perfect reed has not been made yet or it might be perfect for 5, 10, 20 minutes in a concert. Usually, it’s about managing your reed. When Heinz Holliger (one of the greatest musicians and practitioners of the oboe the world has ever seen) was on tour in Australia, he said, what sort of idiot must I be to trust my entire reputation to two little bits of grass tied onto a little brass tube. It’s nuts! It’s true! Grass is organic, it changes with the humidity.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Caroline said to me at one point she couldn’t understand why, when classical musicians retire, we often don’t see or hear from them again. Not specifically in relation to me, she’s had been thinking about these retiring musicians – where all that skill and experience is potentially lost to the company. Of course, for people who simply want to stop, that’s ok. So we are chatting about ways I can remain associated with the orchestra. I’d really like to be a mentor through TSO. I suppose you might say this will be a new venture for the organisation.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span lang="EN-US">I’m looking forward to finding a way to contribute to mentoring young instrumentalists which is essentially what I did in Canberra. I’ve been playing the oboe for 52 years. It’s physically demanding but I do like to help younger people achieve their goals. I’m not fond of the word teaching – it’s not a matter of putting something from you into someone else’s head. I don’t feel that covers what good teaching should be. Good teaching can only be said to have taken place when genuine learning has occurred. I see myself more as a facilitator of good learning. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span lang="EN-US">I came here in 2005. I was fortunate to get the job and I have done my best to make most of it. I’ve got all this history however, and I’ve been teaching since I was a teenager. I read about it and I understand a lot more about it. We understand so much more now about how the brain works – so giving people information about how we learn is really helpful. I’m friends with most of my former students. I love them all and they’re an incredible bunch of people. Some of them have positions in orchestras around the country – MSO, Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra, ASO and OV. I’m not claiming responsibility in any way for the greatness of their achievements, but I have played a part, sometimes big, sometimes small and occasionally I might have said just the right thing at the right time. I don’t mind if they give up the oboe or keep playing. I’m more interested in helping them find their own pathway, whether it’s contemporary music, or no music, not performing – I’m equally proud of them. It’s encouraging people to learn how to learn, that opens doorways to things they might not have seen, and then they’re not as fearful of failing. I will help them achieve whatever they want to achieve. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span lang="EN-US">We run excellent programs for up-and-coming composers and conductors. I think with thoughtful talking with supporters, we could find some funding for a program of advanced learning for up-and-coming instrumental players. For instance a one-year program for a wind quintet (flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon and French horn), could provide casual players for the orchestra and they could do some work in schools and small concerts around the State. That’s an area in which I’d like to contribute. I was a member of a wind quintet for 22 years and there aren’t that many which survived so long on a professional basis. There are all sorts of possibilities! It’s planting seeds that could develop over the next 5-10 years, and would give people preparing for ANAM, for example, a great deal of valuable experience. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span lang="EN-US">There is a sense here that the “management” (board, senior team and so forth) supports us and vice versa, and that is really great! In a successful organisation there should never be a feeling of “us and them”. That’s one of the things that Caroline is very good at conveying. She’s such a good thinker. Caroline is certainly one of the best communicators I’ve have met. Covid notwithstanding, I feel certain she would have embarked on a very similar consultative process – our TSO cathedral building. I’m sure. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span lang="EN-US">I was involved in this year’s Community Rehearsal and I’m looking forward to being involved in next year’s. We are also talking about conducting tutorials in the North and North West of the state.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><i><span lang="EN-US">What will you miss the most?<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Probably seeing all of my TSO friends on a more regular basis, and that “on stage” teamwork. I love sport and people talk a lot about the teamwork there, but that’s nothing compared to the teamwork we have as an orchestra of which an audience is often not aware and certainly not the complexity of how we work together and how we make it look so enjoyable and effortless at the same time.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Gemma Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10630138318071963976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500502941952857929.post-25667096094009218942021-12-11T13:08:00.000+11:002021-12-11T13:08:04.352+11:00A special tribute to David upon retirement<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg6KOpF10INmSHCMwhPx-Odp3LnUG1rKJ8Xaw_PgRc7SnRzlmy1YkC2nr75ZkJoKy-Mz29CosgtuR5oXA39ITKfF_z2u5nGHyi5D7b-K9b7KS9wWpU8Vhdxkslt6O2CBBI0n6euMlVtRpKjmBLXvj388DvyqmMGJu2JF9lAwKGIy1SkEFGrhtNWB2UI9g=s2048" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1799" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg6KOpF10INmSHCMwhPx-Odp3LnUG1rKJ8Xaw_PgRc7SnRzlmy1YkC2nr75ZkJoKy-Mz29CosgtuR5oXA39ITKfF_z2u5nGHyi5D7b-K9b7KS9wWpU8Vhdxkslt6O2CBBI0n6euMlVtRpKjmBLXvj388DvyqmMGJu2JF9lAwKGIy1SkEFGrhtNWB2UI9g=s320" width="281" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">American poet Ogden Nash wrote:</div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">"The oboe’s a horn made of wood.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">I’d play you a tune if I could,</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">But the reeds are a pain,</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">And the fingering’s insane.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">It’s the ill wind that no one blows good."</div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">And, the good fortune that has come our way is the one, the only, David Nuttall (aka The Oboe Player). After fifty something years of an extraordinary career Nuttall is hanging up the reeds as he retires from the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra. His final two concerts are this Friday evening and Saturday evening with Beethoven's Eighth Symphony followed by Beethoven's Seventh Symphony respectively. The seventh is my absolute favourite and in particular, the second movement.</div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">A career is not about the final farewell but rather about the years and years of training, passion & devotion to one's craft. It's a continuing professional development and maintenance of the highest professional standards, abilities and performance not just musically but personally as well over all of those years.</div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Congratulations darling David on your brilliant and stellar career.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEivwsr2PpJYbemR1bDVYSoiHXk7vT6vGKgRujI9ZdozwyfWFurs47U_RIRJdJoBNz_HsecClIxGgm_o03mzpvYg1ZijuoKJS2vSGtQuyw89-rwZ-3iXM20q5O-dS7KT4TmmqEumF-715Kb14glTaZtwiJNn-VTa2Uf93eva7hX2fje44xARzuifwh4zkQ=s2048" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; white-space: normal;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEivwsr2PpJYbemR1bDVYSoiHXk7vT6vGKgRujI9ZdozwyfWFurs47U_RIRJdJoBNz_HsecClIxGgm_o03mzpvYg1ZijuoKJS2vSGtQuyw89-rwZ-3iXM20q5O-dS7KT4TmmqEumF-715Kb14glTaZtwiJNn-VTa2Uf93eva7hX2fje44xARzuifwh4zkQ=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Gemma Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10630138318071963976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500502941952857929.post-50124552762791890902021-12-11T13:04:00.000+11:002021-12-11T13:04:07.066+11:00... and the news is all good<p> </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjlXDD0DRI6KfvZsTMJ6bcNFeY1T-tSx2JKCjvl4d-stsJhp0hvRAyjLwJnAzQWgNa3_wIIGQ6vaTbNM8mDrIiDVdKq7j6UJXfVyAd46LRTKxSsaFx9UMY-RgZFOXt3jJzzb1VgaAFr8rpADVkPNyekjbM2DMyxxTmMXW2O_poq0897ZF5a3OHF7j4TAw=s642" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="617" data-original-width="642" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjlXDD0DRI6KfvZsTMJ6bcNFeY1T-tSx2JKCjvl4d-stsJhp0hvRAyjLwJnAzQWgNa3_wIIGQ6vaTbNM8mDrIiDVdKq7j6UJXfVyAd46LRTKxSsaFx9UMY-RgZFOXt3jJzzb1VgaAFr8rpADVkPNyekjbM2DMyxxTmMXW2O_poq0897ZF5a3OHF7j4TAw=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p>Wonderful news of Ellen's operation it was a huge success. Neurosurgery is just amazing in this day and age and the surgeons who perform it are true healers. Two days in hospital and then home to recover. About six weeks and with the doctors permission before Ellen will be able to drive again. All the family is elated with this news and will help her in any way for the best outcome in recovery. </p>Gemma Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10630138318071963976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500502941952857929.post-29275946405306324902021-12-01T14:47:00.001+11:002021-12-01T14:47:12.508+11:00<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5t43_1ga7P25QKBS_pZfw25g3VBsl4ZiyLmAY-ksC_CGXAhYHQ3V0lMHTITY0rcPPeEnh8ZyXRgVFX1ZwjBSnrxWMR28p6gIE4WrGRiCTwG2MzLvtvNcPqoQ7gYSsoE0Tjp6weebsqp6c/s2048/IMG_4643.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5t43_1ga7P25QKBS_pZfw25g3VBsl4ZiyLmAY-ksC_CGXAhYHQ3V0lMHTITY0rcPPeEnh8ZyXRgVFX1ZwjBSnrxWMR28p6gIE4WrGRiCTwG2MzLvtvNcPqoQ7gYSsoE0Tjp6weebsqp6c/s320/IMG_4643.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p>Having come to the ACT in 1977, a tumultuous year, I have grown very fond of my years here. One of the places I sought sanctuary was this place, the National Gallery of Australia. I talk a lot out our Gallery in my lectures and I have found it to be very welcoming, a way to touch and communicate with past creative minds. I have seen the Gallery as I have seen Canberra grow and blossom into real places of worth to be in and live in. These from my walk in the NGA sculpture garden and on my Bridge to Bridge walk, enjoy!</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOzQgPOjfUbl81l_1c1sB7Ck69wHXKpylb262R0BPwelqmP6HdBZwnb6EWAP8jTILNhVyAVW-OgwrEYAZZ5bBJIQNCbOSFXZDswvLpM71ISQxvmp_n80vycDQf2SskyxonZTz_R91q27mh/s2014/IMG_4524.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2014" data-original-width="1339" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOzQgPOjfUbl81l_1c1sB7Ck69wHXKpylb262R0BPwelqmP6HdBZwnb6EWAP8jTILNhVyAVW-OgwrEYAZZ5bBJIQNCbOSFXZDswvLpM71ISQxvmp_n80vycDQf2SskyxonZTz_R91q27mh/s320/IMG_4524.jpg" width="213" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqVtjwN-siWb9qipRJFyI5GLw4STZ9bFqf0N6shlZcALHC_Xamweyov7XfBg44xCXoEu72QfwGM3wrrYM8mtmv-97nQ0FZ6Oaqa7pDdAOg3DlF_1O6QhoglvrKE9C9IToMu6JULX-F3j8Q/s1334/IMG_4562.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqVtjwN-siWb9qipRJFyI5GLw4STZ9bFqf0N6shlZcALHC_Xamweyov7XfBg44xCXoEu72QfwGM3wrrYM8mtmv-97nQ0FZ6Oaqa7pDdAOg3DlF_1O6QhoglvrKE9C9IToMu6JULX-F3j8Q/s320/IMG_4562.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPIFjL_OJ5VCCM5tMkBg-6BSnT4DAglsiVRYTBNnc5KhrVypeRrDAucW2v5HOb7ziNzbA6BHiImueb6RQ__WmdNIZLWFIWupPNpE18ehz74tD0H6PTgY-Wp01fI6jgY0yw6EaU7Bwna_Du/s1393/IMG_4532.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1266" data-original-width="1393" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPIFjL_OJ5VCCM5tMkBg-6BSnT4DAglsiVRYTBNnc5KhrVypeRrDAucW2v5HOb7ziNzbA6BHiImueb6RQ__WmdNIZLWFIWupPNpE18ehz74tD0H6PTgY-Wp01fI6jgY0yw6EaU7Bwna_Du/s320/IMG_4532.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoNhOutSnwZalXFmWtjGthEUxPOlc7V3RXYWKSk1gQYIE5cs9uzJsJPIDbRr0rQ64WRkpMAnvYivkEyHh7Jni_MMWGrxpYfthtw11gcRK6ws-pSOTRzC9otytUWKJnPIbKnZ3ptTwnyQWo/s2016/IMG_4536.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoNhOutSnwZalXFmWtjGthEUxPOlc7V3RXYWKSk1gQYIE5cs9uzJsJPIDbRr0rQ64WRkpMAnvYivkEyHh7Jni_MMWGrxpYfthtw11gcRK6ws-pSOTRzC9otytUWKJnPIbKnZ3ptTwnyQWo/s320/IMG_4536.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghqgr07YCquTsdqrjknu4c8hMVUAKUYyGU4aHtH_ZBdKojiDERkLdI-2r1EyNofJ-CRky-Ma66m_ZNMBqhX8giDQrlVCyxXYxKBQt0eE9tSDARMrkTJgUP1vs8rlpbFQi_wkGv2W5xQQt2/s2015/IMG_4538.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1267" data-original-width="2015" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghqgr07YCquTsdqrjknu4c8hMVUAKUYyGU4aHtH_ZBdKojiDERkLdI-2r1EyNofJ-CRky-Ma66m_ZNMBqhX8giDQrlVCyxXYxKBQt0eE9tSDARMrkTJgUP1vs8rlpbFQi_wkGv2W5xQQt2/s320/IMG_4538.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_5PILmKcldjjLoE_MaNFqDmFNtHBoY7Ol4e_XbOWRZSBj-VHCE5O8lVUnhDg6I089RFNjboZu79YxVisvAGezjxEZgr2rBFumqC5rfnw3OLlhWZ7bAO1Ylha69kZWiF3zUP2Hm6FFeJjt/s2016/IMG_4539.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_5PILmKcldjjLoE_MaNFqDmFNtHBoY7Ol4e_XbOWRZSBj-VHCE5O8lVUnhDg6I089RFNjboZu79YxVisvAGezjxEZgr2rBFumqC5rfnw3OLlhWZ7bAO1Ylha69kZWiF3zUP2Hm6FFeJjt/s320/IMG_4539.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgapJsRJR8aEvq1OIfoQINSfUNlUPrQbcHhIwqq-tKAEzRmRbi-SVRBmhvb0NojjsGQu2OTxI-jRnD-alE9a4BsoW_0ONJssPVR0YQ4sOCGJHpbzE0_lsge2j_OW4ki6ewzH9VEY4SXZ_lX/s2016/IMG_4542.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgapJsRJR8aEvq1OIfoQINSfUNlUPrQbcHhIwqq-tKAEzRmRbi-SVRBmhvb0NojjsGQu2OTxI-jRnD-alE9a4BsoW_0ONJssPVR0YQ4sOCGJHpbzE0_lsge2j_OW4ki6ewzH9VEY4SXZ_lX/s320/IMG_4542.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQyHzNnXc820mzxMdHCt1EFeRlAU396R_7nrG7ZLmByj-WWX2R6ytarWMTJzLbS4dqigpEyaL4fde4vpR9l6kyhePCp0Yw6xrIvfoSqcbAsibTGepHwuosqcS9vEhQlB0bK-YRa0uv-iJb/s2016/IMG_4544.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQyHzNnXc820mzxMdHCt1EFeRlAU396R_7nrG7ZLmByj-WWX2R6ytarWMTJzLbS4dqigpEyaL4fde4vpR9l6kyhePCp0Yw6xrIvfoSqcbAsibTGepHwuosqcS9vEhQlB0bK-YRa0uv-iJb/s320/IMG_4544.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">THE FOG SCULPTURE</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7hMvkQdocmlM9Jm75zfzF8EYnbxXP9yqn-jp4BhVKtsxECG44Z5HPNOxZC6PMLXnxzB2NBljCATqTCIBhAbqROc0qIS3Zubmmy_-0LAk1dMmVTPAKs5rGj_temSEBWio3N8mgJkDlCY_M/s2016/IMG_4545.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7hMvkQdocmlM9Jm75zfzF8EYnbxXP9yqn-jp4BhVKtsxECG44Z5HPNOxZC6PMLXnxzB2NBljCATqTCIBhAbqROc0qIS3Zubmmy_-0LAk1dMmVTPAKs5rGj_temSEBWio3N8mgJkDlCY_M/s320/IMG_4545.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsXLWxVUdU6hyphenhyphencZcTG15xrnzFWC0XsRbIvHGUsKybmR9NHuxa-oeL6qYbVDfHO_RqYrEWOjyk9-b89T9sixbS9EwFqfWRsCcWhlQ_z1CVUdA80t71ttYF2dBDUscOJhc0Ts1mJNx4yWvRm/s2016/IMG_4548.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsXLWxVUdU6hyphenhyphencZcTG15xrnzFWC0XsRbIvHGUsKybmR9NHuxa-oeL6qYbVDfHO_RqYrEWOjyk9-b89T9sixbS9EwFqfWRsCcWhlQ_z1CVUdA80t71ttYF2dBDUscOJhc0Ts1mJNx4yWvRm/s320/IMG_4548.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjylfwKUBO5KymPDcvrb1eJzWLNZoIKT9a11Uz9m6NbgKm33nmPpI_FVCUzojEmO0P9XgQmJQ4gmUlW0Mt1q0J_s8xmTAIve7armU8wP0sIi2y6qQVjoWMr_HvJtFu694SG04BowRMnur9Z/s2016/IMG_4550.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjylfwKUBO5KymPDcvrb1eJzWLNZoIKT9a11Uz9m6NbgKm33nmPpI_FVCUzojEmO0P9XgQmJQ4gmUlW0Mt1q0J_s8xmTAIve7armU8wP0sIi2y6qQVjoWMr_HvJtFu694SG04BowRMnur9Z/s320/IMG_4550.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiizAbsrIh7bY_ucaeUH_yrcbwFzDNK_UuDcOiF5ktMPV6svheiAHqgXtuhDlezXoHzSsMC7ue1AWItnr-0GyUP4H0IWJIib8aK5Tj_nWW9vyfVhHih5CrO1edfDhBsJu3SafXJecEz0SBV/s1280/IMG_4555.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiizAbsrIh7bY_ucaeUH_yrcbwFzDNK_UuDcOiF5ktMPV6svheiAHqgXtuhDlezXoHzSsMC7ue1AWItnr-0GyUP4H0IWJIib8aK5Tj_nWW9vyfVhHih5CrO1edfDhBsJu3SafXJecEz0SBV/s320/IMG_4555.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim9MLLlQuMPO7wW1XsfVc9_znEBVKe4ATaephU44UZDshl-0SbQxWzDZGKKUmiGrbQN4YQHFGu-zjY0cfYT5d6w6Iws4e87t6r6umTXOuFxf_bQkEfE1kHpg7YgEfujttc3QF268aOVbd4/s1786/IMG_4558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1786" data-original-width="1091" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim9MLLlQuMPO7wW1XsfVc9_znEBVKe4ATaephU44UZDshl-0SbQxWzDZGKKUmiGrbQN4YQHFGu-zjY0cfYT5d6w6Iws4e87t6r6umTXOuFxf_bQkEfE1kHpg7YgEfujttc3QF268aOVbd4/s320/IMG_4558.jpg" width="195" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Gemma Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10630138318071963976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500502941952857929.post-71636712618982883732021-11-23T17:51:00.002+11:002021-11-23T17:51:26.497+11:00An unexpected visit to Canberra.<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVTPOck8xh-amop2QBHmx0vyXbVmV0qu6jNkiyrvVv9VL9f7S6tOVTVw_NBVLs3OHgRqqfC1pthck7mNFm0LHvuG06xhmpiKH_nSYAhAnCKvBbq0oyiD3BZdbMg9mov2fhbpnGRcnjMb0c/s2032/Ellen_Maddie.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2032" data-original-width="1530" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVTPOck8xh-amop2QBHmx0vyXbVmV0qu6jNkiyrvVv9VL9f7S6tOVTVw_NBVLs3OHgRqqfC1pthck7mNFm0LHvuG06xhmpiKH_nSYAhAnCKvBbq0oyiD3BZdbMg9mov2fhbpnGRcnjMb0c/s320/Ellen_Maddie.jpeg" width="241" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mads & Ellen</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>In late October (2021) Ellen was diagnosed with a meningioma, a benign brain tumour. I chose to come here to Canberra when she told me this news. For Ellen it is another detrimental health event in a long line of such events in her short life. I postponed my November work schedule to be here and subsequently I have postponed my December commissions or passed them on to others.</p><p>Ellen will undergo surgery to remove the tumour on December 6th at the Royal Canberra Hospital. Her attitude is positive, though I know a little frightened, she just wants to "get in to surgery, get it out and get back to her life, their kiddies and her work. And that's what we are all banking on. My time here is unknown as her recovery will be at least six week but here I am for now and very happy to be here with the young ones to keep us all happy and focused on her wellbeing. </p><p> </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p>Gemma Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10630138318071963976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500502941952857929.post-41688172276352242602021-10-18T15:00:00.003+11:002021-10-18T15:00:33.275+11:00<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvqVuawdOxzD6GwVgfZQvK7uniQncAbpBcOqia1vDPAynYpMUBjOAhCuYWIpCFNkUU8fFKJqO-hTbaGd1x598SUbcADrSFFwKH71-ffX3E1W1dVPE6BN3fYjmBYW5FgZApoEpDf8YIOEP3/s2048/6FAF7915-D92B-4273-9505-B0E1F17EF5B3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvqVuawdOxzD6GwVgfZQvK7uniQncAbpBcOqia1vDPAynYpMUBjOAhCuYWIpCFNkUU8fFKJqO-hTbaGd1x598SUbcADrSFFwKH71-ffX3E1W1dVPE6BN3fYjmBYW5FgZApoEpDf8YIOEP3/w406-h305/6FAF7915-D92B-4273-9505-B0E1F17EF5B3.jpeg" width="406" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">On one of our morning COVID-exercise walks. It was a lot warmer than this photograph suggests. Stunningly awesome.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p>Goodness, our short, sharp lockdown came and went so quickly, blink and you would have missed it. This happened only in southern Tasmania where we remain COVID free. That in itself is very interesting. The perpetrator, a 31 year old male, entered the State illegally, was COVID positive, escaped from hotel quarantine yet infected no one in his community outings for hours on end even visiting a supermarket and many friends. How can that happen? I just pose the question is all.</p>Gemma Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10630138318071963976noreply@blogger.com0