GEMMA BLACK : ARTIST / CALLIGRAPHER

Amy Black & Ellen Hulbert 2009

Did I tell you I was reading this book? Fiona put me on to the Millenium Series and I have since heard a zillion people rave about them ... even the ABC Book Show

These Mushies are about one foot high ... can you believe that?

Pam, Sheona & my good self at the Caloundra markets today!

Look what Pam & I found after the rain today!

Merry Christmas Everyone! Cheers & Cool Beers! Actually, I have cracked open the champagne and I am going to put my feet up and watch a good old movie!

Home I came to an aubergine stack for lunch "yummmmmyyyy!" An sat out by the dam to enjoy!

Not wanting too much sun ... I did get a little kissing glow ... I headed back up the Mountain and into a fine Christmas Day misty rain ... beautiful. I stopped along the way to smell the roses just by the Glasshouse Mountains.

Then with my little packed esky with my breakfast I did what most Australian do and headed for the coast for a quick dip in the ocean. In this instance it was the Pacific Ocean. I swam for an hour & a quarter ... that was enough for me. Dried off, got out of the sun and ate my brekky. Then I took a long stroll along the beach for another hour or so.

Then I visited Janna Pameijer's cows ... are they not the most adorable cows you have ever seen?

It was ten past seven in the morning and I have never seen the town soooo eerily quiet. The Upfront Club never looks like this and neither does the RSL!

... and headed into Maleny Town.

I hopped in my little car ...

After opening lots of lovely gifts ...

Wonderful to speak with family and friends on this special family day of the year ... ... there were lots of tears and laughter.

...'tis the night before Christmas and all through the tiers my wish to you all is .... Cheers & Cold Beers!

Today I took the dream series in to be framed and sent to Sydney for the Southscribes exhibition. I'll have a sneak preview of them framed and hopfull get some pics before they leave Maleny - I am indebted to Phil Holden of Holden's Gallery for the assistance is giving me.

Gem in another hat!

I know I have been slack with posting, I have however been busy with the new Dream Series . There are 9 works on paper and some on canvas. They are all destined for the Calligraphy Southscribes exhibition at the Hazelhurst Gallery in Sydney in January 2010. Wish me luck with the sales! Now to get on to some works for the Toowoomba Sunday Market !

Fine women and fine calligraphers at the Charles Pearce dinner were Margaret Lewis from Adelaide, Barb Austin from the Gold Coast and Ruth Venner from the Island.

Charles Pearce and I at the Gold Coast Calligrapher's dinner in his honour which included workshop participants and friends. A great evening, with wonderful company and very fine food. Held on Thursday 28, October. It was wonderful to see so many friends and colleagues again.

Then out with friends at the Vessel winner announcement at Maleny Artworks ... Fiona, Barry, Caroline, Mieke, Ken & Mark.

A picnic was had on the lawn outside my residence ... with friends Janna, Kerry and Kirsten.

I received beautiful Australian flowers for my birthday from friends and had a wonderful day. Starting with breakfast, work in the gallery all day and the flicks in the evening. Topped off by best wishes from family and friends all over.

When I got home Tuesday, we had a fast and furious wild storm followed by a total blackout. The candles came out so did the torch for a good reading session tucked up in bed. I believe others in Maleny hit the township for refreshments at the local eating establishments ... they must have done a roaring trade, power was out in most surrounding districts until early morning.

Then it was my turn and "oops" look at Lady Hamilton!

And here are great friends and fellow tutors Terry, Linda & Lady Hamilton displaying their certificates of appreciation.

I have been away to teach at the Grafton ArtsFest where I and the participants worked hard and done good! It was a colour, collage and calligraphy workshop.

I have captured myself as part of the artwork ... what a great image!

"Lace" After numerous disasters, finally I have finished this lovely little piece of work on canvas ... or have I? Notice a mistake :-) ... easily fixed when I get to Grafton.

Today I bought this delightful Carol Forster tea pot ... ahhh, how lovely tea is from a tea pot!

When I first visited Eumundi Markets , in June of this year I picked up these lovely little stone & copper hanging artworks. Created by Rhys Coker using natural limestone and individually hand beaten copper, they are handmade in Australia.

Lavender & Lace ... once looked a little different ... a confused artwork... or a confused artist perhaps .

Gary Myers Gallery - Maleny Arts Retreat I was downstairs beneath the Gallery when I heard some very quiet tiny little tapping noises, so I dried and put down my pen wandered up to see who or what had wandered into the Gallery, thinking it was Hugo the dog who is not allowed in. Two beautiful bush pigeons immediately took flight as I appeared. It was a very long and difficult task getting the sweet (naughty pooping) little birdies out of the gallery and very sadly one flew so hard into the wall that it dropped to the floor with a grand thud, either stunned or dead. The other managed to exhaust itself (and me) after an hour or so of fluffing about I managed to throw a soft towel over it and took them both out to the bush to recover. Pigeons loose in an art gallery is not really a good look on the artwork but luckily not a drop ... or a poop! I has a similar incident with a swallow in the cottage only two weeks ago.

Maleny Arts Retreat -More than a shed & a car A new door has opened. I haven't close any old ones ... perhaps though, a page has turned in my book of life. Following are a few images of the shed including uncompleted work on today's drawing board.