Apology to all Australians impacted by the Thalidomide Tragedy

"We are sorry.

We are more sorry than we can say."

The full manuscript.

 

A close up.

Two manuscripts were created. An original and a hand facsimile identical to the original.

Two originals in other words.

This photo was taken before I erased the lines to show the beauty of the gilded letters which were tooled, very softly, with a metal stylus. Hair follicles can be seen.

It is a privilege to be invited to create a manuscript that will remain in perpetuity for our future generations. We all hope that a tragedy such as Thalidomide never happens again in this country.

The Prime Minister Anthony Albanese MP has now signed this manuscript which is on display in Parliament House, Canberra.

To aid the longevity of such manuscripts my preference is to work on vellum which is calf skin. Such skins, calf, sheep and goat, have been used for centuries to create written artefacts in the form of books in codex form and earlier in some scrolls. Here you can see the soft yellowish tone of the skin which is like velvet to write on. Veins and hair follicles can be seen which add to the overall sublime nature of the skin. Other media used here are carbon stick inks, designers gouache, gum Arabic, gum sandarac, genuine gold leaf on a gesso based size and drawing tools, brushes and dip-in metal pens.

These documents, if cared for will last relatively well intact, quite possibly, forever. That in itself truly is a privilege.

Trinkets ...

 

It was a very special occasion to host friends from the Canberra Calligraphy Society at our home for a talk about, and show the body of work, “The Boats of Humanity” before it moves offshore to Stanford University Library. It was such a lovely day as we all talked things poignant, the importance of words and their presentation. Plus sharing insights into the script and the tools and materials used. Such fun! They all took home a “Boats” trinket. 🕊️☮️ 

Three little pieces ...

From the recent Canberra Calligraphy Society exhibition 2024:

three little pieces

 

Time out ... and time out!

 

Malua Bay June 2024

Do not be fooled it was bitterly cold on the beach today! Pam, Reta and I set off to the south coast to catch up with Ellen and Alan but both were so unwell we didn't get to see them. So, what do three friends do, we go for coffee at Mossy Point and shopping to Moruya and Narooma. We spent one full day at Mogo, visiting every shop, nook & cranny. The highlight was Amanda's art & craft emporium and lunch at Grumpy & Sweethearts!  Dinner at Raymonds, the Malua Club and on our third night we indulged in pizza!

The car went very well. Smooth and low on the mountain bends and a dream on the long country highway. We powered up again at the Super Charger in Narooma. Forty-five minutes from 53% to 100% ... while we shopped.  No worries!

Today I deactivated (not deleted) my Facebook account. I have wanted to do this for quite some time. I find that many of the posts thereon, no longer resonate with me. I am not finding common ground. The proliferation of adds rankle me and the unsolicited messages are truly annoying. So, no more scrolling for me but I will miss the real and genuine connections. My Instagram account remains and acts as a great visual network with friends and colleagues as well as my Messenger account. Anyone who would like may still contact me. I hope stepping away from FB improves the health of my mind. 

I am still unwell with the PMR and in fact I am not progressing on to a good place just yet. Walking is my only exercise at present and on these super cold and crisp Canberra mornings I try a little walk each day slightly undulating and sometime flat. Around about the 10,000 step mark. The absolute best thing though is I am very able to enjoy studio work so all is not lost. And again, with all my previous Government work and more coming back to my studio, I am simply delighted. 

And of course, there is pure enjoyment watching the kiddies sport!

A short excerpt ...

 

... from today's journal entry I would like to share this paragraph:

"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 a conversation and moving on proactively from there … three people, four people … more."

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.

The bluebottle ...

... it is a beautiful and dangerous thing!

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.

Just like the jack jumper ants in Tasmania, the remedy is not far away. 

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. 

I am glad I haven't been stung by one of these in a while.

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!  

And so we move forward ... lessons learned ... walk away

Yuin Nation country, Malua Bay, NSW

 

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: ἔλλειψις, élleipsis meaning 'leave out'.

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.

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.

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.

Now as the globe returns to our new normal (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 “always” appreciated invitations. Rarely these days though, are groups prepared to invite me to teach in-person. 

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 their pen, their brush, looking closely and trialling their ink and wet media … and so on.

Sitting in my studio, with cameras switching between my face and my hands allows me to see only that … 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!?

The participants on the other hand have a birds-eye view of everything! Don’t get me wrong here … I know that is perfect for them! I as their tutor am the one who is missing out and it is that aspect that truly saddens me.

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 movement. 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!

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. 

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.

Another huge disappointment was discovering the blatant sharing of my class handouts, documents, and recordings. 

Sharing without permission a tutor's notes, recording and handouts, is stealing. 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.

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.  

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. 

Then I fell ill. Is it any wonder ...

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. Ancora imparo ... yet I am learning!

Do not look away ...

Pieces of Peace

"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

Blank diary day ...

One of many book shelves in our home.

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, blank! Vita Sackville-West once wrote: "Days I enjoy are days when nothing happens".  I can relate to that feeling. Although, on days that start out "blank diary day" all sorts of wonderful little things happen.

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:

General:

Where the Crawdads Sing, Delia Owens

The Moreville Hours, Katherine Swift fabulous thank you Georgia

The Weekend, Charlotte Wood really enjoyed this book

And Every Word is True (re. Capote’s In Cold Blood), Gary McAvoy

Whole Notes, Ed Ayres

American Dirt, Jeanine Cummins

The Light Between Oceans, M L Stedman

Becoming, Michelle Obama

Saturday, Ian McEwan

Boy Swallows Universe, Trent Dalton enjoyed this book

The Silent Listener, Lyn Yeowart 

State of Terror, Louise Penny & Hillary Rodham Clinton a nice little action/thriller romp from two people in the know

Coal Creek, Alex Miller

Phosphorescence, Julia Beard didn’t like this book at all

Code Name Helene, Ariel Lawhon good book!

The Vanishing Half, Brit Bennett

Into Thin Air, Jon Krakauer (again)

Scary Monsters, Michelle de Kretser

Still Life, Sarah Winman really enjoyed this book

Tilt, Chris Hammer always a good read Chris Hammer

The Islands, Emily Brugman

Less, Andrew Sean Greer, really enjoyed this book

Limberlost, Robbie Arnott

On the Java Ridge, Jock Serong great book, best read of the year

The Lamplighters, Emma Stonex

The Frenchman, Jack Beaumont

Homecoming, Kate Morton

Dark Arena, the Frenchman series, Jack Beaumont

Stone Yard Devotional, Charlotte Wood

Iris, Fiona Kelly McGregor

Masterclass, Morris West

My Antonia, Willa Catha (again) love this book

The Thursday Murder Club Book 1, Richard Osman

The Seven, Chris Hammer loved this book

Lola in the Mirror, Trent Dalton

Everyone in my Family Killed Someone loved this book

Bulldozed: Scott Morrison, Nikki Savva

People of the Book, Geraldine Brooks

Wifedom: Mrs Orwell’s Invisible Life, Anna Funder OMG what a book!

Snow Country, Sebastian Faulks

The Seventh Son, Sebastian Faulks

The Wintringham Mystery: Cicely Disappears, Anthothy Berkeley & Tony Medawar

Wolfe Island, Lucy Treloar
Bruny, Heather Rose

Outback, Patricia Wolfe

The Rush, Michelle Prak

The Fire and the Rose: Robyn Cadwallader

The Bookbinder of Jericho Pip Williams great book!

The Katharine Code, Jørn Horst

When it Grows Dark, Jørn Horst

Breath, The New Science of a Lost Art, James Nestor really loved this book on breathing, great insights

Series:

 

Chief Inspector Gamache, Louise Penny every single one, love them to bits and I crave the next one!

On the Fens, Joy Ellis

A Deadly Scandal: The Deadly Series, Kate Parker

The Åre Murders, series Viceca Sten

An Oxford Murder Mystery (Briget Hart series) M S Morris

My Name is Jensen, Heidi Amsinick

All the Vatican Secret Library books 1 – 7, Gary McAvoy love them for pure escapism!

Lake District Mysteries, Rebecca Tope

William Warwick Series, Jeffrey Archer great little reads 

Other authors I love in general:

Richard Flanagan (such insight)

Helen Garner (such insight)

Jane Harper (great Australian fiction)

Ruth Ware (lots, she spins an easy yarn)

Michael Rowbotham (always intriguing and frenetic)

Val McDermid

Anne Cleeves

Joy Ellis

Ken Follett (always historically huge and interesting great yarn spinner)

 .... ah, there are way too many really special authors.

 

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 must have 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. 

"My hands are always busy, making, doing things".

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. 

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. "Here are the facts reader, work it out"!

And then there are the art books. I'll leave those for another "blank diary day". 

Making time my friend ... and poly myalgia rheumatica

 

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 "Gemma, you do not want to have a stroke". 

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 "stop now". It’s just a bit of a pain really but I do wish to live a long a fruitful life. Who doesn't, right!?

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. I am very grateful for that. 

The four minute film "The Boats of Humanity" an expose of my exhibition work, can be seen here. Created by chief story catcher Lara van Raay Small World Documentaries.