After I found the song that had been sung at the Women’s Conference (my previous post) I started listening to some of the other songs by this group of women.
And got lost in the beauty of the stories of women in the Bible, retold.
So – if you’re hanging by a thread
…know that even when you’re washing the dishes you can still be in a holy place.
Remember, you can pick up your tambourine.
And sing through the deep waters.
At least, it was…
Thought I’d take advantage of the break in general raininess to go on an Artist Date.
It’s something I’ve not been too consistent with, but today, everything came together.
I started off at the library, finishing off a book I’d been reading, and looking through a magazine. I enjoyed taking my time, and felt rested.
It seemed like a good time to check out the gallery, which is showing an exhibition of abstract art at the moment. It’s called “Arriving Slowly“, which seemed appropriate for my day.
It looks better in person…still time to check it out!
There was a little side room, which contained some paintings – one of which was a Rothko.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen one in real life before.
For some reason, I didn’t expect it to be so big.
I had a look at the rest of the gallery, and came across a lovely Margaret Preston.
I believe I have seen her work before, but it was nice to come upon this unexpectedly.
This one is called “Wild Apple”.
Next, I went down to the Community Gallery, where they were showing an exhibition called “Terrain“, an exploration of landscapes through ceramics.
I believe these are all pieces by Rachel North, although I wasn’t sure I was reading the labelling correctly.
Go and have a look, and tell me if I got it right! 🙂
There were a variety of pieces, which didn’t really photograph well for me…
probably best to go and see for yourself.
I’ll end with this one, which I believe was made by Kirsti Falconer.
It was a refreshing day.
And something I should do more often…
…when you’re feeling down, what’s the quickest way to cheer yourself up?
😀
I remember this from the radio, many years ago. After the actual song came out, one of our local radio stations took it as their ad music (they replaced the “wo-o-ahh” bit with their name), so it was on air for a while, in one way or another.
This version makes me want to dance!
I also like to take random photos 😆
Here are some flowers I saw yesterday.
A winter bee? 😀
I hope you’re not in the shadows at the moment.
But, if you are, I hope that you can still see the flowers, and listen to the music!
❤
The last few weeks have seemed a bit plodding, with flashes of light in between… there’s been trips to the library, coffee at the cafe, and my Babe had his birthday a few days ago ❤
I also had a look around the Art Gallery here. Haven’t been in a while, but I thought I’d have a look at the heritage quilts on display (they’re there until the end of the month).
I’ve never really done any quilting, but I can appreciate the hard work that went in to them.
There are the fancier quilts, whether for display or use –
…and the “crazy quilt” type designs, which look like they would have been fun to do.
Then there are the everyday, useful quilts, such as one for a cradle
…or necessities for warmth, made from scrap material from worn out clothes, or samples of dress or suiting material. These appear to be called “waggas“, which were improvised using whatever was available, and generally made by men.
I love the thought of making utilitarian things out of scraps and leftovers – a reminder that even the everyday can be beautiful!
We’re just over 24 hours into another sudden lockdown. It’s been quite nice to have everyone home during the week, although they’ve been to a series of online lectures in bedrooms instead of in person lectures, so I probably haven’t seen the family much more than in a normal day…
One thing I’ve been trying to do lately is to take some time to go on an artist’s date. Often that’s shopping for random beautiful things at the charity shops around the town, or having a coffee while writing or sketching. Or sometimes just thinking, and enjoying good coffee. This week that won’t be possible, but next week is not too far away! Last time I went to have a look at the gallery. I haven’t been there in a long while, but I always enjoy it. There’s often beauty, or works to make you think. Taking the time to really look at what’s displayed is an opportunity to look through someone else’s eyes, and catch a glimpse of their world. It’s good to be able to expand what can increasingly feel like a restricted life.
This time around I had a look at a couple of solo exhibitions, and also a selection of contemporary works from the gallery’s collection – it’s on until the 18th April, so there’s still time to go and see for yourself!
Here’s some of what I saw 🙂
Magic Muffin Mountain, by Hany Armanious
Yes, it is as big as it looks!
Ceramics, by Dai Li
There were five figures altogether – these are called “Eating Noodle” and “Slyboots”
This one is “Bad Bird 2”
I’ve had days that feel like that…
I can’t remember the name of the splat on the wall, or the artist, but the marble in front is “Messiah Complex”, by Alex Seton
Look at the anatomical detail in the interior and base of the skull!
This is so cute.
And creepy.
“The Listener”, by Patricia Piccinini
This last one was from a separate, solo, exhibition upstairs – I nearly didn’t bother to go up there, but I’m glad I did. These were a series of depictions of fine, unravelling fabrics, painted with gouache on paper.
The Rose’s Rarest Essence Lives In The Thorns – Rubaba Haider
The whole series is quite beautiful.
Here’s a close up.
All this wonder and a cup of coffee?
It was a day well spent…
Another rainy day, which I love.
It also has the element of gloom, though – perhaps things seem closer and darker.
There’s injustice and pain going on in the world, as well as just bouts of petty sniping, and sometimes it can feel a bit hopeless… I tell my boys to keep on moving forward, and do what you can do.
There are times to just stop, take care of yourself, and breathe. There are times to take a stand and put yourself out there.
And there are times to put your head back and SING!
“Fill our hearts with a holy danger
Lead us beyond our fear of failure…”
…and sing from the shackles!
I’ll just leave you with an upbeat song 😉
It’s a new day, new year, and the dawn of the new ’20s.
Will we be dancing the “new” Charleston whilst quaffing champagne? I don’t think I’ll go with the champagne, but dancing seems the thing to do…
We saw in the new year by drinking Grapetise with the boys, and pulling Christmas crackers that I’d bought cheap from the post Christmas sales. We toasted to new experiences, then went to bed. Such excitement!
I don’t do New Year Resolutions, but it’s still a good time to think about what this year can bring. To say goodbye to the dying year, and look ahead to the dawning light.
My Aunt sent me a card, which references Tennyson’s “Ring Out, Wild Bells” – here’s the full text.
Seems like a call to wipe out the old year entirely… I’m sure some of us feel like doing that!
Yesterday I binged on some of my favourite episodes of Doctor Who. Looking back, it seems like they all talked about feeling lost in this world, unnoticed and unappreciated by others, and feeling like you have nothing to give. Happily, each ended with the respective characters finding their worth in one way or another. This is one of my favourite scenes!
If there is anything I want for this year, it’s that we all find where we’re meant to be – our place in the world, our worth, and the people who love and need us.
Let us arise and soar into the wild sky!
A quote from Vincent –
“Be clearly aware of the stars and infinity on high. Then life seems almost enchanted after all.”
…and a song to hope with.
Chase all your cares away!
I’ve been on a quest for “happy” songs, which has lead me around YouTube, and found not just the feel good, dancey, not too much thinking needed songs… I’ve enjoyed a bit of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, and gone back to the 70s for classic rock.
Not exactly the most feel-good lyrics, but makes me want to dance.
It’s the bagpipes…
I’ve been reminded of the importance of standing up for what’s right, even if it starts with little things.
I’ve experienced again one of those moments where a beautiful voice, a connection with others, a memory and an iconic event combine to form magic.
The happy songs? I’m sure there are many, but I’ve only included a random selection.
An obvious choice if you feel like you need to walk on sunshine!
Or need to remember every little thing will be alright.
Just shake it off…
…and make your own kind of music!
Just say yes 🙂
A week or so ago, a song I loved but hadn’t heard in a while was brought to my attention… When I first heard it I didn’t know what it was or who it was by, but it spoke to that wildness that is at the centre of spirit. We dream of great adventures and epic journeys, but life tends to blunt our corners and keep us chained to the average.
And we’re afraid…
Who will catch us when we fall?
Is the journey worth the possible pain, or loss?
This song gave me answers to hold to.
It’s based on a prayer attributed to St. Brendan, a 5th – 6th century Irish monk who was known as a seafarer, and sometimes known as “The Navigator”, “The Voyager” and “The Bold”.
The Prayer of St Brendan
Help me to journey beyond the familiar
and into the unknown.
Give me the faith to leave old ways
and break fresh ground with You.
Christ of the mysteries, I trust You
to be stronger than each storm within me.
I will trust in the darkness and know
that my times, even now, are in Your hand.
Tune my spirit to the music of heaven,
and somehow, make my obedience count for You.
The story of Brendan’s voyage is an often fanciful tale of an eventful journey to the “Isle of the Blessed”, a tale that for me brings to mind C.S.Lewis’ “The Voyage of the Dawn Treader”. It has been suggested the blessed isle that he and his crew eventually found may have been off the coast of Canada, which seems like something that could not have been accomplished in a 6th century leather coracle. However, in 1977, a man named Tim Severin landed a traditionally built coracle on Peckford Island, Newfoundland, after having set sail from County Kerry the previous year.
Who knows what’s possible if you set sail into the mystery?
a bit of creativity, a bit of eco consciousness, a bit of inspiration.... hopefully not a lot of pompousness and blathering :D
i'm not entirely sure what's going on here... let's travel along and see...
1000 Fields of Roses 