The Lost Artist - Finding Charlotte

I took photos today, of three of my Great Aunt's watercolour paintings. She was my
maternal Grandmother's eldest sister of a family of ten siblings. My Grandmother was
the baby, and this relative died in 1933.

Although many of the paintings are coastal scenes, or farm and countryside, these
were of recognisable views of Sydney sites.

My aim is to start with these, and see if I can stand where she was, to see the
vantage points. To be in her shoes so to speak, and take a comparable photo of each.

There are five creative women in our four generations since, from her to my Mother,
myself, to my twin daughters.

She is coming to life for me, via her art experience. This week I hope to travel to the
city, and have a good look.

 A very atmospheric Fort Denison, is this an actual perspective or artistic licence?

 Around from Circular Quay at Campbell's Stores, I think.

 Government House, my daughter Rebecca was awarded her 

Queen Scout here, by The Governor General Marie Bashir.

Marketing an idea

I entered these products in a Tea Cosy exhibition. They sold reasonably well.
Taking two illustrations and presenting them in different ways.

 This is a range of products I produced. Framed pictures, two different styles. Cards, and postcards. 

The postcards were a template which could be printed on different pastel coloured paper, 

and glued and trimmed.

 These were either colour photocopies, or printed on photo paper. 

Glued onto card stock and with envelopes. 

 This is the shabby chic version of framing, with vintage frames. The mounts were scrapbooking card or papers, which gave many varied looks. Polka dots, tartan, stripes, swirls, whatever looked interesting.

New wooden frames could be used too, it personalises the look to suit people's tastes.

This is a detail shot, originally a colour pencil sketch on a popular theme.

The New Coast Garden

Three months later, beginning the renovation of the coast house garden.
A homage almost, by using some of Mum's aerated concrete sculptures.
So it has a contemporary, sculpture park look.

The brief to self:
Use what is there, don't buy new.
Treated pine edging used around the garden beds.
Use the plants in pots to do instant landscaping.
Mulch heavily.
Create spaces. Keep beds to corners.
Retain advanced trees. Prune where necessary to create access.
Plant out in Autumn/Winter to establish by sale time in Spring/Summer.
Neutral, low maintenance.

 The beginning stages, filling in the beds with plants out of pots. These are the hardier plants, 

as the delicate ones are at my home now.

 One of two Hebelstone sculptures of Mum's used to dress the garden.

These two treated pine edged beds, meander across two far corners of the garden, creating space elsewhere to stroll amongst the established trees.

Below is the frog pond, with several stages of smaller ponds which fill with rainwater. There are marginals and elephant ear plants, and logs for the frogs to access it. At night you can hear them and 

see them enjoying it.

A country break and Mother's Day

I had a very rare weekend away, well two in a row actually, unheard of!

The most recent occurred on this Mother's Day weekend. Barely settled
from the one before, I had to leave my 2 girls to prepare for the Council
Cleanup, and make a High Tea for me on my return.

After inheriting a silver tea service, a glorious family heirloom, it just had
to be enjoyed. So they cooked up a storm as well as entertaining boyfriends,
and looking after a dog, cat, and 5 chooks.

 Each morning up early to watch the scenery emerge from the mists.

This is the view from the balcony.

 We were in a row of sweet little cabins edged with hedges of Lavender. One morning I had a Blue Fairy Wren help me eat my breakfast crumpet!

 Lots of animal enclosures and aviaries, all very good thought to the habitat of the inhabitants.

 Pigs, goats, dogs, birds, alpacas, chickens, guinea pigs, rabbits, a baby wallaby, sheep, to name a few.

 The main reason for the weekend away, a 50th of a friend, dining at a very swanky winery in the barrel room. Canapes, then a 3 course sit down meal. Very swanky. The cake was in the shape of a Rolex Watch.

 Our farm stay was at an Alpaca farm. See the cute baby Lucy.

 The beginning of Mother's Day. My classic country shot. Stomp Winery. Near to this another  farm, with gorgeous farm dogs, an Olive Farm. The majestic Yellow Rock in the distance. We had wood-fired pizza there, with a glass of wine. A gallery had a great Arthur Boyd artwork.

 Went home to this absolutely fabulous High Tea, my gift for Mother's Day.

 Flowers, and nearly every type of treat imaginable!

Cinnamon scrolls, date scones, cream and jam, ribbon sandwiches, date truffles, pomegranate drink, tea, meringues, special filled meringues with lemon butter, pretty decorations.

Pretty tulips and jonquils. White Wedgewood cups, lace, contemporary, vintage.

For the final flourish a meringue dragonfly, amazing!

What I forgot to get a shot of, as the table setting and food was sooo amazing, was the tea service, the reason for inspiring the whole thing in the first place. So here is a file shot. It is early last century, 

inherited from maternal relatives, and although the design looks Art Nouveau, 

it is too early for that - might be Victorian? More research needed. 

It is shown here before polishing, but it has come up beautifully.

The design features lovely leaves on long curving stems, and buds, with intricate little detailed tops.

Nice Lyrics

I like music that is lyric driven. Recently saw John Butler Trio concert. It was my
belated birthday present from my girls.

We were very impressed with the show. Next few days I bought the latest album,
as I thought it would also be good to listen to, on the long drive while going up to
The Coast House, to work for a couple of days.

I really like the lines in one of the songs, so made up a little visual quote, with one
of my pastels.

Spring to come.
Out of the darkness,
only light can come.
After a lonely
long night 
comes the sun.

Excerpt from song lyric - By John Butler.