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Australia - Final Stop!

3/15/2018

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​Finally, the day arrived when I met Belinda, the amazing woman who organized my entire Australian tour.  She performing heroically to pull it all together!  We had an incredible time together, definetly kindred spirits!

Belinda & her husband Ian, have a beautiful property out in the country.  The have greenhouses where they grow vegetables, an orchard with all types of fruit trees,  plenty chooks (chickens) and a couple of very cute fur babies!

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One of my favorite things is fresh off the tree figs.  I was really disappointed that they didn't ripen in time for me to pick and eat them.  I kept checking, but no figs for me!
Being out in the country, Belinda assured me that I would see some of Australias unique wildlife.  Sometimes, they just appeared in front of us, and to see others we had to go out hunting in the night.

This is an Echidna - a slow moving porcupine like creature with multi colored spikes!

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There were always a wide variety of birds at the feeder.  

It was an exciting day when we were lucky enough to spot a kangaroo at the edge of the property.
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​The kookaburra really does laugh, loudly!    The ladies in my workshops sang many rousing choruses of the old song, Kookaburra sits in an ole gum tree, for me ..... I  hadn't heard that song since I was a child.  
​& It's true!
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Gaia - Belinda's super stunning mosaic studio guardian







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Two portrait workshops and one flower workshop ensued.  All full, with amazingly friendly, fun and talented people.    Here are some of the works in progress and results of their hard work.
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It was super exciting when I found out that my good friend and colleague Freya, that I worked with in Malaysia, could drive over for a visit.  We hadn't seen each other in 20 years.  We had a lovely few hours catching up, with endless giggles as we tried to get one acceptable photo!
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Another fun excursion was taking a ride on the Puffing Billy Railway.  The line is one of the most popular steam heritage railways in the world and is kept in operation through the efforts of volunteers of the Puffing Billy Preservation Society. The railway aims to preserve and restore the line as near as possible to how it was in the first three decades of its existence, but with particular emphasis on the early 1920s.
I was told that normally everything is lush green, but unfortunately what I saw was mostly brown, due to the recent drought conditions.

We were lucky to have Conductor Fraser, a friend of Belinda's, ride with us, as our  personal guide.
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Though I flew in and out of Melbourne, this is all I saw of the city, driving to and from the airport.  Hopefully next time I'll get there!
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Next stop - Sydney!

3/1/2018

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Meet my wonderful host Kerry!  She took great care of me during my time in and around Sydney & organized the 2 Picassiette workshop that I taught here.      

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Our first excursion was to the Blue Mountains, with a very important stop along the way. I finally got to meet  Marian Shapiro in person!  She is an incredible mosaic artist I've "known" & communicated with online for 10+ years.  It was such a thrill to meet her and her husband David.  It was amazing to step into her light filled studio and see all the amazing work she has going on there. It was also a special treat to view their extensive art collection.  Not only Marians mosaics, but works by artists from all over the world.  Just a few of them are in the photo below.
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Marian, with one of her stunning, undulating mosaics hanging on the wall, and a work in progress on the table.

I love the mountains! 

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Rocks & Stone!
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& the smell of eucalyptus trees wafting thru the air..... Ahhhh
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I taught 2 workshops - Flowers and Portraits
​Here are the results & happy creators.  
It was a gorgeous day to take the train and then the ferry into Sydney.  Approaching the iconic Opera House from the river was a treat.
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The area around the opera house was bustling with activity.  Aboriginals dancing and playing the didgeridoo,  strange blow-up sculptures, the Art Museum (which was sorely disappointing).... lots of great people watching!
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Another huge thrill was meeting Julia Sattout and her family.  Julia is a fellow member of Julia Kay's Portrait Party, an online art group.   It amazes me that I can walk into someone's home, and recognize, not only her paintings, but the subjects of each painting, all of whom, I have also drawn or painted myself.  Another JKPP artist met, and signature in my Portrait Revolution book!
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& a few  random shots from my final walk around the city. 
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Finally, I made it to Perth, Australia

2/12/2018

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This is where I stayed while in Perth! It was amazing for me to stay in this idyllic and beautiful location, with a view of the Indian Ocean.  The little blue building on the right is Pat's mosaic studio.
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Pat & Horst, were my incredible hosts!  They were so generous, kind, and knowledgable. Horst, being a professional chef, made sure I didn't go hungry! He cooked many a fine meal, presented on carefully arranged plates. (I can't believe I didn't take any photos of his beautiful & delicious food!)

Speaking of plates... Here's Pat collecting goodies for my picassiette portraiture workshop.  

​Thrift store shoppers of the world unite! 

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This shimmering mosaic, by Pat, was the first thing I saw each time I  entered her home.  Her welcoming entryway, surpassed by their hospitality, made me feel right at home.
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​Another amazing person who was instrumental in getting me to Perth, is Dorothy.  I so loved having time to get to know her.  Both Dorothy and Pat are active with MAANZ, the Australia/New Zealand mosaic community.  


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The Art Supply store where my workshop was held, was aptly named Friendz.  And, to my great surprise, located on Pensacola St!

Hey! That's where I live!

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Inside, the workshop begins, with everyone drawing.  It was a wonderful 3 days.  The room was soon full of laughs and learning as everyone worked diligently on creating thier portraits, over the next 3 days.








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I just love the diversity of their work and all their smiling faces!
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​Between travel and workshops I was able to get in a few day trips.  Pat & I took the ferry from Elizabeth Quay to Freemantle.
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For my final day, Dorothy arranged for a picnic with the students from my workshop and other MAANZ members from the area.  We spent a lovely day at the Western Australia Botanical Gardens.  I really enjoyed the paths, views and interesting botanical delights I'd never seen before!
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    Artist

    Gila Rayberg
    With precision and spontaneity, I strive to create texture and movement; something you want to reach out and touch!
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  • Home
  • About
    • EXHIBITIONS
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    • RECENT WORK
    • PORTRAITS >
      • SELF PORTRAITS
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