Blog Posts

Next stop - Sydney!

3/1/2018

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.

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.

Marian, with one of her stunning, undulating mosaics hanging on the wall, and a work in progress on the table.

I love the mountains!

Rocks & Stone!

& the smell of eucalyptus trees wafting thru the air..... Ahhhh

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.

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!

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!

& a few random shots from my final walk around the city.

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Brisbane - Mosaic workshop!

2/24/2018

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My Brisbane workshop was held at the home studio of Catherine Conaty. We had such a great time together, hitting it off immediately, as if we'd been friends forever!

One of the first places she took me, was to see a mosaic installation she did on this long wall for a private residence.

Here you can see some of the lovely mosaic, glass on glass, spinners that Catherine makes. I love how they brighten up her studio, and garden.

We had a super lovely group of people for the workshop. Several of them had extensive experience with stained glass, 2 of them being instructors at the Brisbane glass guild. Everyone did great work, while enjoying themselves and helping each other.

On the second morning we all met before the workshop at a local gem and stone shop. AMAZING.....

& their daughter, with her best friend, dressed up for a special event at school. Too cute!

Catherine's husband Mark, a great guy & wonderful father. We had lots of wonderful conversations. Besides, he's also a terrific cook, which was very much appreciated!

For a special treat, on my final day, I took Catherine for her first ever reflexology session. I love having a foot massage, especially after being on my feet for days, teaching and touring. Ahhhhhh!

And finally, A mandatory excursion to visit the Koala sanctuary..... pretty much impossible to spot them in the wild. Australia has so much cool wild life!

Farewell Brisbane - It's been fabulous!

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On to Brisbane, Australia

2/17/2018

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Right off the bat, I managed to lose my glasses. Bifocals.

I realized this as we were driving from the airport to my host's home. I'd dropped them in the airport when I put on my sunglasses to walk outside. I can picture exactly where & when it happened.... but, try as I may, with many calls to the airport and airlines, they were never recovered.

Consequently, a visit to the opthomologist who was very accommodating and made me a quick pair of distance glasses. Fortunately I brought along my prescription reading glasses. So, I'll just have to get used to juggling 3 pairs of glasses, for the remainder of my time in Australia!

My first full day, I spent enjoying Brisbane's riverwalk. It's a really beautiful city, with a lovely manicured park, with an urban beach at its core....

Of course, I was delighted to find several mosaics along the pathway.

These strange looking birds were everywhere. Apparently they're quite annoying, noisy and dirty.

Just a couple of the names I heard locals call them, bin chickens or tip chooks.

If you want to know more, check out this song/video!

At the end of the river walk are the Art and Natural history museums. Both excellent. Just a few pics of exhibits, art and nature that made an impression.

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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.

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!

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.

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.

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!

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.

I just love the diversity of their work and all their smiling faces!

Between travel and workshops I was able to get in a few day trips. Pat & I took the ferry from Elizabeth Quay to Freemantle.

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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Headed to Australia!!!

2/7/2018

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My Australia Adventures begins - A late start!

My first flight, out of my home airport, was delayed. I finally arrived in Dallas as my flight to Sydney was taking off. 24 hours wait until the next flight!

Luckily, my friend Amy, a fun, fellow mosaic addict, offered to show me around town. We drove to the area where Dallas' art museums are located, then realized it was Monday and everything was closed. So, we went out for a festive lunch and chilled in her awesome art & flamingo filled garden!

Back at the Dallas airport, I was happy to have a bit of time to check out the mosaics in the International terminal, as I waited for my flight.

& finally.....in the sky.... headed Down Under!

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Mosaic Self Portrait

1/24/2018

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My inspiration, beginning stages & time-lapse video of the creation of "Daydream", a self portrait.

This was my 1st ever scratchboard portrait. I really enjoyed doing it and liked the visual outcome, so decided to also create a mosaic from the same image.