A couple of things

So many things to tell you about, so little inclination to sit in front of the computer. I'll be brief. I am procrastinating about a drawing for the Platform fundraiser show. They have little to no funding for the moment and need all the support they can get. So many of my favourites contributing, there are sure to be some things I wish to live with – long live Platform!

Adam and I dropped works off for the Mr Kitly plant show. We were asked to make an object with a function related to plants, for the love of plant life. Both of these shows are opening next friday, the 7th of December.

Another thing I am working on is the plan for a workshop as part of SIGNAL 37 : Makers and Shakers. This is a free program for 13-20 year olds and I think it'll be wonderful. Registrations are open now for the 2 week workshop starting January 14th, so please pass it on to anyone who may be interested!

Amazing lightning show tonight. Other activities involve patching favourite jeans, admiring our roses, warming thedesignfiles open house, baking a birthday cake for Adam and picking strawberries and planting cucumbers and bbqing and sweltering through the last few hot nights. Summer is here Southerners.

Wood Silk

Dell Stewart. Oregon Hexagon (130 x130cm) and Square patches (90 x 90cm).
Digital print silk scarf, hand rolled hems.

From a series exhibited as part of Life in Space at West Space in Melbourne. Available in the Cottage, just the smaller one at the moment, but more on the way and online here soon.

The Taskmasters

Here's a few photos from the Taskmasters exhibition at C3 to entice you to go see it. 
Kate Matthews, drinking and smoking. I am very fond of this. Donald Russell, got it made. Rachael Hooper made both the axe and the egg and I love them. Then there is me, I made the bottom three.

This week there are two group exhibitions I have work in. The first one is the annual West Space fundraiser exhibition. It's in support of a worthy cause and many good people are contributing. It's for a good time not a long time, so come to opening night on tuesday the 17th as it finishes up on the 22nd July.

The second is in Gallery 2 at C3. It opens Wednesday July 18th and continues to 5th August.

THE TASKMASTERS

TaskMasters is about doing stuff and being busy. It's a reflection on the quest for constant occupation in modern life. Even when we’re not working, we are busy: with sport, hobbies, socialising or social networking.

To be occupied is a sign of a good life.

This self-imposed busyness might be driven by anxiety, ambition or not knowing what to do in its absence, but does this constant activity – going from one thing to the next – wear us down and make us poorer, as people and as a society? Or is it, sometimes at least, a form of devotion, with its own spiritual reward?

And on the above topic, a couple of things to layabout and read, which is what I dream I were doing more of, In praise of idleness and the busy trap.

Clown

This week has been less than usual shop hours, so more than usual time catching up chores. Those things that take time and are totally unrewarding, except that they are no longer on the to-do list. Like acquittals, doctors appointments, a long overdue analysis of finances, cleaning and backing up work on the computer. I hope this sacrificial few days means the next few days will be extremely productive. After the analysis, it's official that I have absolutely negative money to spend right now, so I best stay in the shed and work, and survive on my overstocked pantry of preserves and my greenthumbs. In the garden there is rocket, leeks and baby beetroot ready and I just planted some more silverbeet and garlic. I really needed some garden time, after some of the more stressful chores, it makes me feel much better.

In real life, there are numerous things about to happen that I need work finished for, including something for Popcraft and something for West Space's Annual fundraiser.

Last night we said a teary goodbye to Phip from West Space, with drinks in the gallery and a serenade from an inflated clown. I will join the long list of people (fans) who'll miss her smiling face and incredible list of achievements, (I don't think I know anyone else with an unauthourised fan site). Anyway, we had a lot of fun.

Here is the clown.

Group Work

Some installation pictures from Group Work taken by the lovely Isobel Knowles. More pictures soon! Thanks to all the lovely people who came, and the lovely people who organised it all, it was a great night! Some pictures on the facebook page too.

News

A couple of things are happening this week. Design Depot is coming up next week at Harvest. There's only a few spaces left, so book soon if you are keen (and aged 9 - 16). There is a little notice about it here on the creative haven, it's a blog worth checking out if you are a fan of stop-motion animation.

Another thing I am excited about is a shoot by Elena Kholkina featuring my flouro necklace (available at M.T.O.) and my eye brooch. Lots of beautiful work on her website. She consistently finds incredible locations and her photography is all in all enchanting.

Speaking of enchanting, I am lucky enough to work for the always inspiring Penelope Durston, and the shop Cottage Industry has just turned 4 this week. Congratulations Pen! Pene in her usual manner is magnamimously giving away the birthday treats, seriously she spoils everyone she knows and also those she doesn't. You can enter by commenting on the blog. All the details here.

Twigs

Last week was busy, with a little helping out Iso with twigs, a bit more editing of animations with Kate, band practice and making a new pair of patchwork shorts. There was other stuff too, but I cannae remember it now. I have a brain like a sieve.

I just made a second batch of piccalilli as I gave the last lot away. There will be a jar in this year's Christmas Hamper. More on that soon.

Curlew

There hasn't been much going on here, except a little too much work. Which is sad, cause this, right here and now, is my very favourite time of the year, and I wish I could just bunk off and do nearly nothing.



Here is an unrelated picture of the Curlew pair who live in my Parents yard. Just hanging about. In the night they make the best spooky sounds. This reminds me, I should post more pictures from home. When I have a moment.

Super Moon

The moon has been amazing. Lighting up the night like a dark day. Can I blame it for me wanting to stay out all night?

Either way, I'm tired, and I have a lot to do. Kate and I are preparing to give school holiday animation workshops at Artplay. I'm also trying to make work for an exhibition. I am most definitely wishing I had more time for both, as both things are good things, and should be enjoyed. Just like the moon. Look at it!

HOWL.

I also started a band. A three piece. We made the next crucial step after the pub conversation where you start a band, we actually played. If we rehearse again, it'll be my best effort yet. There is lots of room for improvement.

Love Letter, Love Letter

Is an exhibition on, right now, in in the U. K. I am excited about it, not least because I'm a hopeless romantic, but also because I'm in it, and am loving the company I'm keeping.



Featuring, in alphabetical order: Ibtihal Al Basry, Alex Behr, Blossom Berkofsky, Fanny Bostrom Gentle, Finlay Brown, Sandra Collins, Dan Estabrook, Jad Fair, Lucy Hopper, Sophia Hussain, Emily Johnson, Christy Claire Katien, Susan Kuester, Charlene Kunira, Maximilla Lukacs, Suzy Mangion, Heather Maxwell Hall, Hannah Metz, Tabitha Kyoko Moses, Angeliska Polacheck, Carol Sommer, Souad, Patrick Staff, Victoria Staples, Dell Stewart, Sasha Strass O’Neill, The Grete Bloch, Mike Watt & Lauren Wilson.

This unique art show curated by Nicky Peacock & Steven Philip Brown, lets us share in the private lives and loves of some very interesting people. The show is accompanied by a DVD and book featuring the artists and their works and includes declarations of love by the general public… you old romantics…

There is a very blog with online submissions of love letters here. I'd love to see more, maybe you could submit one?

Ages...

It's been ages. Good things have been happening. Other things have been happening. Most recently we are anticipating the arrival of my 16yr old nephew, who will be with us for two weeks. I have been both excited and scared at the thought. You know, teenagers.

Things to do

This week.
A blood thirsty animation. YELP.
A business card and a label.
An embroidered album cover.
A C3 birthday party. Tonight.
An exhibition here, and another here.
A much anticipated album launch Mum Smokes.
A magazine launch.

NOW, do some more work please Dell.