San Antonio: Exhibit UTSA Blue Star

Well, I finally got to San Antonio with my show pack in a Uhaul, Terrified at every bump that something would be destroyed.  i was so exhausted that I forgot to set the camera up.  Djinnaya barked at the gallery director every time he walked in the Space.  And today, Monday I took her down to Lucy's Doggie Day Care.  She flunked the morning evaluation.  I think she's getting back at me for all of my summer travels on which she was not included.  But here's day 2 of the installation.  Will do the lighting and video projections tomorrow.

Australia July 20, 2012 Signing Off

This is my last entry from Australia.  I'm off to find the giant Koala monster on the way to Horsham.  I'll begin posting again with my San Antonio project next week.

Australia July 19, 2012

Finished a sketch of the old Glenorchy Pub. Also went on the Grampians Wine Tour hitting the Best, Seppelt, Garden and 2 in Moyston  .

Australia July 18, 2012

Went to a really great Aboriginal site: Bundjil's Shelter.  Bundjil is the creator in the native religion.

Australia July 17, 2012 FINISHED !!!!!

I've finished the Glenorchy Flyer. I shellacked and assembled it this morning---although I did need to cut down the sail somewhat to fit it in the room.  Put the flag out front on the prow.  The sail mounting was the biggest hassle as it has all of this rigging to keep it upright.  But it done and here are a few pics.  A bit too windy to paint outside, but I'll work on some things inside.  Tomorrow I'm off to find a few more Aboriginal paintings near Stawell.  I'll spend the rest of the week painting and exploring the area.

Australia July 16, 2012

I've finished all of the henna and will be assembling the flying machine tomorrow.  It's supposed to be nice, so will try to do some painting as well.

Australia July 15, 2012

So, today I didn't work on the Glenorchy Flyer at all. Leanne and I went blasting off through the bush looking for aboriginal cave paintings in the area, which after a few wrong turns we found.  so although, yes, again, it rained, it was a delightful day starting out at two cave painting sites, then we went to a little olive grove and had a coffee. Later we went into Hall's Gap where we descended into the gorge to McKenzie Falls.  I'm thoroughly looking fat, I have so many layers of clothes on.  Once down we did have to climb the 150 stairs back up.  But foggy and very lovely with so much rain.  Lunch at the Panther Cafe, then started home only to take another wrong turn and ended up at the Wartook Lake.  Saw lots of kangaroos, a walaby and some emu.  And best of all, a kookaburra, since we used to sing the 'Kookaburra sits in the old gum tree song' as children.  Have posted the start of the sail henna and should plow away on it all again tomorrow.

Australia July 14, 2012

Ho hum it's raining again.  I love rain, but not when I want to be out painting.  I finished all the paper on the Flying machine, and will start the final henna on Monday.  I'm going to Hall's Gap tomorrow with Leanne to see the sites.  She is the owner of 3 beautiful greyhounds and she stopped by to check out the Fish Bomb Boat, 'The Glenorchy Flyer'.  A few details of the henna on the fins.  The horses think I'm the most exciting thing that's walked by.

Australia July 13, 2012

I awoke to a brilliantly clear day.  The sun came out and I peeled off a few layers.  Perfect day to paint.  So I trotted off to the Wimmara Hotel to paint for a few hours.  Haven't painted en plein aire for a few years, it was a bit clunky, but I have a passable painting.  I'll change type of paper, as Arches will give me better quality than Canson.   Here's a picture of me set up by the side of the road to paint. I'll try to work on a painting tonight of the interior of the Glenorchy Pub, and do some henna on the fins.  I got most of the paper applied to the flying machine in the afternoon and will finish applying tomorrow.  The chill and humidity is taking it a long time in drying, but I found force drying it by the fire doesn't work.  It wrinkles too much.  But alas. clouds are rolling in so I'm afraid it may rain again. Hopefully just overnight, as I'd like to go to Hall's Gap and hike around tomorrow.

Australia July 12, 2012

So it has been raining for 3 solid days.  Can't go out and paint, so I'll just work on the machine, getting as much done as I can for these days. At the rate I'm progressing, I should have it marginally completed by the end of the weekend.  I have the entire structure done, and some of the internal stairways and platforms.  I'll start putting on the paper tomorrow.  Tonight I'll start to henna the side fins, sail, and pendant. Next week I'll slow down, do some painting and see some of the local sights.

Australia July 11, 2012

Have been detailing the flying machine.  Worked on the first paper pieces, and began a few platforms and bridges that will go on the inside of the piece.

Australia July 10, 2012

It's been raining steadily since 4am, so about 12 hours.  Thus, I haven't done any painting yet, just worked on the flying machine.  Hopefully will have the entire structure done tomorrow.  I'm working on the henna for the sail tonight.  

Australia 3 July 9

Flying machine progress

Australia 2-July 9th

Here's the studio and the start of the flying machine.

Australia July 9th 2012

Lawrence and Duncan have left, and I'm here in Glenorchy.  It's a bit overcast, but I feel rich.  I just got a load of firewood.  Its redgum and almost too beautiful to burn.

Australia Project 1--Arrival July 6-8,2012

Well, I've arrived in Australia.  Amazing.  I left LAX at 10:29pm.  Sat on a plane for 13 hours.  Looked at my watch in Sydney and it was 10:35 pm 2 days later.  Time Travel.  Was very ill yesterday July 7th.  Jet Lag really knocked me one, but am OK today.  I've arrived in Glenorchy and have been getting the lay of the land.  80 people.  I'm what was the old tavern.  It's getting refurbished by its new owners, the Mather family. only heats off of wood, so I'll have to make sure I have a fire since it gets freezing at night.  It was quite disturbing to go from 100+ weather to 32 degrees overnight.  That didn't help my condition either. But I'll start a painting and a flying machine tomorrow.  Duncan and Lawrence will be leaving tomorrow and I'll be on my own for the next two weeks.  More later. Here's a picture from a morning walk.

Shrine to Gmo

S

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