and now for some diverting finds...

Up to my neck in tall lists of tasks... its break time... so out for a walk and a coffee ... then back to the grind. Before I go... take a look at these whimsical finds...

First up .... a wonderful taste of Paris discovered at Paris Breakfasts which features a post titled An-Eclair-A-Day Diet. Tempted? Then click above on the title and go see for yourself! I enjoyed very much the humour of the posts at this wonderful blog - and its not just about eclairs. Quite the place to visit for a light-hearted diversion! I was trawling late last night and forgot where I found this... Ooops!

One of the pattisserie chefs shared at this sight was the Japanese talent - Sadaharu Aoki. Here are 3 images of his creations.




Wow... the mind boggles ... Macha green tea is used extensively in his creations... love the colour!
Below: A Macha Tea Opera Slice with chocolate filling.



and chocolate with Macha:




We were rerouted over to Christophe Adam where some spectacularly unusual treats awaited!




.




Mmm.. this looks curious...but apparently edible!
see ... I did tell you! ...and did you see the rainbow coloured eclairs?

and somehow I found my way to Paris by Appoinment Only where I read about Paris Food and Wine Safaris conducted by Wendy Lyn. This story really grabbed me;

Wendy tells a brilliant behind-the-scenes story about how Dr. Debauve, the royal pharmacist to Marie Antoinette, was asked by her doctor to hide the Queen’s meds in something sweet (she did marry at fourteen, remember).




He “started goofing around, putting medicine in chocolate along with rose petals, earl grey tea, honey, orange blossoms and rolled them into shapes,” says Wendy. They were such a hit at Versailles that they had to be hidden in hollowed out books in the library to keep the staff from stealing them. Which lead to another problem: them melting together. So, the chocolate box as we know it today is actually the pillbox of yesteryear: a way to keep the Queen’s gout and flu medication separate. Go figure!"


I'm off for coffee now... and no...there's nothing quite like Paris where Im off to... I'll just have to dream about those Macha Tea Opera cakes!


Although there is a rather special place ...but that's not where Im headed!
Have a good day everyone...
It was great to put aside the lists for a while ... thanks for your company!

What is this?

well... if you dont know the significance of this tree above read my latest post at Homage to the Seed!
Below: from theselby.com - also featured at this homage post!

Myrtle Street Studio

I was thrilled to find out about an exciting new venture on my side of town today...maybe not around the corner...but not far away!  Myrtle St Studio  is the brainchild of Jay Dee Dearness who has wonderful plans for this enterprise set to open in the new year. It will be a new ARI -   Artist Run Initiaive. It incorporates a gallery space, a specialist book/print store and artist studio. The focus will be primarily on print and paper based media. Workshops, readings, dialogue gatherings...all to be launched in a few months as part of the serious plans to create a vibrant and interactive art space. I'm keen to become aquainted with what's being offered here. Clicking on the highlighted text above will take you to Jay Dee's blog for the studio and click about to read a full description of what's on offer. If you are in this part of the world I'm sure a visit in 2010 will be a MUST!

Jay Dee setting her new press a few months back

above: a poster from a mid year event

below: a preparation sketch by Jay Dee from her studio work

below: from Jay Dee's work exhibited in May this year

Jay Dee has another blog which gives you an idea of this busy woman's life pursuing various artistic endeavours and extensive travel.

I've still got my first Derwent colour pencils...

But I dont think Jen Maestre does... I imagine they may well have ended up in an art work and be long gone. Then again...its curious what people save - I should talk! Here is a sample of what  Jen does with off-cuts from her work as a sculptor. I found her on the Data Is Nature blog feature on the post below. When she returned my email she reported having visited Australia 10 years ago and said she loved being reminded of the Indigenous woven forms she had seen then when reading about the 'Floating Life" exhibit I posted on 3 days ago currently at Brisbane's GoMA.

Sunshine oculus pencil pendant  shown at  jenmaestre.etsy.com

Artists the world over are often to be found innovating something in their studios that is a sideline to their main Art Practice, making the most of left over material where possible, or utilising hard won skills into something streamlined to sell at affordable prices. Its a bonus when the by-product of the larger work bears fruit in this way...and does not diminish, but enhances the other work. There is a strong element of fine craftsmanship in producing work over a life-time and sometimes the application to producing smaller fine works can be the discipline that can add significantly to an Art Practice - of course depending on the nature of the work and artist's intention.

Perhaps in one's student years, when cash may be in extremely short supply - corners are cut - but it is gratifying to see the shift in awareness of materials that is part of the Artist's maturation process, despite the ongoing need for thrift that is often the case for a great many practitioners..

Best artisan store/cafe in my neck of the woods

Brewbakers is my revered local artisan bakery with a suitably rustic cafe attached. I almost dont want to throw too much praise their way in case it gets any busier than it already is. Years spent in Melbourne, Australia's southern city with its dedicated artisan bakers, has made it compulsary for me to discover who's turning out good sourdough, not to forget organic bread too & some Gluten free sweet treats! 

Seriously good bread is on the menu here...and watch out...cheeky staff abound! There's plenty to tempt...think chocolate bagels....or Brewbaker's  take on a Reuben sandwich!

Even better...it's in walking distance of my home, has great coffee and breakfasts from 6am (OK...not my best time!) It closes by 2pm most days - the shelves are pretty sad by then - so you've got to be quick!  If there's a queue I warned you...OK?

And if you really must know where it is... head to the north side of the Brisbane River, in the central hub of Albion on busy Sandgate Rd, set back a little from the road though...with a car park in front.

( ps Richard and Caroline, I hope you like my artistic photo of the very cool retro cutlery...)