sources of inspiration...

SOPHIE MUNNS: HOMAGE TO THE SEED: THE SOURCE

I just posted this lovely painting, and more like it, at the Homage blog... click on heading above to read the post and see more of Sharmon's work with her accompanying text. I wrote to the artist as I was keen to share it and she kindly gave me permission.

Painting: ‘Secret Garden’ by Sharmon Davidson - True adventures of an art addict

whilst at Tumber I found these as well....

www.ginaadamsartist.com

I have added a small excerpt below from artist Gina Adam's website which I must say I was really taken with as it touches on preoccupations of my own very eloquently ... the artist's statement is well worth reading in full if this speaks to you.

In my studio process, I examine through the making of art, my relationship with history, world mythology and creation myths that are both mine and others, and which relate to my immediate world. Chris Ofili in a conversation with Thelma Golden said that the more one talks about things that the more they become mythical. He says, “It is possible through belief, help, and friendship to liberate yourself and go to another place where you are accepted. That is what painting can be about. That through making paintings you get to a better place; you get to be a better painter.” (Golden 2003)

Gina Adams - series: Divination

Ive been working with blues, browns and light colours of late...  perhaps why this tugged at me to post it.

Tumblr is a pathway to so many rich worlds...  I just happened to see the first image by Gina Adams in a tiny image on the archives page at Neutral Notes. That tiny little image compelled me to reblog it and then later add it to this site and in doing so discover the website of the artist.... where I found a certain kinship in ideas ... as I did with the work on the source form Sharmon. Worlds within worlds.

fernenland:

Thale cress flower showing early ovule and pollen development (20X magnification) taken at School of Life Sciences, Oxford Brookes University in Oxford, England Picture: DR. JOHN RUNIONS / BARCROFT MEDIA (via Nikon Small World 2010 competition: photographs through the microscope - Telegraph)

John Coburn

 found at tumblr: artpropelled

olostudio:

batixa:baskets as wall art | style-files.com

olostudio:

pictografica: Ann Hamilton. Between taxonomy and communion 1990. Steel table, iron oxide powder, and approximately 14,000 human and animal teeth.

well ... better go... dinner's on the table...its chilly tonight...something smells very good... and I didn't have to cook it!

Coffee anyone? or perhaps a tea...

  I've been painting frequently lately. Have found the rhythm between the various things on the agenda this year. Phew! It took  a while but now I'm feeling immersed in it all again.


Despite this still have not sorted the camera downloading function in the rush to attend to other tech/computer tasks. I'm a little disappointed thats dragging on...but sometimes there's just more crucial things to get one's head around.
A few bloggers even assured me they'd had the same trials over cameras... so... not to worry. 
Sun's shining ...Ive got some writing and planning to do... that means coffee and somewhere to sit quietly and concentrate. Time to get out in the sun, go somewhere for coffee like the wonderful cafe below... with my planning notebook in hand. 

cafe bouquiniste, 121 merthyr rd, new farm

These great pics were found at greenbeen blog. If you live in or visit these parts I think a visit to this wonderful blog is a very good idea... you will be taken on a tour of the cafes around the city and beyond... I can smell the coffee... the jazz playing in the background certainly sets the scene.
Another thing... our host is not only clever in the kitchen and with the camera but I LOVE that font she uses in the sidebar! 
* Thanks D for permission to post your lovely images!

this image from another source! 

Go visit greenbeen for more tips on where to go around these parts... I like the look of this one down the coast... Broad Beach is not far from Surfer's Paradise.

this i like!

and this!

the flora?

proteas

where: 

elk espresso, 16 chelsea av, broadbeach

if you click on this heading you'll go straight to the original post from Greenbeen!

Bye now,

Sx

ps like this wiki bit on Proteas... note the south africa, australia and south america link!!

Taxonomy

The Proteaceae family to which proteas belong is an ancient one. Its ancestors grew in Gondwanaland, 300 million years ago. Proteaceae is divided into two subfamilies: the Proteoideae, best represented in southern Africa, and the Grevilleoideae, concentrated in Australia and South America and the other smaller segments of Gondwanaland that are now part of eastern Asia. Africa shares only one genus with Madagascar, whereas South America and Australia share many common genera — this indicates they separated from Africa before they separated from each other

speeding by today!

All the action is over at the Homage blog... a few posts there for you to read... the latest post was prompted by an artist friend writing to say she is going to lose her farm an hour or so west of here to a Mining company... we'd love people to reblog, retweet etc this story for us if you happen to have a connection to this part of the world.

A river runs through me- (by annamariapotamiti)

or visit the blog of Annamaria to see more!

So what's your favourite Tree?

The other night I posted at the Homage blog on the upcoming World Environment Day (June 5th) pages at the United Nations Environment Program website. THe Tree of the Day page in particular caught my eye. NB: Image and text below from this site.

So what has a tree done for me lately?

AUSTRALIA

Eucalypt

The Eucalypt tree is traditionally an Aborigine folk remedy, used in Australian natural medicine. Today, the Eucalypt is used worldwide in pharmaceutical products such as pills, liquids, inhalers, salves, ointments and even in sweets.

It helps relieve symptoms of colds, flu, chest congestion, sore throats, bronchitis and much more.

Next time you stock up your drug cupboard, make sure that you’ve planted a couple of Eucalypt trees for future supplies!

Read more »

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As its the United Nations International Year of the Forest and the June 5th WED theme this year is "Forests: nature at your Service" I wanted to ask you what are your favourite trees and why?

I went through my photos and found these from last year...

at the Botanic Gardens at Mt Cot-Tha last year

The Black Palm - Normanbya Normanbyi - is a single stemmed, large-seeded palm endemic to the Cape Tribulation region of North Queensland. Pinkish fruit - around 280 ripe fruit per tree (according to one source) which ripen over 21 weeks and seeds are dispersed mainly by water flow, cassowaries and small mammals. During my walk last week I came across the amazing sight of these fruit fallen from high up the tree all over the ground surrounding the base of the tree.

This photo comes without notes to prompt my memory... loved these blooms!

Below is a series of images I took when visiting the Royal Botanic Gardens at Cranbourne, an hour south-east of the city of Melbourne, in December last year. 

The Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne is one of Victoria's most precious areas of native bushland and offers nature-lovers the chance to explore 363 hectares of untouched heathlands, wetlands and woodlands. These expansive natural gardens are also home to thriving bird and animal life, including several rare endangered species.

Click on these below to see the various walks you can do there:

• Red Sand Garden
• Rockpool Waterway
• Dry River Bed
• Arid Garden
• Exhibition Gardens
• Eucalypt Walk

I really liked this Diversity garden below. 85 bio-regions from across the continent were represented in this unusual format... plants arranged in rows according to regions making identification

simple and differences easily observable. Light rain was falling for the first hour (chilly for a December day) but my friends and I had a wonderful few hours exploring. With a friend from South Australia, a Melbourne friend and myself from Qld we had an interesting time looking at regional diversity.

Diversity garden

Australia’s landscape is diverse, both in look and botanically, and yet historically, European Australians have tended to characterise the land as empty rather than full. This garden aims to dispel this myth. The Diversity Garden is an abstract journey through the 85 bio-regions of Australia.

The photos I took of these trees below are of Tree Grasses -  Xanthorrhoea johnsonii - the tallest of which is thought to be about 400 years old. From what I understand its a protected species and is generally found in northern NSW into Qld. These trees were a common sight in my childhood on the North Coast of NSW... hour long car-trips to the beach through bushland with these dotted all around hold vivid and very fond memories. 

The Cranbourne Gardens are relatively new... established in the early 80's but far more recently opened to the public.... so much of this Botanic Garden  is in development. What makes it exciting is that it is completely planted out with indigenous species and brings an excellent focus to understanding this heritage - past, present and future concerns.

Comparing the image above and below of the same species highlights the museum-like quality of a garden compared to natural habitat. However, without these 'museums' many would never see or think about species of trees and plants... and so they play a vital role...and increasingly so. This species is itself under threat.

by contrast...in situ - Atherton Tablelands, Qld

close up of the textured trunk of this tree.

loved the moss growing on this one

So... the question is... what is you favourite tree?.If you want to email an image and text I'll make  up a post by WED, 5th of June. Or if you have a drawing or painting of a tree perhaps.  If I go back through journals from over the years there's quite a few tree drawings to be found. Ive never painted trees but often enjoyed drawing them.

image: City of Nedlands, Western Australia

image: my green australia

Have a great weekend everyone... and hope you remember to notice the trees! 
Sophie 

Bring your paints... who's up for a conservation adventure trip in Queensland?

sophie munns: homage to the seed: Anyone for a conservation adventure trip in Queens...: "Just received the Wild Mob Newsletter and spotted this wonderful opportunity coming up around the end of May...

I posted this earlier at the Homage blog... but thought maybe more people should read about this... great value trips and for a very worthwhile intention!

I'll start with the part that usually comes last... when I read snorkelling the great Barrier reef I sat up... then the guided tour with Marine Biologist of the coral reef... seeing aboriginal artifacts in situ.... the catamaran... nocturnal safari... where's my diary?

And all this for

Special Deal: $895

Dates: 25 May - 7 June
Duration: 14 days, 13 nights
Arrive/Depart: Mackay, QLD
The two-week conservation camp includes all of the following:

• All meals, drinks and snacks
• All camping and project related work equipment
• All transfers from Mackay and back
• 2-hour boat trip to and from Brampton Island on 50ft catamaran
• Snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef
• Sunset Walk to ‘Point Lookout’
• Guided coral reef tour with Marine Scientist
• After-dark safari to spot nocturnal wildlife
• Afternoon exploring Aboriginal cultural artefacts and artwork

Brampton Island 2010

2-WEEK CONSERVATION ADVENTURE TRIP!

Fri, 2011-04-08

Keen to explore the Australian bush? Or maybe enjoy your very own secluded beach? Why not do both?

Wild Mob runs conservation adventure trips in Queensland where participants get to work on meaningful environmental projects. Spend a week living in the bush, assisting with an endangered Wallaby recovery plan. Then for a change of pace, in the second week, you’ll sail to a secluded island and help with ecosystem restoration and reef monitoring!
Be assured though, you’ll have plenty of time to explore these unique environments, too! You’ll get to snorkel on the Great Barrier Reef, hike through the endangered Brigalow Belt or just relax under a tree with a book while the sun sets.
All you need to do is get yourself to the start point in Mackay, and we’ll take care of the rest.
Download the PDF to learn more.

---

Brampton Island Conservation Project

Assist Natural Resource Managers with conservation work on Brampton Island in the Whitsundays. The work includes eradicating invasive vegetation, beach clean up, conducting surveys on the coral reef and plenty of extra time to go snorkelling, swimming and hiking.
To learn more about the Brampton Island conservation project, visit the project page.

Avocet Conservation Project

Survey feral animals on the reserve by setting camera traps and monitoring for activity. Participants may assist with care and management of Bridled Nailtail Wallabies (seasonal availability) and general reserve maintenance. The project includes a nocturnal wildlife safari, extra time to go hiking and a visit to nearby Minerva Hills National Park and Mt Zamia.
Want to learn more about the Avocet project? Just visit the project page.


If you like this offer then check these other projects.

a cultural icon - part of Hong Kong history

I wanted to post this story after a wonderfully thoughtful blogger Fernenland , from across the Tasman Sea,(NZ) shared this New York Times article with me this week. Thank you F!

Tsang Tsou-choi, also known as the
King of Kowloon, in a photo taken in 1997.

May 4, 2011

King of Kowloon Finally Gets Respect

By JOYCE HOR-CHUNG LAU

HONG KONG — A toothless garbageman who once wandered Hong Kong’s streets with dingy bags of ink and brushes tied to his crutches is now the subject of a major retrospective. About 300 calligraphic works by the late Tsang Tsou-choi — who is best known by his self-dubbed title, the King of Kowloon — are showing at the ArtisTree art space in a high glass tower.

The show, “Memories of King Kowloon” (until May 31), in a spacious corporate-sponsored dimly lighted gallery, quiet as a library, would have been foreign territory for Mr. Tsang. He was most at home under the tropical sun and neon lights. An outsider artist, he spent half a century dodging security guards and police officers as he obsessively covered lampposts and mailboxes, slums and ferry piers, with his distinctive Chinese text.

Mr. Tsang, who died in 2007 at the age of 85, created an estimated 55,000 outdoor pieces, almost all of which have been washed away, painted over or torn down by the authorities and real estate developers. He was a rebel graffiti artist decades before it was fashionable, creating art brut in a city that has no time for outsiders.

Mr. Tsang arrived in Hong Kong as a teenage refugee from Guangdong, a southern province bordering Hong Kong, in the 1930s, and began his urban painting in the 1950s.

He toiled under the delusion that he was the rightful heir and ruler of the Kowloon Peninsula, dismissing all political factions that had controlled the area: the Qing Dynasty until 1898, the British until 1997 and China today. In his thick scrawl, he marked his territory with “royal decrees” and a “family tree,” using the names of his ancestors and eight children to build an imaginary web of princes and princesses. Read more. 

Here are some great pics of this artist from a blog I discovered called IN THE SKY:

I liked this text which accompanied images from on the Sky Blog:

Monday, May 02, 2011

九龍皇帝曾灶財: 鰂魚涌太古坊 ArtisTree Showcase "King of Kowloon" at Taikoo Place HK

他的堅持，他的信念，盡在他的文字裡。展覽至五月三十一日，場館：ArtisTree, 康和樓一樓（靠港島東），鰂魚涌太古坊.
Mr. Tsang Tsou-Choi (King of Kowloon) Showcase at ArtisTree, 1/F., Cornwall House, Taikoo Place, Quarry Bay, until 31st May, 2011.
＊在展館內，一篇一篇他的文字樂，一筆一揮他對著自己身世不修篩的堅持，再看他歲月遺痕的身外物，不奇然令人心神震撼，拿起相機的當時，手與眼睛不禁有點激動。 一生不斷地寫，在每一街角流下自己思潮的引記，就是那麼有血有肉的漫長訴說。
*Mr. Tsang spent all of his life time on writing on his claiming as the King of Kowloon as in his royal family trace from the past Chinese dynasty. He kept on writing and writing at every corner of the streets. His writing is so simply straight out of his mind and heart. Personally I don't agree to what SCMP's claim on his writing as graffiti. It should be Mr. Tsang's own calligraphy - his own world in his own heart.

Perhaps this is a poignant reminder to all of us who are compelled to make art... we can approach art-making with such an acute self-consciousness that its almost impossible to take pleasure in what we do.


This 'outsider' artist and others like him offer a precious gift in reminding us of another way, another kind of impulse. One where self and "career" and agendas are not getting in the way of some very important qualities.


My NZ friend also shared the Maori saying "Kia Kaha" with its approximate meaning... to "stand strong" ... in regard to the artist's challenge to stay true to themselves... a harder thing to do at times than we sometimes assume.


I'm wondering what you might think about this...?


Now back to the painting...
enjoy your weekend,
S