I am a lover of coffee table books - particularly those that are on the subject of art, design, decorating, travel or food...  or if I'm lucky, a combination of these subjects... a cover catches the eye - an image, a word, or a colour, that sucks you in; and you know, you have to move a little closer - to gently slide out one's hand to stroke said cover; and then surreptiously open it, while being undetected... One of the major joys for me of course, is that a coffee table book cannot be reproduced in a digital format - it's an aesthetic pleasure. Just sometimes a wonderful friend drops by with a book that they INSIST you borrow, because it is so beautiful, that it needs to be shared. And, such is, "The Artist's Lunch" - "At home with Australia's most celebrated artists" by Alice McCormick and Sarah Rhodes - with foreword by the beloved Margaret Olley. It was passion at first sight. Artists very often have a close relationship to food; to sourcing, preparing, cooking, and then sharing around a table with spirited conversation... and we are often presented with an artist's favourite recipe - as we are in this book - but these recipes are right at the back - and although integral to the book, they are certainly not a priority. ...

I headed down the coast for a few days break - to feel the sand between my feet and to reflect - I'm an abstract landscape painter so faced with a beautiful landscape, I was certainly inspired - I opened my pad of paper, brought out my charcoal and oil - and painted this???

As an artist and working with artists, there is often the dilemma and internal dialogue of desiring change, and development; but not wanting to lose one's style. I grapple with this dilemma myself...

Just recently I was given a postcard of a watercolour and ink drawing by Piet Mondrian of a Blue Chrysanthemum. Mondrian in my brain is simple geometry and primary colours - this drawing is arresting in its delicate line work and hues and tones. I couldn't believe it was a Mondrian - AND it's in the Guggenheim. Was this style only looked on favourably by the art world after Mondrian had become famous for his geometric compositions - or was it acclaimed at the time?

 

How often do we see people standing infront of a painting, saying "BUT, what does it MEAN?"... The answer: it doesn't have to mean anything. Art is not the answer to a question; it is not a mathematical solution; and it doesn't have to perform a function - but it does in my opinion, and in the words of the master Picasso:

“Art washes away from the soul, the dust of everyday life...”

... thus, it doesn't need analysing - allow it to talk to your soul, to affect you without meaning - it could affect you immediately, it could cause you to ponder, self-reflect - it could transport you to childhood memories; or to a place you haven't been.

Art is a wonder..... allow it to be wondrous - you can laugh, you can cry, or quietly applaud.

This was a trip I should have done years ago - a trip that all Australians should do. 

 

I travelled up north with Margot Turner; and Karen Swaffer (glass jewellery designer). The first four days of our trip were spent at Yuendemu - a community north west of Alice - accessible by the unsealed Tanami Track. The bush bus was an experience all in itself - the art centre "Warlukurlangu" is run by a small and dedicated group of women - who support and develop the artists; as well as giving them a calm place to paint. Famous Yuendemu artist, Shorty, paints everyday from the art centre... a character of a man.

From 9am to 6pm we spent our time mixing paints, priming canvasses; and generally getting a better understanding of the Warlpiri people and their stories.

From there we headed back down to Alice to meet up with artist Jane Canfield; and our guide and Indigenous artist, Vincent Forrester.