Bring a jumper !

Simon, aka: “Slim Knackers”, of “Black Dot Music” Armidale, Came over to make sure I was not destroying any Ukuleles … There was a bloody great big 6 string Banjo there with them in the window..”Can you play this? ” .. Slim indicated in the affirmative (modestly).. My knees were turning to al dente as Rosie cheerfully and proactively chirped .. “Jackie has one of these you know !?” .. a garrotte of fear strangled my reply while Simon deftly tuned the thing and brought it to rhythm and sweet melody. A some times performer at Woodford folk festival with a kid’s show, he presented me with a CD “Slim Knackers”, album “On a mission from Dog”, a ‘take’ on Country Music with a serious Bogan flavour. (Rosie didn’t buy the Banjo !)..Rosie reckons the “Black Dot ” has been ther forever and she used to hang out with a bunch of the people working there years ago. Great and friendly place !

That was yesterday.. we spent most of the day at a beautiful swimming hole “The Blue Hole” on the Castledoyle Road out of Armidale, under a big ol’e Pine tree at the water side playing some Uke songs and reading our books.(This being Rosies old ‘hood’, she knows all the best places here!)

Today, Sunday, we sought out the market in the Mall (Last Sunday of every month) where I spotted the name of a blacksmith I met once or twice at the Bellingen Markets about.. about 30 years ago, when we formed a mutual admiration society of two ! .. Blasting in from the past, I accosted Richard Coumbe of Possum Forge, Eungai Creek, NSW… Current treasurer of the ABANSW  www.artistblacksmithnsw.com and an abiding interest in ancient metal see ARLHO – The Australasian Register of Living History Organisations. http://www.arlho.net/ . What a HOOT meeting up with this stirling fellow , felt like not a day had passed !.. Richard introduced me to Grahame Bray of Walcha, Artist Blacksmith and Sculptor, at his stall where Grahame showed me the sculptures he makes from the old “Ace Lane Rabbit Traps” that used to be made by the hundreds of thousands in Newcastle NSW some time ago .. ‘Part of our heritage.. No ‘Acubra Hats’ without these” he reminded me…. Does some great found object art with these things he finds.. lots of humour and cunningly constructed !

Then further up the market we came upon Warren Lawrence, .. with his beautiful old restored  carousel , first registered around 1956 with ‘Work Cover’ ! Built from the old stainless steel ‘Drop-Tanks’ of aircraft ! .. How many Kids Hey,.. have ridden this thing ??!.. powered these

days by a washing-machine motor and the boundless enthusiasm of this beautiful human, Warren !.. always brings it to the Mall Market !

We bought cakes, tomatoes, Apple juice and via another picnic spot ‘The Pine Forrest’ we found our way to an old favourite, NERAM,the ‘New England Regional Art Museum’ .. where we were just in time to catch the exhibition “Modern Australian Art and the Second World War”..

travelling from the ‘Australian War Memorial’…  all too current and  familiar are some of these images .. and heart breaking , .. Amazing show though, with some of our most known artists represented .. Russell Drysdale’s sensitive and reflective “Soldier” from 1942 for one.

Back now and ‘bloggin’ on our last night here before heading over west to Barraba NSW . coming to Armidale ? Bring a jumper !

 

Simon, aka: “Slim Knackers”

Black Dot Music, Armidale NSW

Blue Hole picnic spot

Myself and Richard Coumbe, Blacksmith

‘Thor’s Beard’ Detail on the cauldron forged and riveted by Richard Coumbe, Blacksmith

A stew pot, forged and riveted, with a “Osberg burial Ship” style Tripod (Look it up) By Blacksmith Richard Coumbe

Copper coin made and struck by Richard Coumbe, NSW Blacksmith

Two sides to every story Copper coin made and struck by Richard Coumbe, NSW Blacksmith

Triumvirate ! Three Blacksmiths !

Mall Market Armidale

Grahame Bray, Artist Blacksmith and Sculptor

One of Grahame’s “Ace Lane Rabbit trap” rabbit sculptures

Rabbit made from a welder armature thingo ! by Grahame Bray

The wonderful Warren Lawrence (left) with a couple of his mates and his Carousel at the Mall Markets (last Sunday of the month) Armidale NSW 

Carousel’s washing machine motor and truck differential 

NERAM

A bronze sculpture of a New Guinean soldier in the second world war

Russell Drysdale’s “Soldier”

“Moresby picture show” by Charles Bush (1919-1989)

Bloggin’

                Rhonda Ellem, Fibre Artist and Printmaker

We visited the studio and home of Fibre Artist and Printmaker Rhonda Ellem of Armidale NSW yesterday. Rhonda specialises in Japanese Shibori resist dyeing techniques on silk .. creating wonderful designs in the fabric, sometimes using objects as diverse as CDs and wooden tongue depressors in her practice.  She also experiments with making natural dyes, using plant materials such as Eucalypt and Lichen.   Rhonda has just returned from a trip with her Historian partner Dr Graeme Bourke, to the ancient sites of Peloponnesian Greece where she has found inspiration for her new Printmaking project in the Octopus motifs of funerary urns. It was a pleasure to catch up with Rhonda again. Such a highly talented yet unassuming artist and great cook ! We had a delicious lunch with conversation ranging through workshops that have inspired her practice to the trials of accessing remote and precipitous Peloponnesian temple sites.

                 Nathan Cahill, Musician and Teacher

We met Nathan Cahill at the campsite..Check out his website and compositions HERE headed for the Gold Coast and a Choir premiere performance of a song he penned and composed for the ANZAC Day Dawn Ceremony this morning.. I was ‘flangin’ away on my Uke when Nathan came over and introduced himself. He teaches Ukulele to his primary school students because he couldn’t face the Recorders !.. Now he instructs other teachers in Uke playing and he let me have a go on his 6 string Ukulele while he and his family packed and headed out for the deadline of the performance. Sadly he remembered I had the Beautiful little Lanikai (listen!) in my hot little hands…. ummm,  thats not me playing.

Eucalypt and Lichen

Ancient Greek Octopus Motif funerary urn inspired prints (a working wall) Rhonda Ellem, Armidale NSW artist

Studio , Rhonda Ellem, Fibre artist and Printmaker

Ancient shards of Greek Octopus motif funerary urns

Studio , Rhonda Ellem, Fibre artist and Printmaker

Treasure chest

Rhonda Ellem in her garden

Couch… Rhonda Ellem’s place

Rhonda Ellem with Shibori silks

Dr Graeme Bourke, Historian , specialising in the ancient Greek City-state of Elis.. where the original Olympiads were held, In his beautiful Yellow Shed on top of the h!ill (Olympus is in his head, not in the shed !)

The Yellow shed tool chest.. Drawers labled “fishin'” and “plaines” (a vast and beautiful mind!)

Nathan let me play his 6 string Ukulele !

Wellington Gateway Sculpture , Francis FergusonWellington Gateway Sculpture , Francis Ferguson

This amazing Sculptural project appeared around a bend on the road from Orange to Wellington.. I went whooshing past before the image made sense, it was so unexpected my brain shifted to denial !.. Well we spun about for another look .. Glad we did ! .. the main structure is built from some of the remains of a bridge that went down sometime in the Seventies.. with rail-line clips, a madness of steel bits, Stone, concrete and mosaic tiles,.. some painted and fired.. with what looks like blown glass and a set of tubular chimes. A splendid construct for the birds to play in and the curious to delight in.. filled with images of poignant history and sweet sentiment…, presented on a canvas of a perfect Autumn day.   Francis Ferguson was the Visionary and chief artist responsible. We parked under a beautiful large old gum and drifted in and around it for awhile before gunning it for Rosie’s old “hood” , Armidale, NSW for a bit of a break for a few days with not much of an agenda other than to pay a visit to Armidale and New England Fibre and Print Artist, Rhonda Ellem’s home and studio…. more about her tomorrow !

Wellington Gateway Sculpture , Francis Ferguson

Wellington Gateway Sculpture , Francis Ferguson

Wellington Gateway Sculpture , Francis Ferguson

Wellington Gateway Sculpture , Francis Ferguson

Wellington Gateway Sculpture , Francis Ferguson

Wellington Gateway Sculpture , Francis Ferguson

Wellington Gateway Sculpture , Francis Ferguson

Wellington Gateway Sculpture , Francis Ferguson

Pleasant Breakfasts ! what nicer ? Hard to leave the Lucky Strike and the friendly Proprietors,Wendy and Robert Zimmerman follower, Gary,  in Clunes..Beautiful artworks there too by one Mark Payne..We left however to check out Malden, Vic. nearby’ish. Thought we were headed for the proverbial “one dead horse town” .. but no !.. Easter Fair !, in an extraordinarily picturesque place that was chokkers with visitors .. all eating pies everywhere we looked .. And an old Bloke who had left the [lace at 12 years of age and was revisiting. On every other corner he was there again for my willing ear.. taking me back some 60 odd years to the halcyon days of his boyhood there .. what a treat !.. We, Rosie and I that is, had a look in at the Art show … Some fine work there of Janet Tresdale transported me to a family beach holiday.. beautiful gesture and tension with an underlying story to ponder… wish I had a photo..(or better yet, owned the painting). Also a very good print Gallery in the town next time you are there ! That evening we headed back to Hepburn Springs for dinner in a most romantic restaurant belonging to blacksmith, Stephen Viola of Dorrigo fame’s Mother Maria !! Brilliant evening.. Charmed ! .. “Lucini’s”, Tasty-as meal and bottle of red .. then back through the night to Clunes and onto Bendigo the next morning where we wound up witnessing the Bendigo Easter Parade, a BIG DEAL in the Bendigo calendar ! Everybody in it an a whack of great Dragons and fireworks! (Crackers in a can style) .. the whole town and district there to line the streets .. Even a little vignette bronze sculpture in the street on the pavement at one spot.. a deck-chair, wodden crate , baloon, drum and stool. (Ghosts of parades past? poignant with the present placemarked folding chairs all around it. Also had a gander (as opposed to Google) at the big Bendigo Easter Art show .. There are so many who turn their talents to painting ! Many hundreds of paintings in the old Town Hall .. Dare I say it , I am just about “arted out” , sitting here, back in West Wyalong headed North, in the Ace caravan park this evening, the setting sun, trucks in the distance rolling on the Newell highway, with the prospect of a train passing  just close by tonight ! But wait ! The Latrobe Uni Gallery had an Exhibition of sculptural works by Trefor Prest !.. Wow ! Strange mechano-anatomic mainly metal and some wood..sailing-sky-vessels in old new-made copper, bronze, steel(?) structures.. Intrigue ! Google him for a gander ! On the way here to West Wyalong we were traveling along a part of the “Long Paddock” .. Passed mobs of horses, cattle and sheep.. amazing to see the amount of trash thrown, from cars, that has been exposed by the grazing. I was counting about one piece per 350mm or around 10inches !..YOBS !! .. so over the length of a car there would be enough to fill a Yob’s hat and cram it over their ears?

Rosie in Lucini’s

Bronze street sculpture in Bendigo .. Easter Parade site.. top seats !

Dragon in the Bendigo Easter Parade

Dragon’s House ?

Lost yours ? Might they be in Maldon, Vic

Look for these signs ! this one in Maldon, Vic

Hammer and Hand wkshop Clunes ?? !

Dragon (Not in Bendigo)

Night Bloggin’

Long Paddock, Newel Highway

Wendy in the “Lucky Strike ” Clunes

 

It’s Good Friday. Parked down by the creek at Clunes where Rosie’s Grandfather was born… opposite the old Gold diggings that Rosie’s Great-Grandfather worked.. Chilling today ..tho I have been working on this WordPress site .. setting up a re-direct to my Facebook page for posts here and also Rosie has helped me (Saved my sanity) install “Google Analytics” to count visitors to the site .. (none !.. Flat-lining !) and the other day..the ability to comment was set up in a miraculous shared effort from Jen, Oskar (the Master Mind) and myself.. But Alas and Alack .. the only comments are from myself and one from Rosie .. !!>?! but I’m counting them anyway.We had coffee this morning in “Widow Twanky’s” , Clunes.. Where we were informed that that’s the name of Aladdin’s mother !!… and a popular tea!.. (like Twinings) in the eighteen hundreds… Whereupon I informed the owner of the FAAAARR more important connection ..,of the Blacksmiths Guild’s Journeymen’s song “Twanky Dillo” sung upon a saint’s day while drinking copiously and cavorting .. ( I have first hand experience of Blacksmiths cavorting ) ..  Anyhow !! …a comment please ….(kind if possible?) …and be assured that after today anybody looking at my site will become a treasured and valued.. Nay !.. CHERISHED! statistic.

Widow Twankie’s Cafe Clunes

Bruce Pringle contemplating pumpkin and spinach muffin

This just went up so I am splashing it all over the place ’cause it’s my birthday and I can !!!  Open this link here to read… ME ME ME !!!

ME ME ME In my Birthday Oilskin Night-gown !

If you find yourself in the main st of Daylesford Vic and venture into an alley because of a sign on the wall suggesting you visit “Sister George” and you may find Hats and stuff up there, you will need to be intrepid and keep your eyes peeled for clues ! .. up the laneway a small arrow will point you further and up ahead on the side of a building you will be encouraged to “Keep Going” .. then a couple of small, helpful and positively sympathetic signs will encourage you to persevere.. It is SO well worth it.. around the corner in Duke street, parallel to the main st where you started is the domain of Sandra Broman of “Sister George Productions”  Studio Gallery, Inhabited by the most extraordinary Hats, Garments and a brilliant collection of quirk-full and delighting paintings, prints and cards, full of humour and cheek ! Sandra steered us onto “door 3” Ceramic workshops and gallery in a complex of sheds, where there is a huge Auction Gallery filled with fine works of art and top end antiques.. What looks like the studio of David Bromley (closed).. He paints those wonderful 50’s style  ‘boys own annual’ style pictures amongst other sculptural works and jewellery.. Great stuff. Also there is the workshop of “Overwrought” Iron Art.. a very inventive metal artist… and another studio space with mind-blowing exterior going on.. It was great to connect with these spaces .. perhaps another visit will reveal more… We also sought out Jackie Gorrin, printmaker nearby but unfortunately found her away and the beautiful looking studio closed…..So we headed out to find sculptor Stephan out at Sailors Falls in his Gallery “Paradiso Arts” .. Hauled him out of his workshop where he is deadlining in on a prestigious exhibition in Toorak, Melbourne, to show us his work and share his enthusiasm around his architectural and votive inspired sculptures in timber and steel..His paint finishes and passion for motor vehicle constructs .. (A 1/4 size Bugatti style letterbox graces the entrance to the Gallery ) !  Back in town we visited Artist and Sculptor Michael Parker’s Gallery “ Red Pepper Gallery”, Full of a fine collection of artists work from the region.. He has a ’sister’ gallery “Stoney Creek Gallery” just near Stephan’s place. I met metal sculptor Darren Gilbert of “ Monkey Tail Designs” there while he was bumping in some of his new Sculptures and we shared ‘metal workers scars” with one another ! .. That about did it for the day .. Beautiful kind and helpful people populate these chilly southern climes.. Going to light a fire now and thin down a little amber fluid in a glass with just drop of Daylesford water…..

 

Sandra Broman of “Sister George Productions” in her fabulous studio/gallery

 

“Sister George Productions”

 

Door 3 ..Clayspace

 

Auction and gallery fine art space

 

some David Bromley art work weathering

 

some David Bromley art work weathering

Stephan out at Sailors Falls in his Gallery “Paradiso Arts”

 

Stephan’s Mailbox

 

Darren Gilbert of “ Monkey Tail Designs

a 

Phoenix creates

 

Found a few concrete sculptures in Echuca..!!!!… “Poor Ned, you’re better off dead..at least you get some peace of mind” (Redgum)

Poor benighted Silos Too !!.. Bullied from dusk to dawn ….the annual Silo Kick ?!!? And a fine piece of tin can barrel art (no kicking !)

In Elmore Victoria.. I stepped into the darkened Muddy Water Gallery, where a bloke appeared in work fluro and informed me the owner was away. I asked him “ is this the gallery?” He replied, “ No, there’s only these pictures and stuff on the wall”.. Around the corner up the street was Richie’s Art Gallery .. Richie is at the easel. Retired at 42 and been painting since .. 20 years?.. A happy fellow!!! Now it’s breakfast and coffee in Castlemaine, after arriving at our brisk and chilly destination, Daylesford Vic. last night .. (Top camping at Jubilee Lake campgrounds!)

On our way to brekky at Castlemaine, we met Sculptor Issa Ouattara and his beautiful family – Monica, his lovely wife and sweet daughters Angela and Sophie at their sculpture garden, restored church and atelier .. He is amazing, this guy, cutting sheet steel with snips and gas welding fabulous sculpture! Loved meeting these guys! I highly recommend a visit to their place on the road from Hepburn Springs to Newstead. There is a pic here of him with the balustrade he built and him hand cutting sheet metal also a hopeless pic of one of his beautiful sculptures.

Poor Ned

So you wanna be a sculptor? Mass concrete sculptures at Echuca Vic

Mirool NSW..Tin Can Sculptures.. home of the Silo Kick

Mirrool Pub ! Full of Silo kickers on the 2nd Oct no doubt

Richie

Entrance to the Issa Ouattara Sculpture Garden and Studio

Sculpture .. Issa Ouattara

Issa ! hand cutting steel..
Gun welder with a oxy torch too .. Sweet running beads.

Poor kicked Silos at Mirrool NSW

 

These beautiful distances with  “Clouds like headlines on a new front-page sky” (Tom Waits)…”Music of “The Tallest Man on Earth” on the Ipod from Josh’s collection … Lunch at a billabong by a shady tree (sans Swaggy) and now we are in West Wyalong ! Late Sunday arvo and we luckily found Matthew Cumming fixing up a Cafe area in the new seven month old Splatter Gallery , run by artist Clairre Wishart …. A really good Exhibition space and teaching venue that must be a welcome addition to the town.  Stopped in at a Glass gallery run by and showing the work of glass artist Elaine Marshall. She produces very colourful and skilled slumped platters bowls and a range of diachrotic jewellery.(if i could spell that I would change my  profession and become a smart-i-pants) .. Just prior to finding her Gallery we saw this big tin shed “ART GALLERY” painted on the side and front, with a mangle of iron out front behind a chain-lock fence which upon closer inspection, proved to be something of a menagerie of sculptural constructs .. there is humour and imagination in skip-loads and despite the junk-yard look of the place I wanted to have a bit if a squizz around in that humungous shed ! .. Alas! and Alack!.. the gates were chained and locked and there may have been a dog !.. ?! “Baked bean Olive n’ cheese chuck-about” for dinner and on to Daylesford Victoria tomorrow.

Big Sky Riverina

 

Billabong Bunyip

 

 

 

Splatter Gallery..Rosie and Matthew in the soon to be Cafe space

Elaine Marshall , Glass Artist

Elaine Marshall , Glass Artist’s Gallery

Metal Menagerie

Metal Artist’s yard and Gallery/ Workshop

Saturday night in the beautiful town of Coonabarabran.. Lovin’ it !

Night life , Coonabarabran NSW