Early Spring

It's early Spring here.......another birthday come and gone and the late-winter-into-Spring weather has been magnificent this year! Loads of sunshine and magnificent wattle blossom.

The weather has been great for walking and one place close by that I love to visit, is Notley Gorge. This is a remnant of the rainforest that would once have been common in the gullies of the West Tamar - unfortunately not too much of it is left after clearing for agriculture and timber cutting. This is only a short walk, but it takes you down into a gully with manferns, mosses, lichens, fungi and very tall trees and there is a creek at the bottom. It is simply a beautiful place and I'm glad it is there.

The low mood I posted about last time has all but lifted and I'm looking forward to a busy and productive Spring and Summer......Bring it on!

Oh yes.........and the swallows are back!

The Dark Place

I have been struggling a bit just lately......finding myself in that dark place where you just feel like curling up and forgetting the world. Motivation can be hard to find in that place. The only good thing about it is that it passes - you just have to ride it out. I feel it passing now, just as I feel an early Spring coming on. So different from August last year with endless weeks of wet, wet, wet!

I'm managing to stay focused enough to work on projects......just not as much as I probably should, because I always feel better for it. This is "Luna" - a cloth doll with painted, applied lace textures on the head and bodice. She has a lightly stained silk and cotton layered skirt. I really like these colours - a greenish blue with pale ochre and ivory. Subtle complementaries.

I'm also working on a large ferro-cement piece for the West Tamar Sculpture Prize - needs to be completed by the end of September. To be installed at Goaty Hill Vineyard for Artentwine in October. No pictures - keeping it under wraps!

My grand-daughter Leila has just turned 18 - so among the many celebrations she had, we held a family afternoon tea (but with champagne!) Here's a collage;

Donna's Prize

Here's what Donna chose to have made for her as winner of my 777 followers contest Hope she likes it!

We Have A Winner!

And it is Donna from Twindragonfly studio! Thanks to everyone for helping me celebrate a milestone. 

A Little Contest

I decided that when my blog achieved the magical number of 777 followers, I would have a little giveaway - somehow it seems like too good a number to let pass by without some kind of celebration! I note that the counter has just reached that number......so here goes:

All you have to do is leave a comment on this post and I will pick a random winner at the end of the month. You can leave more than one comment if you like. I'll post the prize to anywhere in the world.

I will make the winner their choice of one of these:

.......or one of these:

A couple of cuties

I've been having a little break from more serious stuff........and making a few of these fun little critters! A three-toed Boghopper and Little Pinkie.

A busy week in the studio........

It is midwinter here, so it is great to be holed up in the studio with the fire roaring working away while it is grey and cold outside. Here's a bit of what I've been up to......

A new doll head

"Book of Stains" wall doll

Experiments with papier mache

And just for fun!