Writer's Block

Tonight, I have writer's block.

So I'm thinking that tonight's post might be short and sweet.

I didn't get to visit my little Chicklet today because sadly, the Chicklet family is down with the flu.

So instead, I pedalled out to the dirt track that splits the national park to see if I could find some fairy wrens.

I could hear them everywhere, but then I could also hear this Raptor.  I have no idea if it's a hawk or a kite or an eagle, but it was squawking incessantly, high in the tree, while all the little birds in the bush below were freaking out.

This isn't a good photo and it's tightly cropped, but I've posted it on flickr with hopes that one of the 'bird' men can tell me what it is.

I was surprised when two little female wrens flew up onto the branch of this small tree and looked up at the raptor for a couple of minutes and then disappeared back into the long grasses.

I've had a disappointing day with the camera.  I had a couple of ideas for photographs that didn't quite pan out.  I spent a lot of time on them but they just didn't live up to my expectations, so my energy levels have dropped a touch.

You know what we creative types are like ... very touchy and moody.  Just ask Adoring Husband lol!

I might get an early night to bed and build the energy levels up again, so that I can start fresh tomorrow.

Nite all.

It's me!

It hasn't been published yet, but here is the copy of what will appear in our local rag in a couple of weeks.

My usual habit is to create nicknames for people mentioned in this blog, however, in this case, for promotional purposes, actual names have been left in the article.

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It’s ‘Time to Shine’ for Local Artisans

Local identity, Jackie Brennan, has been too busy to be out and about lately, unlike our resident photographer, Roz Griffin, who’s been scouring the village, taking shots with her long lens camera. You may have seen her - Roz is our local three-wheeler bikie with a passion for wildlife photography.

It was over coffee one morning at indoor bowls that Jackie invited Roz to join her in her next solo art exhibition. Such public display of talent was a whole new scene for award-winner Roz, but after a little assurance, she humbly agreed.

Jackie’s last solo exhibition ‘Metalica’ was held at Gallery 5 in Hervey Bay.  Two thirds of the artworks were sold on the opening night. This time the theme is ‘Art Deco Revival’ … quite a challenge for Roz who excels in capturing the beauty of Australian flora and fauna. Therefore, several generic works will also be on display in gallery two. All works will be for sale.

Jackie is a retired professor of Interior Design and Architecture with a post-graduate degree in Fine Arts. She is also an award winning artist, author and poet who still enjoys teaching - mostly weekend workshops, and of course our Monday craft mornings.

These two talented ladies are having a joint solo art and photographic exhibition at Gatakers Artspace in Maryborough for the duration of September.  This gallery is the latest Fraser Coast cultural installation. With a two year waiting list for exhibitors, it is well worth a visit. 

The grand opening is on Friday 7^th September, and best of all – you’re all invited to attend. Entry is free! Doors will open at 6.30pm for 7pm. It’s anticipated that the night will conclude around 9pm. 

So why not get a few friends together for a special night out to show your support for a couple of our local ladies.

Gatakers Art Space is located in the old warehouse building in the laneway between Kent and Wharf Streets, Maryborough – opposite the Federal Hotel at 311 Kent Street.

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The two photos that I provided for this article are ...

Remember when?

Six Eyes

Already, strangers are stopping in the streets, asking me if I am the lady having the exhibit in Maryborough.

It's a very strange feeling, having to promote myself in a positive way, without adding a joke of self criticism.  I am renowned for that.

It's all beginning to happen now!

I can do this!

Nite all.

Distractions

We (Adoring Husband and myself) are organising a whale watching tour for our flickr group.

After we posted photos last year, a few members mentioned that they would like to attend a tour this year, so we've organised a good price and are just waiting on numbers now.

It will be on the Sunday before the exhibit, and I reckon I will need a distraction by then.  The combination of whales and my friendly flickr group will be just what the Dr ordered!

Aside from two more photos that I took today for the exhibit, I got a couple of bird shots on my morning ride.  The good old reliable lorikeet ...

and

the good old reliable kookaburra.

The Fairy Wrens eluded me this morning.  I spotted them a couple of times, but lost them just as quickly.  I think I need to get my glasses checked!

Unfortunately, it's still very wet in the national park ... like a swamp, so I won't be trekking through there in the near future.  It's so waterlogged, it will take an entire Summer of dry weather to dry the ground up.

This has been a welcome distraction from my exhibit photos and now it's time for bed.

Nite all.

Newsworthy

It appears that I am a little newsworthy (in my own lunch box).

I was asked to send through two of my photos, to somebody who has written an article for the local rag, about the exhibit, and THEN I had to send a photo of myself holding my camera!

I have two photos of myself holding my camera, and they are both of the back of my head!

One was taken by Adoring Husband while I was taking photos of Fairy Wrens at the southern end of town, and I think the other one was taken a couple of years ago by my sister, Squirt.

So I needed a photo, without putting too much effort into it, and without involving anybody else - because I knew it would be a 'process', and I knew that a LOT of shots would have to be taken before I'd be happy.

So I put a bit of make-up on and grabbed a hat.  I sat at my work table in front of my mosaic mirror and began experimenting with different shots.  Different facial expressions.  Holding the camera at different angles.

It was a tricky job to get a photo without looking through the view finder.

To get my head as close to centred in the circle of the mirror as possible.  To get my face focussed and have the 'Canon' name on the camera, clear and in focus.  To avoid the fluorescent light reflecting brightly off the mirror or the lens glass.  To avoid chopping the top of my head off or chopping the camera out completely.

It took 50 odd shots to end up with this one ...

... which is still not even close to perfect, but I'm happy enough to use it ... for now.

When I posted it on facebook, I got lots of nice comments, but my favourite was from the Bare-chested Chef, who said "You look so inspired and focussed.  Like you are doing something that you are incredibly passionate about.  I love it."

That's exactly how I feel, so his comment gave me a real buzz :)

Speaking of the Bare-chested Chef ... Vegan Chickie emailed me this lovely photo of my precious little Chicklet helping her 'Dadu' make pizza today.

She is so grown up!  They both look like they are having such a good time together.  Look at her little black shirt all covered in flour.  And those lovely little curls around her ears!  What a great photo.  A beautiful memory captured forever.

In the mean time, I am still head down and bum up, trying to get all the extra photos organised!

Yes, it's ALMOST time to panic!

Nite all.

I have 50

Fifty photos is what I have, ready to print and show at the exhibit.

I require more.  As Vegan Chickie would say "eeeeep!"

I didn't know this before I went to lunch today - twenty of us all having a lovely time together, drinking wine, until two of the ladies won $1800 and then we were drinking whatever they put in front of us!

We tried out the new menu set by the new chefs at the Bowls Club and they put a lot of effort into creating a delicious gluten free meal for Kaz and I.

It was a fun afternoon and something that we will be doing on the last Tuesday of every month - apparently.

Short and sweet tonight - an early one for me, so that I can panic effectively tomorrow as I attempt to find or create some extra photos for the exhibit.

Nite all.

Granny Nikonian

So excited for The Nikonian, who has become a first time Grandmother today!

She has a new little granddaughter to love.  I can't wait to see the first beautiful photos that she takes.

The Nikonian is one of the best photographers that I have the pleasure of knowing, and when she's feeling the love, her shots have the WOW factor.

Anyway, I just wanted to acknowledge her exciting news today and send my love and good wishes to her and to her family.  Hugs and kisses to you oxox.

I've been busy today with some more shots for the exhibit.  Setting the shot up, shooting it, editing it.  It's quite tiring really.  Too much brain work involved.

Those of you who know me, know that I am basically lazy - that is also true when it comes to my photography.

Wildlife and birds and landscapes are much easier.  You put yourself in the right place at the right time and you capture the moment.  That's when you best see the magic of photography.

So much more thought and time has to go into still life and portraits.  Getting the lighting right and the composition has to be just right, to tell a story.

Creating a 'moment' with people in portraits takes real skill.

It's all especially more exhausting when you are unsure of yourself.

If I had a studio with all the lighting and backgrounds and props, it might be easier.  I say 'might' because I'm really only guessing or assuming that to be the case.

I think I am making the best out of my limited resources and I am pretty happy with my shots so far.

Oh if money were no object!!  Must remind Adoring Husband to buy a ticket in Powerball this week!

I'm doing ok.  Sometimes I feel frustrated because I can sit here at my desk for a few hours, and at the end of it, feel like I have achieved nothing.  Other times I can sit here for thirty minutes and at the end of it, feel like I have conquered Mount Everest!

What a process.  A HUGE learning curve for me.  Immensely satisfying and terribly frustrating all at the same time.

I only have one photo to share today.  I caught this fellow singing this morning as I rode past the lagoon.

I think I might go watch some of the Olympic Games for a while and give myself a break from the computer screen (from one screen to another - sad huh?).

Nite all.  

Childers Festival of Cultures

Adoring Husband and I spent the morning in Childers at the Festival of Cultures.  It used to be called the Multicultural Festival.

Bigger and better this year, which was our fourth year in a row.  Hundreds of stalls and tens of thousands of people.  They actually block off the main street (which is also the highway) and line both sides of the street with stalls and rides and entertainment.

At various points down the street are different artists entertaining the crowds.  Country music with dancers performing rocknroll, rockabilly and line dancing,  Jamaican music,  Egyptian music with belly dancers, and then a much bigger stage down one of the side streets with a steady stream of bands and entertainment.

The Twine were performing again this year and they always draw a big crowd.  They were contestants on Australia's Got Talent in 2010, and they have a lot of energy on stage.  I even considered getting up for a dance ... and I am NOT a dancer!

After they finished, a quartet of young girls performed.  Beautiful voices and such talent with their instruments.  They have already won a major award (the Golden Fiddle) at Tamworth Country Music Festival and they were also contestants on the New Young Talent Time.

Warming up before the show

Despite how they appear in this photo, they were happy and high energy performers

The crowd was very appreciative.

 

... and I loved this piece of artwork

... I reckon I could create something like this myself ... I LOVE trees and I would love a big colourful tree to put on the wall above the bed.

We were home just after lunch, but we had a great time and I love that every year, after we get home, I immediately begin looking forward to next year.

Right now, I'm looking forward to bed.

Nite all.