A mixed bag - clouds, quotes and virtual quicksand.

There is a cool breeze but the sun is warm so I’ve moved up to the little balcony off my bedroom to write. The clouds are constantly moving and changing. It will a good place to watch the sunset.

A few weeks ago I was reminded how disposable everything in our world has become. My printer that does/did everything so beautifully (except make tea) decided that it didn’t like the print head anymore. It was a terminal failure. The sad part was that replacing this one little part, albeit essential, would cost way more than a brand new one. So into the heap of useless  trash it goes - a far cry indeed from the days when socks were darned and collars turned. It seems to make nonsense of my efforts to live a 'green' life - recycling and being conscious of waste. 

During the last weeks my priority has been unpacking and organising. The plus factor to all this organising is that I have unearthed a journal from December 2009. It’s always interesting to look back on plans one had and then see what really happened. Much of the writing is about everyday events but there are little gems culled from reading here and there. Unfortunately, some of these will remain untagged, uncredited and anonymous as I was not always careful to note the source of the quote.

For instance: “yesterday will always be yesterday, it’s what we do with the ever-moving now that matters…” and then another: “in learning navigation, there are two things that are important – where you are now and where you are trying to get to”

And in a similar vein, this time I can give it the correct accreditation Edward De Bono said:

" You can analyse the past but you have to design the future."

All too often we remain caught up in the past – re-living and regretting what has gone instead of planning the next forward step. Sometimes being content with the present is sufficient.

Here is another gem – this person was talking about checking emails and social network sites first thing in the morning – he says “It’s like being sucked into a giant pool of virtual quicksand” 

This is good advice that I intend to follow – paint first then check email and Facebook!

Sinister pools - the story of a painting

Sinister Pools Triptych - oil on canvas

Carol Lee Beckx ©2010

High in the foothills of the Drakensberg Mountains of South Africa near Garden Castle, the Umzimkulu River spills out of the mountains and starts its journey to the sea. The river twists and turns its way through fertile farmland. As one turns off the main road from the village of Underberg to drive into the mountains, the river is alongside the road. The water tumbling over rocky cascades thrills adrenalin junkies on canoes.

In between there are deep dark pools that are part of the lore of the local trout fishermen. The mist rises off the river in winter at dawn and I imagine the atmosphere is dark, cold and sinister, hence the name.

The triptych is a gentler version of the scene. I was not up at dawn to photograph the river and I haven’t battled with elusive trout. The day I was there it was sunny and clear. In the distance, the mountains were a soft lilac contrasting with the sharp green of the fields.

For a closer look at Sinister Pools try this link to Google Earth latitude -29.7755769503, longitude =29.4647043761

Sinister Pools is currently on view at Red Hill Gallery , 61 Musgrave Road Red Hill Brisbane QLD 4059

Surrealism through a child's eyes

Viewing Surrealism The Poetry of Dreams through the eyes of a seven year old is an enlightening experience.The exhibition is currently on view at GoMA, Brisbane.  Many adults have great difficulty understanding the often bizarre concepts of Surrealism. In fact, many Surrealists would confess that they did not understand much of what they were doing. Moreover, because the work originated in dreams and the subconscious, understanding the work was perhaps not a priority.

The Gallery thoughtfully has explanatory notes alongside many of the works, helping an adult trying to explain the inexplicable to a child. In GoMA  Surrealism for kids has fun activities that will engage children (and adult children as well). Using a drawer full of various household items they can can create their own Surrealist sculptures, take a photo (the camera is cunningly hidden at the side of the booth) and then send the images via text or email. There is the opportunity to make a collage of cut-outs in the style of Max Ernst, or embellish an ink blot to draw their own ideas.

In the Queensland Art Gallery we were fascinated by Artist’s Choice: Marion Drew - Buoyancy.She has curated works form the Gallery’s Collection relating to water. A mixture of paintings, sculptures and photographs from all historical periods gives an interesting insight into the varied works in the Collection.

Then in another space the photo-realistic paintings amazed us with the precise detail that made each part super- real. Some parts are actually real - the steel rule and the drawing pin holding up the string of the painted album cover aren't painted but the real deal. The tempation to touch is almost over-whelming!

Outside the sunlight shining through a Geodesic-domed sculpture makes abstract patterns on the Zoysia grass, beckoning the kids to play on the grass in the coloured light.