High and Low Pressure

If you are in the region, you'll know that most of coastal Queensland's been

ravaged by a low pressure system, kept smartly in place by a high pressure system off New Zealand.
Oh, and just for the record, I didn't take this photo.

A phenomenal act of weather violence.

With dire flooding consequences for those in low-lying areas.

Here's our babbling brook, about six metres wide, usually.

It reached about forty.

And, it's not tidal.

High tide's tonight.

Heartbreak ahead for lots.

 Before the weather fouled, I got to the Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA) on the weekend.
 

Found a park, for free, in Hope Street. Weekends only, early arrival might just get you a spot.

Drop anyone off at the bus terminal if they complain about the walk, or are in Manolo's,

or just because you are polite,

and hot foot up to GoMA yourself.

Spend the money saved on coffee and cake.

 There's lots to see at the Asia Pacific Triennal 7.

Some sort of art film about ageing resonated with me.

It included a repeat image of old fingers, not being able to thread cotton through the tiny hole.

I don't care about ageing, only about not being able to Flora a needle.

 Salient points, Basir.

 These textile collages were interesting.

 And these, coconut string wrapped tubes.

 The tubes' shadows.

 There's lots of indigenous and traditional crafts.

Kids' Frippery available, too. And, the exhibition's free.

Ian Fairweather's on at Queensland Art Gallery, just across the way.

He painted on cardboard, using housepaints, living

in exile on Bribie Island. No electricity.

After being a Prisoner of War (WW2).

Makes you think, what's possible in this life.

 And Manuela Campos' madness.

To be honest, I'd never heard of him.

A fellow chalkface worker told me to look out for him.

Alright.

I can identify some kitchen motifs...

 There's an installation of small paintings about desserts and French frippery.

Gastronomy, art and politics, by Chinese artist, Zhou Tiehai.

 To be honest, I found them quite satisfying.
Simple, aren't I?

and, I concur a recipe is definitely art.

 

Zhou included some showgirl frippery, too.

Bought the print on acid free paper.

 

 A day today, best for thinking and getting indoor chores completed.
And, counting how lucky.

 Here some Flora, for Spring 2013.

The Camellia Society.

And a bit of robo-vac.

Multi-tasking genius.

You are mad if you don't.

 

 

Blake Lively + Flora

 Here's my niece, C wearing the latest range of Flora Fascinata, Spring 2013.

 She always reminds me of Blake Lively.

I said this to her today, she said she'd never heard of her.

Obviously doesn't spend enough time doing what's important.

Or, sitting at a hairdressers, reading magazines.

 She also makes her own textiles jewellery.

This one's got little freshwater pearls sewn into gold rose buds.

 

 

Thank you, C.

I'm off to the Gallery of Modern Art tomorrow. To check

out the Asia-Pacific Triennial Exhibition.

It's quite serious, not much room for frippery.

Artistic representations that represent the many social, cultural and political

issues in the selected regions.

Extraordinary pieces.

 

 

 



Material Opulence

 I've enjoyed the unbridled creative luxury of dyeing these cotton camellias.

Sculpted lace too, beaded with a feathered fringe, peacock and pink ostrich.

 The goods, laid bare.

 Flora's muse enjoys a bit of opulence, too.

 Fashioned this frippery, too.

As below, a purple hued lace and camellia Hello, Kitty!

Sparked by a beautiful purple sapphire.

Lovely L at the chalkface and her diamond and purple sapphire engagement ring.

Here's her engagement card.

A big heart with international languages.

The purple lace confection is inspiration.

 

Here's L, doing as she is told, modelling a Hello, Kitty, in front of a whiteboard!

 

It's monsoonal here, heavy and squally rain.

Australia day, tomorrow.

With many events cancelled.

 Those flamingos will feel quite at home.

 How are you going back at work?

To be honest, it's been a week, alright.

This stack of old Vogue Australia, a non-functional Jeff Koon's Balloon Dog money box

and two Lindt bunnies from 2010

is the neatest vignette in the house.

The remainder is unsuitable for photographs.

 What do you do for a reality check, work-wise?

Sometimes I watch the news and thank goodness I am

not a newsreader, imagine that stress.

Not sure if I could even sit up that straight and not pull any faces.

Or that I don't have a job, at all.

No room for frippery.

  Always like to pull a Gita card when I am at new beginnings.

It amuses me how often I can relate to them.

\

This one seemed good at the first glance. I liked the peacock feathers.

Mind you, would never use them in a Flora Fascinata.

 Felt a bit miffed when I read the fine print.

Material opulence?

All for a good cause.