Banksia Ashbyi

Found this flowering shrub in the median of the road.  The plant was named for Sir Joseph Banks and Edwin Ashbyi.  Also known as Ashby's banksia or orange banksia.

Signs, Signs, Everywhere are Signs

Near apartment in Perth.



Near apartment in Perth



Pioneer Valley-- sugar cane country.

Cape Hillsborough National Park

Mackay, Queensland-- near man made road/jetty

Souvenir Shop in Perth

Little Snail Tucked Away Safe

Funny Pictures Along the Way

Laundry Day :)

Guess who is getting junk mail?!?

Shout out to all the red heads!

You Go Girl!

You know the saying!

Botanical View

2 & 5

Aim for 2 & 5 a day!  2 fruits and 5 vegatables.
Healthway was one of the sponsors; I was surrounded with reminders daily!

Inspiring Student Artwork

Today was the last day of the Black Swan Exhibit. Also, on exhibit was youth artwork that was exhibited on the ground floor as you enter the Town Hall.  Here are a few of the High School ages that really interested me.  I apologize in advance for the lack of artist credits.

The desk where I sat and greeted people, young and old.

Light Show at the Bus Stop

On my way home last night I passed this cool building with moving lights-- it is the City of Perth Council House.  Different light "arrangements" are displayed (from the vidoes I found on YouTube.)  Per Wikipedia, the outside of the building was fitted with over 22,000 LED lights which was officially turned on on 7 April 2010.

Wonder what the two letters stand for?

The Greenhouse

The Greenhouse is a restaurant in downtown Perth.  Need to stop in sometime, but the exterior looks so cool from the street/sidewalk.  It does have an enviromental twist, but besides that I like love the aesthetics of the place.  You can read more about the concept at: http://www.greenhouseperth.com/. 

Check out the time lapse video of it being built in six weeks: http://www.greenhouseperth.com/time-lapse-of-construction-to-28-10-09/  Look closely at the outer wall around work area that says: "Gardening not Architecture." 

Black Swan Awards Night

It was great to be apart of the big night for the Black Swan and artists!

Main Hall with guests, artists, and sponsors!

Re-creating Picasso's "Girl Before a Mirror"

The airplane guys playing tennis.

The swans are born and dancing!  They started behind the egg.



Got a picture with the winner!





And the Winner is.....

Kristone Capistrano! 

Homeless Man (Outside David Jones)
Subject: Jaimie Jones
Charcoal on paper and fiberglass
 http://kristonecapistrano.com/

Volunteering for the Black Swan

These past couple days have really been great.  I feel like my 'ol self walking around AMAZING artwork, talking to people about art, listening to viewer's thoughts, and chatting to artists about their career and materials. There was a breakfast for all the artists which then they came over to see the show.  Meet a few and they are all so nice--  little-to-no ego, friendly, and excited to be included in this competition.  I heard one aritst praising another! How often does that happen in the art world, seriously.

Here are a few shots of the hall where the pieces are hung.  Tomorrow I'll be working the day shift and them helping at the event.  Very excited to get all dolled up and hear who the winner is!

Dancers practicing their routine for the award night.

Floral Contrasts

 

This bus stop was across the sidewalk from the the flower shop.  I like the juxtaposition of the real flowers next to a poster of an artist's interpretation of flowers.  Also the girl seemded deep in thought and never saw me snapping a shot.  Photos taken on St. Georges Terrace, Perth.  (Click on images to view larger; their size is small because I like seeing them side by side.)

2 Degrees of Separation

Short story, shorter:  I was in town for 5 days, randomly bumped into an artist, in a strange location for an Artist Residency, and within an hour was hooked up with a volunteer position with the Black Swan Prize for Portraiture.  The artist was Di Taylor (http://www.ditaylor.com.au/) and she knows the Director that had just emailed looking for volunteers.  Tah-Dah-- only 2 degrees of separation in this city. 

So this week while Brian is in China, I will be occupied Tuesday- Friday (and next Monday) being a "Curatorial Assistant" at the Town Hall.  There are 44 finalists, all from Western Australia, and one will receive a prize of $35,000 and another for $7,000 (People's Choice Award).  Here is the website with more information about this non-profit organization. http://www.blackswanprize.com.au/
 
Will also be working the Main Award night!  And the winner is.....

Eungella and Cape Hillsbourgh National Park

This past weekend was MOST enjoyed in both these parks. 

Eungella (prounounced 'young-g'lah') National Park was pretty amazing.  This park "is home to Australia's longest stretch of sub-tropical rainforests."  We hiked at the Finch Hatton Gorge (within the park) and higher beyond the Historical Eungella Chalet.  In certain areas, the "shy platyus" is visible, but we missed those spots and saw other wildlife-- the kookaburro and a goanna lizard. 

At Cape Hillsbourgh National Park, we witnessed rainforests coming up the the beaches edge.  The landscape was formed over millions of years ago by volcanic rock.  The beaches were edged with that rock and mangroves.  Mica is crushed and visible in the sand (the beach sparkles!)

Off these beaches and running north is the Great Barrier Reef, one of the wonders of the world.  Did not get to witness that, but maybe another day or lifetime!

Finch Hatton Gorge, Eungella National Park.

Goanna Lizard.

Kookaburros.



Cape Hillsbourgh National Park



Blue Tiger butterfly, Cape Hilsbourgh National Park.

Rocks and forest at the beach's edge.

Mackay

Mackay, Queensland is known for its coal mining, being "sugar capital" of Australia, gateway to Pioneer River Valley, and tourism to the National Parks and beaches in the region.  Here are a few sights:



Mining, open cut.



Small train taking harvested cane to the mill. Toot, Toot!



Sugar cane.




Pioneer River Valley



Beaches!

Watch out!!!!