Last Sunday, late in the afternoon I had just finished off an A4 Watercolour when I looked out the window and saw the beautiful Spring light. It was too much of a temptation and I knew I had to get out there and go for a walk.
I finished up walking 3.3 km (2 miles) down at the Camden Bike Track which runs along a major river in the Sydney Basin. The track is about two minutes walk from where live which is great.
Here are some images I shot on my walk with a phone camera. Such a relaxing walk to cap off my Sunday.
Last night, I attended ‘Art After Dark’ at a local, small Art Gallery, called ‘The Alan Baker Gallery’ in Camden, N.S.S. Australia. It’s about 3 minutes drive from where i live.
This was the third (and last for now) such event held there. I couldn’t attend the first one due to illness, and the second due to a prior engagement so I was pleased to be able to attend last night.
It was an intimate gathering, featuring a local musician Ria Brcic who provided a beautiful voice accompanied by an Acoustic Guitar in the background, whilst Artists’ demonstrations like live portrait painting carried on through the night.
There were also local Artists on display such as, Verena Heirich with her exquisite wearable art and Natalie with her ‘Creations Couture, both of which added a special flavour to the event.
The event ran from 6pm – 8pm and I enjoyed it immensely. Apart from seeing the creations of local Artists, it was a great chance to mingle, chat and share artistic experiences.
Last Sunday, I was one of 30 ‘Creative’s’ that assembled down at the Camden Civic Centre to display our creativity. All manner of arts and crafts were on display.
There were:
Painters
Sketchers/Drawers
Mixed Media
Photographers
Japanese Martial Arts
Floral creations
Chinese Brushwork
Charcoal
Pastel
Bonzai
Ballerinas
Couture
Live Demonstrations
Talks
Kids Competition
and more!
Ho Yee Wong (Jo), the President of the Macarthur Art Group (of which I am a member), asked me if I would promote my ‘Everyday Art Practice’ aka my ‘Watercolour Sketch a Day’? I said I would be glad to.
We were there for 8 hours (and open to the public for 6), and I completed a couple of Watercolour Sketches whilst chatting to interested onlookers.
I asked them whether they practised any form of art and/or craft and often, they would say that ‘they didn’t have time’, or ‘they were not talented enoough.’
Wanting to help them, I advised them that I wasn’t very good drawing as a child, or even up until into my 50’s( all true), however, it is a skill that can be learnt. As far as ‘time’ goes, most people have a certain amount of time that is wasted during our days.
We stand in queue’s or sit at the Mall eating lunch or having a cuppa. There are miniature sketchbooks available and you only need one pen. Instead of pulling out your mobile phone, use your sketchbook. You don’t even have to show it to anybody, it can just be your personal hobby.
The simple of act of sketching takes your mind off other things. It can be the ‘mental break’ that you need when you are trying to solve a problem, when you are stressed out or when you are bored.
Welcome to my 4th post on – “Things That Attract My Eye.”
We are certainly blessed where we currently live, up high but only a couple of minutes walk from the Nepean River in Camden NSW.
Relatively close to the river (and closer in parts than others), there is a two-way concrete bicycle path that is shared by cyclists, walkers and joggers.
It is along this path that I have taken the following iPhone images.
A favourite spot I (we) like to go to relax is only about 8 minutes drive from where we live. The Nepean River wanders through the Camden District (N.S.W. Australia) and it is at its widest going through Camden.
There exists a lot there to please people and caters for a diverse amount of interests. You can:
Have a leisurely walk on man-made paths or go off-track
Kayak/Canoe up and down the river
Go for a quick dip (no sand on the bank, though)
Ride your bike along a designated Bike track
Sit by the river with a book
Sketch, Paint, Photograph
Play ball games with your friends and family
Exercise in a number of ways
Take your children to the permanent Play equipment or kick a ball
Just relax
We use it to go and relax, go for a walk and other things. I’ve been down there to sit and read, walk, sketch, paint or just sit and relax. When Susan comes with me she will either take a book or Crotchet.
Our most recent visit was just to sit and relax on one of the benches by the river. We were joined by i/2 dozen Lizards, a few Ducks and cooling breeze on a hot day for an hour or so. We are certainly blessed to have such a place so near to us.
“Look at everything always as though you were seeing it either for the first or last time:Thus is your time on Earth filled with glory.” BettySmith – A Tree Grows In Brooklyn
Photo by David Johnson
Take the time to walk around your local area.
Photographing in the early morning or late afternoon can often reveal very interesting things. There are shapes, textures, lines and forms that reveal themselves to you if you remain aware…
Objects that we humans pass by every day not giving them a second glance, hold beauty, hold interest and stories. Human stories.
The shapes and forms are often made by humans to serve a purpose, a function and they do this effectively. I have attached one such image that I discovered.
By isolating it from its greater surroundings, but including those in close proximity an art form is created. This is a handrail at McDonalds in Camden NSW. Often used. Seldom appreciated.
If you haven’t done it lately, take a walk with a camera through your local area. I have no doubt that you’ll be surprised at what you find!
