Clearing The Cobwebs
Tag: inspiration
discovery & adventure
One of the presents I was very grateful to receive yesterday for Christmas was the book pictured below. I had spotted it in my local Art store and (as usual) when approaching Christmas, my Wife, Susan said ‘do you have any ideas for presents just in case anyone in the family is stumped for what to buy you?’
I only started keeping a sketchbook regularly at hand in the past 3-4 years and have been searching around for ‘that elusive all-purpose sketchbook’ that apparently does not exist.
We are so spoilt for choice these days in terms of Art supplies, including sketchbooks, not so in days gone past.
The book is beautifully presented and highlights 70 Explorers and what they used to document their journeys and their discoveries. The sketchbooks go back as far as the 1600’s to the 21st century.
I imagine they were ‘not spoiled for choice’ back then in terms of sketchbook and paper types. I think sometimes ‘we have too many choices’ and ‘get too wrapped up’ in the myriad of tools available. Maybe we should apply the K.I.S.S. (Keep It Super Simple) method more often?
I am looking forward to diving in to read about not only the Explorer’s adventures but also what they used to record their adventures and discoveries. It is going to be a fascinating journey!
Till next time!
Written by David Johnson
26 December 2021
Music To My Ears!
The idea for this post came from a post I did on my Facebook Newsfeed some time ago…. I cannot play a note of music but I so love listening to it.
I thought I would expand on my choices on this blog. The following are in no particular order.
THE BEATLES: I was born in 1963 so I was only 7 years old when The Beatles broke up. I have a Sister, Cheryl who is 10 years older than I and Cheryl was 11 years of age when they toured Australia. As you can imagine, Beatles records were played all the time and my young ears heard them ‘all the time’ and I loved their sound and still do to today. The melodies, the voices, the Chuck Berry inspired music still strikes a chord with me.
LEE KERNAGHAN: Lee is one of Australia’s best known Country Music artists and I first started to listen in 1992 when he released “The Outback Club.” Some 17 albums later Im still enjoying his music immensely. I’ve seen him in concert once. I love putting his music when out driving, particularly as we are ‘heading on down the road…
LAMBCHOP: This is a band that I stumbled upon by accident. I was attending a ‘Photo Discussion Group’ session at a friend’s house and there was this music that I had never heard before playing in the background. My friend described them to me as, ‘Lounge Jazz.’ The next day (in the early 2,000’s) I went out and bought the album. I now have 6 albums and they are are favourite that I play when sketching and painting.
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN & (THE E-STREET BAND): My Brother, Larry was an early fan back in the early to mid 1970’s, having purchased his first three albums. At the age of 12 I heard the Born To Run album and I was hooked. We were thrilled to see him in concert in 1985 (4 1/4 hour concert including 6 encores). I saw him again in 2013 and 2014. I have 20 of his albums and never tire of listening to his music.
AMY GRANT: Back in the early 1980’s I started working in the Sydney CBD and it was a fascinating place to explore and discover things. One lunchtime I remember coming across a Christian bookshop which sold music. LP’s and Cassette Tapes still ruled back then and as I flipped through the Tapes I came across, ‘Amy Grant.’ I hadn’t heard of her before and a discussion ensued with the salesperson who very kindly played part of the Tape for me on a Cassette Deck (boy, am I showing my age)! Out of the Deck came one of the sweetest voices I had heard in a long time. The album was, ‘Amy Grant – The Collection.’ Years later I purchased it on CD. I have purchased more of Amy Grant’s albums since and still find her voice quiet calming.
ELVIS PRESLEY: My Brother, Larry was a big influence here. Four years older than me, he was ‘right into Elvis’ and so (similar to The Beatles), in my younger years, Elvis records were played a lot. I particularly love the period between 1954 and 1961, and 1968 to 1977. The ‘Sun Sessions’ are Golden , as is the period up until 1960. Another artist I never tire of hearing.
BONNIE RAITT: I came across Bonnie Raitt in the late 1980’s and was introduced via the ‘Nick Of Time’ album. I read later that Bruce Springsteen had ‘opened’ for her back in 1971. Her style of R & B really appeals to me and if you get a chance, check out her duet with John Lee Hooker on ‘I’m In The Mood’ on YouTube. Brilliant!
TOMMY EMMANUEL: The Australian Guitar maestro! I first heard his music in 1990 via his debut album, ‘Dare To Be Different.’ Tommy Emmanuel does not sing and doesn’t really need to as the magic he does on his guitar stands on its own. A favourite of mine when I sketch or paint, or am writing Poetry, his music can be calming and also inspirational.
STEVIE RAY VAUGHAN: Introduced to his music in the mid 1980’s I have been a fan ever since. His music captures me and his energy and fluent guitar playing, especially in the instrumentals are Gold. Sadly, gone from this Earth too early.
STATUS QUO: Again, my Brother had a bit of influence here as he was already a fan with one of their albums, ‘Piledriver.’ I purchased ‘On The Level’ and I was sold. Their heads-up-all-in-boogie sound has always made me feel great and if I’m feeling a bit down, it raises my mood.
What Bands/Singers can you not do without in your life, and why?
Written by David Johnson
2 December 2021
a growing collection…
I’ve been thinking about doing this type of post for awhile now and I have been trying to keep busy in light of the recent sadness that has befallen our Family this week.
My love for Poetry dates back to my school years and I always enjoyed borrowing Poetry books from the Library but often thought it would be great if I had some on my own bookshelf. I know I can look up the Internet at any time and view some but I’m also a ‘real book’ lover and love to curl up with one. I love the feel, the smell and conciseness of a single book in the hands.
That being said, I also have a couple of Poetry apps on my phone, ‘Poem Hunter’, which provides a daily Poem; ‘Famous Poetry’, which offers the Poetry of 36 different Poets. The apps are for those times when I cannot or do not have a book with me.
I also have a few books on the mechanics of Poetry and how to write them and I thought I would share a list of my Poetry books with you.
- The Australian and Other Verses by W.H.Ogilvie
- Poetical Works of Henry Lawson
- Selected Poems of Adam Lindsay Gordon
- The Collins Book of Australian Poetry
- Collected Verse – John Manifold
- The Poet’s Word – An Anthology of English Poetry
- Chaucer to Gray – The Harvard Classics
- The Golden Treasury of English Verse
- Morla el Do (Tomorrow Will Do) – A Collection of Norfolk Island Poems
- William Blake – Selected Poems
- Quatrains of Omar Khayyam
- The Poetical Works of John Keats
- Poetical Works of Mrs Browning Volume 1
- A Book of Poetry – Anthology of English Poetry (Textbook 1961)
- Collected Shorter Poems 1930 -1944 of W.H.Auden
- A.D.Hope – Selected Poems
- Selected Poems & Letters of Emily Dickinson
- Leaves From Australian Forests – Poetical Works of Henry Kendall
- Yet More Comic & Curious Verse – The Penguin Poets
- Enjoying Poetry 1 – Silver and Gold
- Matthew Arnold – A Selection Of His Finest Poems
- The English and Scottish Popular Ballads Volume 1
- Seven Centuries of Poetry in English
- The Great Modern Poets – An Anthology of the Best Poets & Poetry since 1900
- Collected Poems of Henry Thoreau
- James McCauley – Collected Poems 1936 – 1970
- The Golden Book of Modern English Poetry – Everyman’s Library – 921
- The Poet’s Pen – A Historical and Chronological Anthology – 13th to 20th Century
- Walt Whitman – Leaves of Grass
- Judith Wright – Collected Poems
- Poems and Poets – David Aloian – Headmaster, Concord Academy (Textbook 1965)
- Country Verse – 16th to 19th Century
- Introduction to Poetry: British, American, Canadian
- Writing and Enjoying Haiku – A Hands-on Guide
- The Making of a Poem – A Norton Anthology of Poetic Forms
- How To Read A Poem and Fall in Love with Poetry
- Poetry: Tools & Techniques – A Practical Guide to Writing Engaging Poetry
- Mary Oliver – A Poetry Handbook – A Prose Guide to Understanding & Writing Poetry
It would be very hard for me to pick out a favourite Poet or Poem so I’m not going to try. There are some of my favourite Poets missing from the list, though. Some are contained within the anthologies and it would be nice to have them in their own separate books. I know I can go out and purchase brand new books but I prefer to hunt out second-hand books as they have more character than a brand new book and there is something about ‘the hunt’ in a second-hand bookstore that makes it all the more exciting when you ‘uncover some book treasure…’.
Till next time!
Written by David Johnson
28 November 2021
My Writing Time
Tentacles Of Light
Knowledge Sits…
The Savvy Painter
Since starting my latest walking programme (I’ve tried a number of times over the years to just have one and keep it going…), I’ve been enjoying discovering different podcasts so that, out on my walks in suburbia (due to a lockdown radius of 5km, currently) I receive some education and inspiration.
The latest one I have come across is ‘ The Savvy Painter’ which is compered by Antrese Wood. It’s in a similar vein to the podcast, ‘Talking With Painters’ that I wrote about recently. ‘The Savvy Painter’ podcast has quickly become a favourite and over the past couple of weeks I have listened to approx. 10 of the shows.
As I’m not a full-time Artist, my day is not surrounded by Art so I appreciate the chance to ‘tap into’ this kind of resource on my walks.
If you would like to check out ‘The Savvy Painter’ podcast here are some links:
- Website: https://savvypainter.com/podcast/
- Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/savvy-painter-podcast-with-antrese-wood/id834629128
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/savvypainter
There are 252 episodes so I think I have some catching up to do!
Written by David Johnson
26 September 2021
Talking With Painters
In Sydney at present, and since 26 June 2021 we have been in our second lockdown. One of the ‘breaths of fresh air’ is getting out for some exercise. My favourite type of exercise is walking. As mentioned in previous articles on this blog, sometimes I listen to the sounds of Nature, sometimes to music and other times to podcasts or short stories.
One of my favourite podcasts is one I subscribed to sometime ago, but only started listening to throughout the latest lockdown. That podcast is ‘Talking With Painters.’
‘Talking With Painters’ features Australian Artists talking to the Host, Maria Stoljar about their life and art. I’ve listened to half a dozen so far and I must say that I find them insightful, interesting and informative.
The podcast is available on:
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TalkingwithPaintersthepodcast/videos
- Website: https://talkingwithpainters.com/
- Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/talking-with-painters/id1144914597
There are currently 113 episodes available to listen to. I’m looking forward so much to my next walk!
Written by David Johnson
7 August 2021
In Each Given Moment
Communicating Creatively 