Christmas Time
Tag: relaxing
Our ‘Other’ Anniversary!
On the weekend closest to the 19 November we head down to Berrima as it is the anniversary of us ‘going out to dinner for the 1st time.’ We have done this every year since 1994.
Why Berrima (as we actually went out to dinner to the River Canyon restaurant in Parramatta 19.11.94)?
Berrima was the place where Susan & I went on a day trip (as Friends) and she (finally) said ‘Yes’ to going out to dinner with me (having previously said ‘No’ 5 times…).
We did our usual stop at Berkelouw’s Book Barn and came away with some more ‘treasure’; had morning tea at The Courthouse Cafe; browsed some more shops then had lunch at Josh’s Cafe & Restaurant before discovering more shopping treasure at an antique shop.
Here are a few images from another wonderful day spent celebrating our, ‘Other Anniversary!’
Written by David Johnson
22 November 2020
Enjoying This Space
Musical Breeze
Winter Joy
‘Not So Hidden Gems…’
I love to walk and it’s my favourite exercise.
Now it is more important than ever in this current world climate where we can only go out for ‘essential’ reasons and fortunately, one of those reasons is exercise.
There is no better time (if you are able) to start a walking programme as it will not only help your physical fitness, it will help you mental health as well, I believe. Staying cooped up in a house all week can be challenging, whether you are an Introvert, Extrovert or if you are like me, an Ambivert. I started off life as an Introvert.
Even before the COVID-19 crises, I loved to walk. I find it relaxing, fun and great way to clear my mind. I get many ideas on my walks for paintings, photos, articles for my blog, poems and even business ideas. It is also great for physical fitness.
I usually start off listening to a podcast e.g. usually something to do with creativity and once that finishes, some music or if I am walking in natural surroundings I will just listen to the sounds of Nature.
On Easter Saturday, I set off for one of my walks at about 6.30am and finished up walking 5km (3.1miles). The Sun was not yet up but light had started emanating from the horizon. It’s a beautiful time to begin a walk.
I love sighting ‘not so hidden gems’ on my walks. These ‘not so hidden gems’ are often in plain sight, we are just not always aware they are there. I credit my awareness with taking up Photography in 1982 and Painting in the last few years. Both disciplines force you to look at the detail and help you become more aware of your surroundings, in particular the way light interacts with things.
Below is a selection of ‘not so hidden gems’ that I discovered on my walk yesterday.
I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.
Written by David Johnson
13 April 2020
My ‘Daily Art Practice’
A Well-Worked Canvas
Creative Noon
Yesterday, I had the pleasure of experiencing my first ‘Creative Noon’ event.
Creative Noon is a gathering of ‘creatives’ at a Cafe/Restaurant in Campbelltown, which is situated approx. 60km South West of Sydney, Australia and is approx. 10 minutes drive from where I live.
It was started by two ladies, Sandie O’Neill (Licence to Create) & Janeen Harris in conjunction with Sonya Moluang who owns and operates ‘Bar Centrale’, the cafe/restaurant.
The idea was simple. They wanted to create a non-competitive environment in which creatives of all types could gather for 2 1/2 hours on a Saturday afternoon to create, chat and enjoy a refreshment or two.
We each did a quick introduction, saying our name and what types of creativity we are involved in. There were about 10 people there this time and it seems multiple people are into multiple types of Artistic endeavours including: Photography; Writing Poetry; Oil Painting; Watercolour Painting, Sculpting; Soft Pastel, YarnBombing (never heard of that one before), Crocheting, Drawing, Sketching, Mixed Media, Stained Glass, Mosaics to name but a few.
I had a wonderful time meeting and chatting. Yesterday, I took my Watercolours and the resulting creation can be viewed at the base of this article. Other art forms represented yesterday were Soft Pastel, Drawing, YarnBombing, Crocheting.
Insights and inspiration can come from anywhere. Mixing with other creatives can open the door to other views, other opinions of your artistic creations. It can help you see things different ways and can help you grow in your artistic journey.
Am very much looking forward to the next ‘Creative Noon!’
Written by David Johnson
4 August 2019
Their Sweet Sounds
Communicating Creatively 