Tag: Writing

A Trip To The Country – Part 1 – Boorowa

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Stories From Life

Last weekend, my Wife, Susan and Susan’s Mum were away for the weekend. We were attending one of our Godson’s Weddings (between us we have 7 Godsons and 6 are with the one Family) at Millthorpe, a small country town some 3 1/2 hours drive from us.

The Mother of the Groom went to school with my Wife so they have been Family Friends for many years.

On the way, we stopped at one of our favourite places, an even smaller town called Boorowa. Boorowa is rich in Irish history with the “Irish Woolfest’ in October each year being one of it’s premier attractions. Boorowa is also part of the ‘Hilltops Wine Region’ and so there are a number of wineries in the vicinity.

The original custodians of the land were the Wiradjuri people. Boorowa was originally spelt, ‘Burrowa’ and although no-one is exactly sure, that name may be a Wiradjuri word meaning, ‘Turkey.’

We have stopped for lunch a couple of times in the past by the side of the river, however, this time it was just for Afternoon Tea. A wonderful place to do this is the, ‘Arts and Crafts Magistrates Tea Rooms’ which are local in the old Boorowa Courthouse, a magnificently majestic building just outside the centre of the town. Amongst other things they serve a scrumptious Devonshire Tea and they have books for sale, the proceeds going to a local charity.

It is also the local Tourist Information Centre and they have Art and Craft made by members of the local community there.

There are a number of shops (that we are yet to investigate), however, one shop we did not want to miss out on was the charity bookshop. All proceeds go to local charities and as we are all book lovers it is a place we did not want to miss visiting. Some more ‘book treasure’ was uncovered but I will cover that in a separate post.

There is something about small Country towns that I love. They don’t have the ‘hustle and bustle’ of larger towns. The quieter streets tend to lend themselves greater to visions of a quieter time, perhaps when the Horse and Carriage was the main form of transport.

In my next post (Trip To The Country Part 2), I’ll be highlighting the ‘Book Treasure’ that was uncovered this trip.

Till next time!

Written by David Johnson

17 April 2021

For further information on Boorowa, please click on the following link.

Boorowa, NSW

Transformative Thoughts

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Poetry

Creativity Spotlight

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Creativity Spotlight

My Wife, Susan and I yesterday visited Red Point Artists Association at Point Kembla, NSW, Australia. They were holding their monthly, Art On The Grass event.

Although I had been visiting their sporadically over the past 10 years, I only became a member of this wonderful organisation in July last year. I hadn’t joined previously as I had many things (as we all do on occasions) competing for my time.

Red Point was formed in May 2008 and it’s home is a small precinct of (what were once) retail shops set in a ‘rectangular horseshoe formation’ with a rectangular grassy area in the middle with a few established trees which provides an ideal location for their ‘Art On The Grass’ event.

Within this precinct is a Takeaway Food shop on one corner, a number of Artist studios (some shared), a main Gallery plus a smaller Gallery and a Workshop that is used for demonstrations.

Art On The Grass features Art and Craft that is for sale and the tables are manned by the Artists Craft-makers themselves and there are a wide variety of things to look at and buy.

There are always Exhibitions on from Red Point members in both galleries. The whole atmosphere is relaxing and is often complemented by live music in the form of an Acoustic Guitarist or similar.

From the moment I first visited Red Point Artists, I could feel that there was something ‘special’ about the place, the Art and the people in it. I feel a ‘sense of connection’ down there and never fail to be inspired by something or a Artist when I visit.

I’ve written on my blog previously about visits to Art On The Grass and whilst I was down there this time, I had an idea for a section on my blog that highlighted individual Artists and Craft- makers that I come across in my travels. This would also from time-to-time include Art and Craft associations as well. For more information about Red Point Artists Association, please click on the following link: https://redpointart.org.au/

Why would I do this?

I love Art and Craft and find it very interesting to see what other Artists and Craft-makers imaginations can create. I will always ask their permission to firstly, photograph them at their tables or any of their table setups before posting on this blog. I would like to help them promote their Art and Craft. I receive no monetary benefit for doing this. The benefit I receive is the enjoyment in being able to promote what other people’s imaginations have created. Hopefully, it will help them too.

I will be including their contact details and/or website so that if you like what they do or want to find out more information about what they do, you can contact them directly.

My next article in ‘Creativity Spotlight’ will be about Helen from ‘Wall Art & Resin Homewares’, whose Artistic endeavour is ‘Acrylic Pouring.’ Helen is a member of Red Point Artists Association.

Looking forward to seeing you then.

Written by David Johnson

14 March 2021

Writing On Our Pages

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Poetry

One With The Pen

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Poetry

Glimmers Of Light

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Stories From Life

This is, essentially, a hard post to write as 2020 obviously has not been a very good year in terms of the raging bushfires that caused destruction and death here in Australia early in the year and in other places around the world as well.

Then, of course, Covid-19 arrived seemingly, resembling a bad B-Grade Sci-Fi movie script that is causing illness, death, isolation and financial troubles etc.

I see a lot of posts on Social Media saying things like, ‘Farewell 2020, what an awful year,’ etc. This is quite understandable given what has happened/is happening.

Whilst overall, 2020 has been an awful year I believe it is a good exercise to turn the microscope on your own life and see what positive things have happened to you individually in this remarkable (for the wrong reasons) year.

We were not affected by the bushfires ourselves, though some people we knew were which did set the emotions running. Covid-19, however, affected our livelihood with both the Finance and Marketing sides of the business taking a huge hit due to lockdown etc. 

Things on that front are in recovery mode now thankfully, largely due to my wife, Susan on the Finance side and an awesome group of people that she is working with. I have recently become part of that team.

The following ’things that went right’, although insignificant in the world as a whole, were significant to me/us.

Business/Work

  • Completion of my Certificate IV Finance & Mortgage Broking course which allowed me to become a Finance Broker (after leaving a part-time role with a Bank) in December and better support Susan
  • Attaining a new part-time role as an Entrepreneurship Facilitator (mentoring/assisting start-up businesses)
  • Am currently studying the Diploma of Finance & Mortgage Broking 

Toastmasters

  • My involvement in Toastmasters International is approaching its 13th year early next year and this year provided a few highlights including achieving the following:
  • Distinguished Toastmaster (highest education and leadership level)
  • Completed my High Performance Leadership Programme
  • Completed by role as an Area Director
  • Completed my role as a Club Coach
  • Completed my role as President of Gledswood Club
  • Received my first Triple Crown Education award
  • Received a Leadership Excellence award
  • (My Club), Gledswood Toastmasters achieved 10/10 becoming a President’s Distinguished Club. My Co-Club Coach Rhys Tague, the Executive and all the members contributed here and we are all continuing to grow the club
  • I was the Toastmaster for the first time at a Division Contest

Creative Pursuits

  • Joined Red Point Artists Association at Port Kembla, NSW
  • (At date) have completed 704 Watercolour Sketch’s a Day in a row. The goal back on 26 January 2019 was to acquire the habit of a ‘Daily Art Practice’
  • Starting using Dip Pens for the first time
  • Had a group of my Paintings on display for the very first time
  • Sold my first and second paintings this year
  • Recommenced Oil Painting
  • This year I managed 100 posts on this blog for the first time ever
  • Have now written in excess of 400 Poems (300 on this Blog)

Some ‘not so good things’ have also happened this year, presenting us with challenges we have or are in the process of overcoming in health and other areas. I think it’s important to learn from them but not dwell on them.

If you would like to, apply that Microscope to your own life and see (despite what has happened this year on the world stage), what good things have happened to you this year? If you want to, list them in the comments below or just comment generally.

Thanks to May @ Forever and Everly for the inspiration to do this post. You can check out her Blog here: https://wordpress.com/read/feeds/59870465/posts/3090980068

Wishing everyone a Happier 2021!

Written by David Johnson

31 December 2020

Dip Pen Fun!

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Stories From Life

A while ago, during my Watercolour Sketch a Day/Daily Art Practice venture I discovered the joys of ‘Line and Wash’ and started off with thin Artline pens then progressed to Staedtler Pigment Liners and still enjoy using them immensely.

Parallel to this I have been enjoying using a couple of Fountain Pens to write my poems with. I do so enjoy the ‘flow of the ink’ and just then general feeling one gets when writing with them. For me, there is no better writing experience.

In my Art ’travels’ I came across Dip Pens which hark back to olden days of a pen without ink, that one had to ‘dip’ to obtain the fluid to write with.

A few months ago, I purchased a set of Manuscript Nibs that came with two holders (pictured below and a bottle of Art Spectrum Pigment Ink). Since then I’ve added a ‘Postal’ Nib and had been seeking an appropriate reservoir to hold the ink (the Art Spectrum bottle comes with an eye-dropper so as a reservoir the bottle is impractical for that purpose).

After trying an inadequate plastic option I found a small screw-type glass bottle in a discount store for the princely sum of $2.50 and have been using that with some success.

Last weekend whilst on our Berrima NSW trip I found a Parker, ‘Quink’ ink bottle in the Sticky Beaks Antique store for $25.00 with its original box. Once I clean the dried ink out of it I will use it as the main reservoir.

I actually went into the store looking to see if they had an old-fashioned ink well. The had one made of Bakelite for $220.00, however, the ink reservoirs were so small that I couldn’t see the value.

For now, I am happy to use the two bottles as reservoirs and shall continue my search for an ink well that is of reasonable price and condition.

As far as sketching/drawing with the Dip Pens, I must say that I am enjoying the experience but still have much to learn.

Bye for now.

David Johnson

27 November 2020

Thoughts Divested

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Poetry

The Story Of Painting

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Books, Painting

A few weeks ago whilst browsing in a local bookstore, I came upon what I now know to be quite an impressive book titled, “The Story Of Painting – How Art Was Made.”

Almost every day since, I’ve picked up this book and have been instantly engaged by its contents. I find it to be fascinating, interesting, informative, inspirational and well-written.

To see a more detailed description and reviews by other readers, click on the following (shortened) link which will take you ‘Goodreads.’

https://bit.ly/3mV1lI9

I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

Written by David Johnson

30 September 2020

Maze Of Knowledge

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Books, Stories From Life

Last Sunday,, I had the pleasure of visiting (for only the second time, surprisingly) the Argyle Emporium in Goulburn, NSW. The Argyle Emporium sells used books, records and an assortment of eclectic things.

As the bookshop is located in Goulburn, only 15 mins away from where my Wife’s parents live (where we have obviously visited numerous times over the years), its a wonder that we haven’t been there more often.

On one hand, though, maybe I can understand that after being there for a bit less than an hour yesterday and buying 9 books. It is truly an amazing place!

Set in a old Police Station, and being a building of largish construction (for Goulburn), it has a number of rooms, so many in fact that is like a maze. All the rooms are positively brimming with books on just about every subject you can imagine. A recent review highlights the fact it houses 500,000 books. A Bibliophile’s dream!

It is not only for a lover of collecting books though, it is an extremely deep well of knowledge and resource, a place I will be visiting more often now.

The owner, Tony advised me that his Father, Stephen had started the bookshop 21 years ago.

It is open 10am – 4pm 7 days a week and is located opposite the Railway Station in Sloane Street, Goulburn.

The Argyle Emporium is such a delightful place to spend time browsing for treasure. So, what of the treasure I uncovered yesterday? That will be the subject of another post…

Written by David Johnson 8 September 2020