Dō a "way of life".

5 Ways  - layered - Earth, Water, Fire, Wind, Void

      

Getting ready for another exhibition takes thought, time and preparation. . . way before you even start on the body of work to be exhibited.

Meeting with your co-exhibitors is a given . . . where you chose to meet can be conducive to producing some interesting results.

For this 2015 exhibition, we have been using Ikebana, and the environment as our path towards inspiration.

Lily karmatz has been our instructor and guide. http://www.artislily.com/the_artist Lily is a Ikebana tutor, installation artist and accomplished painter, sculptor, ceramist and a mixed media artist. Her work is often ephemeral in nature and large in scale. A few of her Ikebana and installation works can be seen in the publication 'Ikebana Today' by international publisher, Stichting Kunstboek, Belgium. . 

Lily, Linda, Lyn, Kate and myself have worked at the Rusty Roo, Fingal, Mt Cootha forest, Stradbroke Island, Morton Island,  and now the latest outing to glean further inspiration led us to Victoria point, ( to fortify ourselves at The wishing well Cafe with breakfast and merriment ) and then onto the ferry to Coochiemudlo Island.

 Coochiemudlo Island is located within the Redland Shire in South-East Queensland, between Brisbane and the Gold Coast. The island lies in Moreton Bay, where it's shallow beaches and mangroves are protected from the breakers of the South Pacific. The island is easily reached by a short ferry trip from Victoria Point. Although Coochie, as the island is known locally, is only 5 square kilometres in size, it boasts more than 4 Km of beautiful beaches.

Photographing the installations.

Lily introduced us to discussing the Japanese dō (道:どう), meaning path or way. 

Specifically, dō is derived from the Buddhist Sanskrit mārga (meaning "path"). The term refers to the idea of formulating propositions, subjecting them to philosophical critique, and then following a 'path' to realize them. 

Dō signifies a "way of life". 

Dō in the Japanese context, is an experiential term. Experiential in the sense that practising (the way of life) is the norm, to verify the validity of the discipline cultivated through a given art form. 

Time is never enough . . . after an enjoyable lunch, discussing 'dō ' we had another meander, before catching the ferry back to Victoria point, for afternoon tea . . . 

More dō (道:どう) and then time to go.

Another inspiring day!!!  . . . . so many layers, ideas . . . . and so much FUN!!  Thank you.

Next workshop . . . back at the Rusty Roo.  Eco Dyeing, using Nature, with Nancy Brown

Brisbane to Bargara

Brianna is in Bundaberg - Bargara for two weeks for work, and invited me to share some time with her.

C Bargara Resort

Brianna and I enjoyed the exhibition, at the Bundaberg Regional Galleries - 'Strong Women Strong Painting Strong Culture', curated by Deborah Sims and Matt Dickson . . .as Sunday 8th March was International Women’s Day! The exhibition was originally curated in 2011 for the Centenary of International Women’s Day and has been touring ever since. 

We thoroughly enjoyed the video of the women teaching their grandchildren the art of 'fighting for their man' and 'basket weaving'.

We adored our visit to Mon Repos Regional Park. Rangers and volunteers walked with us, under a full moon shimmering on the ocean, to watch a batch of Loggerhead turtles hatch, and then make their way to the water. Approx, only one in a thousand make the return trip.

Lavender farm, Gelato, Bundaberg distillery, eating out, shopping, walks and then more Gelato . . . and staying on the esplanade in a studio apartment at C Bargara resort with ocean views . . . . all very nice!!
Yes! Thank you for the invite gorgeous. . . .