want views - get 'em here!

Heatwave

It's just after 3pm and the outside temperature is 43 degrees. And I'm talking Celsius!
So we're in the midst of the worst heatwave in a century.
At this point, do I regret not putting airconditioning in the house? Hell yeah!
But putting it in perspective, we get odd batches or mostly singular days of heat this bad. So most of the time, no AC is no problem. The passive solar design works well, in normal summer conditions. And we're still averaging about 10 degrees cooler in than out. But that's still a bit too hot for my liking. How on earth we survived two years in New Guinea is beyond me.....

* * *

this weather of course turns ones thoughts to global warming
and i'm here to tell you, it's got nothing to do with using airconditioners
apparently it's caused by increased activity in Hell !?!

Art Attack - photo play

First art attack for the new year involves a prize. Anyone who plays goes in the draw to win a copy of Building the Dream, a cd-movie of the our owner build project.

To play, simply alter a photo you have taken. You might like to digitally alter your photo, or physically alter your photo using canvas, paper, or any other support. Post your art attack, with details on your blog, then comment here to let us know.

Here's two I prepared earlier. I altered the photo in photoshop, - featuring my trip to Paris with my mum - then did an acrylic transfer onto small canvases that came with their own easels.

The first one was an attempt to create a family "heirloom" in a back-to-the-future fashion.

The second was an attempt to create a 'pop-art" version.

Now, it's your turn. Alter a photo, post your creation on your blog and leave a comment here. A name from the entries will be drawn out of the hat on Friday to receive a copy of Building the Dream. C'mon, have a go. It's fun.

What's new?

Things have been quiet on the blog front. A few things like moving house, sorting furniture, shuffling boxes, cleaning and so on have kept me very busy for the past few weeks.

Apart from the real shifting and shuffling, I've also done some virtual reno's in my internet 'homes'. Now that we're in the house, the studio has a new purpose - more in line with it's name. Go have a look here.

Also learning the ropes with Firefox as my browser. Old habits die hard and I was reluctant to leave my beloved IE behind. But recent virus attacks have forced me to consider alternatives. With the new studio comes a new email address - trying out Gmail to see how it compares to hotmail. Of course, that's only for RSU comms. Same old email for xfacta.

If you're happy to be adhoc IT elves - let me know if you're using firefox as your browser or Gmail for email (pref in windows environment - love you maccies, but the commands are all different!)

Realised last week it's 3 months since I had a haircut, so I thought "what the hell - with so much other change in my life, might as well get my hair cut shorter!" Six inches off - now it's tidier, lighter and I'm ready to take on the world again.

Sustaining the soul

Life beats down and crushes the soul.
Art reminds you that you have one.
-Stella Adler

Boaty stuff

The Nautical Wall

Several years ago, before the "owner builder phase", Mr X had another building project.

He built a working scale model of the yacht Nyria. From scratch, plank by plank, and even sewed up the sails himself. After that he built a shipswheel.

He loves classic yachts. For several years he crewed on Waitangi and Sayonara, two restored classic yachts, which sailed from the Royal Yacht Club in Williamstown, Melbourne. He published training manuals for them, and was lucky enough to be on crew when Waitangi was a coporate spectator boat for the America's Cup in Auckland.

Yesterday, when he bought this stuff over and set it up, I wondered if the house had secretly been designed to showcase his nautical creations. They seem to fit so well on the large expanse of wall.

I wonder what his next "building" project will be.
Perhaps the boat to match the shipswheel?

Setting up the studio

Tools of the trade, photo by Kel, © 2009

Today I spent a few hours setting up the studio. Well, starting anyhow.
Most of our "house" stuff has been removed, leaving room to shuffle cupboards, set up worktables, unpack art materials . . . most of the art stuff has been in bags and boxes out the back in the shed, and only bought out when running classes offsite.

Two big workbenches, lots of cupboard space, drawers . . . each type of paper has been laid out in its own drawer or shelf. Yeah!

Another day or so and the studio will be just that.
A space set aside for creative endeavours.
Couldn't think of a better way to start a new year.

What 'new' thing have you been doing for 2009?