I had always thought myself a reader of fiction which relied on stories which were grounded, and didn’t take you to other realms, such as fantasy, or science fiction. I am speaking as my adult self here, for I certainly read and enjoyed fairytales as a child. Recently I attended the Auckland Writers Festival, and was lucky to hear Australian writer Trent Dalton speak. The Auditorium was packed, and the audience didn’t just wait until the end to show spontaneous applause. Afterwards I bought the title All Our Shimmering Skies, rather than Boy Swallows Universe, as the blurb on cover said it was better. Perfect timing as I was flying to Australia soon after and I was keen to get ‘stuck in’. It certainly was a page turner and I’d almost finished it before touchdown.
I am lucky to have a husband that enjoys gardening and is chairperson of our local Ngataringa community organic gardens (affectionately known as NOG). A week back he brought home some Seville oranges with the intention of making marmalade and might have, had I not said, ‘I’d like to draw those,’ as the orange of the fruit contrasted perfectly with the green leaves still attached by short stems. I hauled out my very heavy drawing easel ( circa 1960s! with a metal base) and started to arrange pencils and paper needed for the job. Three closely drawn pieces of fruit takes a while, so I started, hoping not to have many delays.
This year has been one of friends’ dealing with difficult health issues, and deaths, and I was very much affected when learning of each. Just two weeks ago, we were set to holiday on Vancouver Island, and were looking forward to this, when we learned a brother of Kerry’s had died following a long illness. That same day we learnt the health prognosis for a very old friend in Melbourne was far from great. Instant panic, as we cancelled hotel bookings and postponed the Canada flights, while Kerry booked to attend the funeral down south, and we booked another flight for Melbourne a few days later. We had made the right, and best decisions we believe. With other family living in Melbourne we shuttled between various houses, and the 10th floor suite in the CBD where we were based.
But our main purpose in Melbourne was to see our unwell friend. He has been very busy putting together a volume of his poetry over the past weeks, which had been published and arrived in time for our visit. So good to know that he had this positive project to focus on throughout his treatment, for it has kept his spirits up, that’s for sure, and we are now very pleased to have his book. We enjoyed our time with our friend very much and were so pleased to have moved our holiday plans to later in the year.
A day after our return I learned my brother had fallen and broken his femur, and was due to be operated on in a few days’ time. The operation was done, his hip pinned and he was transferred to the hospital near his home to recuperate. The following day I heard he was in ICU on oxygen and given strong antibiotics for the pneumonia he had contracted. Now, this is when I had to dig deep, to find something that might help me relax and lift my spirits. So, first I did what I know always helps me, and that is to walk. Look to the sky, the trees, the birds, say ‘hi’ to strangers that kind of thing. But once home I didn’t feel like doing anything, but did plan a project for the next day, a sketch.
Another view to the Auckland CBD and Devonport naval base.
I heard my brother was improving today and that was the incentive I needed to finish my sketch. The mediums used: water-soluble colour pencils, ink, watercolour, and graphite. PS, the small brown ferry building (centre) was once one of the tallest buildings the waterfront!
I hope you like the sketch Bob (brother) and Barry (friend).
ARTISTRY 