Singular Scene

I had occasion this week to visit the Art Gallery of NSW to both view their latest exhibition of Monet and Impressionist Paintings and to hear author Sarah Turnbull talk about her time of living in Paris.

I had loved Sarah’s Book upon reading it (as recommended by Ron) and so I gathered a posse to come see and hear.

What to say?  Sarah’s chat was informal and informative, though, as with the last celeb talk I heard at the the Museum (Stephanie Alexander) the lighting on the speaker was hopeless,  it seems it’s all reserved for whatever artwork they’re standing in front of!!  Sound however, was not a problem and Sarah filled us in on the perceived glamour of living in Paris versus the reality of it…  She’s living back in Australia now, with her husband and I’m stoked to have picked up a copy of the book and got it signed, and even have time for a chat with her about being an expat, after we’d done our tour of the exhibition.

The exhibiton was lovely.  What can a total art gumby say but, Hmmm, I like that one, ooh, but not that one so much.  I like going to galleries, I like seeing what’s out there… but art critic?  I am not…  So, if you want more, check out the website… www.monet.org.au, and, if it happens you’re in Sydney sometime in the next few months, make sure you go along and see it.  It’s beautiful.

Given that my reputation around here is as a photographer/singer/writing/web princess one might draw from such thoughts, a conclusion that I’m reasonably creative.  You may also draw this same conclusion, given my tendencies towards introspection, reflection, my messy room, my sensitivity to my environment, especially when it’s loud or busy, and/or my need to process my world by writing about it rather than talking about it or expressing it in some other physical fashion.

However, you may be surprised that creative was never a description I gave myself.

I thought I may be able to swing a knock-off of someone else’s work, a cross stitch where   I merely fleshed out someone else’s picture, or arranged someone else’s music for the voices I want to hear.  Interested in artistic pursuits.  But not creative.

Things change.  I no longer consider myself to not be creative.  I may even have lost a real coherent definition for such a thing in the mists of time.  But the thing I do know is that in the last 10 years I’ve become a lot truer to the person I am, creative OR technical, and I have a lot of appreciation for for artistic pursuits.

I blame this place.

Actually, it’s more than the place, it’s the people in it.  But basically, at SCA is where I learned the craft of singing, the life of Christian service and what it is to be a creative person in post modern culture AND in Christian circles.  This is something I can’t really explain to a basically non-church type audience… so let’s just leave that at that… and perhaps permit me to make my point.

SCA, its fearless leaders, the students, and the environment has been instrumental in releasing me to a) be me and b) to accept me.

I’m thinking about these things for 2 reasons.

One; In answer to Fi’s question as to why I was wearing my 2006 bridesmaid dress when I posted last night, it is the most gorgeous outfit I own and I had worn it to SCA’s inaugural, rather flash, fund-raiser event.  Had to look glam, girls… and, ooh, I totally did.  I wore my favourite shoes (which, incidentally, 24hours later, I’m still reaping the consequences of… toes hurt much?) and had a worthy number of positive comments.  It was so great to go and acknowledge the past work SCA has done and to look forward to the future; an alumni of great people committed also in artistic endeavour and to building a great, ongoing, resource where people learn great craft and skill but also great life.  I’m really proud to be a graduate in Arts study but also of this school.

Two; Because I’ve been doing a personal development course, one that takes a bit of a look at your ‘issues’ and helps to un-kink some of one’s unnatural responses to life, the universe and everything.  A week or two back we were asked to think about and discuss a person who had reflected to us feelings of value, acceptance and belonging.  This is significant for me because in my early years these things were rather lacking in my little corner of the world.  Not lacking because of any absence of love, but more from a parental ignorance of what their tender creative babe needed…  Anyway, a positive example of this kind of encouragement was sought by the facilitator and the first and most significant person who came to mind was Crabman (who has been featured before here 1 2). 

I don’t think we should underestimate our power to bring a person to life.  Without even being aware sometimes just the simplest things can answer some need in a person.  A kind word, a hug, acceptance.  I needed these things, and while I find them in my family, for sure, the balm for my need of a community that had space in it for me, just as I was, was applied by Crabman and this awesome school.

I hope that all of us have a teacher in our memories who lit us up in some small way, who went out of their way to make us feel valuable. 

Crabman did that for me. 

I hope, for my current and future students – I can do the same.

Fi <3’s my blog!!!  So she’s nominated me to display this rather fetching image and to complete the meme below… my nominees are a the bottom of the page…

Dammit, just realised this is a one-word meme.  I’ve been out [ahem] partying there’s no way I can keep it to one word… Sorry ’bout that…

Where is your mobile phone? In my Anne of Green Gables Bag (did I ever tell you about that and show you pictures?  It’s gorgeous!)
Where is your significant other? Buggered if I know, but would he hurry up and get here already?!
Your hair colour? Brunette (ooh look, a 1 word answer, yay me!!)
Your mother? Brain Injured
Your father? Country Boy
Your favourite thing? Camera or Mac? Camera or Mac? Hmmm, can’t decide as can’t have one without the other!
Your dream last night? Forgotten
Your dream goal? Change
The room you’re in? Living Room/Kitchen/Office
Your hobby? Photography.
Your fear? Not much.
Where do you want to be in six years? Never think that far ahead.
Where were you last night? Choir Practice
What you’re not? Skinny
One of your wish-list items? Nikon D300 (erm, that’s a fancy nancy camera)
Where you grew up? Waikato (that’s farm country – NZ)
The last thing you did? Drove across the Sydney Harbour Bridge
What are you wearing? Bridesmaid dress from 2006 wedding
Your TV? On the Computer
Your pets? Lulubelle the Lilac Burmie
Your computer? The World
Your mood? Pensive
Missing someone? Family
Your car? A Starlet in her own right.
Something you’re not wearing? Shoes
Favourite shop? JB HiFi – they sell movies, lots and lots of movies, and Computers and Camera stuff… Mmmm camera stuff….
Your summer? Hot.
Love someone? Yep Lots (love them lots, and lots of someones)!
Your favourite colour? Green
When is the last time you laughed? Today
Last time you cried? Sunday

To Tag… eh, well, Fi already did it so that counts her out… Kelley’s done it already as well… I’d have picked her for sure too.  So, Stella, you’re up – and Jay while you’re about it (erm coz you NEED to blog!! I miss you!!) and Debra and Gem too!

Yeah, but like no pressure or anything…