summer rap

This summer we spent so much time enjoying it, swimming in it, walking in it, eating in it that we were oblivious to the small clues cropping up that it might be coming to an end.
And now I have two bags of cooking apples at my feet and a large bunch of rhubarb - without warning autumn has arrived. The sneaky little devil just turned up, last week on saturday the 16th, with a rustley, chilly hello.

(It's not very cold at the moment, in fact we are in the middle of a drought - but last week her prescence was felt for sure, I even wore a scarf)

Anyway here is a little summer wrap up.  

Obsessed with granny gardens.

Plenty of quality garden time with Frankie. 

Okains Bay ladies.

 

 Camping at Moetapu Bay in the Marlbourough Sounds. Anyone seen Moonrise Kingdom? It was idyllic. Private bay, phosphorescent water, glow worms and ruru.

 

Garage salers in their element.

 

Seagulls in their element. 

 

Award winning Oamaru Granny bouquets. 

 

Oamaru flower show, braggers corner. 

 

Bach life in Diamond Harbour.

 

Stack-o-bears.

 

Sunday recovery postition. Frankie and I moved with the sun. 

Other things worth mentioning - stayed with our friends who live in a yurt, star gazed at Lake Tekapo, spent NYE in Blackball on the West Coast rocking out to a band from Ashburton, grew too many courgettes,  fed some farm animals, had numerous bbqs and made a great coconut cake.

Shared Lines / Shake It Up

Well the exhibitions are up and they are breathtaking/mindblowing/poignant/funny/beautiful.
If you are in Christchurch I insist you visit one or both of the shows. They are a treat. You won't regret it.

I have included a handful of pictures in this post, but there are just so many works involved it is only a mere glimpse of what you can see.

Fumiaki Aono. Restoration of a videotape found after the earthquake in Arahama, Watari

 Misato Sano "My Favorite Shiba"

 

Both the Canterbury Museum (Shared Lines - Sendai) and University (Shake It Up) shows are on until the 31st March. But if you are someone who unfortunately lives somwhere else, have a look at our tumblr and facebook page and feast your eyes on more Art.

The show at the museum features 70 works from Christchurch and Sendai artists. Having the opportunity to view and compare so many works from two very specific places is a unique experience. It is really special.
And there is something for everyone - I defy anyone who thinks otherwise!

Beautiful etching by Shino Echigo

Ryo Kimura's pop-tastic paintings

Artist talk with Henry Sunderland - the gnome and road cone man

The Japanese artists have left now after two whirlwind weeks of installation, artist talks, eating and drinking, gallery hopping and sightseeing. This is my favourite photo from our time together..

Kaori - you are wonderful. You and this llama were great together, high fashion at Willowbank Wildlife Reserve. Also, I love your laugh to pieces. 

animal puns are terrific

Remember the Sendai/Christchurch Art Exchange? Well the second stage has swiftly arrived and to help accomodate the Japanese artists who have arrived in Christchurch we launched a new fundraising project. More giftcards, but this this time there is a special pack of three featuring my watercolours.
They are incredibly, unashamedly adorable.
Buy them, give them to anyone you are a little sweet on.

 

(for international readers, a kea is a native parrot of New Zealand - it has nothing to do with Ikea)

You can find them at my etsy shop and my felt shop!

We are hoping to turn the exchange into something more, whether it's an annual exchange or an artist residency program.
Not only will you be helping all sorts of artists, but it makes my little heart swell when people buy things I have created. My heart brims!