I live close to Sherbrooke Forest and often walk the Sherbrooke Fall's track with my friend Anne. 
Anne spotted a lyrebird on the track last week, the day I couldn't make the walk of course! What a treat for her to see a Lyrebird...it's a rare thing these days! 
I've been lucky enough to sight 2 in the 27 years I've lived up here!!!


Anyway, with the weather turning cold,  it's still worth getting muddy shoe's and walking the track in the mornings...because the forest is just so beautiful....and you just might get to see a Lyrebird!

Something quite magical about this forest...being surrounded by plants with names like... Fairy Lanterns, Mistletoe, Gypsy Ferns,  Cinnamon Bells, Love Creeper, Weeping Grass & Maidenhair Fern.

The tall ferns are growing thick green winter coats of  miniture ferns and moss...

And yes there is a waterfall and bridge to stop by, before the walk back.

I never forget to "look up".

Must look up!  Stunning skyscraper!




Found the below video on Youtube... amazing bird, the Lyrebird!



I hope to see one soon...wish me luck!


Till next time
Jo

photo polymer etching, paper cutouts, 


Pushing along...and incorporating some paper cutting into my work.
It's an intricate and fiddly business!



I seem to be winning lots of prizes lately in the form of tickets to shows and events.
Tonight I'm off to see a preview of the movie Trishna with some winning tickets! Looking forward to it. I love movies about India, the culture and visuals of this amazing country always fascinate me.
The film "Water" being my all time favorite! "Monsoon Wedding" is another gem.


Til next time...Jo

Trees & Wires,  etching & collage

April already!!!
We have been having some beautiful Autumn weather...it's my favorite time of the year!
Have been busy with studio work, family & friends and planning a "little" Asian getaway for mid year!
Destination Vietnam...and I can't wait to get there, planning on lot's of bike riding, both motor and pedal power...also looking at booking a photography tour while I'm in Hoi An, which is located in the Quang Nam Province on the South Central coast.

I'm a bit of a foodie and there are many food cooking tours available. I've done them in Bali and Thailand so will have to book one in Vietnam too.




A lovely friend of mine is having a solo exhibition...here are the details;


Manningham City Council invites you to the exhibition
Metal Madams and Mad Moments
Trish Sidway
This exhibition brings together a selection of Sidway’s whimsical sculptures created through her curiosity for neglected and abandoned objects.
To be officially opened by ARIA award winner Kavisha Mazzella, with performances by Mazzella on the night.
Thursday 26 April, 6.00 pm – 8.00 pm
RSVP by Friday 20 April to the Gallery 9840 9367



And lastly, I'm sitting here dreading tomorrow. I have a photographer coming over to take my picture for a write up in the newspaper about Not the Archies a cultural development project I'm involved with again this year.
My studio looks like a bomb has hit it and this humid weather is playing havoc with my already crazy hair!!!
I know life could be worse...but!!!


Til next time
Jo

Still looking through the tree's...

So with chainsaws and bulldozers clearing a 5m wide firebreak right along my walking track of 20 something years, I'm leaving...
...and going to be doing some city living for the next few weeks. I didn't plan it that way, it was just timing in my favour!

Planning to do lots whilst closer to the Melbourne CBD,  including seeing William Kentridge Five Themes at acmi.

I don't drink lots of coffee, but when I do I like it to be not just good, but great!!! so I will be checking out a few of the cafes I've been wanting to visit... and some only walking distance from where I'm staying!

So not much studio work from me over the next few weeks...but if my cat keeps pursuing her printmaking interests, you may get to see something more from her!
Here's a sneak peak on what shes been up too lately...

Titled "Pause"  on  concrete studio floor!

looking through the tree's     etching

So my beloved walking track of 25+ years is being bulldozed into a 5m fire break...I'm starting to feel this anxiety creeping in, you see I have mixed feelings over it all.

I've been spending allot of time recently walking the track, sometimes twice a day, taking photos's. Capturing moments of colour, light and textures. I'm walking the track feeling some sadness, knowing the fate of what will become. Almost time to start looking for a new track to walk maybe?

Til next time
Jo