What a strange two years it has been.  With tourism on hold and galleries closed on and off there has been little demand from galleries for items and lots of time for personal projects.

However, like many other people separated from family and friends, motivation has been hard to sustain.  Nonetheless, Shane has completed some projects that have been cluttering his workbench and has started drawing plans for many things that have been in the pipeline for a long time, while I have succeeded at making things out of those awkward pieces of timber that accumulate on my workspace awaiting inspiration.  Clearing away unfinished projects and having time to find use for odd bits of timber leaves a good feeling as well as a clear workspace.

In early 2021 I was invited to participate in the exhibition Beyond Ordinary, currently at the Sturt Gallery in Mittagong NSW.  Deciding upon suitable items, finding suitable timber and then making the items was a welcome boost to motivation in a difficult time.  Considering all things Covid between early 2021 and now, the timing of the exhibition has been very fortunate.

I have also been carving.  After finishing off some carved boxes I started work on a small figure.  I thought that if I carved a Yoda for my practice, maybe my son would like it. And he did!  Then I thought I’d make beer caddies for sons and son-in-law (thank you to Chris Pye for the plans and his YouTube).  I am using some claret ash that we were given a few years ago.  Only one completed at this time but I was happy with the result.  The others are delayed by an unplanned trip overseas to help out our daughter who broke her leg.  Sadly, I did not complete the one destined for our son-in-law in time to bring it with us.  It awaits my return, about half finished.

The sudden need to make an unplanned overseas trip complicated delivery of my items to Beyond Ordinary. I originally thought that I might have to withdraw but the organisers kindly made arrangements around the difficulties and I thank my son, Lee, for arranging delivery and Dale Dryen for liaising with him, accepting delivery and then delivering to the gallery with her own items.  Thanks also to Prabha, my daughter-in-law, who assured me that she would deliver herself if Lee was not able to; also to my son, Rick: second back-up.  Their eagerness and determination to help in this time of need is a gift that I will treasure forever. I am honoured to be part of Beyond Ordinary.  I couldn’t be at the opening and, though I hope to get to the exhibition before it closes, it’s great to be able to see it as a virtual tour.  https://www.sturt.nsw.edu.au/exhibitions/sturt-gallery/virtual

Now that things are opening up back home it looks like we’ll be busy when we do return.  A good reason to be enjoying tropical weather on Pacific island time while we can.  

A few months ago, Fiona Gruber came to interview us as part of a series to be aired on Radio National.  It has been a long wait but yesterday morning the interview did indeed go to air.  I find it an unsettling experience to hear my own voice on air (or on an answering machine) but managed to overcome that difficulty and listen to the interview.  It is thrilling to find that someone thinks you may have something to express or explain that others may find interesting and it is a great pleasure, or perhaps relief, to find that you have managed to be coherent and have said what you intended.  Of course, much of the skill is in the work of the interviewer and editing and yet I think it is a team effort.  You may have something valuable to say but the interviewer must ask astute questions to get that out of you.  Our thanks to Fiona for such an enjoyable experience and pleasing result.

Aside from the excitement of the new experience of being interviewed about our work, the work goes on.  I find I am carving more, both on turnings and entirely carved pieces.  Shane has found time to make more furniture for us.  He has also completed a few pieces for friends and family.  Perhaps I’ll find time to take some photos sometime soon.