With Christmas behind us, I’ve been getting stuck into some prep for forthcoming painting and printmaking projects. But tools have now been downed as we see out what’s left of the old year.
Work prep aside, the past five days have been a delightful whirlwind of family, friends, films and theatre. After a memorable Christmas Day with family in Ballarat, we drove to Melbourne to spend the evening at the home of our old friend, Ross Campbell, who shares our passion for film. Recently he had a significant birthday and to mark the occasion, Shane and I each made a film-related painting for him. Knowing Ross is a longtime admirer of Greta Garbo, I created the following work.
Greta Garbo, 2022, acrylic on panel, 20 x 15 cm, was painted a couple of months ago, but not published here earlier in case Ross came across the post. I’m happy to report that he is delighted with our gifts and has lost no time in hanging them. We’re honoured to know our paintings are on display amidst his superb collection of film memorabilia. To see Shane’s painting, The Birth of Cinema, visit his art blog HERE.
On Wednesday we travelled again to Melbourne, this time to see A Christmas Carol at the Comedy Theatre. Adapted from the novella by Charles Dickens, a firm favourite of mine since childhood, it was centred by a superlative central performance by David Wenham as Scrooge, with an equally marvellous supporting cast.
Once the play began, photography was rightly forbidden. During the preamble, however, we were encouraged to take photos as the actors threw oranges (traditional Victorian stocking fillers) to delighted audience members.
In my long life I’ve been fortunate to see some fine theatre, in Melbourne, Sydney, London and New York, and this was up there with the finest.
On Shane’s recommendation, Ross went the following day, and loved it as much as we did.
On Thursday our Melbourne-based friends James Harrison and Priscilla Ambrosini came for lunch. What a delightful afternoon it was. We’ve been wanting to have them over for the last couple of years - but then the pandemic intervened. They finally made it, just before another year ran out. The photos directly above are by James Harrison.
New Year’s Eve 2022 has a special significance for Shane and I. It marks the 30th anniversary of our first meeting and we’re going out for a quiet celebratory meal.
However you celebrate NYE - or if you simply choose to ignore it - we wish you a healthy, joyous and creative 2023. I for one can hardly wait!
Pictured above: Artist, 2022, acrylic on canvas, 10 x 8 cm. (Private collection).