Looking through holes

I had a gentle walk up South Street today. There were three other sets of tourists and us, so I got the camera out, even though it does feel very intrusive. But the residents are apparently used to it. (see Nelson Mail article)

Dahlias through a hole in a gate.

Deer family in a window gaze at the passerbys.

I seem to like taking photos through man-made holes.

Aotearoa mural Nelson waterfront

Rocks Road

Why art-a-musings?

One of the hardest things about starting a blog (apart from general procrastination) is the name. I thought of one the other day in the shower; "musings from the shower door". But it sounded more like porn than anything to do with art. So going with the musing theme I added art, but "art-musing" was already taken, so added the "a" and instantly liked the play on words. Hopefully I am able to be amusing sometimes as I'm musing. Back to the shower door, the original reason for that is my morning shower seems to be one of my most creative times, somehow I manage not to think or worry about the day ahead, but actually some quirky or creative things pop into my head and I find myself scribbling away on the shower door. Often after my shower I have to go towel-clad and dripping into my studio next door and find a pencil and piece of paper and scribble that thought down before it vanishes with the morning routine of breakfast and getting kids ready for school. And I've added "art" because that is one of the aims of me actually blogging is to talk about my art, something I find very hard to do.

Found some photos of Charlie, one with his face in a blackberry bush at the river. I thought I had some of him hopping across the rocks which go across the swimming hole, but couldn't find them, must have always thought there'd be another time to take those photos. The photo of him looking most handsome is at Rabbit Island where we took him a couple of times, dogs are not allowed at Rabbit Island so it's actually quite a safe place to take a goat for a walk, but we would often come across a dog. At the river there were lots of dogs, which would mean we'd have to get Charlie back on his lead as quickly as possible when one came around the corner. I was never sure who would come off worse in the dog/goat encounter. I think as long as it was not a pig(hunting) dog Charlie would win hands down! Charlie is now a farm goat and doesn't get to go for rides in the car to the river or the beach anymore. Actually he's now far to big to do so, but we all miss him and have happy memories of the 2 months he lived on the hill beside our house.

Gong Hey Fat Choy

I'd been thinking about starting a blog for a while, and today thought what better way to start than New Year - the Year of the Rabbit.  Today was also auspicious as the kids started back at school, and I now can do some serious painting before my exhibition on 20 February.

After dinner tonight we went for a walk/bike along our local river the Wai-iti. It's something we should do more often as it is a lovely spot. Last summer we did go frequently when we had Charlie goat. He'd ride in the boot of my car, and loved to run along the path stopping to graze on blackberries and convulvulus.

So while everyone else wandered I took photos, it was lovely and warm, the light was soft and this walk always reminds me of England for some reason. I think it's all the willow trees and  "weeds" such as fennel, hawthorns, etc. Volunteers have planted lots of native trees so in a few years time it will look quite different.

It also has a bit of a touch of Tuscany with the grapes!

As we left I even found some "street art" if you can call it that- under the bridge.

Over the other side of the river there is a layby that an old guy - know locally as "the secret gardener" has made into a garden. A bit strange with geraniums and dahlias etc (couldn't actually bring myself to photograph it.) As I drove back from art group this afternoon I spotted a sign he'd placed in a tree.

Also had have a giggle at the picnic table. At first  I thought some boy racers had left some graffiti. But no the sign was in chalk and read:
"PLEASE DRIVE VERY GENTLY OVER "WIDEN" STRIP AS ROADING IS MOST DELICATE".
I chortled at the very quaint phrasing of the road worker who had written these words quite painstakingly (I did take a photo, but it was hard to get it all in the frame as I was not tall enough!) and wondered if any boy racers would take heed. Here's a photo of the picnic table, note the "secret gardener" has added a blue rubbish bag and two beer crates as stools. Definitely not the council's standard features at picnic areas.