Colour and psychology

Why is it that colours have a different effect on different people? My predecessor in this house had a pretty two-tone blue bedroom and although I knew it didn't work for me I was surprised at the effect when I repainted it white. It was as if a physical burden had been lifted from me.  She had obviously not felt it that way so the effect of colours can't be universal.

Yellow 'patchwork' curtains
(with Stuart Skelton singing on the wall)

This experience resulted in me taking my colour instincts more seriously. Recently I bought dark brown cotton curtains to replace the 1970s yellow patchwork curtains in the east facing guest bedroom which gets very bright morning light.  But I found them very gloomy and today I have replaced them with some new bright yellow patchwork-type curtains.

I don't know exactly why, but I feel uplifted now when I pass the room and see the yellow light shining there again. Maybe the brown curtains will make a classy brown jacket?

Collages of fruit and flowers

Azaleas, an apple and grapes
(collage)

I am framing up some small works to exhibit at the local yoga center including some collage works. They said they'd  like 'colourful' work.

Roses in a vase
(collage)

Collages are fun.  I am making these ones out of previous ink and watercolour paintings and the more I make, the more I want to make.

Sydney Opera House: oh the acoustics

I saw the Sydney Symphony, with choir and soloists perform Beethoven's Missa Solemnis last night. The choir was at least 100 strong and the orchestra a similar number, but the sound they made seemed to disappear into the walls of the building.  The ethereal quality of music disappears  - you can see the many musicians, but not hear them properly From my very back seat at Munich Opera House recently I heard more than from my seventh row seat in the Sydney opera house last night.   Very frustrating.

I couldn't help thinking as I listened last night how disheartening it must be for the musicians to play/sing in a hall with such inferior acoustics. It is high time we had another national lotto to collect funds to rectify the opera house interior and make it worthy of its stunning exterior.

Crowds still there at 10pm

The acoustics outside seem to be better than inside. Once there were only a few tables along the walkway and two food shops but both shops and tables have been steadily increasing and nowadays the convivial crowds can be heard from afar as you approach. It is a convenient place to meet your friends - and oh what a view. No wonder it is popular.

As night falls a band and singer entertain the gathered throng, so after your show in the opera house you could, if you were so inclined, listen to another one outside.

Dessert with the lutenist

Dessert with the lutenist

I looked through the photos the photographer Dejan Bulut took at the Maribor festival and found one with expert lutenist Axel Wolf. We were at the post-concert reception held on about the third night of the festival, sitting on a period sofa eating dessert. We're looking very relaxed - thank you Dejan.

I am wearing my bright pink backpack with art materials that I seldom take off in Maribor. It was such a fun time and looking through Dejan's photos reminded me of what a pleasure it had been to be there.

Below is another photo by Dejan, one of the building where the reception was held. Also a  sketch I made of Axel playing with the orchestra (center right).

Photo: Dejan Bulut

Rehearsal at Maribor

Petals on paper

As I painted this picture in a cafe (a cafe that makes the BEST coffee ever), the woman behind the bar learnt over and said "It looks as if the petals of the flowers have blown off and landed on your paper."

The Cafe was the Mazagran Espresso Bar in Dunedin, and the year 2008. Sorting through my boxes of pictures today I came across this painting with her comment written on the back. You can watch the woman who made the comment make a cup of coffee here.

Awash with Purple Native Irises

Bush (purple flower
at bottom)

You would never notice the little purple flowers in the picture of the bush to the left if you didn't know they were there (they are, right down the bottom) but the camera doesn't always catch what stands out for the eye.

Many Australian native flowers are small and go unnoticed by people used to European flowers but these native Irises stand out even if you don't have an eye for flowers. They are a Patersonia sp. and I have never seen so many flowering at once in the bush near where I live. Maybe our recent 4 day extreme heat brought them all on at once?

Patersonia sp. on the bush path

Water fairies

This long weekend Sydney's weather suddenly turned from winter to high summer (35C) and it was too hot to go to the beach. Instead the adults snaffled the colouring book bought for the children and spent therapeutic hours in the underwater world of the water fairies.

ACO celebrates with Mozart

Richard Tognetti is celebrating 25 years
as artistic director of the ACO*

If you want to hear an inspired Mozart played by an inspired orchestra, go and hear the Australian Chamber Orchestra celebrate their 40th birthday. They are touring Mozart's Last Symphonies.

I went to the concert yesterday and it's a winner.  Three symphonies in one concert (two you have certainly heard before and one I wish we heard more often) and all of them foot-stompingly good!

* the photo is from the ACO program (slightly altered - I added a little colour to the sparkler ... )

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