Art in Brookfield Place...

Crossing St. George's Terrace from Central Park (Saturdays reflections) to Brookfield Place, only 16 levels compared to CP's 52 but just as shiny and photogenic, also home to some of the trendiest eateries in the CBD. Was thrilled to find this mural by WA visual artist Jerome Davenport.  His work 'combining the unrestricted graffiti artform with widely accepted portraiture imparting a relatable vision that the general public can enjoy in their daily lives' can be found in Berlin, London and Brooklyn..  keep your eyes open, I know I will be. That's my weekend over, if you're still enjoying Sunday.. lucky you :) Happy week, take care.... p.s. in the last shot when surrounded by glass and mirrors the possibilities are endless!

Sunday morning...!

Do you remember how excited I was a while back when I was lucky enough to catch a pair of male kangaroos having an early morning spar.. that's them above.  P went off a few days ago in search of some video footage for his music and shot this early morning activity going on amongst a group of kangaroos at Pinnaroo. Watch it here and see how full of energy the young joeys are when they awake, so cute to see them bounding around.. and around! Towards the end of the video I'm sure, like me you will be astounded to see, in action, how tall the males are when they stand on their hind legs and begin sparring. I hope you enjoy.. happy Sunday, take care...

Glass & mirrors...

I took the above shot yesterday as I exited Central Park, a photographers dream, onto St. Georges Terrace. Looking up I noticed the multi faceted reflection that encompasses both old and new, everything that draws me like a magnet to the terrace each time I come into the city.. I was très happy to see that I'd managed to include one of the flags announcing the French Film Festival :). Below the entrance into Central Park from Hay St., this park area is popular with city workers who enjoy sitting in the shade of the trees.. see what I mean about glass and mirrors! What are you up to this weekend? More gardening pour moi.. this time in Aimee's jardin.. should have seen that coming :) Happy weekend, take care and stay safe.. More Weekend Reflections here...

Hoping....

The world has seen this past week just how unforgiving the waters can be in the remote waters off the coast of WA. We have some of the most beautiful beaches in the world but deep out into the southern ocean "the seas are wild and rough, there are huge swells and the winds are extreme, they are called the Roaring Forties for very good reasons". I'm sure relatives of those aboard the missing Malaysian flight are still praying for a miracle.. I find myself hoping for one also. I'm glad it's Friday, how about you? Take care and stay safe....

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Comfort through a straw..!

I don't know about you but following a nerve wracking experience the first thing I think about is a coffee.. even if, like after a dentist visit it means drinking said coffee through a straw :) hmm! wonder if that means I'm addicted? It could be worse right! Sitting in Myers tearoom looking down onto Padbury Walk and through the stained glass window to Forrest Place and the old General Post Office building. It's not a trendy cafe but sometimes it can be wonderfully reassuring sitting somewhere old school, albeit a touch outdated! Happy Wednesday, hope it's a good one, take care and stay safe...

Fly by wrecking crew...!

I used to get so fed up with the flocks of WA Carnaby Black Cockatoos that would land in my bottlebrush and within minutes have every seed and flower off the tree.. that was until I discovered they are on the endangered list due to clearance of their natural feeding and nesting habitat in the wheatbelt region. Now when the tree flowers I put up a sign.'breakfast this way', it's the least I can do :) The Red Tailed Cockatoo below is found in abundance all over Australia. I couldn't find a signature on this mural in Northbridge, but if it makes people aware of the plight of the WA black cockatoo I like it even more. I had a tooth implant yesterday so am feeling pretty sorry for myself :( hope your day was a little more fun, take care... p.s. I don't think the chap below was keen to be in my shot :D

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Celebrity crush..!

Photos courtesy Aimee:  As the rumour spread a small crowd gathered outside the back entrance to one of Perth's most popular eateries above, Perthites are way too laid back for hysteria :), publicity photos with staff below..

Le chef emerges!

Knowing how Aimee loves to cook, it stands to reason that if she was going to have a celebrity crush it would most likely be a chef :) When she heard on Friday that Jamie Oliver was paying a fleeting visit to his Perth restaurant on the ground floor in her building, she couldn't resist nipping down to see if she could catch a glimpse, she did.. and more! If you scroll down here there's a better pic and more about his visit, which personally I think is long overdue seeing as the gig opened a year ago and is the best performing Jamie's internationally. Yes Perth is a little isolated :) but when you're traveling first class what's the big deal right! So who's your celebrity crush? Happy Monday, take care.....

In search of sandcastles...

After hearing that there would be a sandcastle building competition yesterday on City Beach and that this year joining the professionals from the likes of  the Australian Inst.of Architects there would be a new category, the 'young builders league', 4 - 7 years.. who could resist. We searched up and down the beach but not an erection to be seen :) I'm sure most know that there is a lot of air activity going on off our coast this past week.. when I saw this shot in camera I thought it may be vapour trails, until I downloaded and realized it was my hair blowing in the wind :) May the mystery of the missing plane be solved soon for the sake of family and friends. Happy weekend, take care and stay safe...p.s. a celebrity crush tomorrow.. p.p.s no more rain :(

Rain glorious rain...!

Thunder crashes.
Lightening flashes.
Rain makes puddles,
I make splashes.

- Anon.

Anon described exactly how it was yesterday morning when I awoke.. it was the first rain in four months causing havoc on summer dry roads and dusty electricity lines, but you know what, it was fabulous! The smell of first rain is as heady as the best French perfume and although it was short and sweet there could be more to come over the weekend.. I live in hope! Have a wonderful weekend, take care and stay safe... click for more Weekend Reflections. p.s. I know these are pretty tame reflections but they are wonderful to moi :)

Inspired by the Bibbulmun Track....

Of all the walk trails around the world the Bibbulmun Track must be one of the most spectacular. It stretches from Kalamunda just east of Perth down to Albany 1,003.1 kms away in the Great Southern region. The trail takes you through forests of giant Tingle trees above, along stretches of coastline that probably looks much the same as it did when explorers first visited, vast jarrah forests and rich rural farming land. In 2010 P took that challenge and walked the track in five weeks, that was the type of accommodation :) below what a view! For the last year P has been creating music.. jazzy  down tempo and chill out style.. you might have noticed a new link on my sidebar which if you fancy a listen will take you to his SoundCloud page with links to his music and videos (sounds better through earphones).. check it out! Have a fab weekend, take care....

World's best unknown artist...!

The first time I saw the above artwork I thought of JM in Lisbon and his series of decay images. It is complex, it is mysterious, it is richly colourful and it's in much need of repairs! The 'wall' above and the section below (would love it if you would embiggen and be enthralled by the detail as I was) on the exterior of Gino's on South Terrace in Fremantle is an ongoing 'mini architectural fantasy' created by Australian artist Horatio T Birdbath (excellent short video). When asked 'how long have you been working on this' he replied 'since the beginning'! As you can see a big part of the mural has been damaged by damp and there is an ongoing dispute with Fremantle City Council to work with Mr. Birdbath, j'adore :) to repair this unique work.. Have a fab Thursday, take care...

The lure of the mermaid....

Little girls and mermaids go together like cookies & cream, like Rogers & Astaire, like French & chic.. I could go on but I think you can see the fascination above and below. Above mermaid Jessica Pearl and below mermaids Kate Silverfish and Amelia surrounded by adoring little girls and the occasional little chap :)

Frolicking playfully as they swam back out into deeper water the mermaids put on a bit of a show for their fans on the boardwalk..

The legend of the mermaid has been around forever, some say the sight of a mermaid out at sea is a forewarning of danger some say they are benevolent creatures.. I say a big thank you to our Perth mermaids, they only bring happiness and joy whenever they appear on our beaches.. Happy Wednesday,  take care and stay safe..... 

Mermaids.. myth or reality!

It was midday on a warm Sunday down at the harbour.. what was that?  A glimpse of something colorful splashing in the water out by the boardwalk! Could it be! Yes it was! In Perth mermaids are indeed a reality, I'm sure neither of the signs above apply to mermaids. I confess I did have a whisper in my ear so knew when and where the mermaids would delight us with their presence.. they announce their travel plans via facebook, it's true, facebook is everywhere :) A perfect day for young families on the children's beach and as not many would have known of the aquatic arrival it was so much fun to watch people out in the water doing a double take when the splish of a colourful tail appeared above the water....

It's not so easy for mermaids out of water as they made their way over to the edge of the pontoon to rest and sun themselves after their long journey.....

...before making their way playfully to the shore much to the delight of ...well everyone really, who wouldn't want a cuddle/chat/picture with a mermaid!

 
By the time the mermaids swam into the surf they had well and truly been spotted and a sea of excited little people waited to welcome them.. Mermaid Jessica Pearl below. The wonderful thing about Perth's mermaids is that they do what they do, appearing unexpectedly, a bit like the real deal, on Perth's beaches, delighting young and old just for the pure joy of it. That salty sea water plays havoc with mermaid tails, if tail repairs are necessary they might have a collection. I don't need to tell you that a certain red head very close to me aspires to become a mermaid, she'd be good n'est pas! The mermaids tale.. to be continued. Hope your week has started well, take care.....

Italian finale...

The last shots from Sculpture by the Sea in Cottesloe. Shaped in stainless steel by Italian artist Silvia Tuccimei titled  'passage secret' this work 'references the mirror as a symbol for a gateway or portal, absorbing, reflecting and distorting it's surroundings'. As it sits gleaming on the grassy slopes of Cottesloe Beach it seems to me that 'le passage secret' is honouring all of these promises! As Tuccimei has worked for many years in Paris it would not surprise me if mes amis français were already familiar with her art! I may have to take time-out for a few days, the forecast is for cooler temperatures so will take the opportunity to tame my out of control summer jungle garden :) Have a wonderful weekend, take care...

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Sculpture by the Sea IV et fini.. well almost!

So there I was, precariously balanced out on the slippery rocks (see last shot yesterday).. but I'm glad I 'braved up', quite happy with these shots of this aptly named installation 'there's many a slip 'twixt the cup and the lip'.. too true :) by NSW artist Ken Unsworth constructed using timber, bicycle, plastic skeleton :), foam, steel and rope. No explanation, the name says it all!

Rather a poignant entry below called 'once removed' created by NSW artist Robert Barnstone in cast glass ..'the glass feet are a ghostly reminder of the presence of people past'.. I imagine many a soul no longer with us has stood in this very spot looking out to sea.. tres touching don't you think?

Below 'windsong' by WA artist Barclay Bailey designed in steel, aluminum and monofilament.. 'each sculpture is a musical instrument played by the wind..the music has no beat, rhythm, set notes or time signature, giving it an unpredictable and ethereal quality'. Why did I imagine warriors standing strong beside their spears swaying rhythmically in time to that unpredictable beat.. is it possible that I may have admired one too many a sculpture in the last week :)

Below this years winning sculpture by Hiroyuki Kita from Japan called 'like a flower swaying in the wind'.. constructed in 316 marine stainless steel, stainless steel, steel, ball bearings and paint..'the wind from the sea completes this sculpture, would you sense the wind through the sculpture with me'.. well I did and it was fabulous! I took a video of the twirling motion but I have no idea how to download it here, you will have to take my word that it is a wondrous sight :)

I added the shot below just because it made me smile.. talk about an uphill battle with a heavy load on your shoulders :) There were more than 70 local, interstate and international entries this year, I picked just a few to show you here which does not in any way detract from the rest, they were each and every one full of fun, imagination and environmental awareness.. when the video comes out  I'll be sure to give you a link. Happy Friday, take care.... p.s. I woke up this morning to that delicious fresh smell of rain, there wasn't much but by golly it was heaven!