Alice in Wonderland- last day

Jeez! I can understand how some writers take years to finish a book. The story is all there but getting it onto the page towards the end is painful. My trip continues!

We were up and out early again. I was planning to sleep a lot more on this mini break to try and catch up. However, fortunate for me Belinda had other plans. Lucky for me!

Camberwell markets was our destination. I had been a few years ago when I stayed with my girlfriend Jade. It reminds me of a mini Camden Market cross Portabello Road in London, with it's original and eclectic mix of all things old, vintage, antique, Retro and Kitch. It's very raw and street wise with all sorts of designers and people selling their wares. I hope it never looses it's edge. I love markets and their people. I still have in my cupboard a 5 pound black fake fur jacket I bought at Bricklane markets. When I was younger I often fantasized about producing a book about markets of the world, ooooooh! maybe I could get a grant for that one. Travelling around the world from 1995-1998 I visited some very memorable markets KahnEl Karhilili in Cairo where I bought raw essence perfume and wish that I had more money to buy the intricately patterned and decorated hand woven carpets and rugs.10 pounds-$20 was our daily budget at that time. And Portabello Road were I rescued an elderly women from being mugged, this was an out of the box moment I will never forget. I was wandering around and observing everything, (as an artist I often observe my environments quietly and thoughtfully) anyhow I noticed/felt this disturbing invisible space which was about 8 meters between a elderly women pushing her bicycle and a man walking through the crowded markets I watched this space for about 20minutes glancing at the 2 dots (man and women) and the space in between. The man seemed to be intensely concentrating on the elderly ladies bicycle watching the small rack on the back with her handbag that was underneath. I quietly observed this, following camouflaged by the crowd for quite awhile. The man seemed to get agitated and moved in closer and closer to this women. I thought to myself god am I just making this shit up in my head or is this man trying to steal her handbag? Do I just ignore this or maybe should I try and do something. How can I maybe dissolve the situation without being obvious and scarring anyone. I was scarred at this point, however my instincts took over. As the markets were extremely crowded and everyone was meandering slowly, I weaved my way right up to the elderly women, embraced her with a big hug and dramatically said, "how are you?" held her close to me and whispered in her ear, "look after your bag," gave her a kiss on the cheek and kept on walking. Shit! I thought, hope she'll be alright, I didn't look back. I wasn't alright at that point, a little shaken up, hoping I had done the right thing and saved her from spending the day on the phone cancelling all her cards then waiting weeks for new ones. Who knows, if it was just all in my imagination, the only person who really knows is the man. The crazy things I do! Remembering this after many years past, I still follow my instincts and they do get me into some adventurous playgrounds, shake me around a little, however the older I get the shaking doesn't seem to hurt as much. The battered can't be beaten. Can't wait till I'm 80 imagine how free I'll be then. I can really. However it's something to look forward to.

Camberwell worked it charm on me as I was hunting around for yellow and found a vintage soft yellow short jump suit that I am planning to redesign and embellish with some beautiful pale yellow cockatoo feathers, found by Nicola Moss who is currently artist in Residence at the Brisbane Botanic Gardens. I also found some other goodies a embroidered heavy denim, pleated Tibetan skirt, a hand knitted mini skirt and retro jacket, who knows what will become of those. There is one thing that I am still stewing over which is an old green and white emergency exit light. My hot dogs and chips light sign which I have at home needed a friend. Did I have room in my suit case was the deciding factor. Unfortunately not and it was only $20. I'll think of you often Exit light!

Time to pick John up for Lunch, have a bite to eat, then put my head down for a afternoon siesta, what luxury!

My evening's agenda was a bike ride to the St Kilda Eco Centre for a Eckhart Tolle DVD presentation. Jeez! I haven't ridden a bike in awhile. Belinda and John suited me up with all the safety equipment for night riding. Yes you found the lights John, have a Mummy look next time! (In house Joke) Fluorescent vest and helmet, special torch light for the bike and the strategic move to tuck my jeans into my socks, so thoughtful John, ( I'm hearing my Dad at this point) but really that's where I draw the line, I thought, however I didn't want to hurt his feeling so in went my jeans and up with the socks, they won't miss me. That's the point I suppose. John rode with me up to the centre, to help me find my direction for my solo voyage home. I am so unfit! Bye Bye for now!

I entered the room forgetting what I had on and took a seat. I settled in and struck up a conversation with a lady and young guy called Issac who was studying Psychology, we chatted about Psychology and Art, I was suddenly conscious of what I had on with my socks pulled up high with my Jeans tucked in, I retreated inside myself and quickly pulled myself together. So typical of me. Issac suggested I watch the movie "Revolutionary Road" as I am interested in ideas about Popular culture and the pressures and influences that surround Relationships, Individuals, Family, Life, and the role of Mother. I watched this on the weekend with my husband. I'd like to say from my own experience as a married woman to a man with 2 children is that this is a profound movie and unbiased (apart from the last shot, very male directed) depiction of life as a man and a woman with children family type. Highlighting the struggles, belief systems and cultural pressures of parents while trying to grow up, have courage, take risks and navigate their way through the maze of life, looking for a better way, a better life and always considering that it maybe just all a fairytale, just a dream, just a myth or all too hard. I felt like my husband and I have lived most of the movie. I won't say anymore because I don't want to ruin the story line, just watch it! Brilliant!

Bring on Mr Tolle, I was so looking forward to watching this. It took me a little while to get past his slightly trippy-meditative and quirky demeanour. At times I felt like I was in the Television series Lost, maybe that's it, I thought. Lost is about a spiritual awakening. I was tripping out myself. I settled down, my breathing became gentle and slow, the yogi coming out in me and became meditative also, listening to every little thing he said, with little light bulbs sparking inside me hmmm! ahhh! yes yes yes! I hear you! He talked about everything being ephemeral (nothing lasts) the ego, ideas of being special and that everything is a nothing. After the DVD we did a meditation, packed up and all went home. Woosh! that was great I thought if nothing lasts, and I'm a nothing imagine the possibilities, or is that my Ego? I felt reborn!

I got back on my bike with my Jeans tucked into my socks, all my Christmas lights on and finally found my way home.

The End

Thank you for a wonderful Trip my dear husband Rodney, Rhody James, Suki June, Belinda and John Young, Jade, Angela, Alyssa Milton, Kerri Smith,Waltraud Reiner and the Garden Club, Issac, little Greek Gay God, and Eckhart Tolle

For Nanna Bush

sincere thanks to Katrina, Nicola Moss and Sharon Lee for their encouraging comments at my first attempt at Story writing and to Sharon Lee for recognising my interest in the line.

"the most interesting lines, are the invisible lines" Candyxx

Alice in Wonderland-day3

I was a explorer once again. Up early, and out the door, with cute scarf. The 3 of us jumped into the car, put let's Party 1980 on the tape deck and off we went to the Dandenongs. Spirits were high, adventure awaits!

After reading my new book "How to be an Explorer of the World, Portable art life Museum, I was full of ideas and projects.

I'm going to Explore the Line today Bel, do you want to join me? So that was that, the 2 of us teamed up to do a fun photography project, "Explore the line" We relaxed into being chauffeured around, thanks John. And set about snapping off pictures, I really enjoy being a passenger in a car and taking photos.

Our first stop was Breakfast at Belgrave,in a gorgeous Victorian stone cottage, fire place roaring and the book shelf full of interesting books and things. I love to eat and try new foods. I ordered Moroccan Eggs. This is the only way I can describe it: a tomatoe and vegetable base with lots of spices,like cardamon, and cumin with a egg cracked into it then baked in the oven and served with plain yoghurt,a seed and spice mix on top and toasted Turkish bread.Delicious! My choice from the book shelf was a tarot card reading set and how to do manual.I set about shuffling the cards till my intuition kicked in, then lay out some cards and set about reading the outcome. The first 2 were upside down ooooooh! I have to work on my health, too true I've let the walking and light meals slip over winter opting for heavy stodgy home cooked feasts. Not to mention taking up the fags again. That will do it. Time to get my shit together, again! I'm hoping that our trip around Australia will get me out of my comfort zone and back on the healthy living treadmill. The next was very of the moment suggesting I need to outsource, use services to move my ideas, tasks and projects along. I have been thinking allot about this lately. I love to get things done and nothing depresses me more then having unfinished business. Time to hatch a plan and complete a few things before I go on my travels. I wrapped things up at that point. Another adventure awaits!

Willaim Ricketts Gallery was our next stop. Hidden in amongst the flora and fauna landscape are clay sculpture profiles and shrines to Aboriginal people. Much of Willaim's work is based on his philosophy "that all people need to act as custodians of the natural environment in the same way as Aborigines." This reminds me of the power of a comprehensible artist statement. I directed my gaze up, down, every which way and started exploring the line again, stimulated by the natural environment and tranquil surroundings. Next stop who knows?

We had no real plans, John just drove, he likes driving. We ended up in the Yarra Valley Region, and stopped off at Chandon Vineyard for a a little Vino tasting and look around. The landscape is just breath takingly beautiful, this is where we picked up exploring the line again. Their is something about Vineyards that just grabs me by the roots of my soul. The landscape, earth, growth, productivity, farming, it's all very seductive to me, however the realities of farming life can be very different, with drought, flooding rains and market fluctuation, very reliant on the weather. I come from a sheep and wheat farming background and through out the years have always been advised to stay away, Mum won't even allow Dad to have a few chooks as she miseries over walking in chicken poo most of her childhood. I think living on this acre with a small orchard has satisfied my soul, maybe just higher up in the mountains and I think that may do it for me. And I love having a fireplace in winter. although I'm recalling, weren't they going to band them a few years ago??? Something to do with the environment and gases??? I bought a bottle of Red Wine Vinegar-Green point Shiraz infused vinegar, which is just lush with olive oil and bread chunks.

It was way past lunch so we moved on to search for a nice picnic spot and bed down for lunch.
We ended up at Healsville bought some bread rolls, barbecued chicken and chips. While Belinda and John were sorting the lunch out I spyed a party shop across the road, I can't resist party shops with all their bright colours and fun things to play with. I was drawn to the balloons and couldn't choose between the flowers or the hearts, I ended up getting 3 red hearts filled with helium one for each and for our picnic centre piece. Amazing what walking with 3 red heart helium balloons attracts, lots of smiles, Bel and John loved them too. We picniced at Healsville Reservoir with it's Rhododendrons in full bloom, masses of cockatoo's and cheeky Kookaburra's trying relentlessly to steal our lunch. Distracted by a phone call from my family, I looked to our picnic and saw our red hearts gone. They decided to take off a little early. That was the plan, except I was planning ritual and ceremony. Oh well the thought was there, they obviously didn't want to be made a fuss of. Bel and I explored the massive Reservoir wall while John napped in the sun.

It was time to go, and stop in at Waltraud Reiner's house for a visit on the way home. I met Waltraud through appreciation for the hat through blogging and facebook and then in person at my recent group exhibition at Pine Rivers Gallery this July. As I was visiting Melbourne I thought it would be nice to catch up again. We ended up visiting while she was wrapping up the garden club she holds every Sunday at her house. What an absolute treat this was, children milling around cooking in the kitchen making cakes and chatting about what to make milo or hot chocolate. Belinda, John and I settled in very quickly in aure of the decor with clouds painted on the ceilings, felted birds hanging from the ceiling, and chandeliers in the garden; Alice was definitely in wonderland. OMG what a home, truly creative and absolutely soul enriching. We were invited to join in and share the gardeners bounty of home cooked cakes, roulade, fruit, hot chocolate and coffee. How do I find myself in these wonderful situations, someone must be listening. It was getting late and all the little Gardner's were making their way home, time also for the explorers to make tracks, but not without first thanking our gracious hosts and making plans to meet again. Which was to be Sunday at the St Kilda Eco Centre for a Echart Tolle presentation, Waltraud holds these every Sunday night. Oh! I thought as I'm very interested in spirituality and Metaphysics I have often wondered what all the fuss is about surrounding Eckart Tolle, "The Power Of Now" and "New Earth" many of my friends have read his books which I haven't got around to reading, I did start the "Power of Now, however I got lost, so I gave it a rest. Another adventure awaits tomorrow. Off home we go again. Today has only just begun! Jeez I'm feeling like a Springbok (Deer like animal) with energy and vigor.

We arrived home that evening, and Belinda got straight into downloading our explore the line photo's onto her mac. We talked about ideas on how to collaborate the photo's and then she showed me her wedding Album book she was making with the book program on the Mac. Too easy. Don't you just love computers. We stayed up late artistically arranging our photo's together. It's coming along beautifully, I'll post some pages soon. The explorers were shattered from another adventurous day. Time to hit the hay.
Camberwell Markets in the morning!

back soon with more trip................................................................................

Alice in Wonderland-day 2

Miss Italy - Digital enhanced image from collage self portrait from series 'Sticks and Stones' by Candice Herne

I woke early in a slight dehydrated, morning-after haze. It's been along time between drinks, I had forgotten what effects wine had on me and that I was so used to getting up early. I was quietly trying not to wake the house. I wasn't too successful as Belinda woke soon after. We mossied around and planned our day. Melbourne University was our first stop. Belinda is studying Environment and hopes to get into a consultation role when completed.

While she was at her lecture, I wandered around Lygon St and the outskirts of Fitzroy. Gravitating towards the book stores, I browsed away the time and spotted the book, Handmade in Melbourne presented beautifully on a 'look at me' shelf. Alyssa Milton's label Lyssy May is featured in the book. I walked out of the store with a new companion in a book called 'How To Be An Explorer Of The World: Portable Art Life Museum' by Keri Smith - very appropriate given my current circumstances and it didn't disappoint. I highly recommend this little treasure/art, creative book to start you on your way, where ever you may be.

I had a fun conversation about fashion, art and design with a little gay Greek god in a cute contemporary fashion boutique. The shop was closed, so I was peering intensely, nose squashed up against the glass, breathing in all the interior decor (I find that interiors and what shops have on their walls is what really draws me into a store). He - the gay Greek god - kindly and so politely opened up early to satisfy my nosiness. I felt like we were instant best friends chatting freely about art. I had to cut our rendezvous short as I had to rush back to uni to put more money in the parking meter.

I stopped by the student union info counter outside the uni to ask for directions to the galleries. Ian Potter Museum of Art was only 100m up the block so I made my way there and wandered around. There was a great selection of traditional, historical and contemporary art on show. My mobile woke me up from my enchanting encounter - lecture complete!

Next stop was Alyssa's studio in Kensington. Did you know iPhones have street directories? Who knew? Belinda has an iPhone; technology! Phones do so much these days - yes, I don't get out much.

It was lovely to catch up with Alyssa and unexpectedly her Mum, at her studio. Her studio is very bohemian and romantic from a visual perspective. It's one of those places that as an artist you may dream about; having a studio space in a beautiful, rundown, old European architectural warehouse-type building with other artists. Actually, 'Alice in Wonderland' is not far from the truth. As you enter Alyssa's studio building up some stairs, through the tiniest of doors, covered with worn out writing, stooping down low to climb inside. And inside her studio the space is packed with beautiful fabrics scattered all around the place, bags, and pictures. Juicy for the artist's eye. Alyssa is out there doing her thing, making headway bit by bit, getting involved and working hard.

I was also there to pick out a handbag and choose one of her handmade felted brooches, as the winner of a competition she held a few months ago. After much deliberation I chose the black and red peacock satchel and a cute yellow and blue felted brooch for Suki. It's so inspiring and re-assuring for me as a artist to actually go outside the studio and connect with other artists and the general public. That's what I love about BAD - it's not only a meeting place, but a place to practice being a holistic artist (from conception through to completion and beyond). I find it's the in-between where many of us stall; from writing and talking about our work, to exhibition, marketing, PR and the rest - it all can be so daunting at times. When I hear how other people accomplish things, it some how takes the myth out of it all and becomes more achievable for me.

Next stop (not the last!) was back home for a nap to sleep off the red wine and the pound of blue cheese and fig jam I ate the night before. Now that's a combination divine! Try it! Mild blue cheese with fig jam on water crackers - yum!

"Oh do we have to go?" I moaned. I needed more sleep. We had plans to meet up with some friends at the Transport Bar in Federation Square. A quick makeover and we were cute explorers once again!

Walking across the bridge with the Victorian street lamps to Federation square, with the wind blowing the cold night air, transported me back about 12 years and the joyous feelings I had walking around London. Those were the days.

The Transport bar was the chosen meeting place as apparently it's good for the 'perv'- talent watch, cute guy spotting. This was critical on our agenda as both Angela and Jade our girlfriends had 'a room at the Inn' they were single. As for Belinda and I our rooms had no Vacancy, we were both married. However window shopping and shopping for others is always fun. Can't say anything was as half as attractive as the Haute Couture dress I saw at Euro Trash.

The evening was fun, flowy, chatty, girly and tasty as we talked about favourite food and nibbled on nachos, fat chips and wasabi mayonnaise. At one point in the evening one of girls said, 'Do we want to go to another bar?' instantly someone replied, No, you know what it's like when you move bars, you loose the MoJo-spirit of the night. We all agreed spontaneously, with a little laugh. On reflection, I find this very amusing as I feel it is one of realisations that

A. I am growing up or B. I am getting old. 15 years ago we all would have been zipping around from bar to bar, with the energy and vigor of a springbok (deer like animal)-yes I'm getting old who would use the word Springbok ha!.

Time for more beauty sleep, it was way past all the Cinderella's bed times, kiss kiss, hug hug, home we go with a Jigity Jig. Got home to Bel's where the boy's, John and his mates were having a night in watching sport, having a few wines and eating chocolate. I joined them for a night cap and chunk of coconut chocolate and went to bed for more sleep.

The Dandenongs tomorrow!

more trip coming soon.............................................................................

Alice in Wonderland

Miss Japan- digital enhanced image from collage self portrait from series 'Sticks and Stones' - by Candice Herne

I have just returned from a mini mummy break in beautiful Melbourne, staying with my dear friends Belinda and John Young. This was the 4th time I had visited Melbourne. Childless and free from pooy nappies and the sounds of 'Mummy I'm hungry'.

I roamed the streets, lost like Alice down the rabbit hole feverish, looking for her way home. Exploring little lines, spaces and marks that had the faintist whift of adventure. Maybe more like a dog on heat.

On the first day I walked around St Kilda and Chapel St from 9am till 5pm, Belinda and I worked out that I had probably walked around 30km as she compared it to her walk across England. Why was my stomach still bulging? It must have been the huge spinich and ricotta pastry, I ate during my travels around St Kilda. OMG like no other pastry, I had ever tasted, from the coffee bar at the entrance of a little plaza on Ackland St, the name eludes me. I also picked up a cute little crotchet and lace scarf, that replaced the tangerine knitted scarf I walked into the store with. All set to continue my travels with cute scarf.

After walking all around St Kilda I headed towards the city and viaed right, towards Chapel St. I knew this was going to be great. After a few wrong turns, my first stops were vintage stores/op shops filled with eclectic goodies perfect for the imagination, what could I do with this or that. I am so glad the Japanese haute couture dress at Euro trash was sold, I have no idea how I would have paid it off. There is no way it would have fit me, however just looking at it, did excitable things to me. Fashion has been on my mind lately, leading me up to the wearable art show at the botanical gardens October 13th. I'll post more about this later. I've been thinking about, the colour yellow, pleating and collars for the last few weeks and the universe delivered once again, offering up some ideas to let me know it is listening. I past up on one perfect yellow pleated dress at Euro trash, however it instantly lead me to another little gem that I just couldn't walk past from Alphaville, a stunning black pleated wrap that could be worn so many different ways, I love the sculpture that it creates when you twist it all around the body, now I just need somewhere to wear it. Also checkout their flash presentaion on their website, theirs alot to be said about intuition and following up leads, I was delighted to find upside down portraits.

Exhausted at 5pm, ready to catch public transport back to Belinda's I phoned in to see how she was going. 'just about to pop into Dan Murphy's on Chapel St for some wine I'll be home soon.' 'where's that?' I said, opposite Coles, Bel replied. I happened to be standing opposite coles, within minutes the little red festiva zoomed around the corner, my feet thank you universe! The rest of night was filled with red wine, gossip, ideas and plans to save the world.

be back soon to continue my trip.....................................................