WHAT INSPIRES YOU?

I read a piece in the Dominion Post this morning where some arts guy I'd never heard of was asked to talk about 6 random things that he loved. Not people. Places, buildings, art works, inspiring places etc. So what are some random art inspirations you love? Post them on your blog and leave me a message.


Te Papa OK, I know the building is not everyone's cup of tea but what I love about it is really random. It's the floors (yes, the stuff you walk on!) on the inside. Last time we were there I remember thinking about the design that had gone into the floors . They are amazing. Check it out next time you're there and see if you get it, too.

Ralph Hotere I particularly love the Hotere sculpture on the corner of Lambton Quay and Stout Street in Wellington. The one that looks like a fallen pillar. Love that. We are very fortunate to own a Hotere. A very dear friend gave it to us. A very special gift.





Rarotonga. A very special place for our family. The colours and flowers and fauna are amazing.





Books. A totally random one. But I get a lot of inspiration to create from the written word. I think I like words better than pictures.




Cast glass I was first introduced to cast glass by Fiona Richter who over a couple of weekends helped me to make my one and only ever cast glass creation. After that experience I totally respect cast glass artists. It's an amazing medium.








PS Happy birthday to D - we're the same age, again!

WHO KNOWS?

DH is tucking Elliot (age 7) into bed.

"Dad. I have an important question. I've been thinking. I think that Santa is like the Tooth Fairy. That he's not real. That he's really you and Mumma."

DH 'fesses up and then gives Elliot a wee lecture about how he's a big boy now because he knows the special grown up secret and he must not discuss it at school because you never know who knows and who doesn't. You can only discuss it with your family.

Mummy tucks Elliot into bed. "I hear you and Daddy have had a discussion about Santa."

"Yes", says Elliot "Now I know the grown up secret but it's ok because I won't talk about it at school. You can only discuss it with your family." 10 second pause. "Does Cait know?"

Cait, his sister, is 12!

SPREADING OUT YOUR BIRTHDAY

I love it when my birthday treats get spread out over a couple of weeks.

Last night D and I had our weekend away in Wellington including dinner at the wonderful Dockside restaurant. Gorgeous food. I can highly recommend the amazing Dutch Cocoa Self Saucing Pudding - to die for.

Nothing like a winter escape to your own hometown.

And... thanks to Lisa for the heads up on a great new book by author Sam Hayes. Blood Ties.

Here's the blurb: January 1992. A baby girl is left alone for a moment. Long enough for a mother to dash into a shop. Long enough for a child to be taken.Thirteen years later, solicitor Robert Knight is delighted his stepdaughter has won a place at a prestigious London school for the gifted. The only puzzle is his wife Erin's reaction. Why is she so reluctant to let Ruby go? Doesn't she want what's best for her daughter?As Erin grows more evasive, Robert can't help but feel that she has something to hide. And when he stumbles on mysterious letters, he discovers Erin has been lying to him. Somewhere in his wife's past lies a secret; a secret that threatens to destroy everything...

Like, Lisa, I couldn't put it down.

GO THE ABs

We were there. At Westpac Stadium last night to see the All Blacks thrash France 61-10. OK it was a hiding but I enjoyed it. I've been to The Stadium lots of time for rugby matches. But it was the first time I'd ever seen the ABs play. I enjoyed it. But what I enjoyed most was seeing the girls from Chilton Saint James school (a local private girls school) sing the national anthems of both teams. They sang it like anthems should be sung. As a sing-a-long. So that everyone could join in. And that's what amazed me most. Everyone did. Sing. Kiwis never used to. Are we growing up?

(And the choir's conductor was none other than Ella Hanify who used to be my music teacher when I was at college. 25 years ago. I don't think I realised in those days. That she's not old. She's only a few years older than me.)

HE KNOWS ME

So Saturday was my birthday. 42. Lovely day. Up early for pressies with the kids before they were whisked off to Palmerston North for the weekend with my sister, J. (A weekend without kids!) D and I had a leisurely yum cha at Grand Century in Tory Street, Wellington. A wee shop at Moore Wilson's Fresh. A quiet afternoon reading. Five sets of kind friends and family popped in and others phoned. Some lovely pressies. Thoroughly spoilt. And a friend's 40th birthday party in the evening. A fabulous day.

And then there was this.

A surprise birthday present from D. I don't usually share personal stuff on my blog but this touched me. Every year I always know what I am getting from D. Very seldom a surprise. But this year it was. A surprise. I like surprises.

The day before my birthday I made a start on my Fat Little Art Book swaps. I decided that I would use words as my 'art'. Remember the theme is "It's my birthday and I'll party if I want to". For one of the art pages I wrote this:

"For my birthday I do not want a new handbag or a fancy ring or, heaven forbid, a new car. I am not materialistic.

For my birthday I want to sneak away with you to a hotel for the night. Or eat fabulous food. Or get a massage. Or do something. Just sing to me. I am hedonistic."

D didn't see this. But for my birthday he gave me a voucher. For a night in a hotel. And dinner. "To be redeemed with loving life partner." He was worried I might use it for a girls weekend! No need. I wouldn't. I want to share it with him. He knows me. I'll keep him.