Abstract Pacific sand banks

Flying between Brisbane and Cairns, in October 2024, I glimpsed sand surrounded by turquoise tropical waters, dropping away to deeper blue depths through small starboard panes.

Hastily taken snaps on my phone helped me to remember the moment. During the next twelve months, I tried out some of the colours in water element paintings.

Retracing the route, a year later, proved to be the catalyst for developing imagined sand bar shapes and layouts.

This A6 sized organic sketch was to be the design, on four times larger, A3 paper. At the last moment, I decided not to pencil an outline. I drew three shapes using the edge of a candle, saved from my niece’s birthday in September this year.

Relying on the light catching the wax on paper, viewed across the surface was hit and miss. I accepted whatever happened would what I would work with.

Beginning with thin turquoise washes, the white outlines emerged, revealing the paper beneath. The white reminded me of the waves gently breaking on unseen barriers.

When satisfied with the colour, I added recycled salt crystals to add texture. Next the inky depths began to form.

Again using wax resist, the exposed sand outlines were added along with light yellow ochre glazes. Adding wax to the sand and glazing with burnt umber provided streaks of matter caught in rivulets.

I usually start and finish a painting in a few hours. On this occasion, the creation process stretched over two delicious days.

The Hades’ halls poem

Created by ChatGPT

Inside a ninth-floor suite of natural neutrals accented by tropical hues –
a light, lofty stateroom habitat of linen-clad lovelies.
Warm, breezy beach vibes frame a palm-frond northern view –
a timely bijoux retreat for two naive, nomadic flamingo sages
to cook, entertain, chill, and enjoy their twilight decades.

Beyond, flopsy-hatted humans advance along the Hades’ halls –
kaleidoscopic thongs flip-flopping euphonically,
poolside accessory-laden carts jostling elevator-bound,
transferring the host to resort-style amenities.
Dotty, striped, and floral-flavoured swim-wearers
recline, relax, relinquish their stressors –
smiling, sunny-clad, solar seekers sailing by.

Pandora’s perspective:

Haunted, harrow-hued, scantly clad humans,
paternoster-bound – cacophonous utility trollies jamming –
hastening down the halls of Hades to access
bought-and-paid for resort type amenities:
A ghoulish, leathery-skinned haven or – hell?

Repatriated

After eons on Mars, Aurelia was cast out because they challenged the persecution of the Transient by Orangan, the orange overlord. Essential for harvesting Sylph spores, the amorphic Transient beings were being systematically hunted down, frozen, and cryovaced by Orangan’s national guard.

Previously free to the subterranean dwelling Martian inhabitants, they now paid a premium to Orangan for Sylph; necessary for breathing Mars’ rapidly diminishing ether.

Following a short internment onboard prison propulsion ship, Pulsar, Aurelia silently meditated on their misfortune. Accepting the inevitable unknown, Aurelia was jettisoned into the velvety black void.

All was not lost, Aurelia’s form hardened as they gently tumbled through the Solar System, in awe of the surrounding celestial firmament. Time seemed to stand still as Aurelia contemplated the events leading up to their downfall, the uncertainty of the future, and forgiving the perpetrators of their demise.

An eternity passed as Aurelia’s DNA drew them into Earth’s atmosphere-once home to their ancient ancestors.

Rolling through the meagre air, Aurelia plunged into the over warmed ocean, enveloping the planet. Instantly their body gelatinises.

Descending into the murky microbial vortex, the pressure squeezes Aurelia, elongating them, tendrils break free, catapulted into the distance, to explode into a myriad of fragments, adding to the primordial gloop.

In a flash of elation, Aurelia’s core collapses into the welcoming embrace of the Titan, architect of the universe. Matter melding, consciousness transcending, and rebirth imminently assured.

ChatGPT suggested amusing backstory to accompany the doodle, below.

eet Glorpt the Absent-Minded Cosmic Squidlet, a creature who accidentally slipped through a wormhole while trying to remember where it left its snacks.

Glorpt was born in the Candy Nebula, a gelatinous region of outer space where everything—from the asteroids to the stars—has the texture of gummy bears. The squidlets there spend their days practicing interpretive floating, inventing new colours (like blorple and snorgreen), and forgetting what they were doing mid-glide.

One fateful day, Glorpt mistook a wormhole for a vending machine and—poof!—found itself splattered onto a strange blue-and-gold world (that’s Earth, apparently). Ever since, it’s been trying to blend in by posing as modern art. When people stare too long, Glorpt blinks slowly and pretends it’s a reflection on the glass.

Its bright pink and green camouflage was meant to imitate cosmic coral, but on Earth it mostly attracts curious humans and confused lizards. The single wide eye? That’s not for seeing—it’s for daydreaming about home and wondering if it ever really existed.

Locals say if you stare back into that eye for too long, you’ll forget what you were doing too—just like Glorpt.

Happy eight day

Three years ago, I blogged about numerology derived from significant dates and life plans. The post wrapped up with a brief reflection on the number eight.

For as long as I can remember, I have been fascinated with this number. It is my favourite digit, and my alter ego, Airhead takes their shape from it.

In rationalising my fascination of eight, I was born in the month of October. The original Roman calendar started in March, it was the eighth month of the year. It retained its name after becoming the tenth month when January and February were added.

Whilst it is a stretch for my date of birth to equal 8, it can be done by equating October to 8 plus day of 17th, 1+7=8 plus my birth year of 1. 8+8+1=17 1+7=8.

The numerology of my initials RGJ just happens to be 8.

Individually the meaning of letters as represented by numbers, as reported by Google Gemini:

  • “* R (9): The number 9 is associated with philanthropy, humanitarianism, and universal consciousness. People with the letter R often have a strong desire to serve others and possess great compassion.
  • G (7): The number 7 represents spirituality, wisdom, and a quest for knowledge. Individuals with the letter G are often introspective, analytical, and have a deep curiosity about the world.
  • J (1): The number 1 signifies leadership, independence, and a pioneering spirit. The letter J suggests a person who is ambitious, innovative, and has a strong sense of self.

When these letters are combined as initials, their energies are believed to interact and create a unique blend of characteristics. The combination of R, G, and J suggests a person who is a compassionate and wise leader, someone who uses their intellect and drive to help others and make a positive impact on the world.”

I stand by the above analysis: in and outside work, I serve and help others, and exercise curiosity, independent thinking, and being a free spirit.

When taking short breaks at the Noosa Rivet Retreat, Noosaville we generally stay in room seven. Most recently it was unavailable, we took room eight, is this coincidence?

Today (1+7+1+0+2+0+2+5=18, 1+8=9), I turn 62 (6+2=8). 9+8=17 1+7=8

Happy eight day, dearest readers!

Airhead at the opera

Thursday 21 August was the anniversary of the birth of Aubrey Beardsley in 1873.

Inspired by Aubrey’s sketches and the work of Margaret MacDonald Mackintosh (1864-1933), I doodled the above concept of outfit for my alter ego, Airhead to wear to a Winter opera.

Airhead would require a box to themselves, to accommodate the voluminous outfit. Bejewelled in green, swathed in a pink chiffon candy stripe gown, and overlaid by a purple candy stripe velvet cloak. 

Past, Present, Future watercolour, poem

A large antique rose hued ovoid defines my 61+ years’ past.
Subtle changes occur as new wafer-thin memories
settle in layers, one upon another.

Arrogance, discourtesy, and challenging behaviours of others incessantly stain the past.
In time, angry bruises fade to blotches,
finally morphing into smirches and dots.

Emotions, beliefs, and self-recriminations
jostle in gentle stewing
ere burgeoning into recollections, reminders,
remembrances.

Silent brain-wringing turmoil.

Above an etheric pale grey-blue future floats –
seemingly innocuous –
yet ominously waiting.

A paper-white, irregular circle
pierces both rose and blue: authenticity within the calm of the present.

The Hamilton’s halls poem

Ai generated image

Inside a ninth floor suite of natural neutrals accented by tropical hues
Light lofty stateroom habitat of linen clad lovelies
Warm breezy beach vibes have a palm frond northern view
A timely bijoux retreat for two naive nomadic flamingo sages
To cook entertain chill and enjoy the twilight decades

Beyond flopsy hatted humans hasten along the Hamilton’s halls
Kaleidoscopic thongs flip flopping euphonically
Poolside accessory laden utility trollies jostling elevator bound
Transferring the host to resort style amenities
Dotty striped and floral flavoured swim wearers
Recline relax relinquish the stressors
Smiling sunny clad solar seekers sail by

Doodle sketches enhanced with AI

I wondered if there is a free AI tool I could use to turn doodled concepts into smooth and tidy patterns. I tried a few online products with annoying pop up sign up ads.

The result was okay however, I was unable to move beyond basic tidying. Taking out a free one week trial subscription with Fotor and an app for iPhone, I was able to produce the more pleasing results below.

Is it cheating, though?

One winter Wednesday

One winter Wednesday, wee wan Willy Weasel whistles wistfully,
Why’re wide-eyed whelk, Wellington’s waist worn white wings waving without wind?
Wellington, Wellie-to-friends, wobbles wildly, whizzing, whirring, wending
To Wollongong wedding of Wendy Weevil to Willow Winkle.
Wendy’s award winning women’s weaves once won, way-beyond Willow’s winding wastewater wicking widget.
What a wonderful wardrobe they’ll wangle!
Wander welcomes welterweight Wombat, Walter wearing weather worn wafer-thin western wove wheat-sheaves.
Wicked waiter, Wilfred watches whilst wading in the weeds,
Whittled walnut water-raft whooshes in Wembley Womble Witch and Wakefield Whale Wizard, whispering worthwhile words to witty Wandering Wolf, Winston.
Winsome Wensleydale Wench, Winnie has the where with all to warn of a woefully wavering weighty wonton wagon whisking towards the waterfall.
Wow, wiggling Worcestershire Worm, Winona get’s to work on the wailing wheels with wooden wedges.
Willy Weazel whiffs the scent of wafting wedding whisky, wondering whether the weather will warm.

Air element

Version 2

I considered presenting a blank sheet. After all how do you paint something unseen? Weightlessness came to mind, such a heavy word to describe something ethereal; unseen, lighter than a feather.

My imaginings are viewed through a water element induced feelings lens. Increasingly with age, earthbound gravity anchors me as I am dragged along the ground like a hot air balloon basket being divested of collected paraphernalia. It doesn’t seem to matter how much is discarded I just can’t seem to get my carcass of the earth.

Both versions of the abstract watercolour are posted here.

The first feels heavy, constrained, forced, and overworked.

I am happier with second version.

  • I was aiming for:
  • Purple for spirit, and I believe, evolved thought
  • Yellow for the air element, in my view also sunny hope filled optimism
  • Blue resonates for me as free limitless sky high thinking
  • While white space represents light and calm

A decade or two ago, I was fascinated by people who read a book while completing gym based cardiovascular training. In contrast, I felt like I was soaring as I listened to dance music. The beats, sounds, and crescendoing voices motivating my body to pump and work harder to lift me higher and higher.

Nowadays, finding the music in the gym too loud, I can’t be bothered to try to compete with my earbuds. Dialling up the volume sets off my tinnitus. I can complete forty minutes’ exercise in the aerobic heartbeat zone while reading a book on my phone. It works on the reclined bike, elliptical trainer, and treadmill.