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.
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.
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.
What dot you think?
Microsoft Copilot said:
The canvas reveals an abstract form reminiscent of a kettlebell, its contours gracefully etched in deep purple hues. The kettlebell seems to defy gravity, suspended against a mottled backdrop of green and yellow. Light dances upon its surface, casting a delicate highlight at its peak.
The background, typical of watercolor artistry, blends colors seamlessly—a dance of soft edges where green and yellow intermingle. The overall effect is both intriguing and serene, inviting contemplation.
As you gaze upon this piece, imagine the kettlebell’s weightlessness, its purpose unknown. Perhaps it symbolizes strength, resilience, or even a hidden power waiting to be harnessed.
Apart from yellow, I prefer secondary colours over the primaries. This plant brings me joy, showcasing both green and purple.
When we moved into our new house in March, it had a few velvety leaves that appeared to be being eaten, my husband sprayed it to curb the ‘pests’. Gradually, new leaves appeared, unimpeded.
Over weeks, sprays of buds appeared at the centre of each shoot. Eventually they swelled, bursting open to reveal many many daisy like blooms.
Last weekend we spent two nights in Brisbane staying at the Inchcolm Hotel.
On Saturday night we were thrilled and entertained by Bite Club: Second Serve, a collaborative performance with Australian singer songwriter, Sahara Beck and Briefs Factory, “a down-and-dirty mixture of drag, boylesque, street politics and circus skills, all delivered with a smirk and a big sloppy kiss” at the newly renovated Princess Theatre, constructed in 1888.
On Thursday, in a small meeting room at work, windows blanked out with sheets of brown paper, I stripped down to my underwear. Time for my annual check up so that my moles could be checked for abnormalities that may indicate skin cancer. This picture from the right side of my face was taken through a dermatoscope that will result in a non urgent trip to the GP.
Expectations, unheard, unwritten, not agreed, lead to disappointment.
Frustration from despondency could result in an outpouring or inner turmoil.
Assumptions can conflict create or do secrets forge, limiting authenticity.
Living as a liar may rebellion incite or self-loathing and self-destruction result.
Spring in Sydney, the time when the Jacaranda trees bloom. They barely have had time to loose their leaves before being adorned with sweet, almost unpleasant, purple, trumpet shaped flowers.
Jacarandas are difficult to photograph, their magnificenct colour being lost against a blue Antipodean sky. I was fortunate to spot this one from a third floor window, while waiting for a meeting to begin.
November winds and rain will soon scatter the petals. Regally carpeting the ground under the Jacaranda’s skeletal canopy of twisted branches.
For me, this glorious water lily symbolises holiday time in Port Douglas, Far North Queensland. It’s petals and radiant centre can only be seen during the day. As soon as darkness descends, the bloom closes, held tight within a teardrop shaped bud. It serenely stands sentinel over the pond, evoking a feeling of peace and calm.
This trip has reinforced the symbolism, as it has rained every day.
On the way to the bus this morning, these tiny pink flowers among purple leaves, nestled at the base of a tree, caught my eye.
Sydney is experiencing unusually warm and humid weather for Autumn. Yesterday was no exception 30+oC and humidity in the high 80s even with cloud cover.
This light yellow ochre painted house is one of my favourites in Leichhardt. I slowly made my way home from Norton Street yesterday afternoon. I was struck by the vibrant and contrasting colours of the magenta flowers against the dark green trees. The hazy appearance of the picture is due to the light coming from the behind the yew.
When my mind is grappling with burdens nature lends a hand. This carpet of purple-blue jacaranda petals marked a path towards home.
theINFP 