Flannel Flowers 1928 - Margaret PrestonI had the pleasure of spending some time with Gabrielle Swain yesterday. Many of you will know her through her blog handmaiden Gabrielle is currently in Australia as she is teaching at th Quilt Convention which starts tomorrow Friday and runs until Sunday at Jeff's Shed... I have followed Gabrielle's blog since before I began to blog and have always found it to be both interesting and informative plus of course, an insight into someone else's creative life...
I was delighted to see that she was once again coming 'down under' to teach her 'magic'... I had been reading her blog since she arrived here and I decided to email her to see if she had some free time on Wednesday and we could meet for a coffee... Gabrielle took me up on my offer and we decided to do lunch plus a excursion to the Ian Potter Gallery at Federation Square to see the Margaret Preston exhibition that she had been told about... As Margaret Preston is one of my favorite artists this wasn't hard to do...
Fish 1949 - Margaret PrestonYes, to those who are involved in the Art Challenge Quilt - I even managed to find fish!!!!!!
Rather than me tell you about our day I shall direct you to Gabrielle's blog (click on handmaiden link) for her report... One thing I will say though it was interesting see my hometown through a new pair of eyes and realising how much I knew about various bits and pieces... While I gave Gabrielle a more 'gossipy version' rather than time and date version of our history I was pleased I remembered as much as I did... I really enjoyed being 'a tourist' in my own city... Things which I have walked passed a million times Gabrielle stopped to either comment on or take photos of... Even one of our fruit street barrows didn't escape her appreciation...
To sum the day up I had a great time in the company of someone who is warm, open, and generous ... And to echo and endorse what Gabrielle says on her blog - good food, wonderful art, great conversations and great companionship...
Thanks again Gabrielle...
Tomorrow I am off to the Quilt Convention itself for a look see...
4 comments:
Wow, that would be a real buzz, to lunch with a celebrated artist then show them around Melbourne! I'll be thinking of you on Friday, while I am sweltering over housework at my clients' houses! How did you survive Australia Day? We all nearly melted, despite the airconditioner and fans!
Hi Sharon, just popped by to say thanks for visiting me ( and clarifying the comment, haha. I was a little confused by the first one!)
I have read your blog for a while actually.
Good on you for taking the intiative to meet someone you admire. I'm going to remember that. I guess they can only say "no", ah?
I'm glad you are back blogging. I enjoy reading.
Sounds like you had a wonderful day out :) Good on you :))
Nothing like playing tourist in your home town.It sounds wonderful -and makes me feel guilty that I have not yet organized myself to see the Margaret Prestons. Hope your creativity now comes bursting out in all directions!
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