INSPIRATIONS

Gwyn Hanssen Pigott, 1935-2013:  'Travellers no. 3', 2001

This elegant porcelain still-life arrangement, currently on display at Qld. Art Gallery, celebrates the life of distinguished Australian ceramic artist, Gwyn Hanssen Pigott, who recently passed away aged 78.

Hanssen Pigott was born in Ballarat, Victoria, in 1935 and created a new language for ceramics through her famous still-life groupings of pots, bowls, bottles, jugs and cups carefully displayed in precise arrangements.

They became sculptural artworks. 

Early training in Australia was followed by establishment of a studio in London, then later in the Loire valley during the 1960s.

Later she returned to Australia and worked in Tasmania, then Adelaide and Brisbane.  Constantly experimenting with wood firing, her pieces were refined, quiet and delicately beautiful.  She continued to exhibit in London until the end of her life.

I never met her, but I do know one lucky person who did, and who owns a collection of these beautiful pieces.

And from the sublime to the dreadfully mundane, summer has hit this week with soaring temperatures, well into the 30s.

However, we had a cold snap about 10 days ago, and in a cold corner of our back garden a few days before the heat came I found this:

One lonely daffodil....

I plant bulbs, despite the climate being tropical and completely unsuitable, just to have the fun of occasionally getting this result.

My friend V last week presented me with this great bunch of cuttings, all eminently suitable for the sub-tropical garden.  We are cleaning out some old beds, and creating a leafy understory beneath a few large trees.

Some I planted straight into the soil without trying to strike them in water...

Fingers crossed...Thank you V!

I have planted orange cliveas and orange day lilies - my love of orange is well-known.  So of course, I love this dress Michelle wore the other day.

.. and of course, who wouldn't want to look like this on their first post-baby appearance.  I have never worn a dress which sparkles all over...

but I suspect I'd love it! 

In other news, the Red Cardinal blog welcomes its 40th Follower:

Khammany @ Sweet Inspired Home.  

Pop on over and have a look at her pretty blog.

Remember our new grandson, the Little Bebe we travelled to Canada to meet last May?

Well, look at him now:

Not yet 10 months old, but standing ..

sometimes without holding on!!

Today I went to rehearsal at my Choir for Ladies of a Certain Age,

and (Hurrah) we sang my favourite lullaby, which makes me think of the little man:  "Mille Cherubini in Coro".

Here's Andrea Bocelli singing it, with chorus, on YouTube:

Enjoy, and have a great weekend, dear readers.

Bonsoir,

XXXX