Tuesday, September 4, 2012

i n s p i r a t i o n

Belongil Beach, 2012

Inspiration can truly come from anywhere... 
A conversation with someone, a walk around your garden or neighbourhood, something on tv or in a magazine... Anywhere! I find that my inspirations come from anywhere and everywhere.  My friends are very inspiring, as is the Australian landscape. 
So when i combined the two on a trip to Byron a couple of weeks ago I knew I would have a magical time. 

If you've been following this tiny blog for the last few years, then you would know that one of my favourite things to do every year is travel to Byron Bay. There is something about this pocket of the globe that makes me happy. Maybe its the beach? Maybe its the whale and dolphin sightings? Maybe its the laid back atmosphere of the town? Maybe its all of the above... and more. 

I find it creatively and spiritually inspiring... 
And whether its Summer, Spring, or in this case, Winter, I always find new and exciting colours to photograph, sketch and collect, like a magpie!!

On this particular trip I also had another task for Byron to deliver on, and that was providing the raw materials for my new woven forms. I knew I had two or three weaving workshops on the horizon when I got back to Sydney, so I thought Byron may be able to provide some interesting materials to weave with...

So on one sunny, hot day I went for a long walk with a big bag, a big pair of scissors, and of course my swimming costume and towel! 
{Even though it was Winter... I know I could convince my body and mind otherwise! haha...}

A few years ago the locals started to sand bag the shoreline to protect the town and the landscape from soil erosion. And in amongst the rocks and bags I was able to find the old string and twine they had used to tie up the sand bags....

And turn it into this!

The colours of the landscape are truly Australian and truly beautiful...

Can you see the rope and twine in amongst all the wood? I could! And I got busy in collecting it...

... so I could make this woven form,
which I have called 'Belongil, 2012'.

How can you not be inspired by all this? Thank you Byron for providing so much... as always.

2 comments:

memtree said...

wow! stunning photos and beautiful creation, michele :)

Corinne (aka Rinny of Arabia) said...

So, so special in so many ways. It's my magic place too. xx