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Thursday, April 18, 2013

More of Melbourne

Here are more photos of Melbourne, taken on Wednesday, before my first day of teaching.

St. Patrick's Cathedral:






















Spectacular mural on the side of the Metropolitan Fire Brigade building:









Australian coins:





State Houses of Parliament:






Princess Theatre:





State Library of Victoria:


St. George slaying the dragon (in front of the library):


Statue of Latrobe at the library (with pigeon on his head!):


Statue of Joan of Arc:


English-style pub:









Beautiful pastry shop:


Uggs store!








At QV Centre shopping complex:





Fitzroy Gardens:




















Captain Cook's Cottage:











The Fairies' Tree is an actual tree stump carved with scenes of fairies and native animals:





Headed back toward Paliament:












Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Australasian Quilt Convention - out and about in Melbourne




After a long flight to LA (5 hours, 15 minutes), and an even longer one to Australia (15 hours, 15 minutes), I arrived in Melbourne yesterday. I was thoroughly impressed with Quantas Airlines. I took a shuttle us and a taxi to my apartment near the Royal Exhibition Building, but found I couldn't check in until 3 pm, so I checked my bags and went out to wander.

(Please note: if photos are fuzzy, please click on them for a clearer view.)

This is where the convention will be held. It is a World Heritage site, and surrounded by the beautiful Carleton Gardens. The Melbourne Museum is next door.






This fountain has platypi peering over near the top, and is supported by merpeople!


Check out this fountain, topped by kangaroos:


The museum has a huge area filled with towering trees -- I can't wait to see inside. Australia has some amazingly wonderful, huge trees!















And many tropical plants and flowers.





The graffiti in this town is awesome.





















The old buildings, with elaborate ironwork, remind me of New Orleans.






















There is also lots of modern architecture that is very intriguing.





And wonderful, eclectic shops.






























Sunday, April 14, 2013

Violets for my Mom, and off to Melbourne

Today is April 14, my mother’s birthday. She would have been 77 today. I always picked her violets in the springtime, and they became a kind of symbol for the love between us. She has been gone more than two years now, and I think about – and miss her – every day. Today, I am on my way to Australia to teach at the Australasian Quilt Convention in Melbourne. I have a feeling that if my mother were alive today, she’d have been sitting in the seat next to me!

I’ll be attempting to blog from Australia (wifi willing!), and will try to show you some of the convention, and of Melbourne. I hope you’ll come along! 

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Painted Comber


The fish of the day is the Painted Comber. This is the third fish I’ve painted for my new piece, “We All Swim Together.” He is a species of sea bass; beautiful fish with shades of pale blue and pale yellow, and darker areas of gold and brown, and distinctive black streaks on his body and up into the fins.



Painted Comber
Latin Name:
Serranus scriba
Habitat:
Eastern Atlantic, Mediterranean Sea and Black Sea
Depth:
300-450 feet
12-14" and 1-1.3 pounds