Melbourne in a jiffy

Melbourne was my "time off" when I scheduled zero teaching, no work, and only time and space to explore and relax. Here is the tapestry workshop.

There wasn't a ton of Korean art in the NGV but this hanbok was more interesting than it looks in this not very good photograph (I think for sure I need a new camera, but I don't want to carry a real camera around).

Women were rowing on the Yarra River as I crossed Princes Bridge. I walked a bunch that day but was not particularly productive. I did find a Korean place for good soup, though, so that's not nothing.

Barb was incredible! She picked me up, set up papermaking from plants that grow in the area, had Gail come over to join us for show and tell + papermaking + a delicious lunch (more soup! I love soup and winter is the best time for it), took me to a shop for local artists, showed me her brilliant garden, cooked me dinner, and drove me home.

It was chilly so they filled the vats with nice hot water. It was almost like spa papermaking. Barb has a perfect home setup with foolproof couching stations, tons of moulds, a lovely screw press, and the perfect floors and light. What an inspiration (the second wood floor paper studio I've worked in. I want one very badly).

THEN, she hand delivered the dry paper to me the next day when I was out. Amazing! I was really touched by how generous and warm hearted she is.

I had kumquats from her garden, delicious, and admired her chair along with so many special touches. Lots of ideas for home, though of course their climate is different from mine.

The last day was a visit to Colleen and Brian. See a theme? I love this and wish I could do the same to my utility sink in the basement, but that's really not a wise use of my time.

Ilka pointed out the eyelashes on the other alpaca (you can't see her head). They're both pregnant.

Anne, Colleen, Ilka, and Brian around the special onions that grow up and then fall down, only to root themselves from the head that becomes the root, and grows again. What a smart plant!

This is how textile folks travel: Ilka's spinning wheel, gifts that Brian dug up (New Zealand flax, those onions, and woad that grows like a weed), and so much more. We had hot chocolate at the theatre in Castlemaine before scattering again. The entire time, Anne cooked the most delicious meals. Tony was kind enough to wake up earlier than he had to so we could share a cab to the airport: he to Tasmania, and me to New Zealand.