When the sky turns crisp, like a glorious full blue sail reaching from horizon to horizon.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
When the chestnuts are falling to the ground and, like polished stones create jewellery for the landscape
When the air turns fragrant, marketing the first batch of local spicy perfumes titled: Falling Leaves
When the landscape presents us with bursts of colour, like a child splashing water into its paint box
When the earth, like a pencil drawing, seems suspended from the sky by many thin lines of wood smoke
When dawn and dusk creep closer, making days shorter and less sunlight more appreciated
When we long for the feel of a woollen jumper and start looking for our hats and scarves
When the local bull boars are rearing to go and become an attractive alternative to the salads of summer
When the walks of gathering blackberries change into walks of gathering mushrooms.
When all of these things come together here in Daylesford we know we have landed from the season of summer in the season of cool. And with this season come autumn pleasures. which, like a door through which we pass, seems to mark the start of the chopping of wood season.
The feeling cosy inside with a book season. The wrapping up and walking in the forest season. For some, the painting of pictures season, for others the looking at these pictures season. The heralding of the cooler season when some artists open their studio season.
NOTES AT AN EXHIBITION
AT THE Convent Gallery anyone can get involved in a wonderful time of looking at pictures by local painters, Here is an exhibition of the work of those artists who are willing to open their studios for an invasion of curious visitors. For having their artworks scrutinised. For filling up the sacred space of their studios with chat and judgements. For being asked endless curious questions.
Those artists who are daring enough to open their work place/studio and have their work on display this is their open studios exhibition at The Convent Art Gallery. Opened on Friday, April 20, just in case for the Easter rush, with a cracker of an opening talk by Stuart Purves.
The idea for this exhibition is for you the punter, to see which painting or other piece of art you like, then check out the map and figure out where that painter or artist lives and go and get to see where the artist actually makes his or her magic.
Personally, I am not in favour of having a bunch of people trampling all over my studio and disturb the contemplative quiet that any artists needs. But then different strokes (so appropriate for any painter) for different folks. So the season for art looking has arrived. The cold outside, warm inside season.
Why do we visit exhibitions? Personally, I make the effort in the hope that I will get high. There is nothing like getting high on art, either in the process of making it oneself, or in the enjoyment of the efforts of others. I visit exhibitions in the hope that I may be stimulated. That my way of looking may be enhanced. That I will learn something new. That I may be introduced to another way. That I may be shown another direction through the intensity/clarity of an artist's looking. An artist's work. I look at art for the same reason I read a book, see a movie or listen to music. To have my spirit enriched.
Entering this year's selection at The Convent, it took a while to arrive in "a place of quiet observation" in this space with so many stories on display. I do appreciate the work which has gone into the curating and hanging of this show. Obviously a tremendous effort.
So that is my point of view for what it is worth. Offered with great respect and love. Best thing always is to go and see this exhibition yourself and then make up your own mind. There is much to be enjoyed. Happy viewing.
