Harold and Stephanie

Some of the amazing subjects in my exhibition.
I thought I'd start with some of the people who do amazing things to help other.

Harold Mitchell - He moved 20 times when he was a kid and his mother walked out leaving his father to bring him and his brothers up alone. Harold has become one of the biggest media sellers around and uses his wealth to help others. He started the Harold Mitchell Foundation that provides enormous amounts of money to support projects in health and the arts. He's also been Chairman of the National Gallery and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Director of Tennis Australia and so, so much more. He even has an extinct fish named after him.

Stephanie Copus-Campbell - Stephanie lives in Papua New Guinea and works for AusAID over there. Every weekend she visits the AIDS Ward at Port Moresby General and gives every single AIDS sufferer there an orange and words of hope and sympathy. She also visits the labor and maternity ward and the Disabled Orphanage. She is a remarkable woman who really makes a difference to people's lives.

The show is launched

I'm finally resurfacing after A Show of Hands opened. (open till August 7)

 It was such a great night and so lovely to see all my wonderful friends and celebrate with them.

I got a terrific photo of all my gorgeous book writing friends in front of the painting of Madge.




Over the next few days I'll post a few photos from the night.
There were lots of amazing people there. Tootsie owned his painting and chatted to anyone who came by.

Tootsie's real name is Ken Atherton. At the age of 19 he was imprisoned for being gay. When he told me I didn't actually believe it could be true. He's 78 now, and does mime drag cabaret acts which he started doing when he was 62.

hung the art today

Just put up all the works today - so much fun seeing a year and a half of work on display and how it all fits together. And also seeing the works out of my studio space and with room around them.
It's been a big day, but I'm really please with how it has come up.I
And I'm now and expert at using a drill and attaching picture wire!!

A Show of Hands - nearly there

It's the countdown to the opening of my exhibition and I'm nearly ready.

Just finishing off the final touches. It really is a bit like a picture book with really big pages I've decided.

I was delighted to find out that Colleen Hewitt is coming to the opening.
She donated an old saw of her fathers for me to paint as a pressent for Harold Mitchell. It was so lovely of her to do it, so it will be great to thank her in person.