December 14, 2011

Artsy Day in the Country

Last Sunday I spent an artsy day in the country. The weather was cool for the first week of summer, but the sun was shining and it was beautiful (for me). My artist friend Jacky and her friends had their exhibition opening at the Lillico Glass Studio in West Gippsland near Warragal in Victoria. It was a nice drive into the country and only took an hour from our house. I was pleasantly surprised when we arrived to find the gallery was set in a lovely garden. Outside the property was a cattle farm with cows mooing along enjoying the green grass at this time of year.


The entrance into Lillico Glass Studio was through the opening in the hedge. The climbing rose was in full bloom for everyone to enjoy...


Once inside you walk through different types of paving. The owner Haydn John has his glass studio/workshop at the end of this walk. What a place for the studio!


Here is my artsy friend Jacky talking to some of the visitors. There was a big turnout that day. Finger food and beverages were plentiful for everyone to enjoy. 


One of Jacky's prints the famous Sunshine Owl I am so proud of her. Jacky sold most of her work that day. I bought some of her beautiful Christmas and greeting cards to be used this festive season.


This beautiful blue button necklace was part of the exhibition. It's such gorgeous creation from the simple buttons. I would have loved to get it, but I rarely wear jewellery, so it's no good for me! 


This cheese cutter set is the work of Haydn John, the proprietor of the gallery. They are made from wine bottles pressed down on flat boards. I think it's such a cleaver design. I got one for a Christmas present. 


The garden contains many interesting and artsy objects for people to enjoy, like this bench made out of cart wheels. 


And this is an old Australian public phone booth. I was told that not too long ago (pre-mobile phone) you could find them everywhere in Melbourne. I am pleased to see one in this garden.


While I was walking in the garden I came across this tree. Sorry I don't know the name. It was dark purple with lovely glossy leaves. I borrowed a couple of branches (the bottom branches) for eco-dying. On the right is the result from the leaves. I love how it turned out. I might have to have one of these trees in my garden. Nothing like having your own dye plant in your backyard!  

I have been indigo and eco-dyeing a lot lately. I will show them to you on my next post. I haven't spent much time on my blog lately. Life is getting in the way of blogging, so sorry if I haven't visited many blogs recently. 


Enjoy
Nat

18 comments:

Queen Of The Armchair aka Dzintra Stitcheries said...

What a lovely gallery Nat and a beautiful garden...here the weather is cool too...We used to have one of those phone booths back in Bathurst...Dzintra xo

Janet said...

I was admiring the garden too Nat, what lovely art pieces on display as well. The colour of your dyed piece is gorgeous, you definitely need that plant.

deanna7trees said...

beautiful garden entrance. thanks for all the views. your dyeing turned out beautiful. you must have some huge stash of dyed fabric by now. it's hard to stop, isn't it. i'm planning on doing some more today with the tin cans.have a great day.

Anonymous said...

love your new header. what a beautiful garden, if you find out the name of the tree let us know. enjoy your summer, it is cold and grey here.

Needled Mom said...

What a beautiful garden!!! I love the way the tree branch dyed out. Yes, you do need one of those in your garden!

Merry Christmas to you and your family.

Nedra said...

I really admire the blue button necklace, but rarely wear jewelry too. Thanks for the arts tour.

ria vogelzang said...

I love your pictures!! That was a wonderful exhibition!

blandina said...

Very nice, I envy you because you have all these interesting crafty artsy exhibitions, so rare in this country! How much creativity, I enjoyed all your pictures, and congratulation for another interesting successful eco-dyeing experiment!

Lis Harwood said...

Now I do wear jewellery so I'm glad you all left that button necklace for me ha ha The rose in the garden is exquisite and I love that bench, what a great day out Nat and eco-dyeing in addition.

Jeannie said...

I could move in to that garden and studio in a flash. So beautiful and your new banner and cloth are wonderful. Enjoy your day!

sheila at shecological said...

Sounds like a fantastic day! I love the garden and your friend's art is super cool! congrats to her!

kaiteM said...

what a lovely garden, thanks for the tour.

Anonymous said...

Hey Nat, wonderful photos of the gardens at Lillico...very special place isnt it?
Thank you so much for coming out for the exhibition, it was such a fun day. Lovely to have my 'arty' friends there.
I will have to go and check out that tree when I'm out there next. I will try and find out the name for you.
Love to you...

Jacky xox

Bev C said...

Hello Nat,

Oh waht a great place to visit. Loved the garden pictures. Toodyay and York still have phone booths like that in their main street.
Happy days.
Bev.xoxo

Peggy said...

I love it when you take us with you, Nat! Oh how I wish I was there in the country with you & Jacky that day. I liked seeing Jacky's work and those pressed wine bottles for cheese and your eco-dye results, very cool! Enjoy these first beautiful days of summer, Nat....great banner photo, too! xo

ParisMaddy said...

Joyeux Noêl! to you, dear Nat.

Your art day, and setting, looks fabulous. The gardens were certainly welcoming.

Here's hoping you have a full and rich holiday season. xoxo

Terry said...

Always nice to have a day out. Looks like it was a grand day out.

MulticoloredPieces said...

Hi, Nat. Nice photos and there's some lovely artwork. Your posts are always interesting. Happy holiday stitching!
best, nadia

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