Day 11: Inviting interpretation

I’ve been told that an art work needs to stand on its own once leaving the studio, without my explanation or support. And it’s true. Sometimes my most loved works are the weakest but for me they hold a very personal message or I’ve spent a huge amount of time and energy on them. This is where my sister, Cynthia comes in. She can view a series of work and select the one that will sell first and she’s always right. In saying that today’s image is just a sketch...me thinks I need to purchase some pastels and really start to play.

Day 10: Forever Learning

I’m learning that I have a lot to learn. The more drawing I do, the more drawing I need to do .
I was thinking of the Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama and the fact that I’m going to miss her exhibition at the Tate Modern when I pass through London in early August, but I will be in time to view Damien Hirst’s show, which means I’ll be viewing his dot paintings instead...not quite the same.

Day 9: Words are images too

I keep thinking of other artists and how they would approach rendering a cup of tea. The options are endless, though time is not. The words came about (and this is how my brain works) when the image of Michael Parekowhai’s “I AM HE” sculpture popped into my head, leading to the saying “I think therefore I AM”, which led to me thinking about a postcard I have “I shop therefore I AM”...leading to “I drink tea, therefore I AM” leading to “Words are images too.”
I may never need to draw again full stop

Day 8: The outing

Yay! I think to myself this morning; it’s Friday and time for an outing. I note that Andy Warhol Show is still on and this lead to today’s drawing with a splash of paint. I helped install a Warhol show at the Auckland Art Gallery a few years ago. It was one of the best exhibition openings I’ve been to or was it the mini bottles of bubbles they handed out to be consumed using a straw. Cheers!

Day 7: Salute to the morning walk

I realised this morning that when I started this 100 days project I gave up something to make room for something new. The easiest to give up is always the personal, the thing that requires self motivation and has no effect on anyone else if you don’t do it and also gives you no income....I’m talking about exercise.  So after my cuppa this morning it was on with the walking shoes and out the door. Actually our front door is a lift door.

I’m just going to use my time more effectively. Ha! I’ve been saying that for years.

Day 6: Lest we forget

My Dad, Joe Mooney fought in WW2...in saying that, he was a bachelor until 48; I was born the year he turn 51. Joe came from a different era and sometimes it was hard to understand his behaviour. I know war was a horrific experience for him. To glorify war is wrong …but to remember the fallen is respectful, and an honourable thing to do; and hopefully a reminder that we must work towards peace.

So I thought about my dad this morning while having my cuppa and though he didn’t talk about the war he spoke about the countries he visited while on leave during his time as a gunner. He told me I should visit France, Turkey and Greece. I was only told after his death that he had a lover while in Greece during the war and that somewhere out there I have a half sister.

Day 5: Doodling helps concentration

Up and at it this morning with no time to contemplate my cuppa beyond drinking it and leaving for my practice exam to get a Singaporean Drivers Licence...all went well; 98%, so I’m confident about passing the actual exam on Thursday. HOWEVER, while waiting, firstly with a “coffee white” in the local food court (a very strong Nescafe with condensed milk) and then in the queue to enter the exam room I had the opportunity to DOODLE... oh yeah! Doodles are spontaneous scribbles and this one could continue for a while yet.

Day 4: My mentors

I thought of Allen Maddox this morning, as I often do when I’m drawing. He lived over the road from me on Overtoun Terrace, Wellington (many, many years ago) and he became my friend and teacher. At my first drawing session with him I drew a teapot, perfectly executed and I was very proud of my rendition. Allen got hold of the drawing and screwed it up. He then proceeded to draw on a fresh piece of paper what he saw and felt. The vision of this artist drawing in his wild and expressive nature has remained with me. A lot of what I learnt from Allen was beaten out of me at design school but I found it again when I meet Tom Kreisler years later...but that's another story.

Day 3: Good planets are hard to find

Be gentle with the Earth

Day 2: I drink tea

I drink tea. There's something ancinet about the ritual of drinking tea - and when I drink tea as a mindfulness ritual, I'm connecting with millions of others who have done so over the centuries.

Day 1: Good morning Singapore


Good morning Singapore!