A Tribite To The Tour De France

Hello Art Lovers.

This week a reader of the blog, who missed out on the question and answer session last week, wrote in with their thoughts on one of our paintings.

A Mrs. Teasdale wrote in saying how she was visiting our gallery and saw the most beautiful painting she has seen in some time. The painting was done by one of our local artists, Inessa Ivascania, and it struck Mrs. Teasdale quite deeply. I will post her letter, with her permission, right here in this week’s blog so you can see how things turned out. 

Dear Mr. Carmen, if that is your real name, you can’t be too sure these days.

Anyway as I was about to say before I became side tracked as to the validity of your name, I have some what of a story to tell you concerning the above painting which hangs inside of the Urban Paradise Art Gallery in Surfer’s Paradise on the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia.

I was visiting your lovely gallery about a month ago when I noticed a rather beautiful painting hanging to my left. The colours were so beautiful as was every morsel of detail inside the painting that I could not help thinking of that brilliant bicycle race they have in France every year around this time. Oh what lovely scenery and bright colours line the road side as I watch the race on my television set at home with my husband who always falls asleep during the individual stages and snores like a runaway train. One of these days I’m going to get myself some steel wool and sew his lips together..sorry I digress. Now I am certainly not a woman who lets flights of fancy dictate her every move I’ll have you know, although there was this one time in Jamaica when I met this rather nice bus boy at one of the local eateries but I digress again.

Upon viewing this wonderful piece of art for almost an hour I decided it was time that I stopped watching the race on my television set with my husband and lived a dream I have had for a great many years, I was going to the Tour De France in person mind you.

Well Mr. Carmen, if that is your real name, I had a grand time at the world famous race. I watched André Greipel, my favourite sprinter, win the first of his four stages at Zeeland. 

I travelled all over the beautiful country side, meeting new people and watching this wonderful race. I remember I some how got stuck in the Dutch corner on the last mountain stage on the Alpe d’Huez and had an absolutely wonderful time with the Dutch supporters, all dressed in their orange for William & Mary you know.

I was happy when André Greipel won the sprint in Paris but also a little sad that it was all over. I had such a wonderful time and it was all because of the beauty and realism of the painting I saw inside your wonderful gallery.

I would like to thank the talented artist who painted that masterpiece for giving me the inspiration to travel and finally see a race I have wanted to see for some time.

Good night Mr. Carmen, if that is your real name, and nullius in verba yourself.

Questions & Answer Session

Hello Art Lovers.

This week I will be answering a few questions from you, my adoring public.

I have chosen a few questions from the millions and millions of cards, letters and emails that have come pouring in since I announced I would be answering questions last week.

I would like to thank all you art lovers out there for taking such a great interest in me, this blog and the art gallery.

So without further ado I will now answer your questions.

Mr. A. Moto from Japan writes;

 “I have been reading your blog since January and I really enjoy the beautiful artwork that hangs inside the gallery. I am perplexed however with your now iconic sign off phrase ‘nullius in verba’. Can you please tell me what this phrase means?”

Nullius in verba is a Latin phrase meaning "On the word of no one" or "Take nobody's word for it". It is currently the motto for the President, Council, and Fellows of the Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge. The saying basically means that you should think for yourself and always make sure you have the facts correct. For example if you hear a story in the media, don’t just assume the media has got their facts correct, go out and check them for yourself. It is a motto I live by personally and I think everyone should.

A Mr. Rufus T. Firefly from Hollywood writes;

“Well, Art is Art, isn't it? Still, on the other hand, water is water. And east is east and west is west and if you take cranberries and stew them like applesauce they taste much more like prunes than rhubarb does. Now you tell me what you know.”

Mr. Firefly those are deep and meaningful words and now I will endow you with some wisdom of my own. The secret of life is honesty and fair dealing. If you can fake that, you've got it made.

A Ms. Daphne Blake from Crystal Cove writes:

“The gang and I have read the blog concerning the ghosts that haunt your gallery. We would be happy to come down to the Gold Coast and investigate these hauntings further. The gang is always up for a good mystery.”

This letter was followed up by an email from a Mr. Norville ‘Shaggy’ Rogers, also from Crystal Cove, who writes:

“Zoinks, please don’t encourage Daphne with another far out mystery adventure. We really don’t need anymore mysteries or spooks in our lives.”

Ms. Blake and Mr. Rogers, you will be happy to know that the three ghosts that haunt our gallery are friendly. Furthermore they hold no mystery to us as we have done an in depth article on them and even helped one of the ghosts enter the Next Australian Top Model contest. Thank you for your concern and keep enjoying the weekly art featured in the blog.

We also received a letter from doctors, Egon Spengler, Peter Venkman and Ray Stantz, from New York, concerning some sort of ‘busting’ procedure for our in house ghosts. To these three fine doctors of science I say that we love our in house ghosts and they most definitely do not need any kind of ‘busting’.

Finally a Mr. Rick Blaine from Casablanca writes;

“Delphine and I were friends in another life, during the second world war. She came and saw me in Casablanca last night to tell me that she has fallen in love with Ajax. I just want to congratulate her on her upcoming marriage to Ajax. They are very much in love and belong together. I’m saying this because it’s true. Inside of us, we both know you belong with Ajax. You’re part of his work, the thing that keeps him going. If that plane leaves the ground and you’re not with him, you’ll regret it. Maybe not today. Maybe not tomorrow, but soon and for the rest of your life. We’ll always have Paris. We didn’t have, we, we lost it until you came to Casablanca. We got it back last night. Here’s Looking at you kid.”

Thank you for all your responses, I’m sorry I could not get to them all today.

Perhaps we will have another question and answer session in the future. Until then keep enjoying the art and most important of all, nullius in verba.

New Art At Your Favorite Gallery

Hello Art Lovers

It is time, once again, for the most celebrated blog on the internet to publish.

While you’re waiting for that blog to publish, why don’t you have a look at this blog and enjoy some new art from some great home grown artists.

Next week I will be taking questions from you, my adoring public, about art or anything else you might want to ask me.

Until then, enjoy the art.

Nullius in verba.

Two works by Adam Stanley.

Sculpture by Fred Berjot.

Here is a lovely painting by Jeannie Holroyd.

Art by Joe Atencia.

New centrepiece for our little gallery.

Beautiful art by R. Edwards.

Delphine, Australia's Next Top Model?

Hello Art Lovers.

As you probably know, the hit television series Australia’s next top model, is over.

We would like to congratulate Brittany Beattie, the winner of this year’s competition.

As you art lovers know our gallery is currently being haunted by three ghosts from abroad.

Well it seems one of our in house haunters would like to try out for next year’s show.

Delphine, our French ghost, believes she has what it takes to be Australia's next top model.

She had me take a series of pictures around the gallery to send to Alex Perry, so he could see how beautiful she is and all of her unique and different poses.

I decided to share these pictures with you on the blog so you could bask in her ghostly glory.

Nullius in verba.

Looking beautiful in front of Adam Stanley’s art.

Working the camera in front of art by Brad Key.

Alex is going to love this pose in front of art by Cyrille Philippot.

She really looks great hovering in front of work by Inessa Ivascanin.

This is the ever popular, ‘don’t look at the camera’, pose.

She is killing this photo shoot while standing in front of art by Paul Colby.

Paul Parker art & the next Australian top model.

"Alright Mr. DeMille, I'm ready for my close-up."

Delphine feels she stacks up to Fredric Berjot's Venus.

Delphine and I. I’m keeping my distance, her boyfriend is the jealous type.

Better Quality Photos From Cyrille Philippot

Hello Art Lovers.

I am happy to report that I have been sent better quality pictures to show you concerning artwork by Cyrille Philippot.

In these pictures you can really see the detail of his master workmanship.

Enjoy.

Nullius in verba