Scotland

The Callanish Standing Stones in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland

One of the very special days of my cruise around the Scottish islands was the day we visiting the Callanish Standing Stones on the island of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland. From the first sighting of the town of Stornoway the day had a magical feel about it.

Mailbag

September 2023 Mailbag

Whizzing around the world the September mailbag contains items from Fair Isle, a book recommendation from Tanzania, new sculptures from Mandurang, Australia, paper sculptures from America and "natural art" from London.

Ships and boats

Wulfran Puget – On the Nickel Run by Robert Carter

The 4-masted barque Wulfran Puget eases along gently at about 5 knots with a fair wind in today's painting by Robert Carter - Australia's leading marine artist.

Women Artists

Margaret Preston – an Australian identity

Today we learn about Margaret Preston, who is one of the most influential and well known Australian women artists, with an identity that lives on today from the early 20th century.

Architecture

The Swan Bells - Perth

The Bell Tower, in the centre of Perth houses the Swan Bells - a set of 18 bells hanging in a futuristic specially built 82.5-metre-high (271 ft) copper and glass campanile. 12 of the bells had resided in St Martin-in-the-Fields church, London – the parish church to the British Royal family.

Celebration

Rosh Hashanah 2023

Greetings to everyone and ... Wishing all my Jewish family and friends a very happy Rosh Hashanah ...

Australian Artist

Hilda Rix Nicholas Wright – Part Two

Form the Australian War Memorial website, we learn about the personal tragedies suffered by Hilda Rix Nicholas Wright during World War One, and how these are reflected in her art after that time.

Australian Artist

Hilda Rix Nicholas Wright - Part One

Today we gain an overview of the prolific art and life of Hilda Rix Nicholas Wright (1884-1961). She is also one of the artists featured in the Know My Name initiative profiling Australian women artists.

Ships and boats

Falls of Clyde – Off the Dagger Ramereez by Robert Carter

This magnificent creature of the sea "Falls of Clyde" can still be seen as it is afloat as a museum ship in Honolulu. But today enjoy Robert Carter's painting of her as she battles the high seas.

Women Artists

“Know My Name” – Australian Women Artists

Following on from the previous work by the National Gallery of Australia to promote women artists, we learn that the earlier exhibition is going to be shown again in Mornington, Victoria.

Seascapes

Westray and Papa Westray, Orkney Islands

A visit to Westray and Papa Westray, Orkney was again a journey back in time as we saw the remains of a Norse longhouse and spent the afternoon enjoying the natural beauty and culture of the tiny island of Papa Westray (known as Papay).

TagCloud Day: Planes

🛬As I travel across the skies Melbourne to London, London to Aberdeen, Glasgow to London and then London back to Melbourne, I thought you would enjoy taking a little time to browse through our past post on planes - mainly thanks to Julie and our beloved friend and team member,

Ships and boats

The Treasures of Lerwick, Shetland, Scotland: Part Two

After clambering all over the ancient ruins of Jarlshof I decided to have the afternoon on board our beautiful cruise liner "Island Sky". I was rewarded with a sail past of tall ships .

Scotland

The Treasures of Lerwick, Shetland, Scotland: Part One

Visiting Lerwick in the Shetlands, Scotland was a magical experience from seeing 5000 year old buildings to witnessing a "fleet" of tall ships sailing by.

Scotland

Beginning the cruise: Fair Isle and Noss Head

Our beautiful ship - "Island Sky" - is small enough to be able to get into the remote indented coastline to see amazing natural beauty and wildlife and to reach places which date back in time thousands of years to the Iron Age. Today - Fair Isle, Shetland, Scotland.

Celebration

Celebrating Father's Day 2023

Celebrating fathers and father figures in our lives.

Architecture

Aberdeen, Scotland: the old and the new through architecture and street art

Spending a few days in Aberdeen, Scotland gave me the chance to discover a little about the history of the city's architecture and to see and appreciate some of the works of the contemporary street artists.

Scotland

Journey around the Scottish islands: Introduction

I have been in the UK since early July and have been lucky enough to travel by small cruiser around the islands off the east, north and west coasts of Scotland. Today I begin to recount this experience which commenced with a few days in Aberdeen.

Cartoons

A cloud a day…. and so much more!

Today we look at the versatile work of illustrator, cartoonist and muralist Chris Judge, who lives in Dublin, Ireland.

Blog

TagCloud Day: Nature

While we take a break a Tagcloud Day featuring AnArt4Life posts on "Nature".

Nature

A cloud named Hector the Convector!

Today we learn about a unique cloud formation that forms regularly off the north coast of Australia - with the unlikely name of Hector the Convector!