Dardanup Art Spectacular and Art Trail

I very much enjoyed being involved in the Dardanup Art Spectacular and Art Trail held from the 29 April to 7 May, located in and around Dardanup and the beautiful Ferguson Valley in Western Australia's south west.

The annual art spectacular exhibition, and competition, by local and other artists in the Dardanup Hall was the introduction to a nine day exploration of local galleries, wineries, and restaurants showcasing art, crafts and produce from the region, whilst travelling through the beautiful Ferguson Valley. As well as seeing artists at work, some venues also had free musical performances for visitors to enjoy as they sipped their coffee or wine. 

I was very happy to again be invited to set up my pop-up-shop at Lyndendale Gallery on Crooked Brook Road, on Saturday and Sunday of the first weekend of the trail, where I was able to sell some of my photography, photo cards, cushions, tote bags and eco-dyed scarves. A huge thank you to our gracious hostess, printmaker and mixed media artist Denise Gillies, for giving me the opportunity to display my work.  

I had a lovely weekend on the verandah with fellow artists - acrylic artist Christine Blowfield, ceramic artist Tracie Anderson, artist Terry Madgwick, and artist and printmaker Elizabeth Royce, along with the inside exhibitors, mixed media artist Jacky McFarlane, and printmaker and mixed media artist Lynne Mitchell. 

As well as enjoy our chats on the front verandah, I enjoyed seeing these artists creating their works.  

Accompanied by the music wafting from the back verandah from the Bel Canto Singers, Tim Posey, Ruby Blue, Bob Burgess and others! Doesn't this look like a delightful setting to sit back and enjoy.
Along with a lovely bowl of soup and a hot roll at lunch time.

Even the cows came over to take a look over the fence to see what was happening

 And a lovely drive home through the valley at the end of the day.

As I was at Lyndendale all weekend, and busy all week, we decided to take some time out on Monday afternoon to take a drive out through the Ferguson to see "Follies by the Ferguson" on the property of Kim and Simon Wesley at Peppermint Lane Lodge on Wellington Mill Road.

Follies by the Ferguson, now in its third year, is an art sculpture trail set amongst the peppermint trees of their property which always enthralls. Here are just a few of the creative art pieces on display this year.

How about a wine bottle chandelier? You might like to look again at the two on the right. 

Or how about a whimsical up-cycled lampshade created by the group Yarnin' Knitters, with proceeds going to Solaris Care helping those going through cancer.

I hope you have enjoyed this small look at the Dardanup Art Spectacular and Trail. You can find out more and see more of the artworks by visiting their Facebook page here - Dardanup Art Spectacular

Do you have an annual art trail in your area. Perhaps you would like to tell us about it in your comments. Thank you so much for stopping by. I value your comments and look forward to hearing from you. I will try to visit your blogs in return. Have a wonderful week.

I am linking up to the link-ups below. Please click on the links to see fabulous contributions from around the world - virtual touring at its best!
 

Mosaic Monday 
Life Thru the Lens 

Our World Tuesday
Through My Lens 
Image-in-ing
Wednesday Around the World at Communal Global
Travel Photo Thursday 
The Lovin' Life Team over at Lifestyle Fifty

Raindrops on roses

Raindrops on roses I think have suited my mood this past week, and there they were in my garden, like silvery glass baubles glistening on the leaves in the autumn sunlight seeping through the grey clouds.


Autumn has come to my part of the world in Western Australia, and with it has come the rain that we have desperately waited for. It rained in a steady drizzle for several days, a good soaking rain, breathing life into our dry gardens and land.

I used a macro lens and shallow depth of field like F/5 to blur the background. Remember to protect your camera from the rain!

Please click on "read more" to keep reading and seeing more pics. 

Autumn arrives in Western Australia

Autumn has arrived in the south west of Western Australia. Although our Australian native trees are evergreen you can see autumn colour starting to appear in the imported tree varieties that are dotted throughout our towns and countryside.


On the weekend I celebrated the arrival of autumn by joining a water-colour workshop run by Marguerite Aberle at Lyndendale Gallery on Crooked Brook Road just out of Dardanup, about a half hour drive from my home. I had been promising myself to attend one of Marguerite's workshops for a couple of years, and what a joy it was to finally attend. The theme for the workshop was autumn colours.

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Lyndendale in the winter, Ferguson Valley, Western Australia

Today I am sharing some images from around the grounds of beautiful Lyndendale Gallery along Crooked Brook Road near Dardanup where I have been running a basics photography workshop. Last Saturday was mostly theory, and yesterday afternoon was practical - taking pics around the garden.

Lyndendale is such a wonderful creative, peaceful and supportive environment. Thank you Denise for the opportunity to run my photography workshops at Lyndendale.

How about a sit on the porch?

To keep reading and see more pics, please click on "read more" .....