Ching Chung Taoist Association of Australia

Whilst driving my brother to his skydiving adventures towards the Sunshine Coast this weekend, I noticed a brown sign to a Taoist Temple off the Gateway Arterial Road. A return visit was necessary.. and what a surprise.. Arriving just in time, I experienced a ritualistic ceremony whereby the worshipers, dressed in yellow and red gowns, were chanting and pacing through the 4 wings of the temple building. All 4 wings faced towards a courtyard garden where I was sitting.. special. 

4pm ritual at the Taoist Temple, Deagonan offering of apples, oranges and a prima juice box!Taoist Iconography

Mirvac Paper Planes

Lately I've been spending a bit of time in an abandoned lot in the Brisbane City. It's a gem of a piece of land that has an amazing view of the development around it. It's a magical space that is literally littered with treasures and traces of the people that have also discovered it. Every time I return there is something new and strange waiting. Upon the last visit I discovered that someone had made a bunch of paper planes out of Mirvac Hotel reception pads and flown them over the fence! Brilliant. It's sad to think that this space will soon exist only in my memory and of those select few that have also chosen to treasure it.. perhaps out of necessity rather than pure adventurous curiosity. I've been wildly sketching and photo-documenting it.. my sketches are quite chaotic, photos more poetic.. The textures and spontaneous vegetation within, confuse and delight me.

Mirvac Paper Planes

Te waka Dragons

I've just started dragon boat paddling with the Te waka Dragons of a weekend. The boat seats roughly 20 ppl with a steerer at the back. I love it. The adrenalin that pumps through the body is just priceless and paddling in a big crew is a real rush. It's nice to be active on the Brisbane River!

Ross Street boat ramp, Breakfast Creek

life drawing at jugglers art space

Jugglers Art Space in the Fortitude Valley holds life drawing classes of a Wednesday evening. The price is extremely reasonable and the space is very friendly and relaxed. So just turn up at 6:45 for 2 hours of drawing the figure! For more sketches from wednesday click here. 

A big thank you to Peter Skinner and Elizabeth Watson-Brown who generously opened their home to me. What a stunning house and garden. The final piece will be included in the exhibition of the 9th of July. Stay tuned..

Colour Study - St Lucia House by Peter Skinner & Elizabeth Watson-Brown

Update on Friday, May 13, 2011 at 12:36PM by Emily Fong

St Lucia House - Interior Sketch 1St Lucia House - Interior Sketch 2

The Endeavour Ship is docked at Riverside, Brisbane and open from the 28th of April - 8th of May. It was great to see the Riverside walk so active today.

Burleigh Heads

Flexing the sketch muscles after watching the GC Triathlon

Painting on location - Sirromet Winery, Mt Cotton QLD

Layer One - Structure in Oil - now ready for COLOUR

Structure Close-up
Quick colour study in soft pastels

Yahoo for my travelling tripod easel! Today's oil on location was a first for me. Excitment + 

In My Studio - the floors speak to me..

Sirromet Winery, Mount Cotton

Definitely worth a visit. If not for the wine, the beautiful open landscapes that beg to be explored.

Sirromet Panorama 2.5.11