The title of this painting was inspired by Redgum’s song “I’ve been to Bali too” sung and composed by John Schumann. A man I greatly admire both for his music and also for his effort to make this world a better place and make us all think.

This artwork depicts the four of us on our first family holiday to the dream island of Bali, I think the kids were only five and nine at the time.  Bryan and I had been to Bali once already, before we were married in our early 20’s. If I remember rightly we went there this time, in the September school holidays and it all came about because of the very miserable school holidays we had in July of the same year.  All four of us  had gotten the flu and spent nearly the whole two weeks sleeping and huddled together in the TV room at the farm. Too sick to do anything much more than venture out to the kitchen and get us something to eat and then just lay and sleep and watch telly, four misery gutses!

THE ART OF RECOVERY

Once we recovered and the kids were back in school I decided we must have a real fun holiday and make some memories together and obliterate that last miserable one from our minds. Bali here we come -our flight was great until the air hostess came around with the drinks service and gave everyone an orange juice in one of those plastic cups with an aluminum foil lid that you have to peel off yourself. Of course little miss Hillivi insisted on opening hers herself and it goes without saying that I thought that would not be a good idea and that I should open it for her.  However in the spirit of diplomacy and for the sake of the poor passengers overhearing this long discussion I against my better judgment let Hillivi open it herself whilst I for one moment turned away to sort out Kai.

ANOTHER ARTISTIC INSPIRATION

What greeted me when I turned back was a little 5 year old girl-covered from head to toe in orange liquid, my- I did not realize one of those containers could hold such a lot of juice as to have her completely dripping wet!  The look on her by now very pouty face was also so priceless that we just could not hold back the giggles as those airhostesses worth their weight in gold came to her rescue with the serviettes and mops!

PICTURE PERFECT IN DARWIN

We had a stopover in Darwin where we headed for the first loo we could find to change Hillivis former lovely blue dress (now orange) into something more appropriate.   Thereafter  we did a few touristy things ; spending quite a bit of time on a crocodile farm which had us all fascinated, seeing the crocks jumping up into the air and catching their food which was dangling on ropes and then having dinner on the Darwin wharf. So back to the airport we go to board our Bali flight, the kids were so excited as it was their first time overseas flying to a new country and we were eager to show them the picturesque island that we had come to love previously.

THE ART OF PERSUASION

But of course it could not be that easy could it-no of course not, now two hours before departure the customs fellow has decided that Bryans passport does not meet the requirements , admittedly there was a small crack on top of the photo as often happened with the old style passports.  However this passport had been sighted by a dozen or so officials at this point before this fellow in uniform full of his own importance thinks that the photo has been tampered with and starts to pick at the edges of the photo with a knife and making holes rendering it way worse.

Bryan gets called in for a full on interview and meanwhile me and the kids are worried sick.  When Bryan finally emerges he has been told that he can travel but does so at his own risk as most likely the Indonesian custom will put him on the first plane back home (the travel insurance would not cover this as now, we had been warned)leaving the kids and I to spend the time in Bali alone.  Fun, fun,fun in the sun,sun, sun-Not!

Well that put a dampener on our spirits, however we decided to give it a try as we have nothing to hide(and nothing left to loose) and with the broadest smiles we could muster got through the custom in Bali without a hitch and spent the holiday doing the one-finger-salute (metaphorically speaking of course) to the customs fellow who nearly ruined a perfectly innocent family holiday.

MUSIC AND ART

Just recently at a Christmas party I got introduced to John Schumann’s lovely wife Denny and proceeded to tell her how John and his Redgum music has inspired my art etc, whereby she ducks away and brings him over.  We had a lovely chat and he is just as inspirational in real life, and to boot –complimentary about my art too.

So all is well that ends well and this next quote by Samuel Johnson (poet and writer 1709-1784) fits well in here, in relation to that nasty customs fellow.

“Fear is implanted in us as a preservative from evil; but its duty, like that of other passions, is not to overbear reason, but to assist it.  It should not be suffered to tyrannize”

Till next time happy painting and sculpting to you all!

Love Marie xxx       (c)

If you fancy a read of another art blog set in Bali here is a link 45.Happy Hour & Art

Why not come and have a look at Marie Jonsson-Harrison’s PAINTINGS FOR SALE, GICLEE PRINTS FOR SALEand SCULPTURES for sale or WALLBASED SCULPTURES.  Enjoy an original artwork on your walls or perhaps one on your bed ARTnBED.

]]> http://mariejonssonharrison.com.au/68-weve-been-to-bali-too/feed/ 1 http://mariejonssonharrison.com.au/47-eat-love-and-maybe-not-so-much-praying/ http://mariejonssonharrison.com.au/47-eat-love-and-maybe-not-so-much-praying/#comments Fri, 01 Oct 2010 02:46:21 +0000 http://www.mariejonssonharrison.com.au/new/?p=1206 BALI & ART

“Bali, Bali, Bali” is what Gus and the Three Amigos sang as we enjoyed one of our last dinners at Shangrila in Candi Dasa.  It is always sad to leave this artist paradise but we finally had to, after much snorkeling, daily massages, eating and drinking cocktails (and eating them out of house and home when it comes to the peanuts I’m sure, as both me and Bryan are self confessed piggy’s when it comes to the fried peanuts with our drinks!)

Now it was time for us to move on closer to Kuta and the shopping stage of the holiday, this painting depicts Kuta Beach and the overseas tourists enjoying themselves.  I painted this when most of the tourists seemed European or Australian; nowadays I think most of the tourists seemed to be from China or Japan, funny how the different trends go.  Kuta is actually looking a little cleaner these days-they have had a rubbish removal program going which is great.  Also the economy has improved a little for the local people so walking down the street is not quite as frantic as it can get with the Hawkers now which is nice.

We stayed at a lovely place called Bali Rich, in our own Villa with a private pool and outdoor kitchen, which is new and in Kerbokian close to where the prison is in Bali.

We walked past on our morning walk and were very pleased that we were on the outside, as it did not look like somewhere that you would like to hang out in.  Could not help but think of the Bali Nine and Schappelle Corby being locked up in there.  Just hope that all the ones that are there, really did do their crimes and are not innocently locked up!

THE ART OF SHOPPING

We shopped till we dropped for 2 days straight- baby girl had sent a list four pages long with her wishes in it, all the designer bags and purses as well as close to 200 DVD’s and lots of other stuff.  We ended up being 6 kg overweight even though at this stage we had already left our walking shoes, a handbag, an umbrella as well as some old clothes behind!  Thank you very much Virgin for being so understanding!!!

This time we didn’t visit the Monkey Forest but if you want to see an artwork and read a funny art blog about our adventures there here is a link 1. Mmm… First Days Art Blog

I of course drove Bryan crazy with all the walking everywhere, but I cannot think of a better way of getting to know your neighbourhood and at the same time get all that exercise we need.  I also have another annoying habit (well I do have an excuse for that being both Celiac and a Vegetarian) which is checking out all the menus as we walk past the different restaurants for just that perfect meal.  Hubby is like-“enough of the walking already, let’s just sit down in the very first place we find and eat mmm.. and drink”  But it is a wife’s job to drive the husband nuts isn’t it? Lol

So I think this qoute by Benjamin Franklin (statesman)

“Wine: a constant proof that God loves us, and loves to see us happy.  Wine makes daily living easier, less hurried, with fewer tensions and more tolerance.”

Till next time happy painting and sculpting to you all,

Love Marie xx

Why not come and have a look at Marie Jonsson-Harrison’s PAINTINGS FOR SALE, GICLEE PRINTS FOR SALE and SCULPTURES for sale or WALLBASED SCULPTURES.  Enjoy an original artwork on your walls or perhaps one on your bed ARTnBED.

Happy Hour or should I say NOT– as I tried writing this yesterday from poolside Happy Hour in Candi Dasa Bali,  but you know how things are you have a sip or two of a nice cocktail and all your cares fly away and any thoughts of what you should be doing suddenly doesn’t seem as important, lol.

This painting was the scenery from my goggles yesterday; we went snorkeling in Amed which is on the East coast of Bali far from the hustle and bustle of Kuta and the merchants peddling their wares haggling and bartering, traffic and tourists, never the less all very inspiring for an artist.

mmm…. ANOTHER PAINTING IDEA

We had rather an eventful  time in Amed, what made me laugh firstly was that we were met on the beach by this very handsome and buff Indonesian man in a cowboy hat and wearing only budgie smugglers (small bathers,LOL) strutting up to us asking if we wanted to go out diving.

He was handsome so maybe snorkelling wasn’t the first thing on my mind!  Now for you people familiar with the movie starring Jennifer Aniston and Ben Stiller called “Along came Polly’, remember the scene on the beach where the very handsome French hunk asks Jennifer (Polly) ‘Anyone for Scuba’?

But you know the old saying “just because you are on a diet does not mean you can’t read the menu, right”, and that’s all I was doing, being a happily married woman and all!

Anyway we had a little relax on some sun beds before summoning up the courage for the snorkelling (I am just a little bit scary cat when it comes to snorkelling) and probably rightly so as it turned out although Bryan tells me it is totally safe and I should not worry!

ART & MOVIES

The underwater life is an totally amazing experience, it is really like being part of a Disney movie, we swam and saw this astonishingly rich underwater scenery with corals and fish in every colour of the rainbow and when I go home again I can feel another painting coming on.

All of a sudden though, Bryan grabs hold of me and says he has just been stung on the face by some tentacles from a jellyfish  as he was unsure of the effects of this creature and thought we better head into shore, as it turned out it was not too bad apart from a little soreness and a red mark.

COLORS OF THE RAINBOW

So off we went again and this time we also saw an eel  slithering along that was bright yellow and blue and orange then I followed this little fish with perfectly iridescent  blue lips around his travels looking for things to eat totally fascinated by the world he lives in.

Bryan decided he had had enough while I was busy watching a rather long black and white sea snake doing lop the lops only centimeters away from me and after a while I thought I would head for shore too.

It wasn’t until I told Bryan of my adventure that I found out this was a particularly deadly kind of snake and maybe I should not have hang around so long to see what he was up too!

If you enjoy snorkling and paintings of underwater naive views here is another art blog for you 149 Art,Lifou and Sharks

So I think this quote by Charles Bukowski  (writer) fits perfectly here.

“The difference between a brave man and a coward is a coward thinks twice before jumping in the acage with a lion.  The brave man doesn’t know what a lion is.  He just thinks he does.”

Till next time happy painting and sculpting to you!

Love Marie  xx

Why not come and have a look at Marie Jonsson-Harrison’s PAINTINGS FOR SALE, GICLEE PRINTS FOR SALE and SCULPTURES for sale or WALLBASED SCULPTURES.  Enjoy an original artwork on your walls or perhaps one on your bed ARTnBED.

I had so much fun painting this painting “Noodles Anyone” which depicts Francis and Putu , a couple who run this fantastic restaurant in the small mid north town of Burra called White Cedars Indonesian  Cafe and Gallery.

ART & BALI

It is the last place on earth that you would expect to find a gorgeous little Balinese place, but once you’ve been there you have to return.

I don’t remember how I was initially introduce to them, but what I did know right away was that I really liked them both and we had so much in common particularly as we go nearly every year to Bali.

They asked me a couple of years ago to have an ART exhibition there for the Sala Festival and a great success it was too, they do not do things by half.

White Cedars was filled to overflowing with people and both the food and the wine were too.  It is the people that make a town great so hats off guys!

You see Putu is from Bali and Francis after spending 32 years as a Primary school teacher built his ultra-modern minimalist dream house at Maslin Beach SA.

Four years later the adventure bug bit and Francis moved to Bali where he met Putu and together they built another dream house but this time in the Balinese traditional style with grass roof and open to the elements surrounded by a vibrant tropical garden, jungle and fast flowing streams and art of course.

They eventually decided to pick up stumps and settled in Burra where despite the cold they have made a wonderful go of it.  So much so that Putu is now becoming a true blue Aussie this coming Saturday.

ARTISTIC LICENCE

On this painting it is Putu dancing on the table in their establishment, he actually does a stunning Balinese performance and has even done so at several major events around the state although I must claim artistic licence to the noodles between the toes, I never did see him do that, lol.

Putu also doubles as the head chef, whilst Francis handles front of house with nothing being too much trouble for his guests.   So if you are in Burra look them up!

This exhibition has now come and gone but went very well and I thank you all for attending Naive View.

Apart from my artworks in the main gallery, there was also artworks on show by the Ladies from the Valley showing Pots ‘n’ Paints and also Parallel 1930 by Gaara Arts showing works by Broken Hill Women Artists.

AUTHOR & jOURNALIST

It is being opened by Nadine Williams, acclaimed international journalist and author of the bestseller “From France with Love” which has now also been optioned to be made into a movie.  So it should be quite a swell affair.  Here is an art blog 101 From France with Love on Nadine.

I know for most of you spread across the world that is way too far to go, maybe next time.

Here is another quote I like by Ernestine Ulmer (writer)

“Life is uncertain.  Eat dessert first.”

Happy painting and Sculpting everyone.

Love Marie xxx

Why not come and have a look at Marie Jonsson-Harrison’s PAINTINGS FOR SALE, GICLEE PRINTS FOR SALE and SCULPTURES for sale or WALLBASED SCULPTURES.  Enjoy an original artwork on your walls or perhaps one on your bed ARTnBED.

This acrylic on canvas board painting is called La De Da Shangrila , it was inspired by my birthday celebrations in Bali. If you look closely at the artwork you will find me in the middle on the balcony in a blue dress drinking a cocktail,my cousin Dan and his partner Johnny are on the left.  Hubby is doing a spot of fishing in the yellow boat and our kids Kai and Hillivi are in the middle on the foreshore waving to you and friends are all around us.

THE ART OF AGING

So another birthday was waiting in the wings, my thought has always been that bring them on-they certainly beat the alternative!! But do they have to come so thick and fast, lurching from one to another without getting a chance to catch my breath?  Just did the big one a year and a bit ago, was feeling quite depressed at the thought – you know would I suddenly lose my sex appeal, age overnight, fall apart, loose my figure, become disinterested in the opposite sex.  My motto has always been as far as the opposite sex goes ‘Just because I am on a diet, doesn’t mean i can’t read the menu, right?lol  Nothing wrong with just looking!  So I thought long and hard about my “Problem” and realized ageing was only just in my mind.  Nothing that drastic had happened to the exterior yet.  I decided there and then, I was not going to do the big 5 0, I was going to turn 25 plus 25.  I went to bed very happy that night and have not felt depressed since, it’s all just a state of mind.  Hope you enjoy this painting La De Da Shangrila of my fantastic birthday party in Candi Dasa in Bali.

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS AND VINCENT VAN GOGH

My darling husband Bryan organized the whole thing, 2 separate 25^th birthday parties two nights in a row, the first party in our favourite restaurant, Vincent (yes the artist) and the other on the roof of our time- share.  We had invited some of our closest friends to come and celebrate with us and our kids of course.  We were 13 all in all, and had the most fantastic time with a big banquet, great band the 3 amigos (which turned into 4)  the wine flowed all night and even a few of the staff joined in the festivities with lots of really mad crazy dancing.  Our guests stayed with us for a week and we so enjoyed showing “our” Bali and its wonderful sights and smells and treasures to our friends.  The night of my actual birthday was spent climbing a volcano, so that we could have breakfast with an amazing view, followed by snorkeling and daily massages and lots of fun and partying.  Lots of inspirations for more painting!

So hey if you are about to turn 50 or any other number- I highly recommend it.  As I said before, it certainly beats the Alternative.

Till next time happy painting and sculpting to you all!

Love Marie xxxx

Why not come and have a look at Marie Jonsson-Harrison’s PAINTINGS FOR SALE, GICLEE PRINTS FOR SALE and SCULPTURES for sale or WALLBASED SCULPTURES.  Enjoy an original artwork on your walls or perhaps one on your bed ARTnBED.

Mmmm First Day First Art Blog, where to begin….Perhaps with my Passions and I have lots, lol, but my two first loves are my Family and Art, and another would have to be travelling. That said, here is my painting of the Monkey Forest in Ubud, BALI, painted perhaps 13 ish years ago, when the kids were little.

MONKEY FOREST AN INSPIRATION FOR A PAINTING

Our holidays have always been fantastic and this was no exception.  We decided to have lunch in this pretty little cafe surrounded by the luscious nature and cute little monkeys, and on one side a rice field.  Our waiter gave us our menus and pulled out the chairs for us to sit down.  It was lunch time but we were the only customers there. Mmm maybe that should have been a clue….

We had just motioned for the waiter to take our order, when a very large male monkey with big teeth came slowly walking into the cafe from the rice field and our waiter very quickly, ran and shut the door behind him to the kitchen.  I told the kids under my breath to “SIT VERY STILL, DONT MOVE A MUSCLE AND DON’T MAKE EYE CONTACT”. So there the 4 of us sat like statues, whilst this teeth baring large male monkey walked very slowly around our table looking very intently at us, sniffing the air, stopping every now and then.  After what seemed like the longest time he finally decided that as we did not have any food or anything else he fancied, he walked around the corner.

Not sure of whether he would come back we sat still for a little longer but now at least we were breathing again.  It took a full 2 more minutes before our waiter with a big broom opened the door and peaked out and asked if the monkey had gone yet- so much for customer relation.lol.  Needless to say we had lost our appetite and found another place for lunch later on. Lol.

ARTISTIC LICENCE

Lucky for me that supplied me with a perfect topic for another painting. I must confess to artistic licence though as the other monkeys were not all inside the cafe.  You will find my son Kai, daughter Hillivi and husband Bryan, in a lot of my artwork. Even thought they are now 22 and 18 I often still paint them as little.  They will always be my little “Sweethearts”.

Here is a thought for you from Oscar Wild to contemplate,

‘They afterwards took me to a dancing saloon where I saw the only rational method of art criticism I have ever come across.  Over the piano was printed a notice “Please do not shoot the pianist.  He is doing his best.” ‘

Hope you come and visit me again.

Happy painting and sculpting to everyone!

Love

Marie xxx

Why not come and have a look at Marie Jonsson-Harrison’s PAINTINGS FOR SALE, GICLEE PRINTS FOR SALE and SCULPTURES for sale or WALLBASED SCULPTURES.  Enjoy an original artwork on your walls or perhaps one on your bed ARTnBED.