“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.

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.