So here I sit in my studio painting an artwork for a upcoming overseas art exhibition, the theme of this one is Sydney and it’s skyline which of course makes me think of this painting below that I painted many years ago after we had been to Sydney for a holiday.  If you look closely you will find hubby and I with the kids behind the Monorail driver.  This painting sold in Japan and that is rather fitting as it was in Tokyo during my modelling days that I first became fascinated with Monorails, so it goes without saying, wherever I come across one I want to have a ride.  I have always loved train travel and this love is just an extension of that I think.  Although not all train stories are good, lol here is a link to see what I mean; 179 ART AND CHAINED TO THE RAIL WAY TRACK

Sadly the Sydney Monorail is no longer in operation as it closed this year and apparently 2 of the carriages will be used by Google in Sydney as their meeting rooms.

SIGHTSEEING AND ARTISTIC INSPIRATIONS

However it was a great way to see Sydney and we did many a loop around just as sightseeing trips before getting off and exploring by foot.  Last week’s blog 202 ART, Phuket and Tripadvisor features a painting from the Chinese Garden which you can find in Darling Harbor which was one of the stops on the way.  If you go to the Chinese Gardens do make sure you enjoy a traditional tea in the Teahouse – we sat on the balcony and were joined by little cute birds, a real oasis in a big city.

THE ART OF THE REVOLVING RESTAURANT

Another thing we enjoyed in Sydney was the Centrepoint tower and I have lost count of the number of times we have been there, both as a family and alone.  It has a great revolving restaurant, another thing I love and try to do in all the cities that have them on my travels.   The trick is to go for an early dinner so you can see the city skylines in daylight and then as the sun comes down enjoy all the lights flickering on for a night time experience.

Sydney Tower (Centrepoint) is the tallest freestanding structure in Sydney and used to be the tallest in Australia until Q1 (meaning Queensland Number One) was built on the Gold Coast.  The Q1 used to be the tallest residential building in the world until it lost its title to Dubai and its Marina Torch.  Your mind boggles really to think of what the future will bring with each city wanting to have the tallest building, in the end it will all end in tears I suspect.

THE ART OF THE BUCKET LIST

Sydney Centrepoint is 309 meters tall and sits in between Pitt and Castlereagh Street on Market Street on top of Westfield Sydney.  It comprises of three sections; Sydney Tower Dining, Bar and Dining and Sydney Tower Buffett which includes fine dining, buffet and a function area.  The forth section is the observation deck called Sydney Tower Eye which has a fully enclosed platform with 360-degree of the city as well as a 4D cinema with effects of wind, fire and bubbles.  Love that lol, I am just a big kid at heart!  Then there is the Skywalk; an open air platform high above at a height of 268 meters with glass flooring encircling the tower, this is something I haven’t had a chance to try yet but is on the Bucket list to do when next I go to Sydney.

The Sydney Tower has also been featured in several movies such as Supernova, Godzilla: Final Wars, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie and perhaps the most famous one starring Tom Cruise was Mission Impossible 2.

So keeping the Bucket list in mind, here is quote I like by Nicolas de Chamfort;

“Contemplation often makes life miserable.  We should act more, think less and stop watching ourselves live.”

Till next time happy painting, sculpting and living!

Love Marie xxx

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.