May 2012 Blog
What a busy year I have had. After finishing the BHP program in North West Queensland last year, I have started working with Deadlee Maardars on their Maaree Bing project for Father’s inside. This program The Brothers Inside program was to meet the needs of inmates who looked for support and information on their role and rights as a father whilst inside. The program was developed from the Engaging Fathers Project with the Indigenous communities. The program was piloted at Cessnock Correctional Centre, N.S.W. in November/December 2004.The age of participants ranged from 18 to late 40s and the number of children ranged from one to nine.
Our pilot program for Queensland will start in May. With the election and the planning the program has been slow to start.
While waiting for the program to start, I have been busy painting for my next two Solo exhibitions. The first starts in Armidale at the Cultural Centre on Friday 25th May until July 2012. The second of these will be at the Stanthorpe Regional Art Gallery on December 6th 2012 until the end of January 2013.
It has been a couple of years since I exhibited in Armidale, and I am looking forward to going back. The exhibition in Stanthorpe will be particularly exciting, as I will be exhibiting as a tribute to my beloved Grandmother Ellen Bell. The family is also keen on the exhibition and have organised a reunion to coincide with the exhibition.
I will be exhibiting 20 pieces of Artwork at each of these exhibitions, most of it new work that depicts my connection to the Dreaming and my ongoing journey.
I celebrated 65 year birthday on Sunday 12th March just gone. We had the best day. My wife Wendy sent out invitations to 80 of our friends and family, and 75 of them was able to come. We hired a venue room at the Hotel on the beach front at Redcliffe, with food and activity - a good time was had by all.
I have been told that the older you get the busier you get. Well that is the truth. I am continuing with my workshops at the local schools, for the wonderful ladies at the Local and State Library, and for Queensland Rail. I am sure in the future, I will decide to collect my wife and caravan and drive off into the wild blue yonder – but for now it is head down and keep busy.
