If there was one thing you could tell you’re younger self about how to achieve a good life...
Since my exhibition “Love the One You’re With” began I’ve been lucky enough to have around 20 friends that I’ve not caught up with in ages come along from all around the country and heard from 20 more. The Official Opening is this Saturday 2-4 pm so I’m looking forward to renewing even more connections.
Emerging from the pandemic hasn’t been as easy as many thought. Infection rates are still high (although we don’t talk about it now). It takes a while to realise we’re still not going out to coffee, dinner, live music, theatre and connecting with people as easily as before. This might result in weakening our network of relationships which could have a higher cost than we realise.
Dr Robert Waldinger director of the Harvard study of happiness that has run for almost 100 years says that the study has established a strong correlation between deep relationships and well being. People who are more socially connected to family, friends, community are happier, physically healthier and live longer than those who are less connected.
Having a coffee with my friend Rosie the other day on the banks of the Yarra she said - “You have to work at friendship.” She is right of course, life is a dynamic landscape of habit and change, but we have to keep our eye on what matters and work to keep it. Over time, work, priorities, health people all change. But our deep need for relationships abides. Mark Twain famously said:
“There isn’t time, so brief is life, for bickering, apologies, heartburning, callings to account. There is only time for loving and but an instant, so to speak for that. The good life is built with good relationships.”
I encourage you to reach out to a friend, have a chat, do something together. It could mean more than you realise- for both of you.
Love the One You’re with celebrates, our native plants, place - engaging with where we live and friends.
This video is a celebration of my friendship with Gordon Harvey. Gordon and I have collaborated on creative projects for 7 years and he has been my go too technical support and ‘life’ support. Gordon composed and performed (with others) the music for my time lapse videos and courses. He was chuffed that the exhibition was dedicated to him and a painting made in his honour. He died, adored by family and friends on Oct 23. He was the best friend I’ve ever had and I am stronger for having known him. Vale Gordon Harvey. Our love for you lives.
News
MSWPS had a lovely art day in Kate Herd’s garden in Alphington last Thursday.
The first event atLove the One You’re With at the Hawthorn Arts Centre was ‘Art After Hours’.
The MSWPS Melbourne Society of Women Painters and Sculptors has closed but it was superb - pop a note in your diary for next October to look out for it.
Exhibitions:
The offical opening of my exhibition “Love the One You’re With” is next Saturday 11 November 2-4 at the Hawthorn Town Hall (parking at rear). The exhibition runs until Dec 2.
Hawthorn Arts Centre 360 Burwood Rd, Hawthorn VIC Mon- Fri 10-5pm Sat 12-4pm Closed public Holidays
I have work in the Albert Park College Art Show
Sat 25 Nov: 10-4pm Sun 26 Nov: 10-3pm The Arts Campus, Level 1, 120 Bay Street, Port Melbourne.
If you are in Melbourne you might want to also see the Alphington Open Studios - a chance to see the artists at work in their studios 27-28 Nov, 4-5 Dec. I go every year to see my friend Avis Gardener’s work with Bridgette Foley, Kate Herd, Beatrice Magliotti and more …