Blessings to Dad

Placed Dad in palliative care today after sitting up him with all night last night.  He is very fragile now, but feeling blessed to have shared so many quality moments with him over the years including many an early morning porridge cookup catching the golden first rays warmth of a winter sun followed by blissful days spent bush walking.  He worked as a land surveyor in the New Guinea highlands and took us bush every chance he got, connecting us young with the spirit in mother nature.  For me, this has been the single greatest influence in my life, setting me on the path of my dharma, which is to share in painting, photography and film the beauty of the world I see around me.  Here's a photo of the last bush walk we did together on Lord Howe Island, April 2010.  And a photo with mum, same trip.  Mum is still very strong and has been integral in helping Dad through the challenges of recent months.  Treasure every moment you get with your parents (and your children). XX Mikey

POP Tour Eye Candy

See below for a glimpse and the last event for summer is being held this weekend at North Narrabeen.  Next week I head back to Lord Howe Island for dedicated studio work and then we'll continue the POP Tour with select events throughout 2011/12.  We'll keep you informed and in the meantime, you can contact me my via mike@michaelleggewilkinson.com.au

Blessings,
Mikey Mike

Dream Bus Studio and Stage 2 Begins

The Dream Bus is not just an awesome exhibition space, it’s a great working studio and I’ve spent the summer working on paintings for east and west coast clients.  Below is a glimpse and today we’ve pulled into North Narrabeen for the first POP Tour Exhibition Event of  2011.   North Narrabeen is a special place where the surf pumps more consistently than just about any other break in Sydney.  We’re exhibiting Lakeside until Tuesday and then heading back to Lord Howe Island.  Stage 2 of the POP Tour will see us doing select events throughout 2011 and we’ll keep you posted.  In the meantime, blessings to everyone for the new year.

POP Tour Highlights from Weeks 4 and 5

Weeks 4 and 5 were big weeks with the Dream Bus visiting Young for the first POP Tour Exhibition Event in New South Wales and then onto Sydney via Canberra.  The highlight of our time in Canberra was meeting with Sonam Dagpo, representative for His Holiness the Dalai Lama to sign the contract for the Dalai Lama Portrait Project.  Also present was Tenzin Atisha Secretary Department of Information and International Relations, Central Tibetan Administration who was visiting from Dharamsala (see photo below with Tenzin on the left and Sonam on the right).  Work on this portrait will commence next year and we’ll keep you posted.  The other highlight was meeting with acclaimed expat Aussie funny man Michael ‘Noodles’ Crameri who flew all the way from the UK to secure one of the limited edition prints of the Tim Winton portrait.  In a moment that captured the spirit of what the POP Tour is all about, I signed and delivered the print roadside, Pittwater Road, Manly (see photos below).   I’m currently in Sydney working on commissions and the next exhibition event is on this weekend at the Narrabeen Lakes Festival, Berry Reserve.  Tashi Delek, Michael

Weeks 2 and 3 Great Ocean Road to Wilsons Promontory and beyond

Whoa, we’ve been on the road three weeks now and since the last posting we’ve held events in Ballarat, Healesville, Daylseford, Geelong, Inverloch, Echuca and Wadonga.  Between events, we’ve  had dedicated photographic shoots in the Yarra Ranges, Tipperary Springs, Cape Woollamai and Wilsons Promontory.  It’s hard to describe the grandeur, except through photos and we’ll be creating and uploading a gallery of the best over the next couple of weeks.  In the meantime, here’s a glimpse of some of the people we’ve connected with along the way.  For more images from the events, go to the event gallery link on the National Tour Main Page at http://michaelleggewilkinson.com.au/nationaltour.htm.

Week 1 From the Goldfields to the Great Ocean Road

From the Goldfields to the Great Ocean Road with exhibition events held in Port Lincoln (Grand Tasman), Port Augusta (Yarta Purtli Cultural Centre) and Warrnambool (Flying Horse Gallery and Brewery), we thank each and every community for welcoming us along the way.  Over 16 hours crossing the Nullabor, the Dream Bus didn't miss a beat (nor use any oil).  The Australian Landscape is the star and below is a glimpse.  Soon we'll upload a photo gallery to share the best with you and one of the key outcomes from the Tour will be a truly national product range of photos, paintings, prints and cards.  Getting set now for week 2 with events throughout regional Victoria and we're going to simplify the schedule again to free up more time for photography and film.  Apologies to everyone affected by schedule changes and to everyone in Tassie, we'll see you next year in April when we'll be able to spend more time on the Apple Isle and really make the crossing worthwhile.  This blog has been written at the cosy and beautifully situated Port Campbell Ocean House Backpackers.  Big thanks to owner, Tom McKenzie, for his great hospitality and service.

First Stop Kalgoorlie, Sunday 30 October 2010

Dream Bus got the new wrap by Signman (see below) and we hit the road early Sunday morning after 3.30am finish on the film edits for the 'In the Flow' multi-media seminar (thanks Lewis).  First stop was Kalgoorlie for an exhibition event at the Mining Hall of Fame and the Kalgoorlie Miner got some photos after running a story the day before (thanks Kalminer).  On the road again tonight for photo shoot tomorrow along the Great Australian Bight and then run to Grand Tasman in Port Lincoln for Melbourne Cup day.