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.

Westpac Fremantle VIP Night, 27 October 2010

Delay in Perth this week gave me opportunity last night to attend Westpac VIP Night as invited guest with the Makybe Diva and Tim Winton Portrait Limited Edition Canvas Prints on display.  Caught up with Steve Waugh (pictured) who was keen to know more about the Diva Portrait and Charlie Tranchita (pictured) who was first in to buy the Diva Canvas Edition on offer with part proceeds to the Fremantle Wesley Mission in support of people and families in need.   Congratulations to Sandra Nesci and all the team at Westpac Fremantle for staging such a great night and thanks with deep gratitude to Westpac for the opportunity to be a part of it.

For all the Diva fans and those who are into collectables and fine art investments, there are only 99 limited edition canvas prints of the Diva portrait and we've already sold 11 and the National Tour hasn't even started yet, so if your keen its probably better to make a move now.  Leaving Perth in the Dream Bus on Saturday.

The Dream Bus nearly ready

Getting ready to hit the road in the Dream Bus.  We were supposed to be on the road Monday but the Dream needed a new brake cylinder for the back right wheel and so Zoran at Zeb's is taking care of it.  Revised the schedule today with Jay and Vibodha uploaded it to the website and we now leave Perth on Saturday for the first event in Kalgoorlie on Sunday.  After Kalgoorlie, we take the Dream across the Nullabor to the Grand Tasman Hotel in Port Lincoln for Melbourne Cup Day.  Stoked to be in Port Lincoln on Melbourne Cup day because it is the home of Makybe Diva and we're donating one of the Diva limited edition canvas prints to local ngo Zonta to raise money for charity.  Deep gratitude to Michael at the GT for facilitating this at such short notice.

Power of Paint National Tour Launch, Kidogo Arthouse, Fremantle

It was a beautiful day in Perth yesterday for the POP National Tour Launch and the Dream Bus looked great (see below).  Kidogo Arthouse is one of the most beautiful galleries in Perth, situated on Bathers Beach in what used to be the old kerosine store in the original settlement.  Thanks to everyone who came down to see us and the exhibition before we hit the road.  Those attending the launch include Kelton Pell (pictured below) who has just finished filming the Cloudstreet Telemovie for Foxtel based on the Tim Winton book of the same name.  Kelton enjoyed checking out the Canvas Limited Edition of the Winton Portrait and we did a film interview as well (thanks Kelton).  Also attending were Jon Strachan who organised the successful Concert for Pakistan at the Fremantle Arts Centre Last Weekend.  Photo and film documentation from the Launch will be uploaded to the website soon.  Check out the article in today's West Australian and we'll see you on Tour . . .

Power of Paint National Tour Launch in Fremantle on Sunday 24 October 2010

The official launch for the Power of Paint National Tour is on today, Sunday 24 October 2010, 1 to 4pm at Kidogo Art Gallery, Bathers Beach, Fremantle.

The POP Tour Bus and mobile exhibition event will be parked outside the gallery and additional work will be on display in the gallery itself.

Then on Monday we hit the road for Port Lincoln, being the first stop on a National Tour that will visit over 150 communities around Australia.

I will keep in touch via this blog and also via facebook and twitter.  My website links for information on the tour is: http://michaelleggewilkinson.com.au/nationaltour.htm.

Have fun checking the pages out and contact me anytime.

Kind regards, Michael

Tim Winton, Camp of the Moon - Limited Edition Print

Tim Winton
Camp of the Moon

Limited Edition Prints Now Available

This Limited Edition Print by award winning Australian Artist, Michael Legge-Wilkinson captures acclaimed Australian Author, Tim Winton at Camp of the Moon, the Southern Reach of Ningaloo Reef. Work on the painting commenced in 2006, and now after three years and over 500 hours or brushwork, the limited edition is now available for Collectors and Investors. There are only 450 prints to be released Worldwide, signed and numbered by the Artist. Available Now - Exclusively Artist Direct

http://www.michaelleggewilkinson.com.au/limitededitions/timwinton.htm

National Tour

Power of Paint National Tour Schedule now online:

http://www.michaelleggewilkinson.com.au/tourschedule.htm