Plenty of art today, and time to play with photo montages. My wrist has had enough, it’s time to read my book … or something.
Author: Catherine Barker-Sheard
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An art day to soothe my soul
There’s nothing like a day getting messy to soothe my soul. I have cut new leaf stencils and masks, cut a Heartagram stencil, inked and layered and glued and… I am really enjoying this larger format landscape journal. The pages stand up well to the way I work and I like having more room to ‘do stuff’. I just wish my wrist was stronger, but it’s getting there.
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Remembering Dad
It’s 22 years today since Dad died unexpectedly, a month before his 66th birthday. He retired at 60 and spent his days helping farm mates, pig and deer hunting, and going fishing. He and Mum made 3 trips to Asia once he retired. He was a busy, and seemingly fit, man.
He went fishing at Waverley Beach one Sunday morning and had a massive heart attack. The young man next to him did CPR but had to leave him to get help and, by the time he got back, Dad’s heart had stopped again. As bad as we all felt for the young man who had tried so hard, I’m pleased Dad did not survive. He’d have hated being a patient, being told what to do, being incapacitated. As Mum used to say “Mansel got it right, he just died ten years too early”.
So today, and every day, I remember him with love. He was a hard working, patient man who gave huge bear hugs. I miss him.
Dad teaching me to ride his motorbike. 
Mum and Dad’s wedding. 
Able Seaman D M Barker 
Dad receiving a Lions Club award. 
Taken after a swimming competition. 
Dad and granddaughter Jenny. 
Dad and I on holiday somewhere. 
Mum always used to say I was whispering secrets to him. Corduray overalls, knitted cardigan and bare feet! This is one of my favorite photos and probably the most like how I remember him. 
Feeding ducks with me at Virginia Lake in Wanganui. 
Me, Mum & Dad, and Marion Scott, Palmerston North 1967 
Ailsa and Jim’s wedding. Mum, Ailsa, Jim, Dad, me in the front. Share this:
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2012 as a blogger
600 people reached the top of Mt. Everest in 2012. This blog got about 6,300 views in 2012. If every person who reached the top of Mt. Everest viewed this blog, it would have taken 11 years to get that many views. In 2012, there were 57 new posts, growing the total archive of this blog to 559 posts. There were 129 pictures uploaded, taking up a total of 190 MB. That’s about 2 pictures per week. The busiest day of the year was June 10th with 177 views. The most popular post that day was New home office / art room.
These are the posts that got the most views in 2012.
- 1 Full moon 6 COMMENTS August 2008
- 2 NZ Art Guild Challenge – ‘where the wild things are’ 3 COMMENTS January 2010
- 3 Crusade 61: end of an era 9 COMMENTS April 2012
- 4 Crusade No. 60: Honor what you love 7 COMMENTS February 2012
- 5 Crusade No 59: turn to-do into ta-da! 5 COMMENTS January 2012
Visitors came from 98 countries in all! Most visitors came from The United States, New Zealand and the United Kingdom were not far behind.
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Image transfers for Legato work
Do you like my new tattoo of Dad? It looks a bit wrinkly because of the gladwrap over it to protect it as it heals.
No? Okay, you’re right. I’m too chicken to get a tattoo, and Tony has enough for both of us!
Yesterday I mentioned that I have a plan in mind for new Legato works. The plan involves image transfers. Yesterday I did some laser copies of photos from WWII of Dad in uniform then gave them two thin coats of Golden’s Clear Tar Gel and left them to dry well overnight. Today I soaked one really well then rubbed most of the paper off the back. I let it dry to see how much paper pulp was left then soaked it again, and draped it over my arm so I could use my other hand to gently rub more paper pulp off. I find having it on my arm means fewer creases in it, and I can feel how much pressure I am applying – rub too hard and the image gets damaged. I’m pleased with it so far – it’ll be interesting to see if it is totally clear once it’s dry.
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Cath Sheard Art 