ASR – StopPress 165

1) At
Dick’s, who cocks his snoot at his elder and betterer brother
while Maria contemplates another one of her fabulous shortbread
biscuits


2) One
of Tony Irving’s film noir paintings from Beyond the Twilight
Zone 3) Artist Graeme Drendel and Crudd 4) Graeme again with
M&M at the Lindberg Gallery (Lamont)

5) The
corner of the Hotel Jesus Mexican bar that will forever be ours
6) Maria snaps the two cuddly guys over the table
A coupla
days in the life of M&M
18.8.17 – It was last Monday that we popped over to
Dick’s place in Warrandyte North to finally pick up the hampers
of goodies that the Sellers’ donated to us before they left
for the Land of the Long White Cloud. Dick’s on his Todd while
Mary’s away in Arnhem Land and and was cooking pikelets in our
honour when we arrived. He was quite glad to see us (I think).
He’s coming over to the Mount tomorrow night to see by how much
the ABs beat the hapless Wannabes on the telly in the Red Room.
Last night (Thursday) saw M&M poodling into Collingwood
to catch the opening of Tony Irving’s Beyond the Twilight Zone
exhibition at the behest of Hand Made Films’ Peter Lamont.
(pic 6) M and I both liked the work in general and the
one shown here (pic 2) in particular, but no bargains
to add to our collection tonight. Peter was already there and
chatting to another well-known Victorian artist, Graeme Drendel,
(pics 3 & 4) who recognised me as a ghost from
his early days in Ballarat, when Spectrum played at the Miners’
Rest Community Hall to fuck-all people. He’s also played in
bands apparently before settlimg on painting as a way of not
making a lot of money. Peter showed me a sample of Graeme’s
work on his phone later and I really liked it a lot. Peter also
introduced us to another high-profile artist, David Milne, who
mentioned in passing that he’d been commissioned to paint a
portrait of Mick Gatto.
We did get to speak to the artist of the moment briefly, although
the chatter was getting to the threshold of my tolerance and
my attention started to wander somewhat – which was when I realised
the room was stacked with (mostly male) artist heavyweights.
We decided it was time to eat and Peter led us to the Hotel
Jesus, a Mexican bar cum resataurant (pic 5)
in Smith St where we ate a selection of allegedly Mexican dishes
that defied my experience of standard Mexican fare. The bar
was noisy, of course, and I didn’t understand a word of our
authentic-looking waitress’ recommendations – which may explain
why I didn’t recognise any of the food that arrived in front
of me.
Peter’s very good company and we enjoyed chatting the chat in
the Hotel Jesus and then even more chat on the way back to the
poodle. If this is living when there’s no work about, then it’s
not too bad I suppose..

1) Maria
in a buying mood next to Sandie and Philippa 2) Hither and Thither
for the studio 3) Phil’s Drifting Blues
Two
Phils at the Print Gallery
13.8.17 – I’ve met Philippa Riddiford,
Phil Manning’s other half a number of times so I knew she was
an artist, but I’ve never been to an exhibition of her work
before now. Maria received an invitation for us to go to her
current show’s opening at the Printmaker Gallery in Fitzroy
on Friday night and we somehow managed to turn up right on time,
which meant we were the first to arrive by some fifteen minutes
– with the exception of Philippa’s friend Sandie (pic 1).
M was struck at how much more vibrant the colours were in the
flesh and that may’ve
encouraged her to buy
a couple of the smaller prints – and then for me to buy one
for myself !! Unheard of extravagance from me of course, but
then I heard from Laneway’s Vincent Donato that he had also
bought one of Philippa’s works! I think my pic (pic 2)
will suit the studio and maybe even provide some much-needed
inspiration.
Phil (Manning) eventually started playing some gentle blues
(pic 3) but by now M&M were starving and had to
rush out into the night and find a nearby Thai before Maria
fainted.

1) THE
KISS after the tying of the knot in front of the assembled witnesses
2) THE KISS in close-up
Broc
and Kathleen tie another knot
12.8.17 – Two days have passed
and I’ve finally managed to send Broc the crucial videos from
Saturday’s celebration, which means my iPhone is free at last!
This was THE first WEDDING of the year – and it had everything.
The radiant bride, the groom, the merest hint of drama, a cast
that hasn’t been assembled since Broc’s 60th at the same venue
two years ago, the music – especially Keaton’s duo with Broc
– the disappearing heating and even more. The nuptials were
conducted smoothly and with appropriate decorum by the celebrant
(pics) and before we knew it the quite important banquet
and the music part of the gig were under way.