We had a fabulous party at Glaskins Gallery on Friday night. Garry, Lyn, Jason, Karen and Chrissie were wonderful hosts, as they were last year. Kerstin and Lexi from Collins Booksellers at Smithfield set up a lovely display of Shattered Sky and Wings of Fear (Border Watch). Chris Chua’s beautiful paintings made a stunning backdrop and reminded us all that Valentine’s Day is just around the corner.

Thanks everyone for making it such a great night. I hope you enjoy the story

Me with Kerstin Brown (Collins Booksellers) and Jenny Gibbs(Hachette)

Team Glaskin in a strategy huddle

My Navy expert, Justin.

Avril, Alan and Tony from Trinity Beach

Who knew I was so short... Robert, Mark and Chris

Thanks to everyone for celebrating with me!

So far the list is manageable, but I know there’ll be the last minute hiccups. First stop will be Collins Booksellers at Smithfield because when the wet season arrives you can never had too many books. Next stop Vivienne Francines because a girl can never have too many tops (it’s that wet season excuse again…). Zonky Plonky usually has gorgeous soaps and quirky cards then I’ll wander around a couple of wine merchants, chocolate shops and plant nurseries. On the way home it will be off to Glaskins Gallery for a final browse.

Glaskins has been running art courses all year for the Trinity Picininis and their work is on display over Christmas. Whimsical children’s art always makes me smile. I’m also a sucker for the hand painted book marks and Tanya Sarianti’s delicately painted ceramics. If you’re a tea drinkers then there’s nothing more beautiful than one of her teapots!

Then it will be home to wrap them all. Tomorrow, I plan to put my feet up and relax before we head south on Christmas day for a flying visit to my mum in Brisbane for lunch and dinner. My brother and his family are joining us so it should be fun. My sister and her family are rugged up somewhere in the deep cold in the UK at the moment and their Christmas will be very different to ours!

I hope your Christmas is full of family and friends where ever in the world you’re celebrating. 2011 will no doubt be busier than this year so I wish you a safe and happy New Year and all the best for the twelve months ahead.

Mum and Me!

My elderly mum (she’s 88!) is visiting from Brisbane. She was unwell at the start of the year and couldn’t be in Cairns for the launch of Border Watch. I missed having her there as she and Dad were so integral in developing my love of books and writing.

Today we had coffee at Glaskins Gallery. She met Garry Glaskin who, as always, was busy hanging artwork. Karen made us a lovely coffee and cake, and we soaked up the ambience.

Mum probably won’t make it north for the release of my next book either so it was special for me to be able share the afternoon with her.

Christopher's paintings

Garry and Christopher rearranging the latest arrivals

When I write the world retreats and becomes white noise (ask my oh so patient husband…). I know I pull faces that mirror my characters actions, as they journey through a scene. I’m probably even guilty of sticking my tongue out now and then when a particularly recalcitrant phrase is eluding me. I also know, when I’m reading a book that I can’t put down, I end up in a similar zone.

Perhaps it’s a luxury that our busy lives don’t allow anymore. How wonderful to be a child and feel none of that urgency and pressure, but just the joy of creating to the exclusion of all else.

For anyone wanting to see some wonderful children’s art, then Glaskins Gallery should be on your list for Tuesday 16th June! I wish I could be there but I’ll be in Sydney… Enjoy the talent!!

Glaskins Gallery and Trinity Picininis of Aboriginal Creative Art invite you to the first exhibition at 5.30 pm on Wednesday 16^th June, 2010, of our “up and coming” child artists, aged four to nine.

The exhibition will feature works by the Trinity Picininis of Aboriginal Creative Art children. Our aim is to create and teach our children about Aboriginal and Hawaiian culture by means of art, story telling and music and to link the old ways into modern times.

Other local Cairns artists Thomas Storrie, Pat Lynas and Tanya Ashworth will also be exhibited on the night.

Two of the student artists’s mural pieces will be auctioned on the night to assist funding of further programs developed by Trinity Picininis for our children. The artwork is available for viewing at the gallery and pre-bids will be accepted. A reserve price has been set by the seller.

Teacher Facilitators, Mr and Mrs Trevor and Olivia Peckham and Mr Garry Glaskin, will be attending, to promote the program to new participants.

The artwork will be on display for one week at the gallery, before the child artists take home their pieces.

Please RSVP by 10/06/2010 if you will be attending. 6 1 (7) 4057 4200   Mobile : +61 (0) 438 924 838

Garry, your full name is a little unusual. What are its origins?

My given and adopted name is Garry Kalika Flange Irukandji Llewellyn Glaskin, my heritage being Wardani Bibbulum Aboriginal tribes of SW Australia.

You set up ‘glaskins gallery’ at Trinity Beach, but I understand you have other business interests as well.

That’s right. My companies are The Flange Company Pty Ltd located in Perth and Brisbane, ‘glaskins gallery’, and Trinity Picininis of Aboriginal Creative Arts, also located within the gallery. I moved to Cairns with my family in 2007, with a plan of retirement.  Hold that thought! These days I find myself on an unexpected long spiritual journey of Trinity and Atooi and working 24/7, whilst traveling constantly, much the same as you do, Helene.

I’d noticed your schedule is even more hectic than mine – you must have racked up some serious frequent flyer points…

Tell us a bit about the artists whose works hang at the gallery.

‘Glaskins gallery’ features art by my brother, acclaimed Aboriginal artist, Derek Dingo Glaskin, who has resided in Kauai, Hawaii for over 30 years. Also featured is my beautiful mother, artist Lyla Joan Hume of WA, often referred to as the white noongar. We have several other local Indigenous artists featured and the gallery is very much becoming the central hub of Trinity Beach Cairns.

I love the artwork by Thomas Storrie and of course local artist Tanya Sarianti Ashworth! And I understand you have some exciting news regarding your cultural initiatives.

Yes I do have some exciting news. On August 21st, 2009, Derek Dingo Glaskin was appointed the Ambassador – Minister of Aboriginal Arts and Culture to Australia for the Polynesian Kingdom of Atooi – Hawaii Kingdom by Ali’i Nui Dayne Aleka Aipolani.

I myself, also an advocate of Atooi, will soon be appointed Cultural Ambassador to Australia, and will work closely with family and friends in Hawaii in the reconciliation and land ownership rights of the Atooi people, much the same as here in Australia with our Aboriginal people.

And your initiatives at the gallery?

Gary and the art class

Along with my Aboriginal brother, Trevor Peckham, and his wife, Olivia, I’m helping to set up Trinity Picininis of Aboriginal Creative Arts in Australia, which devotes it’s artistic expertise to the re-education of our children in Aboriginal Trinity and Polynesian Atooi lore through art, music, film and story telling.

Art and Cultural Classes are regularly held in the gallery for children as young as 4 year olds to young adults.

Contact numbers can be obtained through the website, www.glaskinsgallery.com.au.

Kangaroo sketches

I’ve seen some of the work the children have produced and it’s amazing! Trevor’s enthusiasm is infectious and he has so much share.

Yes, the journey has started and the story telling will enlighten all. You can find more details about Atooi ~ The Light of God in ancient Polynesian at www.atooi.net

Also I’d like to send love to our son, Jason Lee, who has just been diagnosed with severe Hypertophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM). His AFL aspiration may be over, but he is still a champion and will journey with me.

Aloha and Mahola.

Garry, I’m sorry to hear about Jason’s illness. I know you and your family will help him through this with much grace, big hearts and loads of support.

Look forward to chatting with you next month.

An impromptu afternoon coffee session!

Friday night was amazing – so many smiling faces, so many good wishes and so many wonderful friends! I felt as though I air-kissed everyone and talked to no-one. I signed a stack of books and wished I written something more meaningful in each and everyone of them. My voice decided to disappear and I wish my tears had done the same thing… (You all know I have weak tear ducts…)

Jenny Gibbs, Garry Glaskin, Andrew Brown and me!

Garry Glaskin, his family and staff were superb. The drinks flowed, the canapes kept coming and the evening ran smoothly. Thanks to the whole team – you’re fantastic!

Kerstin and Andrew (but you always be Peter to me!) from Collins Booksellers at Smithfield were sensational. They’d only just returned from holidays, and it was also Andrew’s birthday, but they came and supported Border Watch. Then they lugged home what didn’t sell and set up a wonderful display in the front window of their bookstore! Thanks guys!

Jenny Gibbs from Hachette did a great job of keeping me calm, organising things in the background, helping to set up and providing general all round support. Bernadette and Fiona, you have a wonderful employee – treasure her!

Collins Booksellers, Smithfield

My brother, Graham, and nephew, the gorgeous Andrew, ran my blog for the night and Skyped Mum in Brisbane so she and my nieces, Sophia and Libby could watch the proceedings. Unfortunately we didn’t manage to patch through to France where my sister, Bron, hubbie Terry, my niece, Rebel, and nephew, Wolfie are living. Instead they gate crashed with an email (which started the tears)and followed that up with a stunning bunch of flowers.

My nephew, Andrew

My ever patient husband took a day off work to lug eskies, fridges and food, to pick up visitors, top biscuits with salami (and he did very well to not eat every second one…) and run endless errands. Thank you – you know how much you mean to me.

Then there were the guests! You came, you chatted, you made my night! Thank you – put March 4th, 2011 in your diaries and we’ll do it all again next year for Beyond the Borders!

xxx

Helene

Ned Kelly at Glaskins Gallery

And of course, while everyone can be a fan, someone has to wear the number 1

Her biggest fan

And we all love you too Helene. And Morgan and Rafe and all the rest of your progeny. May there be as many of them as there are Neds.

Brother Graham

Rachael, Rhonda and Francine

Francine, from Vivienne Francine’s, is responsible for designing Helene’s stunning dress and Rhonda and Rachael, from Rhonda’s Beauty Spot, are two beauticians who know how to work miracles.

When you are an author you need to do your research. Helene has never flown a customs plane, so Mark Bonthorne showed her around one.

Mark Bonthorne and Mrs Bonthorne

Helene has taught a lot of people to fly, including Dana who flies 737s and flew to Cairns for the function.  With her are Captain Tash and Sim Training First Officer Cassie and the bloke in the middle is Graham (Helene’s husband).

Tash, Graham, Cassie and Dana

Jason Glaskin, son of Gallery entrepreneur Gary helped-out on the night, free of charge. It was also his birthday. He might have been cheap, but he wasn’t unrewarded. Helene shouted him a sumptuous chocolate birthday cake.

Jason Glaskin with Linnie Glaskin

Helene spoke last holding a bouquet of flowers from mum and Bronwyn, and Dad. (Dad died four years ago, but his spirit lives on, and as he was the author of a couple of unpublished manuscripts, so does the tradition).

The name that launched her first book - Helene

Helene was preceded by Gary Gaskin, the owner of the gallery and Jenny Gibbs from Helene’s publisher Hachette (two French names in the one paragraph).

Jenny Gibbs (Hachette) Gary Glaskins (Glaskins Gallery)

The balloon goes up at 5:30, we arrive by by 5:15 but there’s already a crowd of 40 here by 5:00 p.m. Where’s here? Here is Glaskins Gallery at Trinity Beach, home to Aboriginal and Polynesian art. Oh, and I’m Helene’s brother, as distinct from the other Graham who is married to her.

Glaskins Gallery, Trinity Beach, venue for the launch of Border Watch