The Amalgamation

Tuesday 6 May 2008 2.57 pm

Trapped in the suburbs…

but thinking about the beach!

For anyone who’s concerned, here’s a quick video from a group of people seeking to protect native Australian rainforest from logging in the Gippsland region of Victoria.

Photography, Lomo L-CA+ 35 mm film scan, June 2008.

A multiple exposure showing both my face and my feet.

Photograph, Lomo L-CA+ 35 mm film scan, June 2008.

Looking out the window, what did I see? Two kids kicking a soccer ball into a tree.

Photograph, Lomo L-CA+ 35 mm film, June 2008.

This is a double exposure showing both a young girl and the television show she was watching at the time.

Graphite pencil on tinted paper, May 2008.

Saturday 26 April 2008 approximately 1pm

Yesterday - took a trip to the country. The cows were feeling agitated at us snapping photos of them. So, when one cow sneezed, the other leapt into the air in fright.

P.S. Is it a-choo or a-moo?

Monday 22 April 2008 9.15 am

Yesterday, we went into the city to see an exhibition of mediaeval illuminated manuscripts. It was fun seeing all the people dressed up in costume - and the armoured knight whacking children with a foam sword.

Tuesday 8 April 2008 approx 3.00 pm

Sigh! Feeling full of inspiration but something seems to get lost in the translation from my head to the finished product.

Saturday 29 March 2008 8.55 pm

Nothing like spending all day at a soggy music “festival” only to have it washed out an hour before your favourite band.

Australian Accredited Green Energy Information:

http://www.greenpower.gov.au/

We’ve got a few of this company’s pillows. They’re very comfortable and been helpful in reducing polyester in our house.

http://www.aussiewoolquilts.com.au/

Friday 28 March 2008 11.20 am

I’ve somehow managed to score a ticket to a punk / indie music fest tomorrow. Unfortunately I’d long since thrown out my black punk wardrobe from 10 years ago. Hmm… I’m probably going to look right out of place.

- me, t-shirt and high pants

- a non-conformist looking at me like I’m a freak

Hmm, time to buy some clothes?

Some links to information on nuclear energy:

http://www.greenpeace.org/international/campaigns/nuclear - Greenpeace

http://www.antinuclear.net/ - antinuclear Australia

http://www.seventhgeneration.com/

We’ve been using their kitchen cleaner and bathroom cleaner sprays.

Pencil on tinted paper, June 2008.

Isaiah 44:3-4 (Today’s New International Version)

For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants. They will spring up like grass in a meadow, like poplar trees by flowing streams.

AllergEnd Plus bedding covers have been of great benefit to us. We use their Plus range because it is cotton. As some members of our household have been diagnosed by an allergy specialist doctor as having polyester allergy, we generally opt for 100% cotton bed linen.

http://www.allergend.com.au/index.htm

…a rainy day. Really, we need more of them. It’s been raining a lot during the last hour or so.

http://weather.ninemsn.com.au/vic/melbourne/

at 16:19 EST

temperature
12.0°C
falling
dew point
7.6°C
rising
relative humidity
74%

feels like
10.6°C

wind
N 12km/h
falling
wind gusts
22km/h

pressure
-

fire danger
2.0 Low

rainfall since 9am/last hr
0.2mm / -

Photograph, June 2008.

Taking a drive on a coastal / rural road one gloomy afternoon.

Due to the high levels of allergy problems in our household, we’ve had to look into finding products and brands that will help. So, lately I’ve been switching to plant-based, organic, petroleum-free products.

Here is a Victorian-based company whose cleaning products and haircare products I’ve been using recently:

http://www.naturesorganics.com.au/

I’ll add more products as I find them. I’m not into all this commercial stuff, but if it can help other allergy sufferers, then it’ll be worthwhile.

(Disclaimer: Check the ingredients on the labels for yourself. No responsibility taken for anyone following these links.)

Copyright F. Lokot 2007

Graphite pencil on paper, August 2008.

This was drawn at a time when I was quite ill, and the medication caused significant weight increases. It was an awful time, and I hope I don’t experience anything like that again. There was a time when my figure was not far off the body shape of the girl in this drawing, so it was something of a shock to have such rapid weight gain, when, aside from pregnancy, I had never experienced that before. Sigh!

Copyright F. Lokot 2008

Photograph, May 2008.

Looking out across the front fence, I espied this stripy couch on the roadside. Either it was picked up by a garbage truck, or it was stolen by the individuals who travel around scavenging junk from people’s front nature strips (the grassy bit next to the footpath).

I’ve been reading a book about comic book illustration (1), and was amazed at how a hero can be represented by the shape and style of his / her appearance. Qualities including nose shape, muscle build, the shape of the neck, even the back, they all contribute to identifying the hero by appearance alone.

Being one of those individuals who tends to think too much about most things, I started to wonder what a Bible-based conception of a real hero would be. Far be it from me to reduce my Lord to a mere mythical action figure, so please don’t think that’s what I’m doing. However, His life displayed heroic qualities that go far deeper and are more profound than sculpted abs, muscular thighs and a big chin!

I think Isaiah 61 is a beautiful portrait of the amazing work of the Saviour. I hope it is an encouragement to you.

Isaiah 61:1-3 (The Message)

The Spirit of God, the Master, is on me because God anointed me. He sent me to preach good news to the poor, heal the heartbroken, Announce freedom to all captives, pardon all prisoners. God sent me to announce the year of his grace - a celebration of God’s destruction of our enemies - and to comfort all who mourn, To care for the needs of all who mourn in Zion, give them bouquets of roses instead of ashes, Messages of joy instead of news of doom, a praising heart instead of a languid spirit. Rename them “Oaks of Righteousness” planted by God to display his glory.

He’s out there, healing the brokenhearted who turn to Him. He’s bringing a message of life and joy.

Now, read of the Lord’s amazing character:

Deuteronomy 10:17-18 (New Living Translation)

“The LORD your God is the God of gods and Lord of lords. He is the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and takes no bribes. He gives justice to orphans and widows. He shows love to the foreigners living among you and gives them food and clothing.

The Lord is not a xenophobe! Justice for those who cannot achieve it for themselves, the poor, the needy, the widow, the lonely, the orphan. And God is not swayed as humans are. He cannot be bribed into action.

And finally, on these thoughts, the Lord is merciful. He freely forgives, even those who have turned on Him.

Nehemiah 9:17 (New Living Translation)

But you are a God of forgiveness, gracious and merciful, slow to become angry, and full of unfailing love and mercy.

Wow!

(1) Hart, C (2007), Simplified anatomy for the comic book artist: how to draw the new streamlined look of action-adventure comics, Watson-Guptill Publications: New York, USA. ISBN-13 9780823047734.

PS - I am enjoying this comic anatomy book. Look it up if you’re into drawing! Even though I don’t personally draw in this style, it is always a useful exercise to expand one’s horizons. And it’s really helped me learn about anatomy, as it applies to drawing, without going into excessive detail.

(2) Scriptures accessed 7 July 2008 at http://bible.crosswalk.com/.

Just thought I’d take the opportunity to plug the music of some of my super talented friends. So, here’s the second one. I posted the first one here.

Check out Michelle’s music at:

http://www.myspace.com/mishthomas

Just thought I’d take the opportunity to plug the music of some of my super talented friends. So, here’s the first one. I’ll post the next one here.

Check out Liesl’s music at:

http://www.myspace.com/lieslfieldmusic