pretending to be an artist - in Trelex, Switzerland

I am in Trelex, near Geneva, for artist residency. I feel very lucky to be here.

I have never felt less like an artist in my life.

I am surrounded by paint, crayons, paper, white boards, numerous tools, lamps and tables, all waiting for me to do something.

I don't know what to do.

So far I have been for a walk, and been shopping for some food.

The village is very small, and has no shop on Sunday, Monday or Tuesday. It is also very floral and very tidy.

It has its own bears and some bins that encourage dog owners to be tidy too.

My desk has the most beautiful view that I could wish for.

I sit overlooking the Jura, listening to the church bell and the sound of lawn mowers and swifts.

So far removed from suburban life.

Nearby is the small town of Nyon, accessible by train.

 The train is two carriages, and if you wish to climb aboard, or get off, you need to treat it like a bus, and press the button.

I found a supermarket, one cone ( King Cone) and Miss Fromage.

I also got asked by several Americans ( in French) where the Roman columns were, and whether they could walk to them. I assured them that they were nearby, and of course they could walk. I have no idea where they are, but as they were standing at the entrance to the Roman Museum, they can't have been far away.

Caesar in Nyon

King Cone

Miss Emmental is the winner of Miss Fromage.

I am not sure what the criteria are, but can only wonder why she is not Mademoiselle Fromage, given that we are in French speaking Switzerland.

Miss Fromage

The studio comes with a dog. He is very friendly.

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I went shopping for scourers amongst other things. I had forgotten how much dirt some other people can tolerate.

Food is expensive beyond belief. I will be living on bread and water. I have seen no sign of any alcohol since arrived.

So, having given up being a student, I am now living like a student, and will soon have to justify my presence here.

I will go walking and see what I can find.

I have a new toy.

Rode microphone

It is a microphone that looks like a dead beaver. It will hopefully deal with wind, and let me record birdsong and other local sounds. I plan to make a movie.

Not a disaster movie or a rom com. Just a few pictures and sounds to sum up this place once I have got the measure of it.

I'll keep you posted.

Got to go and eat my bread now.


If you are interested to know more about the residency click here

the joys of jet lag and some photography in Vancouver

foggy dawn

I cannot thank eldest child for choosing to live in a city that allows for the most challenging jet lag of all destinations that I have encountered. I don't get stressed if I wake early, but I do get very tired, and that affects my brain in an adverse way.

• day one; wake 3.30am
• day 2 wake 4 am convinced that it is dawn.....but oh so wrong.
• day 3 wake 4.30; ah ha; moving in the right direction....
• day 4 wake 3.50 hmmmm
• day 5 wake 4.30 ; I give up. I want to go home...
• day 6 on plane to Auckland; breakfast served at 03.30 here we go again......
• day 7 wake 05.00 luxury item; getting it cracked now

• day 8 wake 06.00 YAY! I might be even be able to function when I start work tomorrow 

Suffice it to say that I have been unable to string any words together for this blog, or even decide what to post.

while most are sleeping

Should it be trees in the city?

trees in the city 1

trees in the city 2

Or should it be Vancouver and Stanley Park in the fog on a very cold and frosty walk before breakfast?

Dawn, Vancouver

sunrise

Stanley Park

Stanley Park 2

Stanley Park 3

 trees and crows

the last leaves of autumn

Or it could be 'Orange on Nelson'

Eldest child walks to work on this street daily. I joined her on my last day and in my jet lagged stupor decided to focus on the cheery colour orange on the return journey.

orange on nelson 1

orange on Nelson 2

Orange on Nelson 3

orange on Nelson 4

the strange bolted cones of Nelson Street

more orange on Nelson

micro cones cover tree stumps on Nelson.

As you can see, I have not been able to choose, so have shown them all.


And my favourite is the bird seen on a city side street. Which doesn't fit any of these themes.

Bird in the city © Caroline Fraser 2015

Got to go now; I forgot to pack any socks, and it is very cold here in the New Zealand 'summer', so I am off to the shops.

a red dot and a new dress

Having worked hard at my day job last week, I have some time off for good behaviour.

I have entered the artists' world that is Rye for a few days.

It is a colourful world.

I have had coffee, tea and lunch with my artist friends, and found time to inspect the Rye Society of Artists Summer Exhibition.

I liked what I found; a bright and breezy new space with its very own cone.

Everyone seems to agree that the new venue is a success. It feels light and airy, and has been hung beautifully.

I am in the 'subtle shades of grey and black' zone, artfully hung beneath a print by Fred Cuming RA.

In the colourful zone I particularly enjoyed the works of Matt Hardman on wood panels.

Matt Hardman at Rye

And downstairs small sketches from Dungeness  by Denise Franklin.

It is a varied and inspiring exhibition, and there are lots of red dots already.

I have one, as does Fred.

Which made me so happy that I went straight up the hill to Rye and spent my 'winnings' on a new dress.