Just like you, I am guilty of this misdemeanor, I tell no lies. The above photo was taken with my son a few months ago and we have not spent quality time doing something together for such a long time. We both now live separate lives, our life demands are very different; we are separated by hundreds of kilometers. That should not deter us, but at times, it does.

So over the years, I have used other means of spending time together with love ones. Having lived more than half my life overseas, one learns to adjust ones way of doing things, but it does come at a cost - massive phone bills, Skype calls, sleepless nights (time zones are not always compatible) and extra flights home to Oz. Yes extra, because by the time one forks out two and three hour calls every couple of days, one might as well buy a flight ticket home. A $600-$700 phone bill every quarter or so, racks up the pennies fast! So coming home for a week of R&R is a great way to recharge your life batteries.

I have to say, everyone loves to know they are on the right track; that what they are doing, is the way of the universe and it will eventually work out for the best.  One plans the days and nights; struggles through the challenges - at times not really confident that one will be able to resolve the myriad of complex problems that hijack one's mind.  Doubt can be a never-ending thought process, if you don't have your neurons sorted out - in much the same priority as you organise your plan for success.

My mind is forever going at one hundred to one - it never seems to sleep.  At times, I severely doubt myself - not because I don't feel I have enough of the right stuff to make it a success; I doubt myself because it is so far removed from the box of normality, in the way other people think.  I worry about what they will think of me - when I'm  doing what I'm doing; worry that I'm not enough, in the big scheme of things.  For those who have known me - my whole lifetime, you have come to terms with my abstractness - have learnt to expect, the unexpected.  For those more new to the game of friendship, then I'm just a bit of a curved ball.

So how does one progress, if one is forever doubting one's abilities to succeed because of what other people think? Hmmmm - with difficulty.  And, I know I am not alone here.  I am pretty sure there are other abstract individuals on the planet, who think as I do.  I don't reckon I am a rare Tasmanian Devil on the planet.  

For me, learning to switch off to the myriad of often harsh comments that artistic individuals receive - is a skill that I'm still learning - given that I'm highly sensitive creature like many artists.  

This school holidays, I have revisited the basics of art.  It has been considerable time since I have touched on the subject of trees and am so far finding the visit both fun and educational.  Unfortunately, there are only so many hours in one day and finding sufficient time to revisit all subject matters, takes considerable concentrated effort, after not having touched a pencil in weeks.  Some days I feel as though I'm back at square one and I really have to focus on my weaknesses - seeing and drawing things as they are and not letting my mind wander where it wants to.   

Given the weather has been wonderful of late, I have strolled through Queens Park and picked a lovely, leafless tree to commence my drawing practice. ​  I am always keen to get drawing the details, so I really have to restrict myself and make sure I put down only the essential information first.  

Okay, so I got a bit carried away with the first tree.  However, I might just make this one, the centre of attraction and leave the remaining trees to sit very much in the background of my nature piece.  Generally, I like to work one area first to get my brain into the zone.  It also allows me time to think about how I might want to treat the picture and what elements would complement my subject.  

I can't say that I am finished or entirely happy with the treatment of trees.  However, returning to the basics of creation always helps me define what I am trying to achieve with my drawing.  A couple more weeks of this and I will be ready to plot my next major piece.  

​Enjoy the drawing board!

Dolphin Project have been recording her status and that of the other remaining animals.  They have been trying to gain the attention of the Japanese authorities to change the conditions for the animals, but with little response.  The owner of the Park has apparently been contacted, but no response to date. ​