Author: Jude Tulloch

Artist, Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

Coincidental Art

On my palette

Paint moves in mysterious ways. I paused for a moment, looking away from the rough portrait block-in. The colours, with just a touch of rust red, lively swirling patterns and the subtle translucent textures of the watercolour paint completely captivated me. An unlikely ephemeral creation had materialised on my palette. Now the sketchy picture, the ‘real’ art looked so stiff and lifeless in comparison.

Recycle re-use

An early Christmas present of mugs with these happy designs by artist Donna Sharam came in boxes that were too good for the recycle bin. I cut down the boxes and used the cardboard that held the mugs in place to re-inforce my new paint containers.

Ah the Ocean

The familiar smell of the ocean, different at a city wharf it’s true, not like the expansive surf rolling on to the sandy beaches where I live, but beckoning me all the same. After all the time in the desert, it feels like I have come home.

Maritime Museum at San Diego

Home is only a train, a bus and a plane away. What a wonderful adventure I’ve had. Now I can hardly wait to see how all these experiences meld and influence my creative endeavours. I feel full of energy and ideas.

Dia de los Muertos

“That’s what happened to the last person who took this lift” Col quipped.

The Day of the Dead is a holiday in Mexico that is a celebration remembering friends and family who have died. It’s a tradition alive and well in Old Town San Diego.

Kinetic Sculpture in Palm Springs

Its cleverly cantilevered forms moved effortlessly, as if by magic, creating shapes that, from where I sat, looked two dimensional then three dimensional.

I became entranced watching this graceful sculpture slowly change its form as I sipped my latte on the terrace of Koffi on Tahquitz Canyon Road, Palm Springs.

I crossed the road to find out who sculpted the piece but alas could find no name.

“Pit stop” in Benson Arizona

Benson, Arizona population 4,873.

The first hint of the air pollution to come in California. Our hotel was located conveniently close to the highway – no extra charge for the container truck fumes.

I tried not to smile when Col asked for a quiet room. “I’ve got you on the highway side” said the cheery lady at reception. It’s quieter than the railroad side. The freight trains run every twenty minutes all night long.

The Town of Truth or Consequences

Relaxing soak with a view at Riverbend Hot Springs, Truth or Consequences

Imagine having to write this as your postal address every time you had to fill in a form. Perhaps you could opt for an acronym TorC if the lines weren’t long enough.

In 1949 a live broadcast of a popular radio game show “Truth or Consequences” heralded the town’s name change. It was at the end of the show’s radio days (1941-1949). Truth or consequences went on to be a successful TV show that ran from 1950-1965.

I do not know whether or not the name change boosted the town’s fortune. It’s still a pleasant old style little town that draws tourists for the thing it’s original moniker describes – Hot Springs.

Call in at aptly named Passion Pie Cafe. The generous hearted proprietor has a passion for baking using fresh whole food ingredients. We indulged in delicious buttermilk fruit muffins, and had a complimentary taste of an almond and honey pastry made that melted in the mouth.