Twisted Strings, Twisted Days

I have had the idea of creating a puppet themed performance, primarily for street performances and festivals for a couple of years now, and when a friend told me about the Cradle Coast Talent Search, to be held on the 9th of November... I jumped at the chance to try out my idea up on stage.

Having already been booked for a garden wedding on the same day, and having to learn a technically difficult piece of music for that... time very suddenly felt like it was running out on me.

I jumped right in to the creation process, with only a vague idea of how my grand idea would turn out, let alone how to construct the form and work out an act to go with it.

The face, I will admit was probably the most fun and rewarding part of the project, seeing it suddenly come together as I added wrinkles, skin colours, texture and of course the magic of the eyes! 

Dealing with wire leads to all sorts of injuries! Being somewhat accident prone and being paranoid about cutting my fingers, I learnt very quickly to take safety measures and wore gloves for the duration.

One of Dad's hand raised companions, Rico, had been going through a rather cheeky stage over the 

weeks leading up to the event, and took much pleasure in observing the rebirth of the second hand wooden ladder that'd been purchased from the tip shop. He maintained that superior expression throughout the course of the project... almost as if he were trying to convey we were

"Doing it wrong humans." 

A few holes drilled here, new ropes there, and the paint spattered, dented, abused and supposedly useless old ladder was ready to begin a new life as a prop, adding to a crazy harpists quirky dreams of providing unique entertainment. 

At this stage, the hardest part as the body began to take shape, was when I realised just how big a project it was. This made my determination dip a bit.

Doubts about how it would all turn out, and the difficulty I was having learning the piece for the wedding sapped my motivation. 

And as usual, at such stages, my mum... the bouncer of ideas, 

provided feedback and an objective opinion, adding her own creative and artistic thoughts to the mix, and I dare say the occasional boot in the backside, got the ball rolling again.

Taking one more step and finishing the head made such a difference! 

Suddenly the un-named puppet master had a character!

That "It's ALIVE!" Frankenstein moment cleverly captured by my camera ready mother!

The day before the Talent Search was due to happen, 

we had our first test run with the retractable dog leads as strings, hidden up the sleeves of the puppet, whom I had decided to name after the eccentric chap who built the harp. Geoffrey Winder. 

So, with Puppet Winder's top hat and head attached, I whipped together a couple of tunes and a bit of a comical act, sorted out a puppet like costume and face paint!

The parents gave their suggestions and a few more alterations were made last minute.

On the morning of the 9th, having not considered the logistics of travel, I incredibly managed to fit harp, ladder, puppet, seat, costume bag and myself in the little Toyota Echo!

and so made my eager way to Ulverstone for the garden wedding. 

Thankfully the weather behaved beautifully for the big day, and the setting was glorious

in a tea garden beside the sea.

Running (like the wedding) a little behind schedule, I arrived in Devonport at the Reece High School for my 4.40 sound check to discover the organisers were running 30 minutes late.

Taking a very grateful breather, I hurried to my ever accommodating sister to change into my costume and apply some paint to my rather reddened face.

Back stage with the other contestants preparing to go on, and the vibe was one of nervous anticipation, and a little dread mixed in. One really soaks up the atmosphere in such confined places and I was a great deal more nervous than normal, rushing to get on and start I made a few minor mistakes in setting up my props, thankfully none of which affected my performance and no one other than my parents in the crowd knew. Having finished my act, I enjoyed the rest of the evening with my parents and sister and, finally taking the opportunity to sample the wonderful food provided, and catch up with some long lost friends from childhood days, who were as ever so encouraging.

The TAFE Tourism and Events class who were the organisers of the Talent Search did an incredible job! calming nerves, organising all 21 competitors well before hand, and helping to set up annoyingly large props on stage.

Simply being relieved to have the day over and done with I was totally astounded when the winners were finally announced by the events MC from SeaFm,

 and I received second place!

Having sat and watched the rest of the talent I couldn't believe it!

It just goes to show that an unique idea, wire and a ladder can touch, and spike peoples interest...

Looking forward to introducing Puppet Winder to the public sometime soon!

Keep an eye and an ear out for us on the streets as the festive season approaches.

Thank you so much to my incredibly supportive and creative and patient family, 

Tiarna and the rest of the Cradle Coast Talent Search TAFE team, 

DK Audio for sponsoring the event,  

and of course Puppet Winder for pulling my strings with such precision... and for not falling apart.

For other videos and photos, go to my FaceBook page
https://www.facebook.com/twistedstringstas

Wynyard Festival and Lorinna Photo Shoot

Finally, as promised here are a few of my choice shots from the photo shoot I had, dressed in the themed costume I created for the Wynyard Tulip Festival.

This particular photo I think is my favourite, if a little creepy and Gollum like.

 Photographer Marika Mineur.

My sister and I rugged up and tramped down to this amazingly beautiful little creek in Lorinna, laden with camera, costume and unhealthy food.

As fond as I am of this shot, I can't help but find it tainted with amusement at the memory of finding a leach stubbornly attached to my head... the moment I discovered it may have been one of my more "girly" moments.

We were of course accompanied by Rudy the brave! who protected us both from all the dangers of the forest. Excluding leaches. This affectionate girl was rather keen on the idea of being a part of it all,

 and occasionally thrust her head into the shot.

She was the cause of much laughter and desperate lunges, as her favourite activity was to lay in the icy  creek, then jump out, casually walk towards us and shake herself free of the water.

Saturday the 12th.

Having only been back two days from their six week holiday,  Mum Dad and I piled into the campa and made our slow and steady way to Wynyard.  

Arriving at the Tulip Festival, the weather being somewhat dismal, I was less than enthused at the thought of playing in the wind in a backless dress.

Yet after the appearance of my sister, with the help of my amazing mother and the forecast rain failing to show it's face, things certainly began to look up! 

Getting "the mad look."

I felt many pairs of eyes watching me as the three of us made our way though the crowds, searching for a space to set up. We were approached by the Southern Cross television crew even before we'd found a suitable spot out of the wind. I was really encouraged by the explanation they gave for wanting to film me "It's just something different."

The effect of the contact lenses on the children walking by were nothing less than hilarious! I may have enjoyed tilting my head to the side and winking at them a little too much.

The moss filled donation basket that my mum made many years ago really added to the look, and also attracted several little characters who sat for a time and played with the shiny coins, and of course eventually tried to pocket some.

After four hours of playing the weather began to rethink it's behaviour so we packed up, said our goodbyes and headed for home.

Later that day we watched the Southern Cross news while sipping ginger beer, and saw the couple of clips they took of me, one terrifyingly close up!

Many thanks to my sister Marika for helping out on the day, and taking some great photos!

And as always to my amazing parents.

https://www.facebook.com/twistedstringstas

Tulip Fest Costume Progress

Thought it about time to update the blog.

I've made much progress on the costume I've been creating for the Tulip Festival which is on the 12th of October! Very excited to finally be able to see it as a whole. Even though I had to make a few changes to my initial idea, it turned out pretty good. Not long to go until I'll be wearing it in public. 

As is my tradition, here's the sketch I quickly did before starting. Bet my teacher would be proud of me for keeping up this little habit! I find it helps to get the idea out of my head and on paper before starting, it focuses my mind and gives me a better understanding of the project and how it will come together.

Astoundingly mums old sewing machine cooperated during the project!

 We have had words before, which ended badly, with the machine chewing up my material. So it was nice to learn that we could both be mature, 

get over our misunderstandings and work together. 

I pray this truce continues.

Making the little head-dress was probably the most fun of all! 

hoping to get a few tulips on the day to add to it.

Loving the three shades of green I chose for the costume! 

 

The pin-cushion from the dawn of time! 

I have so many memories of this little character, it has been a fixture for as long as I can remember. I am unable to imagine it being out side of it's natural habitat, our workroom,  right next to the sewing machine. 

Where many a monster has been created with it's help.

Planning to do a photo shoot some time soon. 

I can't wait to share some themed pictures of the whole outfit with you.

So keep an eye out for my next post.

Fabulous Friday

Another day, another session in Launceston to "keep the wolf from the door."

Friday had promised to be busy, and to my pleasure it didn't disappoint!

Firstly I had the morning time slot booked for busking outside the Myer building. My day started with a blast as the first donation was a five dollar note, which was soon to be followed by two more within the first hour!

It was one of the very first true Spring mornings I have had in Launceston, and the crowds were getting outdoors and obviously feeling generous. 

The Myer window that I sit next to was displaying their range of Christmas trees, and a little present train going round and round on it's tracks, drawing much attention and many comments of the festive kind. Which made me think that once again I need to relearn my Christmas repertoire in preparation for December mayhem!

Once again I had people come and question me about the harp, and my life plans in relation to playing. Do I intend to join the conservatorium of music? How long have I been playing? etc.

Even after several years of street performance I am not tiered of answering the same general questions each time. It is a joy to have strangers express their interest, and almost always they have a story or some personal experience to share with me also. It never fails to astound me, peoples generosity and eagerness to encourage.

Possibly my favourite interaction of the day was when a little boy, roughly 5 years old with pure blond hair and Forget-me-not blue eyes waddled up and dropped 20 cents in my box. 

Then proceeded to dig around in the pocket of his trendy jeans for some more, dropping the coins in with the casual demeanour of a business man just disposing of his spare change.

The boys mum patiently stood by him, amused and possible a little astounded while this occurred. She then provided me with the Comment of the Day #1

"That's all his own pocket money."

Thanks little man.

I would also like to share a little interaction I had with an obviously proud new father, who knelt down to the donation box holding a gold coin in one hand, and in the other carefully held his tiny premature baby. 

Wearing a too big hat, red faced and sleeping soundly, completely oblivious to the fact that his father was humorously trying to make it appear that his son was donating the money. 

It is, in these circumstances totally fine and almost expected of you to gush. 

So merely to oblige to social niceties... I gushed!!

 provoking a humorous response from the mother 

Comment of the Day #2

"We can swap the baby for the harp!?"

After my session was over, my fingers sore from three hours of plucking, I drove straight to Latrobe on the "high" I normally experience after a successful day performing.

My day only got better. As I met up with an old friend and fellow muso 

Jesse McCormack, who's family, skills and talent always leave me inspired to reach further and practice harder.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Velvet-Sledgehammer/317512911629498 

After a couple hours talk of our experiences traveling with our instruments to Europe, both our dreams to travel again, and a mostly one sided exchange of information, we proceeded to the up and coming music venue of Ulverstone, that is Pier01.

                 Jesse McCormack                                                            Johanna McCormack             Maggie Edwards

The music night started off with an amazing duo, guitarist and singer Johanna McCormack, and singer Maggie Edwards who together showcased the fresh new talent of Tasmanias female artists that the night was dedicated to displaying, and that the crowd had come to hear.

It was an amazing time, with a few familiar faces making appearances on stage and off. 

Namely the beautiful Leah Woodberry, who brought the crowd to heel with her usual on stage presence and varied repertoire. 

I am sure we will be seeing much more of all those who performed in the months and years to come!

The music wrapped up, the crowd gradually drifted off, and I drove home slowly under a full moon floating in a perfectly clear Tassie sky.

What an idillic way to end an idillic day.

Many thanks!

Spring is in the Harp strings

My first day home after a refreshing four day break on the mainland consisted of a drive to The Beach Forest, along the Tassie Trail. This beauty was accompanied by two other wedge tailed eagles, and circled above me for a few minutes! it was such an uplifting sight and I am so glad to have been able to capture one in motion.  

After a walk through the forest, I continued my Spring morning by picking roadside flowers!

Inspired by the perfect weather, I decided to take some pictures and give the blog a seasonal makeover. 

The buskers box among the daffodils.  

 Hope you enjoy these pictures as much as I enjoyed taking them today!

"Spring is in the Harp strings."

Snow Drops, Daffodils and Blossoms all twined through the harp, creating a fresh, Spring wedding look that I hope to recreate when next I am out street performing!

The left over flowers I used to brighten the lonely house! 

And after all the lovely sunshine and activities, I've become inspired to start a new costume for this years Tulip Festival, for which I have been booked to perform at!

Watch this space to see my progress and find out what I will be dressing up as! 

Also, jump on to my FaceBook page for regular updates on where I am playing,

videos of my performances, photos and stories!

Feel free to share, and comment with your thoughts and suggestions.

https://www.facebook.com/twistedstringstas