Gerald the Dog - Whately Lane / Newtown (Thu 02 Dec 2010)

Gerald the Dog - SLUG - Whateley Lane / Newtown (Thu 02 Dec 2010)
On Wed 01 Dec 2010 I published a post titled ...SUPER SONIC SLUG... where it was observed that SLUG was everywhere.

Had to go to Newtown that evening and in the drizzling rain as I drove down the dark and narrow Whateley Lane between King Street and Wilson Street, I noticed this recent piece by SLUG. Came back early the next morning and the photos below are the result.

The Story of Gerald the Dog starts here back in February 2010. I was aware of the character, but I did not know his name, Gerald, until I saw this Oct 2010 post by the Acid Midget.

Earlier in the year I had noticed quite a big piece (of Gerald) on a large roller door in Buckland Lane, Newtown. I even photographed it with my new mobile phone and it has been my phone's wallpaper ever since. He was a different dog back then. He had yellow skin and was well behaved.

me and my iPhone Wallpaper - Newtown - Sat 20 Mar 2010 - (picasa)
To read in October 2010, the Acid Midget's posts on Gerald was quite funny and put a smile on my face, though I was sorry for the poor pooch's demise. I have always liked dogs and have always tried to be nice towards them and will always say Hello for some reason.

Gerald the Dog - My Phone's Wallpaper ()
Since mid-October, Gerald has been popping up all over Newtown and Enmore and I have taken quite a few photos of poor old Gerald's demise. As the Acid Midget has observed, Gerald has been seriously lead astray in Newtown and his life has gone to the dogs.

Will publish some more photos over the next week or so. Stay tuned ..

Gerald the Dog - SLUG - Whateley Lane / Newtown (Thu 02 Dec 2010)
Gerald the Dog - SLUG - Whateley Lane / Newtown (Thu 02 Dec 2010)
Gerald the Dog - SLUG - Whateley Lane / Newtown (Thu 02 Dec 2010)
Gerald the Dog - SLUG - Whateley Lane / Newtown (Thu 02 Dec 2010)
Gerald the Dog - SLUG - Whateley Lane / Newtown (Thu 02 Dec 2010)

Gerald the Dog - Yellow - SLUG - Buckland Lane / Newtown (Thu 02 Dec 2010)

Gerald the Dog - Yellow - SLUG - Buckland Lane / Newtown (Thu 02 Dec 2010)
Gerald the Dog - Yellow - SLUG - Buckland Lane / Newtown (Sat 20 Nov 2010)
A lot of changes since Sat 20 Nov 2010. Not much remains. Our poor pooch, Gerald the Dog, has been virtually rubbed out. The end is near. His little friend to the right has acquired some eyes (similar to Gerald's), a nose and a mouth. Not sure what the Bulletin Board text is about. There is some more text in blue that merges with the blue background. Pretty sure I know what the first word is - can't make out the rest.

Gerald the Dog and Friend - Yellow - SLUG - Buckland Lane / Newtown (Thu 02 Dec 2010)
Gerald the Dog and Friend - Yellow - SLUG - Buckland Lane / Newtown (Thu 02 Dec 2010)
Gerald the Dog and Friend - Yellow - SLUG - Buckland Lane / Newtown (Thu 02 Dec 2010)
Gerald the Dog and Friend - Yellow - SLUG - Buckland Lane / Newtown (Thu 02 Dec 2010)
A new Character - SLUG - Buckland Lane / Newtown (Sat 20 Nov 2010)

Skip - Erskineville Road / Newtown (Fri 28 Oct 2004)

Skip - Erskineville Road / Newtown (Fri 28 Oct 2004)
Skip and Bob - Erskineville Road / Newtown (Fri 28 Oct 2004)
Skip and Bob - Erskineville Road / Newtown (Fri 28 Oct 2004)
Skip and Bob - Erskineville Road / Newtown (Fri 28 Oct 2004)
Mona Lisa - Erskineville Road / Newtown (Fri 28 Oct 2004)
The background to these photos ..

I had just flown in that morning from Shanghai (via Singapore) where I had bid farewell to Jenny and Joanne. I was excited about the trip there for the World Dragon Boat Championships at Qingpu just to the west of Shanghai (I was just an excited spectator and photographer in those days - definitely inspired me to get into dragon boating on our return). During the return flight I had already decided that I would go back to meet Jenny and Jo in Shanghai on their return from a group road trip and some traveling by themselves (which included 5 days on the Yangtze River). It would be a surprise for them and we would spend the last 4 days in Suzhou and Shanghai where I would celebrate my 44th Birthday.

Thought I would walk up to Newtown to keep myself awake as I had not slept much on the over night flight from Singapore. Had my tiny IXUS and I was photographing the Mona Lisa and I remember Skip asking me about what I thought of the painting and her smile. I said I liked it and I remember doing some googling later and found a couple of really interesting pages (should have them somewhere - will try to find them).

Following this initial conversation it was easy for me to ask Skip whether I could take some photos of him in front of the painting. He was a more than willing performer. Bob was just there sitting on the step smoking a cigarette and they seemed to know each other.

For the closeup photo at the top of the page I remember being quite taken by his jacket (it was a hot mid-Spring day) and the large ring he had on is finger. So I just asked him to raise his hand to his sunglasses. I was happy with the result. I remember printing some of these photos and leaving an envelope with them (and some Mona Lisa related web pages) at the Church just around the corner in King Street.

This is the closest I have ever come to doing something like what LottieP does everyday at Sydney Spy (definitely one of my favourite blogs).

Should try to do more of this kind of photography. Skip was the one who engaged with me first - not sure that I could initiate the first contact to do this kind of portrait photography on the street. Though I should try to get out of my comfort zone a little.

Poster 3 (Syke) - Angel Stree / Newtown (Tue 09 Nov 2010)

Poster 3 (Syke) - Angel Street/Newtown - 09 Nov 2010 (picasa)
Stumbled across another Syke Poster. It was just around the corner from the other two (see Poster 1 and Poster 2).

Will take a more bit more of look next week to see if there are anymore around the place.

A few more photos to give an idea of the surrounds.

Poster 3 (Syke) - Angel Street/Newtown - 09 Nov 2010 (picasa)
Poster 3 (Syke) - Angel Street/Newtown - 09 Nov 2010 (picasa)
Poster 3 (Syke) - Angel Street/Newtown - 09 Nov 2010 (picasa)
Poster 3 (Syke) - Angel Street/Newtown - 09 Nov 2010 (picasa)
[Note: This is my 200th post. Will write something about this at later stage.]

We Are Raw Meat - Newtown (13/17 Oct 2010)

There is always something new to look at when wandering around the Inner City and Newtown. Thought these go together nicely ..

We Are Raw Meat - King Street/Newtown - (Sun 17 Oct 2010)
Cat - Soudan Lane/Newtown - (Wed 13 Oct 2010)
Cat - Soudan Lane/Newtown - (Wed 13 Oct 2010)
I have seen the cat in various places - from Newtown to Enmore. This is the first to go beyond black.

SLUG PASTE UPS !!! 2010 TM - Wilson Street Gallery / Newtown (Tue 09 Nov 2010)

SLUG PASTE UPS !!! 2010 TM - Wilson Street Gallery / Newtown (Tue 09 Nov 2010)
SLUG likes to do his work around Inner City Art Galleries (see yesterdays post and here). Found this poster about a month ago walking along Wilson Street, in the opposite direction to which I usually walk. It had been there for quite a while. Lots of detail in this one. Many characters, some of whom I have seen around other parts of Newtown.

SLUG PASTE UPS !!! 2010 TM - Wilson Street Gallery / Newtown (Tue 09 Nov 2010)
SLUG PASTE UPS !!! 2010 TM - Wilson Street Gallery / Newtown (Tue 09 Nov 2010)

Gerald the Dog - Out of Paint - Slug - Soudan Lane / Newtown (Sun 21 Nov 2010)

Gerald the Dog - "Out of Paint" by SLUG - Soudan Lane / Newtown (Sun 21 Nov 2010)
Gives an idea of how SLUG works. For most artists, a portrait always starts with the eyes. The hands are also another important feature for an artist (at least this is what I have observed from watching Star Portraits). We see both here before SLUG runs out of paint. We can also the result of small fire that has melted the paint on the wall.

Gerald the Dog - "Out of Paint" by SLUG - Soudan Lane / Newtown (Sun 21 Nov 2010)
Gerald the Dog - "Out of Paint" by SLUG - Soudan Lane / Newtown (Sun 21 Nov 2010)
Gerald the Dog - "Out of Paint" by SLUG - Soudan Lane / Newtown (Sun 21 Nov 2010)

Three Clowns - Georgina Steer/Newtown (Tue 23 Feb 2010)

Three Clowns (Left) - Georgina Steer/Newtown (Tue 23 Feb 2010)
Three Clowns (Right) - Georgina Steer/Newtown (Tue 23 Feb 2010)
Three Clowns (Center) - Georgina Steer/Newtown (Tue 23 Feb 2010)

Three Clowns - Georgina Steer/Newtown (Tue 23 Feb 2010)

Icarus - Paste Up - Newtown/Redfern (Dec 2010)

Icarus - Paste Up - Wilson Street / Newtown (Dec 2010)
This Paste-Up has been there for quite a while - it has virtually fallen apart. I have photographed it quite a few times over the last few months and there is another one in a small park off Little Eveleigh Street (see below). You can see the Green Bone Head I featured here recently (02 Dec 2010).

Each time I pass it, something has gone missing (i.e. various parts of her body) or there have been various additions via the caring use of coloured textas. She is now careful adorned with earrings and some more than necessary shoes.

I have had a lot fun watching and photographing this poster.

It has made me think about what may have inspired its creator to design this piece. For me, when I first saw it (it was the one in Little Eveleigh Street, which I pass it on the way to the gym), I instantly thought of Icarus of Greek Mythology fame. Icarus attempted to escape Crete using wings, made of feathers and wax, his craftsman father had made for him. Icarus did not heed his father's warnings to not fly too close to the sun or sea, and as a result of the wax melting from flying too close to the Sun, he plummetted to his death into the Icarian Sea.

The Myth has inspired many derivative works in all fields of the Arts, including a Poem by W. H. Auden, titled Musée des Beaux Arts (poem), which is named after the museum in Brussels that houses the painting Landscape with the Fall of Icarus by Pieter Bruegel the Elder.

For some reason the Poem and Painting have made me think a lot about what has happened over the last year and a half. Hard to explain but there is something there, particularly the painting where one can barely make out the legs of Icarus just after his impact with the water.

Life goes on ...

[Thank you to LottieP for technical advice on Icarus, the Poem and Painting. The shoes are for you LottieP.]

Icarus - Paste Up - Wilson Street / Newtown (Dec 2010)
Icarus - Paste Up - Wilson Street / Newtown (Dec 2010)
Icarus - Shoes - Paste Up - Wilson Street / Newtown (Dec 2010)
Icarus - Paste Up - Little Eveleigh Street / Redfern (Dec 2010)
Landscape with the Fall of Icarus by Pieter Bruegel the Elder
Musée des Beaux Arts (poem)
by W. H. Auden (1938).

About suffering they were never wrong,
The Old Masters; how well, they understood
Its human position; how it takes place
While someone else is eating or opening a window or just walking dully along;
How, when the aged are reverently, passionately waiting
For the miraculous birth, there always must be
Children who did not specially want it to happen, skating
On a pond at the edge of the wood:
They never forgot
That even the dreadful martyrdom must run its course
Anyhow in a corner, some untidy spot
Where the dogs go on with their doggy life and the torturer's horse
Scratches its innocent behind on a tree.
In Breughel's Icarus, for instance: how everything turns away
Quite leisurely from the disaster; the ploughman may
Have heard the splash, the forsaken cry,
But for him it was not an important failure; the sun shone
As it had to on the white legs disappearing into the green
Water; and the expensive delicate ship that must have seen
Something amazing, a boy falling out of the sky,
had somewhere to get to and sailed calmly on.

But for him it was not an important failure; the sun shone by ThePoetryPost (06 Apr 2010)

Bill Collins - Bedford Street / Newtown (Mon 15 Nov 2010)

Bill Collins - Bedford Street / Newtown - Mon 15 Nov 2010
Love Red and the great sense of colour coordination with the red curtain.

Bill Collins - Bedford Street / Newtown - Mon 15 Nov 2010
Bill Collins - Bedford Street / Newtown - Mon 15 Nov 2010

Photo: Wilson Street Lock - Newtown (Sun 14 Apr 2002)

Wilson Street Lock - Newtown - Sun 14 Apr 2002 (photo.net)
The above photo was taken at the entrance door of an Anitque Factory called Original Finish (thanks Charlotte) on Wilson Street in Newtown.

I drive past here on days I do outrigger training. Often walk past here on weekends, as the area has unlimited parking and is convenient to the Cafes and Shops of King Street Newtown.

I had seen quite a few photos of this type on photo.net, and for some reason I noticed the lock and decided to photograph it up close using macro mode. It seemed to be more interesting cropped to a square format.

Surprisingly, a few days after uploading it to photo.net, I noticed that it seemed to be getting more views than my typical photo uploads. Normally, I would get the occasional viewer and would be lucky to get 20 to 30 views in the first week and hopefully a couple of comments. Somehow this photo found itself rotating on and off photo.net's home page and this explained the surge in views.

When I looked at this photo tonight after many years [1], I was surprised to see that it had reached almost 63,000 views. This has to be my most viewed photo on photo.net. Not a lot by popular photo.net photographers standards, but good for some one like me.

Some memories follow. I bought a small digital camera in Decmeber 2000 just before we went to the Cook Islands for a Holiday (see picasa). It was an original Canon IXUS. It cost $1,600 duty free and was all of 2 Mega Pixels (1,600 by 1,200 pixels). A small, cheap and out of date mobile phone camera would easily surpase this IXUS's pixel capabilities.

It was a great little camera and I used it to capture our memories.

I did not know anything about photography. When I overheard someone at Lunch talking about a web site called photo.net, I quickly found it and after I had figured out how the site worked, I joined up as member on Fri 16 Mar 2001. The site was a community that allowed the uploading of photos for comments, rating, and written critiques. There were also forums to discuss all things about photography, cameras, accessories and technique. It was the original photo sharing community. I can recall even the founders of flickr being ordinary members of photo.net just like me. They created flickr to develop a community that photo.net struggled to move to.

I met some great people. Also learnt a lot there and had just as much fun.

[1] I have not been really active on photo.net since late 2004 - ran out of quota to upload photos, but still lurk there.

my iPhone Photos

A new toy and a new picasa Album - my iPhone Photos. Just worked out how to do emails. A few of the first photos which were emailed to picasa from the phone. Lots of fun ..

my iPhone Wallpaper - Newtown - Sat 20 Mar 2010 - (picasa)

me and my iPhone Wallpaper - Newtown - Sat 20 Mar 2010 - (picasa)

Jo and my iPhone Wallpaper - Newtown - Sat 20 Mar 2010 - (picasa)


Go the Bunnies - Redfern - Mon 22 Mar 2010 - (picasa)

Rust and Paint - Redfern - Mon 22 Mar 2010 - (picasa)

Green - Milk Crate - Newtown - Mon 22 Mar 2010 - (picasa)