tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-114273422024-03-21T04:56:54.273+13:45Fifi Colston CreativeA blog full of useful crafty, wearable arty things!Fifi Colstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10725999629390100976noreply@blogger.comBlogger265125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11427342.post-45372728416336634392021-11-04T14:48:00.002+13:452024-03-20T11:10:07.740+13:45<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBBvC-RhucLKL9xGKBSAiujdp1dYoCoSzt3SUf0ZidP-nJCvAe9c83ZHaecAC62J5ud8R3qHnIXTjigCT-R4XRIIHKLpBWahT6X6GQSPnyAtKW3VsqQJ-A0wMmBoALktf4RNzhlQ/s1276/Screenshot+2021-11-04+135658.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1008" data-original-width="1276" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBBvC-RhucLKL9xGKBSAiujdp1dYoCoSzt3SUf0ZidP-nJCvAe9c83ZHaecAC62J5ud8R3qHnIXTjigCT-R4XRIIHKLpBWahT6X6GQSPnyAtKW3VsqQJ-A0wMmBoALktf4RNzhlQ/s320/Screenshot+2021-11-04+135658.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I have a new pretty website!</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://fificreative.com/">www.fificreative.com</a></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Go and check it out. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I am still fiddling with some parts of it but overall I'm pretty happy!</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Thanks to <span style="color: #0000ee;"><u>www.fuegos.co.nz</u></span> for setting it up for me</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Fifi Colston's musings and illustrations </div>Fifi Colstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10725999629390100976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11427342.post-68574170417852523752021-09-18T15:59:00.000+12:452021-09-18T15:59:37.841+12:45Yellow Diggers & Wearable Art<p>Where did that half year go? In daze of book illustrations, more lockdowns and many cancellations for me at least. Just before this current lockdown, my publishers at <a href="https://www.scholastic.co.nz/" target="_blank">Scholastic NZ</a> sent me an advance copy of the lastest Little Yellow Digger Book written by Peter Gilderdale and illustrated by me! But it got lost somewhere on the way from Auckland and magically, 5 weeks later turned up on my doorstep. </p><p>Better late than never- just like the ship stuck in the Suez, which inspired this book. It's due out in shops next month in October and I hope The Little Yellow Digger and The Big Ship brings lots of kids yellow digger joy!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHfH7ipIc619ZaNI7TEuNZG0xJoCqzqWJvQWRyZusTYln3tbgg9VL5eKFdIWAGe_yDrdGKrEoWEVEsK0CdaKLlHvfdJpcwCQg8vuCTg83wfJK0UWAL2vliEdR4g5r2ndM5Yxy1RQ/s2048/Cover-posted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHfH7ipIc619ZaNI7TEuNZG0xJoCqzqWJvQWRyZusTYln3tbgg9VL5eKFdIWAGe_yDrdGKrEoWEVEsK0CdaKLlHvfdJpcwCQg8vuCTg83wfJK0UWAL2vliEdR4g5r2ndM5Yxy1RQ/w400-h300/Cover-posted.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>In other news, I'm getting a new website made. I'll post a link to it when it's live and it will look pretty nice and easy to navigate with emphasis on my book illustration and Wearable Art. </p><p>Speaking of <a href="https://www.worldofwearableart.com/" target="_blank">WOW</a>, you will have heard that it's been covidly cancelled which is super gutting for all of us- the WOW team, the production crew and last but not least and actually the whole point of the show, the designers. <a href="https://www.royaldunedinmuseum.com/" target="_blank">Bruce Mahalski</a> and I will have to wait and see how our collaborative finalist entry did when the team decide how to show them at a virtual event/exhibition. And no, they won't just move over the 2022 show as that's a whole new theme. I hope by time this year is done we can show you how our creation looks (spoiler alert- it's AMAZING!) These are challenging times for the arts thats for sure.</p><p>Bruce meanwhile has been busy organising the next Great New Zealand Poster competition, this time for youth.</p><p><span style="background-color: #f6f2ec; font-family: nb_akademie_pro, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, BlinkMacSystemFont, Oxygen, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: -0.32px;">This year’s one has the slogan - </span><em style="background-color: #f6f2ec; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: nb_akademie_pro, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, BlinkMacSystemFont, Oxygen, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: -0.32px;">Kia pai ake tātou! – We can do better!</em> </p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w42KhqDzIQg&ab_channel=BruceMahalski" target="_blank">Watch his video <span style="font-size: medium;">here</span></a> talking about his inspiration for the project.</p><p>You can support this fantastic initiative by chipping in at <a href="https://www.boosted.org.nz/projects/the-great-kiwi-poster-competition?fbclid=IwAR0csejZbn6qxVFS7jOpsOZNuPtSGmJKevnd0HmYYB9-_IayE_UG2PPcSyQ" target="_blank">Boosted for the prizes <b><span style="font-size: medium;">here</span></b></a>. It would be a huge help and get young peoples art out into the streets!</p><p>I am running another Draw Like an Artist holiday programme, these October School Holidays, this time in Christchurch. <a href="https://www.drawlikeanartist.com/Register.asp?wc_id=304&return=/index.asp" target="_blank">Here are the details!</a></p><p>In the meantime, take care, wear your mask and get vaccinated. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhReCt6hvDa9bWdmi9gcAvqUGoSSWbKARSd8Eo0fQjIrLHbC9yo4o5evYWw_43Gom5ib-Nh0oaZYbVKaAZZv0i-YKFy_Y8oh11OrWm_SZCfAq5fpmM6ssAJHNtnYTKpV5KGHg0lOg/s1755/FifiC+sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1470" data-original-width="1755" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhReCt6hvDa9bWdmi9gcAvqUGoSSWbKARSd8Eo0fQjIrLHbC9yo4o5evYWw_43Gom5ib-Nh0oaZYbVKaAZZv0i-YKFy_Y8oh11OrWm_SZCfAq5fpmM6ssAJHNtnYTKpV5KGHg0lOg/w262-h219/FifiC+sig.jpg" width="262" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p> </p><p><br /></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Fifi Colston's musings and illustrations </div>Fifi Colstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10725999629390100976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11427342.post-33332103719855856962020-12-21T08:45:00.003+13:452020-12-21T08:45:30.678+13:45<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-1Y7b3z5Xi0nqwNjVeeNpDTMqSROWcUpiPLmB5CAWXTpgpZHRdBeeb9N7iDdfAtCzAbTIc97YztsjxAXiiejIFe0c4M4os_hj56VOHRQczx735uxVfD01nY1-HXHaLwB-leQQgw/s2048/Merry-Chicken-from-Fifi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1444" data-original-width="2048" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-1Y7b3z5Xi0nqwNjVeeNpDTMqSROWcUpiPLmB5CAWXTpgpZHRdBeeb9N7iDdfAtCzAbTIc97YztsjxAXiiejIFe0c4M4os_hj56VOHRQczx735uxVfD01nY1-HXHaLwB-leQQgw/w400-h283/Merry-Chicken-from-Fifi.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Meri Kirihimete!</p><p>It's been a year huh? This time last year I was wondering what 2020 would bring, I felt anxious and disconcerted by the the fact I'd finished my Otago residency (and the regular stipend) and wondering what I'd do to earn a living, what hustle I'd have to concoct. As a freelancer for the past 40 years, I always worry about this. I should learn to just trust that something will turn up. Because it always does, just in the nick of time. </p><p>I didn't expect it to be Covid-19 though. Nobody did. As the world continues to evolve and adapt, we are learning not to count our chickens. Except that it seems I can count on one. Marvellous Marvin!</p><p>A late last book for the year - who would have thought that in one year, and the most challenging one at that, I'd have 3 books out! This is highly unusual, but very, very welcome. Scholastic offered me the illustration contract for a picture book by the one and only <a href="https://nadialim.com/" target="_blank">Nadia Lim</a>. I've been a huge fan of hers since she was a Masterchef contestant (and then winner) and I've subscribed to <a href="www.myfoodbag.co.nz" target="_blank">My Food Bag</a> for quite some time now. So of course I said 'yes!' </p><p>Now Marvin is on the Christmas best sellers list and I am extraordinarily proud of my work and how we put it together in record time! </p><p><a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/celebrity-cook-nadia-lim-pens-chick-inspired-kids-book-marvellous-marvin/RTBBBXTUJ67L5EWXWTLBRIB6SU/">Read about Marvin's story here</a></p><p>I am also doing regular illustration work for the Australian School Magazine, signed another picture book contract, have wearable art in progress and workshops lined up. Unexpected given the dire predictions for 2020, but there you are. Stay at home, wash your hands, wear a mask and life will continue. Just a bit differently. </p><p>I hope you have a peaceful 25th December and if you are limited wherever you are because of lockdowns, and can't have a gathering, then I think it could be useful to reframe Christmas as a state of mind, rather than seats at the table. Zoom your love, keep your friends and family safe.</p><p>Bottoms up xxx Fi<br /><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Fifi Colston's musings and illustrations </div>Fifi Colstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10725999629390100976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11427342.post-20951692806481115472020-07-21T17:50:00.001+12:452020-07-22T10:43:33.227+12:45New titles & significant birthdays<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lockdown Sketchmind by Fifi Colston</td></tr>
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It’s been a little over a month since my last post and the
world has continued to be COVID, crazy and confusing. But here in New Zealand
life seems quite normal again, and almost hard to remember the days of lockdown,
though we are mindful that it’s ever present outside our borders.</div>
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Inside my expanding bubble, publishing things are happening. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Firstly, my Lockdown Diary can now be pre ordered here at
<a href="https://thecubapress.nz/shop/lockdown-sketch-mind/" target="_blank">Cuba Press</a> and we are just about to send it to print. We have had heaps of
orders already and it’s a limited print run, so if you were thinking you’d like
one, then get in quick! There is space for you to write your own thoughts and observations
on this extraordinary year too. It’s your diary, as well as mine. Perhaps the
whole family can add a line or two in response to the entries that mark the
time we spent in Lockdown. A 5-year olds perspective can be quite different from
a 50 year olds one.</div>
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Secondly, <a href="https://www.whitcoulls.co.nz/product/the-little-yellow-digger-01-the-little-yellow-digger-5545591" target="_blank">‘The Little Yellow Digger Saves Christmas’</a> is out
in October, published by <a href="https://www.scholastic.co.nz/" target="_blank">Scholastic NZ</a>. Written by Peter Gilderdale and
illustrated by me, we have paid homage to his famous parents, Betty and Alan
Gilderdale who created the series. I studied Alan’s illustration style in depth
and replicated some of his favorite characters with my own twist. It was like
he was standing, hand on my shoulder, saying ‘You can do it, you CAN draw a
digger!’ And digger I have drawn, and some quarantined reindeer!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbEAwWi-XF83zoutaSbDJNwpEMwfAcXnEV6hyphenhyphenqmdfQLhpn6YquQmG7F1Xy9va83eyqmgeHtrjlz7f_OXr6ij-r7jba2RnUArZgEi7DRl5kZazZ2aIhWhnpbF16rPc2WLd5aZ2NSw/s1600/masher+title+page.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="698" data-original-width="791" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbEAwWi-XF83zoutaSbDJNwpEMwfAcXnEV6hyphenhyphenqmdfQLhpn6YquQmG7F1Xy9va83eyqmgeHtrjlz7f_OXr6ij-r7jba2RnUArZgEi7DRl5kZazZ2aIhWhnpbF16rPc2WLd5aZ2NSw/s320/masher+title+page.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Thirdly, I was finally able to spend 2 weeks at the <a href="https://writerscentre.org.nz/fifi-colston-2020-easter-residency/" target="_blank">Michael KingWriters Centre</a> and take up my postponed residency. There I worked on my graphic novel ‘Ampersand’
and whilst there met with my publishers Penguin Random House to sign the
contract for ‘Masher’ the middle grade novel I wrote whilst in Dunedin last
year, during my time as <a href="https://www.otago.ac.nz/otagobulletin/news/otago695162.html" target="_blank">Otago University Creative New Zealand Children’s Writerin Residence</a>. Masher is about art, craft, puppets, bull terriers and boys who
don’t fit in. It’s comedic and sweet and I’m enormously proud of myself for
writing it, and hugely happy that <a href="https://www.penguin.co.nz/" target="_blank">Penguin Random House</a> are publishing it. Many thanks to Vicki Marsdon at <a href="https://www.highspotlit.com/" target="_blank">High Spot Literary Agency</a> for making that happen!<o:p></o:p><br />
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After my residency, I ran a ‘<a href="https://drawlikeanartist.com/" target="_blank">Draw Like an Artist</a>’
camp for 8-12 year olds at Southwell School in Hamilton in the holidays. 18 of us had
enormous creative fun and felt very lucky to be in Aotearoa where we can do
these things again, thanks to clear leadership and the team of five million!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY6yjpjALLTIXXh31Gv7rby5H1A4art4jsRYTRvAPtGxS6ULByF2ayMzFPQAcHEESMszFB0ce7Fud7spXBvEJXzmOxzUKTqRJIgUYfxbVRdtNEv_5tmOJ-R0oAuhI_z7zkRaabKQ/s1600/Parkin-Entry_-Well-Hung_-Fifi-Colston.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1117" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY6yjpjALLTIXXh31Gv7rby5H1A4art4jsRYTRvAPtGxS6ULByF2ayMzFPQAcHEESMszFB0ce7Fud7spXBvEJXzmOxzUKTqRJIgUYfxbVRdtNEv_5tmOJ-R0oAuhI_z7zkRaabKQ/s320/Parkin-Entry_-Well-Hung_-Fifi-Colston.jpg" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Well Hung</td></tr>
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Lastly, my entry for the 2020 <a href="https://parkinprize.nz/" target="_blank">Parkin Drawing Prize</a> was shortlisted as a finalist and I deliver that to the gallery today. </div>
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<i>In 2019 I was the recipient of 6 months writer’s residency at The Robert Lord Cottage in Dunedin.<br />The cottage remains as the playwright left it and a famous feature is his indulgently deep ‘shub’. My daily focus always came back to the simple shower caddy, modest and hung on a simple screw in the wooden baton on the shower surround, casting layered shadows. Fading and unfinished, like Lord at his end aged 46. The hair in the soap is my own. I think he’d find the humour in that.</i></div>
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<o:p>Oh...and I turned 60 in amongst all of this and writer, <a href="https://www.michelepowles.com/" target="_blank">Michele Powles</a> made me this amazing cake. I am pretty lucky to have such wonderful creative, generous friends in my life! Six decades of love :)</o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoy8OXAfG9vPlr4kOyJzoA-WerJVfr81m49SKixh-zj5Bfl_5VtpftRReY9ivABV_c0kaMjyC9R_GJbHvhT7kuixk8wwW9QW5ItMHIrU7DO3NUYsb0qT54ipreU51dMMjNJzMF1w/s1600/106668107_10156921538765981_5602876022728243165_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoy8OXAfG9vPlr4kOyJzoA-WerJVfr81m49SKixh-zj5Bfl_5VtpftRReY9ivABV_c0kaMjyC9R_GJbHvhT7kuixk8wwW9QW5ItMHIrU7DO3NUYsb0qT54ipreU51dMMjNJzMF1w/s320/106668107_10156921538765981_5602876022728243165_o.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhSmH1i4i1gVQVFSDutXP7L3Uerd0JYH2-0iJbDVlamPi-UioV2Wg2kwmK1K1nOqLX7W3tWfpS7PD0sB8o0p_MeCuqCRMBmWjOgPuFY2IG4UISaZObfOiV-jNl-Bc0udeVxA2I7w/s1600/106423628_10156921538660981_3402022376516994471_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhSmH1i4i1gVQVFSDutXP7L3Uerd0JYH2-0iJbDVlamPi-UioV2Wg2kwmK1K1nOqLX7W3tWfpS7PD0sB8o0p_MeCuqCRMBmWjOgPuFY2IG4UISaZObfOiV-jNl-Bc0udeVxA2I7w/s320/106423628_10156921538660981_3402022376516994471_o.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Fifi Colston's musings and illustrations </div>Fifi Colstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10725999629390100976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11427342.post-1161294432113119632020-06-13T18:14:00.000+12:452020-06-13T22:59:43.315+12:45Of Sketchbooks and Statues<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIHLtKo20JYr13oCIUWODK8JwcFDxfPjSsxbxJEP59FZYq1GxWIqEpCOzGAP7M7f30p3ecLwO2ThIJ8lTFjxVPmbgFvGBCPRH_zJ0faCzKcIGnqT_LQmUaC6YjwZci2M63xJ9ZlA/s1600/Level-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1165" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIHLtKo20JYr13oCIUWODK8JwcFDxfPjSsxbxJEP59FZYq1GxWIqEpCOzGAP7M7f30p3ecLwO2ThIJ8lTFjxVPmbgFvGBCPRH_zJ0faCzKcIGnqT_LQmUaC6YjwZci2M63xJ9ZlA/s400/Level-1.jpg" width="290" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Level 1 achievement!</td></tr>
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Funny old time isn’t it? Well not funny at all for many.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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We have, in New Zealand, managed to lockdown, quarantine and
in the famous words of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edmund_Hillary" target="_blank">Sir Edmund Hillary</a> ‘knocked the bastard off’ and are now
enjoying a life in <a href="https://www.health.govt.nz/news-media/media-releases/level-1-border-testing-and-exemptions" target="_blank">Level 1</a> with few restrictions other than the border closures
to the rest of the world. I have no doubt that as soon as we open up again,
COVID-19 will reappear, but hopefully we have some semblance of awareness over
how we deal with it. Of course there has been the sadly inevitable business closures
and unemployment that follows a country shutting down for 2 months. My own work
in my portfolio career has been cancelled for the year, and as I have been the
sole breadwinner in the house for the last 15 months, that leaves room for concern.<o:p></o:p></div>
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However, our government has been helpful with subsidies, and
in lockdown we had nothing to spend money on except food and the basic living
expenses, that didn’t include takeout coffees, going to the cinema or bars or
shopping. Over the 50 days, I walked, baked and in the evenings drew my
thoughts about life in the times of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pg/creativefifi/photos/?tab=album&album_id=3067311209981688" target="_blank">COVID-19 in a sketchbook</a>. I was vaguely
concerned that I wasn’t doing enough creative work and I really could have thrashed
out an entire novel. The time slid past peacefully and at the end of it, I found
that I had indeed written a book of sorts.</div>
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My Sketchmind Diary has secured a publishing
contract with <a href="https://thecubapress.nz/" target="_blank">The Cuba Press</a> and help from <a href="https://www.creativenz.govt.nz/" target="_blank">Creative New Zealand</a> to produce it. I'm so happy about this!</div>
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Watch this space as they say, for a link on where to pre-order.
If we sell all 400 copies, we will not lose money and we can circulate it back
into the system on the great money go round that is the economy. I’ll do it
mostly with Pinot Gris…<o:p></o:p></div>
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Life and my creative career will go on, I always find a way
not to have to commute to an office in the darkest of times. I have, in my fantasies imagined me on a pedestal
(put up there by myself) and lauded for my tenacity in the arts. But you need
to be careful who you put up on plinths and why. </div>
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The recent demise of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Colston" target="_blank">Edward Colston’s</a> statue in Bristol, had people asking, ‘any relation?’ I can tell you now
that the slave trader never married or had children. Of course, he <i>might</i>
have had ‘issue’, but none recognised. So Colston’s Girl’s School were fairly safe
in their offer of 50% off school fees if you could prove an ancestral link,
when we sent our daughter there in the 2 years we lived in Bristol.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colston presiding over his success, talk about a guilded lily.</td></tr>
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I always thought that it was poor taste to have a public monument
to a slave trader, however philanthropic he was, erected in the city. He funded
institutions that benefitted a great many white people, all off the backs of black
slaves. It is worthwhile noting that he died in 1721, The Abolition of Slavery Act
was passed in 1833 and that statue was put up in 1895. This is what is called, 'a dick move'. There’s <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/jun/11/obsessing-over-statues-obscures-the-real-problem-britains-delusion-about-its-past?utm_term=RWRpdG9yaWFsX0Jlc3RPZkd1YXJkaWFuT3BpbmlvblVLLTIwMDYxMQ%3D%3D&utm_source=esp&utm_medium=Email&CMP=opinionuk_email&utm_campaign=BestOfGuardianOpinionUK" target="_blank">a good article here</a> about Britain’s view of its own history. Well worth a read.<o:p></o:p></div>
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So, now, people seem to be either in the ‘tear down all statues’ or ‘leave
them there, what’s past is past’ camp. I’m in the ‘let's look and learn
something here’ camp. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Edward was torn down as a response to <a href="https://blacklivesmatter.com/" target="_blank">#BlackLivesMatter</a>. But
also nobody much liked that posturing bronze with his fancy shoes anyway. It’s
always been a slap in the face and after so many slaps, well, you just turn
around and say ‘enough’ and slap back. I cheered seeing him thrown off the Arnolfini
Bridge into the none too clean water of the Bristol Harbour.<o:p></o:p></div>
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He's been fished out now, and is safely tucked away, graffitied
and with a hole in his bum, along with the placards from the protest- <a href="https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/edward-colston-magazine-found-hidden-statue-bristol-a4467926.html" target="_blank">and suprising find of an 1881 newspaper tucked into his cavity</a>. This will be included in an exhibition of our current history; Edward Colston, the profiteer
of misery, overthrown because people had had enough. This is how we learn and
hopefully become more human. </div>
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World leaders should bear that in mind.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Fifi Colston's musings and illustrations </div>Fifi Colstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10725999629390100976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11427342.post-71141484794971625752020-04-01T14:17:00.000+13:452020-05-02T16:01:09.426+12:45Entry F (for Fifi) the Hnry Awards<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Update!</span><br />
I won second runner up! Congratulations also to the amazing winning entries by Tim Hamilton (in collaboration with Casey) and Julia Palm.<br />Many many thanks to the judges, everyone who voted for me and of course <a href="https://hnry.co.nz/" target="_blank">Hnry</a>- and especially Ben who was such a fabulous correspondent with us artists. Thanks so much!<br />
You can read all about why we did what we did and what we are going to do now <b><a href="https://hnry.co.nz/2020-hnry-awards-winners-round-up" target="_blank">HERE</a></b><br /><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXkHSjKaVxuh6YYTSpjbAndC1RDqNNZf5C95JrBxkmK4kUUVwp2VVPs-IVJKFhyphenhyphenvlF2DslZQNAX29AbC5_8igRUpPtBqwjR_MmV8pCS9ZQqDUbQ8LyhKgLU91WN4JN2acPlvihbQ/s1600/The-Freelance-Creative.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1161" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXkHSjKaVxuh6YYTSpjbAndC1RDqNNZf5C95JrBxkmK4kUUVwp2VVPs-IVJKFhyphenhyphenvlF2DslZQNAX29AbC5_8igRUpPtBqwjR_MmV8pCS9ZQqDUbQ8LyhKgLU91WN4JN2acPlvihbQ/s320/The-Freelance-Creative.jpg" width="232" /></a></div>
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Yesterday I found out that a concept sketch I did for the <a href="https://hnry.co.nz/" target="_blank">Hnry </a>Awards is one of 10 finalists!<br />
This was a beacon of hope in a wierd week. You can vote for it <a href="https://hnry.co.nz/awards/entry-f" target="_blank">here!</a> Entry F for Fifi.<br />
If I win by popular vote, the money will feed our household and pay all the bills, and be channeled into my creative work. I'm not one to squander cash on cosmetic surgery and designer clothing.<br />
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I did the sketch in the midst of a huge black hole I had gone down. I had plenty of work lined up, but as always exhausting to think about it- I'm part of the gig economy and I rush from one workshop, presentation, commission and event to the next. Do the hustle...<br />
None of it makes me any kind of fortune. It IS the arts after all. With no time or money to holiday around the world sightseeing I was all FOMO. I couldn't bear how hopelessly inept a Boomer I am! I surely should have three properties, rental incomes, a bach, a boat and a share portfolio by now? Yet, because I'm more of a socialist by inclination, none of that would sit with me comfortably at all. Yet I still felt like a failure. I'm not of course, but measuring success by financial wealth is fundamentally flawed and dispiriting as f*ck.<br />
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Well how the world has changed in such a short period of time. You couldn't drag me onto a cruise ship or a long haul flight to the UK now if you paid me. The world economy is in freefall and it appears that COVID-19 is no discriminator. You can get it even if you are Prince Charles or Boris Johnson. Also, billionaires need to wash their hands as well, but not of people.<br />
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I feel curiously joyful in this lockdown. My happy place is right here, with the quiet and the stillness of a world gone mad, to a world gone home. The birds are chirping and tweeting (as are we online) my family are as safe as they can be, art is my solace and I'm massively proud that I helped to vote in the leader of our country, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacinda_Ardern" target="_blank">Jacinda Ardern</a> who is compassionate, credible, courageous and clear about what we need to do.<br />
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She is the mother of our nation, and an inspiration for our times.<br />
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You can see the rest of my Lockdown Diary sketches in my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pg/creativefifi/photos/?tab=album&album_id=3067311209981688" target="_blank">facebook portfolio here.</a><br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Fifi Colston's musings and illustrations </div>Fifi Colstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10725999629390100976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11427342.post-44250458604245759482020-03-29T18:16:00.000+13:452020-04-01T13:48:05.752+13:45Lockdown<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When we could still travel...it seems so long ago now.</td></tr>
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I'm not going to say anything much about the pandemic to be honest. I'm at my desk in lockdown, continuing to create things for a world that is changing into something we aren't sure of yet. I hope it will be kinder and less inclined to use material gains as a measure of success. Artists have always struggled with this one...</div>
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I am creating some resources to keep kids amused and busy during this lockdown and you can find them on my <a href="https://fificolston.blogspot.com/p/fifis-resources.html" target="_blank">Pandemic Resources Page</a>. I am also posting the some videos on my previously neglected <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbeXTfQ5x6-ww9qD3m4DDNw" target="_blank">YouTube Channel</a>, mostly exploring my attic and the useful things I find in there!</div>
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On <a href="https://www.instagram.com/fificolston/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> I'm posting daily sketches of things that occur to me, day by day. Who knows how many days we will get to? This is the right thing to do, no matter how hard. Keep safe, follow the instructions #BeKind</div>
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Love Fifi xxx<br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Fifi Colston's musings and illustrations </div>Fifi Colstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10725999629390100976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11427342.post-76490168848664095842020-01-12T13:42:00.002+13:452020-03-26T13:32:13.748+13:45The End of my Love Affair with Facebook…<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Update- well hasn't the world changed since this post? Now that we are in the midst of a pandemic- facebook contact is really important to keep me in touch with people. It was good to have a break though. Keep safe folks, and wash your hands!!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCTTEJWi0ntIpWkt0Z6RxjxZe_KbAeETIGp21Af7tfhuc_WwkhVu7-XhnYKhSPrTvjMjrzJ161T3JDusCCPbttqBuQ0oS-mePJNmzAxYXec8zbAtFiXfEv6PXJASohfJPZ20nblg/s1600/queen.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="590" data-original-width="1159" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCTTEJWi0ntIpWkt0Z6RxjxZe_KbAeETIGp21Af7tfhuc_WwkhVu7-XhnYKhSPrTvjMjrzJ161T3JDusCCPbttqBuQ0oS-mePJNmzAxYXec8zbAtFiXfEv6PXJASohfJPZ20nblg/s400/queen.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Crown</td></tr>
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An artist I followed on <a href="https://about.fb.com/" target="_blank">Facebook </a>who had over 1200 ‘friends’
and kept us glued there by increasingly making bolder and more provocative
posts designed to shock, announced one day ‘Heads up, tomorrow I am committing
Face-icide.’</div>
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We were all shocked and upset, ‘But why Tali why?’ because
she was the most interesting person in our feeds and we waited for what amazing
crazy thing she would be doing in her life, like we were watching a drama series
on <a href="https://www.netflix.com/" target="_blank">Netflix</a> with a box of popcorn.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Her answer baffled me ‘Because I just can’t keep up with wishing
people happy birthday, giving encouragement and advice, likes and smiley faces
and most of all because I am getting no painting done whatsoever. You can
follow me on my blog. So long and thanks for all the fish.’ Or words to that effect, I wish I’d known how to screen shot
the conversation at the time. I’d have printed it on cotton and made a dress
from the fabric. I’d have called it the ‘FB F-off Frock.' I was very upset that
she left us so blithely, and then after a week or two, forgot she existed at
all.</div>
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This new year though, I did the same, I killed off my personal page
of 350 odd friends and family. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Nine years of dedicated daily posts, and now I’ve gone from
their news feed- if they ever saw me at all amongst the torrential algorithmic
news, fake news, and relentless advertising. I put a much less attention-grabbing headline
as a post, murmuring that I was going to take a break. A few people replied
with ‘yeah right’ because I’ve said this before and then I’m back two days
later. I have no self-control. Unable to just log in and out once a week, I suspended my account.<o:p></o:p></div>
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So why did I do this more permanent thing? <o:p></o:p></div>
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BF (before facebook) I have always been a communication
junkie. I hung out over my fax machine back in the day, and before that hours on
the landline. Mobile phones were a godsend with texts, so I could be always yakking.
It was the thing I got told off for at school the most- talking. Even at home growing
up, the catchphrase in my family was ‘Shut up Fif!’ so garrulous I am. My blog
was the next tell-it-to-the-world platform on a weekly basis or more.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I’ve always had an opinion too, though now as I get older, I
find myself like Prince Charles, in that Episode of <a href="https://youtu.be/VatVMWvz8PE" target="_blank">The Crown</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Charles: ‘But Mummy, I have a voice’<o:p></o:p></div>
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The Queen: ‘Let me let you into a secret, no-one wants to hear
it.’<o:p></o:p></div>
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Facebook for me started off innocently enough- a way to find
the best photos of a band I was doing a poster for- my kids had to teach me how
to use it, how to disable the pesky and abundant email notifications and how to
connect with friends. Wow, what a cool thing it was- how easy to share photos
with the family. At this time, I was also on <a href="http://tvnz.co.nz/content/700487/2527449.xhtml" target="_blank">The Good Morning Show</a>, and connected with all the other presenters and crew. Then my tiny fan base wanted
to be facebook friends too and I accepted. And my publishing editor, all the
people I had ever met anytime at festival events, worked with, friends of friends,
my kid’s friends and even a rabbit. I will never forget Tog, RIP.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Facebook is important for your work profile all our
publishers say, you HAVE to market yourself. Because apparently that’s our job
now, as well as creating all the content, we are responsible for selling it
too. Things got awkward around election time. I couldn’t annoy my followers
and colleagues with my views in case I lost a sale or a supporter, I also felt
very uncomfortable seeing posts of a stranger’s family funeral, wedding or
birth in my news feed. So I created a public page and gently moved the kind but
unknown people onto that, and invited others to join me there. But many refused
to change one page for the other and, like the situation when you realise you
left it too late to say ‘sorry I made a mistake letting you into my personal
life,’ I was stuck with the relationship. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I tried a policy of unfriending people who rarely posted and
never commented- I broke up with them through a cheery private message, and got
some really offended replies of ‘I thought this was where we could be friends but
obviously you want me gone from your life!’ Note, these were people whose only
posts or location alerts were about coming to my city for a holiday, yet never
called to catch up for coffee. They would be entirely unreliable to help you in
any personal crisis.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I tried restricting some people so they couldn’t see any of
my posts, and that just felt mean, even though they only used your facebook friendship to promote their work. Merely unfollowing them means you don’t see their
posts, but they can still trawl through yours if they've a mind to. There is nothing more unsettling
to bump into an distant acquaintance on the street and them say ‘I hope you
managed to get some work/new drains/bury your father/sort out the problem with
your home loan’ and you realise ‘Fark, they are a facebook lurker friend!’ TMI,
TMI everywhere.<o:p></o:p></div>
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And then there are work contacts who see you comment on a friend’s
post about something that affects a community you are involved in, and they personally
message you with admonishments and warnings. Basically saying, ‘You can only be
vanilla, you can never be honest. How very dare you!’<o:p></o:p></div>
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I spent so many wasted hours trying to organise my personal
facebook page into some sort of sense where I could have meaningful and fun interactions
yet maintain some sort of privacy. Privacy and facebook of course are a
nonsense, as <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cambridge_Analytica" target="_blank">Cambridge Analytica</a> showed us. <o:p></o:p></div>
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All of this aside, the sharing of information even when you think
you have it well locked down and the addiction to the little red notification
flag, nothing prepared me for the overwhelming sadness I experienced over this
Christmas period. Not long after the Whakaari/White Island tragedy, my feed was
flooded with the heart-breaking Australian bush fire climate change disasters, road
accidents and family violence reports. Then Trump bombed Iran and #WW3 was the
end of Facebook days for me. That and people’s holiday snaps of their endless luxury
holidays jetting away abroad, posting photos of their food, fiddling whilst the planet burns. I put my phone down.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Of course, like the Hotel California, you can check out any
time you like, but you can never leave. The minute I log back in with the password
and username, there I will be, resurrected and 3567 notifications of activity I’ve
missed, all my comments and posts back like magic. I plan to go in though, in the dead of night, rescue my photos, delete all but very close family and the handful of friends I can utterly count on to bring food and love to my family if I suddenly die and will help organise a funeral. I'm going to <a href="https://konmari.com/" target="_blank">Konmari</a> the feck out of it. Or push that 'permanently delete' button altogether. </div>
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In the meantime, the real me has found peace in choosing
what bad news floods my way. I don’t have to look at other people’s seemingly
fortunate wealthy lives and perfect families and have jealousy twist like a
knife in my gut (my problem, not theirs). My husband says I’m far less grumpy now,
but quietly wagering that Twitter will replace my addiction. I’m also sorry if
I have put up aspirational posts in the past that make my life seem like a
bunch of goddamned daisies. Nobody’s is, yet nobody wants to admit it in the
highly curated life online. Yet we circle like vultures for a hint
of weakness, or mistake made, ready to pounce and gossip.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Since quitting my personal page, I’ve had actual coffees and
catch ups in person with people I like and care about, invites to stay and long
walks along the wild coast of Wellington. I miss the banter from humerous like minded friends, but I don’t miss how utterly miserable Facebook made me feel. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Ironically, this post will also go up on my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/creativefifi/" target="_blank">public page</a> where I hope I
don’t lose followers. Ah the duplicity...</div>
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Cheers, and thanks for all the fish, love Fifi xxx<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Fifi Colston's musings and illustrations </div>Fifi Colstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10725999629390100976noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11427342.post-21760101212705692212019-12-09T18:01:00.001+13:452019-12-09T18:02:12.326+13:45Summer Holiday Workshops for kids!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg45ljMIJkhAafUaptTlruCzoMLpRRLGJbS0gvqDVKXB7Nn1rzO01W40MIkwgRSsK9Ld22ucyZeRggWvXBSGm9JeNzNvTAYTowitzqBraACzdESv3KbZRsJqeNe_OdiMg8tEuEcSw/s1600/header.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="791" height="96" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg45ljMIJkhAafUaptTlruCzoMLpRRLGJbS0gvqDVKXB7Nn1rzO01W40MIkwgRSsK9Ld22ucyZeRggWvXBSGm9JeNzNvTAYTowitzqBraACzdESv3KbZRsJqeNe_OdiMg8tEuEcSw/s400/header.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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It's that time isn't it? the year is rapidly drawing to a close and school holidays will be upon us!<br />
The first week will be great, as Christmas and all the holiday plans fall into place, wherever they are for you. Then the summer break in New Zealand, and then everyone comes home but wait...still plenty more holidays left for the kids-they are bored- and you need to be back at work!<br />
So, if you have arty, crafty, writery kids in Wellington, send them to <a href="https://www.mariagill.co.nz/" target="_blank">Maria Gill</a> and I for<br />
<a href="https://drawlikeanartist.com/" target="_blank">Draw Like an Artist</a> and <a href="https://www.writelikeanauthor.com/" target="_blank">Write Like an Author</a> School holiday programmes.We will keep them busy!<br />
<br />
We are running three day courses late January.<br />
<b>When:</b> 9am-4pm, 21st- 23rd January 2020<br />
Where: Rata Studios, Based at Scots College, 1 Monorgan road, Strathmore, Wellington<br />
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Click here for bookings: </div>
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<a href="https://drawlikeanartist.com/Register.asp?wc_id=222&return=/Camps.asp" target="_blank">Draw Like an Artist</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.writelikeanauthor.com/" target="_blank">Write Like an Author</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZGSRdBZvnJxa6LrnvUNoukjIK5UxyCNJKg1B5AVnS_-w30b0LJuQ_UOswWkUaepe9XVd6o4RcbogG-ZhyPbEN1R2u0mePsO0bVOqkslqGkLU7QJOO3GbE4nYUOnx7JkZXpJkpdA/s1600/Scots+Flyer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1132" data-original-width="1600" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZGSRdBZvnJxa6LrnvUNoukjIK5UxyCNJKg1B5AVnS_-w30b0LJuQ_UOswWkUaepe9XVd6o4RcbogG-ZhyPbEN1R2u0mePsO0bVOqkslqGkLU7QJOO3GbE4nYUOnx7JkZXpJkpdA/s400/Scots+Flyer.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Fifi Colston's musings and illustrations </div>Fifi Colstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10725999629390100976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11427342.post-18017511270495536182019-08-30T18:54:00.000+12:452019-08-30T21:50:07.383+12:45Robert Lord and me<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqvFKmOrPQ7R1mWx5yHxeX7g8XdZ4EeYoJSr6Jr9F5EUXPrN_VlQeoE6peD6RGS-zwDFjdBDrVkS7vJ5e0lPqgPWym-FFTmRr9dz8W18jGbu6P6UswfrjzmSRID3VdZZqp2vf4Vg/s1600/Robert+in+the+shed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="937" data-original-width="1249" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqvFKmOrPQ7R1mWx5yHxeX7g8XdZ4EeYoJSr6Jr9F5EUXPrN_VlQeoE6peD6RGS-zwDFjdBDrVkS7vJ5e0lPqgPWym-FFTmRr9dz8W18jGbu6P6UswfrjzmSRID3VdZZqp2vf4Vg/s400/Robert+in+the+shed.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Robert in the Shed- from my sketch diary. Riffing off the titles of his plays.</td></tr>
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<i><span style="color: #444444;">There is one last thing to do when leaving the <a href="http://robertlordwriterscottage.blogspot.com/p/about-cottage.html" target="_blank">Robert Lord Writers' Cottage</a> in Dunedin. It's to write in 'the book'. This is something that you are presented with at the end, rather than at the beginning of your tenure and it's a glorious rabbit hole of remembrance from past writers to dive down. </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #444444;">I recognised nearly all of them and was glad that the cottage is now equipped with double glazing and a heat pump, when reading about the battle to keep warm in an Otago winter- mostly from far north authors! This was my entry, typed printed and pasted because nobody wants to try and decipher my handwriting, least of all me!</span></i></div>
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<b><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Cottage</span></b></h2>
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I had all kinds of anxiety about coming to the cottage,
leaving our house and ancient cat in Wellington (in the capable hands of
friends of friends). We live in a big old 1910 villa, with my studio, a
basement for messy work and a garage with off-street parking. The information
provided was a spreadsheet of contents. How did a moustache cup relate to where
we would live for 6 months? How big was the bedroom? Was there enough room in
the kitchen for our sacred and necessary burr coffee grinder? Did the sofa bed in the
writers’ room provide space for a friend’s bag when folded down and in use?<o:p></o:p></div>
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I searched in vain for photos on the internet and all I
could find were smiling pictures of authors outside the front door, and one of
the mantlepiece. I’m used to light and space, and knew I’d be cooped up in a
historic tiny house with my husband. Would this be the end of a beautiful 40 year relationship? <o:p></o:p></div>
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I decided that I would take a full set of photos for the Trust
to pass on to future residents.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We packed the car in Wellington with my pared down art
materials, 2 computer screens, a sewing machine, clothing for multiple seasons
and some odds and ends from the pantry. I threw in our good cotton sheets and
steam iron; I was convinced there would be neither (there are). And off we
went, waving farewell to the city of my heart and wondering what lay ahead in a
city I’d only spent 2 days in (the Octagon) before. <o:p></o:p></div>
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When we arrived in Titan Street the party flat in George
street was in full swing, and one boy in disposable overalls approached and
asked if I would touch his bum as part of a challenge. This is the moment to
laugh and rejoice the boldness of youth, so I raised my finger ceremoniously
and prodded his offered derriere to the cheers of the onlookers across the road.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Then it was up to us, to greet the cottage and make it our
own for the time being. I think everyone adds in some way to the place. Our
contribution was to replace the lightbulbs with brighter ones and the Chinese
hat lightshades with rice paper globes that let the light spread to the
ceiling. </div>
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Adrian, my husband
fixed the front door hinges so that it didn’t stick, and we secreted a spare
key outside after locking ourselves out one day and having to call the Cottage
Trust rescue brigade. A couple of wooden blocks under the feet of one side of
the bed sorted out the tipsy lean. We moved some furniture around just a little;
Robert smiled from his place above the desk. Then putting away some travelling
boxes, we found his, in the shed. I gather it is empty, his ashes now beneath
the kowhai tree, but it seemed wrong to have him out in the laundry. We
restored him to the coal range where we
can say good morning and he can keep an eye on us, and I can thank him.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Each day I said goodbye to my husband and walked to the University
through that stunning campus to the College of Education. I would stop for a
coffee at the student Union or the Polytech Hub, and write in longhand,
listening and watching students in the wild. Back in Titan Street, Adrian swept
up glass and picked up rubbish, to keep it tidy and full of pride and I think
his example has worked on the students. He eventually found contract work and
the writers’ room has been busy with the sound of a keyboard in full thrash as
he delivers marketing strategy for the Otago Polytechnic.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The writers’ room has also been where we sit and drink wine,
watch Netflix, entertain friends and read books. We have watched students
stroll past from Fatty Alley (Great King Street) laden with takeaways. On one
cold day a girl walked past wearing nothing but a towel, and on another a boy in a
towel knocked on our door to ask if he could use a phone, locked out as he was
from his flat. <o:p></o:p></div>
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From our cosy cottage base, we have explored Dunedin,
Central Otago and Stewart Island. I have written and illustrated 2 children’s
picture books (due for publication with Pukeko Pictures later this year) the first draft of a junior
fiction novel and more than half of a YA Graphic novel (still a
WIP). </div>
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I’ve visited schools, given
lectures and been involved in the literary events of Dunedin. I buried a
sketchbook in the cottage garden for 4 months to decay as part of my YA,
unearthed it and it’s perfect for photographing. I dried it out on a plastic
bag on the floor in front of the coal range.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Whilst it isn’t mandatory for a writer here, I got a tattoo, my first. It will feature in ‘the work.'</div>
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Sorry Mum.</div>
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We have been cultural; we went to the Larnach Castle Ball as
Charles Dickens and Miss Havisham from Great Expectations. I made a faded and tatty wedding dress
complete with bustle on a borrowed dressmaker’s mannequin in the lounge. At one
stage, wedding petticoats and a veil hung in the shed, dripping tea stain. I
think this may be the only time in Robert Lord’s history a wedding dress has
been made in the cottage.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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We have been amused by the cottage, warmed by the cottage
and sheltered by the cottage. I have learned to be economical with dishes and
cooking in the tiny kitchen. I think of Robert and wonder if he was more of a wine and nibbles sort of
chef. And in our final few days here, will be saddened to leave our temporary home.
It has become quite a part of us. Or we of it. <o:p></o:p></div>
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</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><span style="height: 507px; margin-left: 5px; margin-top: 87px; mso-ignore: vglayout; position: absolute; width: 781px; z-index: -1895825408;"><br /></span><!--[endif]-->I thought about all the photos I
took when we arrived and how useful they might be to a new writer prior to arrival
and realised that entire charm of No.3, is the unexpected. The joy of
discovery; it’s the not knowing that makes this so good, so utterly special.
Not knowing what you are coming to, the friends you’ll make and the work you
will achieve… the ink you will get. Robert knows. What a good man.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I think I'll keep the interior photos to myself :)</div>
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With so many thanks, forever<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Fifi
Colston</span></b> (writer) <o:p></o:p></div>
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& <b>Adrian Parkyn</b> (sidekick)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miss Havisham's Shed<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fresh Ink- Ampersand Tattoo</td></tr>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Fifi Colston's musings and illustrations </div>Fifi Colstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10725999629390100976noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11427342.post-3366927103546884512019-04-05T12:52:00.000+13:452019-04-05T12:52:46.272+13:45Making connections, joining the dots<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnWU7ek1v6yEeGE6Jn_d40pg7DXMaaomMwBgnagT0mY-y9MxZIl9tk_1J7ZqBeVwk6293MCprs8JJkBprOCRTAh50sZHyc1thnsMCga5TE07-f1snoK0HsF4i2biQG1A73but42A/s1600/the-sleepout.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1329" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnWU7ek1v6yEeGE6Jn_d40pg7DXMaaomMwBgnagT0mY-y9MxZIl9tk_1J7ZqBeVwk6293MCprs8JJkBprOCRTAh50sZHyc1thnsMCga5TE07-f1snoK0HsF4i2biQG1A73but42A/s320/the-sleepout.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Sleepout- from 'The Workbook' WIP</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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A residency requires two things from oneself:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
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stopping slapping yourself that you finally got it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>and</i></div>
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the ability to say no to all the usual requests for
freelance work that you normally say yes to because 'god knows when you’ll get
work again'. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s been nearly 2 months since we set sail
(literally, on the Interislander ferry) for Dunedin. In this time, our ancient cat has not apparently
died, or even missed us. He’s going to be so annoyed when our doting house residents
leave and we come home. We bought 6 months of Chef and Whiskers cat food for
the duration and he is determinedly working his way through it all. All hail the cat of 9-12 lives.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Dunedin has been warm and sunny and welcoming, and we venture
forth in the weekends to visit beautiful places like <a href="https://www.newzealand.com/us/feature/nugget-point-lighthouse/" target="_blank">Nugget Point Lighthouse</a> in
the Catlins. St Clair remains our favoured spot for the moment, but we may
change our minds as the cold weather sets in. Today I donned the puffer jacket,
but the students are still sporting bare legs and jandals, so maybe I’m a Wellywuss. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I’ve settled into a new normal as far as the work goes. I
set out in the morning from the <a href="http://robertlordwriterscottage.blogspot.com/p/about-cottage.html" target="_blank">Robert Lord Cottage</a>, leaving my husband with strict instructions to enjoy his free time and not spend too much on coffee or Lime scooters
for the day. I walk across the park to the University and find one of 2 or 3
cafes to have what I’ve coined as my 'flat write'. The coffee restriction
directive does not apply to me, as it’s very necessary to the process. My
favorite spots are in the Polytech Hub or the Otago Student Union. Here I can
eavesdrop on young people and watch them in their unnatural environment called
Tertiary Education. The moult has finished and their full coats are on and pretty
soon I think there will be some mating rituals to observe as they try and keep
warm. My hide is a laptop and I keep very quiet so as not to disturb them. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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By late morning I get to my office at the College of
Education. By this time the sun has gone off my desk and it’s easier than
squinting or drawing the curtains. The whole tower block is about to undergo a
refurbishment and so the next writer in residence may have spivvy blinds and
new carpet!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I field emails, requests for work and follow ups on things I
said yes to before I knew I had the residency- the truism is, that when you are
busy, people want you even more. This is a good thing for both the ego and the
bank balance. Of course, being a<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>freelancer, I never
expect this to last. All self employed people will know this fear. The one that
has you never plan for a holiday/new clothes/car repairs more than one month in
the future, because you never know if you’ll have work to pay for it. <o:p></o:p></div>
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So, now with a salary (be still my unaccustomed heart) it’s
possible for me to say no. But I have to exercise that muscle fiercely. Because now all I want to do is my project. I draw in the afternoons when the light is
best in my office. I’ve set myself a herculean task that involves two different
drawing styles to be combined into kind of graphic novel, but with all the prose
as well. I am making contact with students who can both inform me and read over
what I have written for authenticity and tone. I’m meeting people who are welcoming
me into their arts and literary lives. I have my formal Fellows welcome next
week at The Hocken Library with the other Arts Residents. I’m presenting at the
<a href="http://www.dunedinwritersfestival.co.nz/story-time-train.html" target="_blank">Dunedin Readers & Writers Week</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m being resident. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is what it’s all about. Making
connections, joining the dots, exploring new work, that one day, with the
greatest of luck and fortitude, may become published. And if nobody wants it, I will put it all up
on some platform so it can be shared and, hopefully, enjoyed. Because it’s no use to anyone
in the bottom draw of my cloud storage waiting for someday. Never wait for
someday, do it now, with the <a href="https://otago.taleo.net/careersection/2/jobdetail.ftl?lang=en&job=1900601" target="_blank">Residency Application for 20/20 open</a>, if you are a
kids lit author/illustrator, apply. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Join those dots. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Fifi Colston's musings and illustrations </div>Fifi Colstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10725999629390100976noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11427342.post-78204601276599588612019-03-26T12:10:00.003+13:452019-03-26T12:13:10.989+13:45After the Ides of March<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBA5VV1lHoaDihsjz_NoTijdj7PqrrfWj2CgzXlKotDkwDWJiRGyZkMDtKbwFgTp542a73Ey8Hlb-FrEkHkPk30_-Yf9W1g6UXaCCNfaKBbOVvSpKkme8vl1xBPXqw-eNbjun-DQ/s1600/insta.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="895" data-original-width="968" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBA5VV1lHoaDihsjz_NoTijdj7PqrrfWj2CgzXlKotDkwDWJiRGyZkMDtKbwFgTp542a73Ey8Hlb-FrEkHkPk30_-Yf9W1g6UXaCCNfaKBbOVvSpKkme8vl1xBPXqw-eNbjun-DQ/s320/insta.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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</div>
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I was going to write about all my feelings around this last week
in New Zealand. </div>
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</div>
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But if you follow me on facebook, Instagram or Twitter, or stumble
across me in comments on news items, you will know very succinctly how I feel; I feel just
like the rest of you. Unless you are someone called something like Aron, Derek
or Ryan with a fb profile full of guns and army fatigues. Pro tip- never argue
with these people. It’s a waste of your intelligence; you will become stupider
with more contact.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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So, wiping myself down with sanitising cloths after emerging from the
sewers of social media (funny how you trip into them unwittingly and then have
to try and claw your way up out of a slippery siding), I will tell you a little more
about my residency and how that is going. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Dunedin proves to be more beautiful every day, despite some students
being totally unaware that being a <a href="http://www.beatidykiwi.nz/" target="_blank">Tidy Kiwi </a>keeps it that way. My husband took
to brushing up broken glass and rubbish in our little street and it looks much
better for it. I think he may have guilted the Young and the Feckless into
following suit, because it has remained almost spotless for a few days now. By
the time we leave here in August, the students will have run out of money for
takeaways and beer and be deep in work they should have done in the first semester.
It will be very quiet. Bless. </div>
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I have visited <a href="https://penguinplace.co.nz/" target="_blank">Hoiho: yellow eyed penguins</a> and <a href="https://adventure.nunn.nz/2015/12/18/tunnel-beach-and-the-legend-of-cargills-drowned-daughter/" target="_blank">Tunnel Beach</a> and marvelled in the stunning coastline. Taken a trip to the quirky and fascinating <a href="http://www.royaldunedinmuseum.com/" target="_blank">Museum of Natural Mystery</a>, <a href="https://otagomuseum.nz/whats-on/see/exhibition/est-1868" target="_blank">The Otago Museum</a>, gone to music performances at <a href="https://www.otago.ac.nz/news/itunesu/podcasts/maramahall_lunchtime.html" target="_blank">The Marama Hall</a> and of course quite a few new favorite coffee spots with fellow writers and visiting friends... and the odd bar or two. I am pacing myself, because I don't want it all to run out before I go. It won't of course, Dunedin has a myriad of things on and I am entertained daily. It would be easy to forget what I'm down here for. </div>
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So, how's that novel going, part two.</div>
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With a new project, I find, there is the standing around the
edge of it, peering over the side, stepping back and going away to think about
it a bit more. Like a high diving platform. Summoning up the courage to commit,
because once you do, there is no going back and everything else is a distraction
you really don’t need, in case you hit your head on the board. I can report my
diving is not up to Olympic or even national standard. I got my bathers wet and
have to work on my technique. Let’s call it a shitty first dive. But there are
parts of it I like very much, so I’ll keep going, because that’s what this time
is all about. I can report I have also, as part of what is turning into a graphic novel of sorts, drawn a lot of rats. I have saved one as my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/fificolston/" target="_blank">instagram</a> profile to ward off the requests from 'Single Dad, Ohio' (aka, scammer with a laptop and Western Union account for me to pour money into) to get to know me better. I don't think they will be able to in all seriousness say 'Hi Beautiful'. Unless they have a thing for rodents.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I’m still sketching people. Here’s one I did on Friday
15<sup>th</sup> March, in the morning, before the <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=12216203" target="_blank">Christchurch Mosque massacre</a> and the rosy tint fell from our happily deluded glasses. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ides_of_March" target="_blank">The Ides of March.</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I was at an <a href="https://www.idfashion.co.nz/" target="_blank">iDFashion</a> talk by <a href="https://katesylvester.com/" target="_blank">Kate Sylvester </a>and was
fascinated by this birdlike lady in designer clothes in the audience. I wote something. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i>Kate talked about Francis Hodgkins, inspiration and sustainability.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>The tiny woman fell forward, caught herself, fell again.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>Narcolepsy?<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>She was unsustained. By the talk. By food.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>The WORLD at her feet, fashion forward, modelling Twiggy of her
youth.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Fashion just could not hold her up.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCH_oy0FFJHkMN6DsDD_owbSqmLkyfFheGx2WlNClmfBVkn2Ch6RQcIitWjIsNJnhlLwvJGOeILoXBpXlVlbxynEKtTB8InVJlM7qnvoSsE8zPr6__FbOe1Owl24POJyqhSJH-3g/s1600/tiny-woman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1179" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCH_oy0FFJHkMN6DsDD_owbSqmLkyfFheGx2WlNClmfBVkn2Ch6RQcIitWjIsNJnhlLwvJGOeILoXBpXlVlbxynEKtTB8InVJlM7qnvoSsE8zPr6__FbOe1Owl24POJyqhSJH-3g/s320/tiny-woman.jpg" width="235" /></a></div>
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<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Fifi Colston's musings and illustrations </div>Fifi Colstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10725999629390100976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11427342.post-86106217939404443632019-03-17T22:13:00.000+13:452019-03-17T22:13:02.947+13:45Thoughts from Dunedin<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUllVvwsYB6C1EvKi1rNsN0e5xHAIahyphenhyphenPGOBRa3u0d6Yh00CwX_SFjEgxPK0OvxkngNGsajjNCbPl_4FjBdMI-KowpjPnXlLEcqU0exCAuXozMVv-kXx5HzzK_ehR7B4LpM14S0Q/s1600/arum-lily-1635626_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUllVvwsYB6C1EvKi1rNsN0e5xHAIahyphenhyphenPGOBRa3u0d6Yh00CwX_SFjEgxPK0OvxkngNGsajjNCbPl_4FjBdMI-KowpjPnXlLEcqU0exCAuXozMVv-kXx5HzzK_ehR7B4LpM14S0Q/s320/arum-lily-1635626_1280.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Friday 15<sup>th</sup> March</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At lunchtime I applaud our beautiful tamariki for protesting
<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=student+protest+climate+nz&rlz=1C1CHZL_enNZ766NZ766&oq=student+protest+climate+nz&aqs=chrome..69i57.8569j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8" target="_blank">climate change</a>. Calling for global action. Inspirational. Our younger generation
leading the way for the planet. I’m so proud I want to hug them all. The world
is looking up. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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After lunch, I sit in the audience for a panel discussion at
<a href="https://www.idfashion.co.nz/about" target="_blank">ID Fashion</a> when my silent phone keeps buzzing. The talk is of sustainability
and the challenges ahead for designers. I look at the desperate message from my
adult son. ‘This is happening in Christchurch, right now!’<o:p></o:p></div>
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I check the link. Not an earthquake. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Walking outside, there are still people who don’t know.
Taking selfies, buying clothes, drinking coffee. Laughing in the sunshine. I
want a megaphone so I can shout to them, ‘Stop, stop, our world is now different!’<o:p></o:p></div>
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Fashion seems irrelevant. Red is all the rage.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Saturday 16<sup>th</sup> March</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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I go for a walk. The New Zealand flag is at half mast. Events
have been cancelled but Gun City is open. ‘6 Fun shooting activities you can have
without a firearms licence! ‘The ad features a man with his tiny children,
laughing and bonding over a tripod mounted weapon. Aiming at targets, finger on the trigger. Kapow. So much family fun to be had.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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A visiting friend and I make our way to the mosque, buying
the last sad bunch of lilies at <a href="https://www.veggieboys.net/" target="_blank">Veggie Boys. </a><o:p></o:p></div>
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‘There’s been a run on them today’ says the girl at the
counter.<o:p></o:p></div>
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A group of students
walk alongside us clutching posies of wild flowers plucked from gardens, maybe
their flats, maybe someone elses. Nobody would begrudge a stolen bloom today, headed
for a memorial, an offering of sorrow. We lay our flowers down, a poor
substitute for regret, but all we can do right now. Two more students tie a bunting
of international flags to the railings. A young Samoan girl writes ‘We love you’
inside a heart, with pink pavement chalk. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>Aroha, sorry, we are not this, this is your home,</i> spelled
out in pastels.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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An official sign on the mosque gate, that has been there forever says:<br /><i>
‘The Messenger said: do not harm or reciprocate harm’</i>. And something about
making sure you park legally please.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Parked outside on their feet are two policemen. It’s a shock
to see the black weapons in their arms. They hold them like an uncomfortable
apology, shaped like death.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Huddles of Muslim people. I don’t know what to do. I don’t
want to intrude.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We start to walk away and there is one young woman in a
hijab staring at the all the tributes. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I touch her hand and say clumsily, ‘I am so, so sorry,’ and
we fall into each other’s arms and sob. I hold her tight and she holds me
tighter. My friend embraces her too. There is comfort in a single act of touch.
For us maybe more than this woman. We want to be forgiven for our country
becoming this horror for her.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We walk home my friend and I, swiping at our wet faces. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There are green clad students partying on a rooftop. Early
St Patricks Day. One boy leans over and vomits again and again and again, over
the wall into the garden. A waterfall of chunks. He gets up, steadies himself and
opens another beer to the cheers of his mates. Later he will climb aboard a
Lime Scooter, fall off it and clog up the overburdened emergency department
with a broken leg. His parents will be so proud he’s at Uni in Otago, all his
future ahead of him. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He doesn’t look
like the praying sort.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Sunday 17th March</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I hear there’s a rush on gun sales before the law change on
ownership. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Fifi Colston's musings and illustrations </div>Fifi Colstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10725999629390100976noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11427342.post-38075928338239606562019-03-11T22:42:00.000+13:452019-03-11T22:42:57.819+13:45Hows that novel coming along?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTeXIV_5fjrhZ-pCml1uq2GMGi9fdWOtQnI5I0pBLqnJgfhYkOeq4RpPTpuwwx_b73fTCaLyqKtYbfx2UGnWqBdhMnI8sQyN_kTUAhUh88Luoe2WRT0MzNLX1eoxAC5D5AlAeecQ/s1600/CLA1n0wUEAEjfgn.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="1024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTeXIV_5fjrhZ-pCml1uq2GMGi9fdWOtQnI5I0pBLqnJgfhYkOeq4RpPTpuwwx_b73fTCaLyqKtYbfx2UGnWqBdhMnI8sQyN_kTUAhUh88Luoe2WRT0MzNLX1eoxAC5D5AlAeecQ/s400/CLA1n0wUEAEjfgn.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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On Saturday I will have been here a month.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The burning question is‘ So how’s that novel coming along?’<o:p></o:p></div>
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The truth is, I find myself thrown back into my <a href="https://www.victoria.ac.nz/modernletters/study/postgraduate/postgrad-ma" target="_blank">Masters at the IIML</a>, when having been accepted with a brilliant submission, I got there
and found my ideas ran off like disobedient terriers. I went through an angst
filled period of self loathing, resignation that I was totally useless, a complete
fraud and was not worthy. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Then I got down to writing.<o:p></o:p></div>
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It takes a while to settle into a place before the muse can
be given free reign (my story and I’m sticking to it). Every day seems
distracted by something that takes me away from my IMPORTANT work. Things I
didn’t finish in Wellington before I left. Getting a Residents Parking permit,
so further fines are avoided. Tell me, why does every student on George, Titan
and Great King Street own a vehicle? When I was a poor student, I sensibly
lived at home and used my parents car, and all their petrol whilst receiving a
standard tertiary bursary. Kids these days…privileged much (joking here).</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Then there is meeting up with other artists, writers and
going to check out the museums and libraries. And St Clair Salt water pool until
it closes with daylight saving. <a href="https://www.idfashion.co.nz/about" target="_blank">ID Fashion</a> this week, French film Festival the next. So busy! So much to see and do. A
thousand ways to avoid writing. <o:p></o:p></div>
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But still, walking everyday to my office across the North Ground green,
through the University, along the Leith. Watching students, listening to conversations
whilst pretending to look at my phone. Realising YA doesn’t always mean 15 year
old at school. Can be an 18 year old school leaver. Back in my day we left
school at 16 most often. What is a YA audience anyway except for a yarn
intended to absorb anyone over the age of 12? <o:p></o:p></div>
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And drawing.<o:p></o:p></div>
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One of the things I decided when I was coming down was that
my sketchbook was getting thin on drawings and I had lost the urge to doodle.
Part of this is because I no longer feel the need to sketch something from
life, because I’m a practised illustrator. So why fill up a diary with studies
of fruit and suchlike? I know how to draw them and doing more bores me. The other reason to draw was to nut out designs for clients.
I don’t have a client down here, I AM the client. So I bought a brown paper
sketchbook (to challenge my tonality) and decided to fill it with whimsey and
humour during my time here. If I draw something I have give it a different
spin.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I thought I was just amusing myself, but the revelation to
me today, was that this is an integral part of my project. Not these particular
drawings as such, but the way I’m interpreting the world around me. My proposed
project includes diary sketches and a fundamentally different view of life from my
protagonist. </div>
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<o:p></o:p>Every new thing I am experiencing here is feeding my work.
From losing my keys down the lift well at the College of Ed, visiting Bruce Mahalski
and his <a href="http://www.royaldunedinmuseum.com/" target="_blank">Museum of Natural Mystery</a> (and coming away with bones), to chortling at
the blatantly <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/109937294/entering-howe-bizarre-and-other-scarfie-flats-dunedins-colourful-student-digs-celebrated" target="_blank">naughty signage </a>on scarfie student flats. <o:p></o:p></div>
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And sitting in the Student Hub today, I did what has always
worked for me best when writing. I got out lined paper, a pen and started. And
it’s filling me with that certain excitement that other writers will know…the
one that has you wriggling about with delight. Because you are on your way.<o:p></o:p></div>
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So how’s that novel going Fifi? I can report today, that it’s
going just fine.</div>
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<o:p></o:p>PS- if you want to check out my sketches, follow me on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/fificolston/?hl=en" target="_blank">instagram</a> or <a href="https://www.facebook.com/creativefifi/" target="_blank">facebook</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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And here is Smaug of the lift shaft, waiting for my keys.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Fifi Colston's musings and illustrations </div>Fifi Colstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10725999629390100976noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11427342.post-37165132519840307892019-03-04T22:36:00.001+13:452019-03-04T22:37:58.832+13:45Writer in Residence- the inside oil!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTwM1it7Vs48XIJJDvS3K9S13kI7EdRlhyphenhyphenNH09hfWtOSssnu0Txl-T3x8SeEwm7gL4R7LHYQV6EkN3Bah3qugMVt5qWFkDrJlo0CgBWmksf7MALdah7sBflrm52JzHU3WhyphenhyphenakMrA/s1600/IMG_20190218_120436.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="398" data-original-width="1600" height="98" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTwM1it7Vs48XIJJDvS3K9S13kI7EdRlhyphenhyphenNH09hfWtOSssnu0Txl-T3x8SeEwm7gL4R7LHYQV6EkN3Bah3qugMVt5qWFkDrJlo0CgBWmksf7MALdah7sBflrm52JzHU3WhyphenhyphenakMrA/s400/IMG_20190218_120436.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Writer in Residence…it conjures up a Roald Dahlesque picture
does it not? In an overstuffed threadbare armchair, crocheted rug over the knees (granny squares
101) with a leather bound desk (spotted with ink, and bearing the scratch marks
of an author’s unpublished despair). Stabbing furiously at a typewriter
(Olivetti Leterra 25). The residence is an orangerie circa 1922 with wooden framing,
glassed panes: some slightly cracked from the insistent tapping of the peach
trees outside, on a warm Francophilean day.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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I am, for my sins- it pays to have some apparently, <a href="https://www.otago.ac.nz/otagofellows/writer.html" target="_blank">The Otago Children’s Writer in Residence</a> for 2019.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Not France, but charming and endearing all the same. My
Olivetti is a keyboard from Jaycar Electronics, hooked up to multiple screens
and powered with a Microsoft Surface Pro- bought with my winnings from a <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/fashion/96558709/wow-lifer-uses-human-skeleton-to-create-an-organharvesting-cyborg-for-this-years-final" target="_blank">World of WearableArt entry. </a>My chair is College of Education standard issue, the desk
too, with a set of draws which boasts a small selection of stationery (rumour
has it there is a stationery cupboard from which one might help oneself, should
a freelancer who has paid for this stuff all her career be so bold. Be still my
beating and astounded heart!).</div>
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I have photocopier privileges. The residence is on the 4<sup>th</sup>
floor, a room with a view of the <a href="https://forsythbarrstadium.co.nz/whats-on/upcoming-events/" target="_blank">Forsyth Barr Stadium </a>and the Leith. There is a
sign on the door ‘Children’s Writer in Residence’ and one might expect to slide
it open a crack and see a woman with a multi coloured wig throwing words in the
air and catching them in teacups, for further wetting of the literary whistle. <o:p></o:p></div>
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If you peeked in at me, you would find instead, a small
woman with ashy hair, a room taken over with drawing board, paints, brushes,
paper and skeletal models of characters made from wire and clay. There’s an
Otago Uni branded keep cup and a thick wad of manuscript that has yet to find a
home. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/feb/27/authors-voice-alarm-after-sharp-drop-in-sales-of-ya-fiction?CMP=share_btn_fb&fbclid=IwAR0-I50vJkChs8-JN3C9ZTukzHaIGiEGHuhXRncCIaDDV-Kz0kKOOd4Aatc" target="_blank">YA rejections</a>, trending to the max. It’s looking at me askance whilst I work
on a new project. Sorry <a href="http://fificolston.blogspot.com/2016/03/cards-on-table-or-i-finished-that-sucker.html" target="_blank">Wild Cards,</a> you were so the last 10 years of my life.
Let’s take a break whilst I dally with a newer, more exciting diversion, one that takes me out to dinner and pays the bill.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Having this much sought after and prestigious position comes
with the weight of expectation. Mostly, actually, entirely from myself. Am I worthy?
Is my project up to it? Can I deliver anything? If I do, will it ever be
published. Publish or Perish, is the academic’s motto is it not? Myself and
many writing colleagues perish on a yearly basis on that premise alone, such is
the fickle industry we have chosen to align ourselves with. We resurrect
ourselves again and again.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The reality is, though, published or not, this 6 months is
whatever I make of it. The point of writing is writing. <o:p></o:p></div>
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So, to keep myself honest to my proposal (which gives
me more than a frisson of excitement when I look at it), I’ve decided to blog weekly,
about my experience here, What it is to be a Writer in Residence, and how it
will impact my work. I've survived O Week, settled into my new surroundings and I’ll start by thanking <span id="goog_987277157"></span><a href="http://www.creativenz.govt.nz/" target="_blank">Creative New Zealan<span id="goog_987277158"></span>d</a>, <a href="https://www.otago.ac.nz/education/index.html" target="_blank">Otago University and the College of Education</a> for the opportunity and the late <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Lord_(playwright)" target="_blank">Robert Lord</a> for the <a href="http://robertlordwriterscottage.blogspot.com/p/about-cottage.html" target="_blank">cottage </a>I'm living in. </div>
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Chur!<o:p></o:p></div>
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To be continued… (and no, I didn’t wake up to find it was all a
dream)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBF_JoskjX7Wva7XhyphenhyphenyFg_6E1IT3Ln5ZtDn_Lu4a5Ja20namy6e2J0iLvE2M8N1vB-UQKwBO1ykocF3098vkRpVAH0uDKKAo4hhA2OgK5wJUhRdmtd9YsTvEZ-aAR8hgIAOwi7Dw/s1600/office.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1283" data-original-width="1600" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBF_JoskjX7Wva7XhyphenhyphenyFg_6E1IT3Ln5ZtDn_Lu4a5Ja20namy6e2J0iLvE2M8N1vB-UQKwBO1ykocF3098vkRpVAH0uDKKAo4hhA2OgK5wJUhRdmtd9YsTvEZ-aAR8hgIAOwi7Dw/s320/office.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Fifi Colston's musings and illustrations </div>Fifi Colstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10725999629390100976noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11427342.post-37320162480378622662018-12-31T18:12:00.000+13:452019-01-04T12:07:08.727+13:452018 was my bestest!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjznosPdaGkxdFq_nGik7W_yMwT8UB3hH1lcIJScqCFdSrmynKcHrc6KtC_NA9sYOanYyl2vGp81ZaCw5QiP2OHJnsI5nxVL_i0gSuxnq8X-zHuyR-7665_9cIi-TfyKU5BOTI9RA/s1600/Fifi+NZWW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="874" data-original-width="1600" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjznosPdaGkxdFq_nGik7W_yMwT8UB3hH1lcIJScqCFdSrmynKcHrc6KtC_NA9sYOanYyl2vGp81ZaCw5QiP2OHJnsI5nxVL_i0gSuxnq8X-zHuyR-7665_9cIi-TfyKU5BOTI9RA/s400/Fifi+NZWW.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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On New Years Eve of 2019, I’m pausing to think about the
year. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Facebook reminds us daily of what happened this time last
year and some years are ones we would rather forget. Some years are full of
grief and sheer bad luck. We all have them, no matter what the aspirational Instagrammers tell us. The people close to us know what really went on; the struggles
with all manner of things; addiction, depression, financial disaster. Sometimes
you read people’s posts and think ‘Hang on, is this the same person I was
hanging out with last week?!’<o:p></o:p></div>
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Social media is designed to curate all manner of things. Laughter,
envy, adoration, conscience…<o:p></o:p></div>
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I like to have a laugh above all other things, and some
years it’s been hard to. But 2018 was good to me. It bought me work I love and people I enjoyed the company of and working with. You hang onto those years,
when things turn out, because it’s good to remember that they did, and the
tricky times are blips in the road- sometimes bloody great potholes. This year
the highway was smooth for me, and this is how it went. The things I did were, as a summary:</div>
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<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Props and costume on The Candlewasters Tragicomic
Series <a href="http://www.thecandlewasters.com/tragicomic.html" target="_blank">watch it- here!</a></li>
<li>Celebrated my painted owl for <a href="https://www.thebighoot.co.nz/" target="_blank">The Big Hoot</a>, in situ and saw it auctioned off.</li>
<li>Designed and built on costuming commissions for some fun
projects at <a href="https://www.ckfilmdesign.com/" target="_blank">CK Film Design</a> here in Wellington.</li>
<li>Pulled together a 40th reunion of people who started at Wellington Polytechnic Design School (now Massey university). It was so much fun! <a href="http://www.massey.ac.nz/massey/fms/sustainability/images/living-labs/projects/pukeahu/Wellington-Polytechnic/1970s-WP-School-of-Design.jpg" target="_blank">Go here </a>to see the one historic photo of the time on record in the official archives. Yes thats me hahaha! I was 20. Of course we dug up many more which I won't post!</li>
<li>Created two finalist entries, 'Bower' and 'Jellytits' in the <a href="https://www.worldofwearableart.com/" target="_blank">World of WearableArt</a>,
Bizarre Bra Section and watched them perform wonderfully on stage.</li>
<li>Designed and created all the costumes for <a href="https://www.facebook.com/FLIPshortfilm/" target="_blank">Flip, a short Film</a> by Jessica Grace Smith.</li>
<li>Saw the release of <a href="https://www.penguin.co.nz/books/go-girl-9780143771609" target="_blank">Go Girl by Barbara Else</a>, which features 6 portraits I illustrated.</li>
<li>Constructed, with the invaluable skills of the hugely clever <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Josienevm/" target="_blank">JosieneVM</a>, replica historic prison guard and prisoner uniforms for the <a href="https://www.corrections.govt.nz/about_us/who_we_are/our_story/our_heritage_centre.html" target="_blank">CorrectionsMuseum in Wellington</a>. </li>
<li>Designed and made couple of hilarious and awesome crayfish mascot suits
for a local Govt Dept - yet to be released into the wilderness, but look out
for them in the new year (still can’t show you pictures yet!)</li>
<li>Created regular monthy crafts for <a href="https://www.thesapling.co.nz/crafts-with-fifi" target="_blank">The Sapling</a> (an awesome resource!)</li>
<li>Illustrated ‘<a href="http://makaropress.co.nz/submarine-books-2/andrew-down-under-the-story-of-an-immigrant-dog-by-anne-manchester/" target="_blank">Andrew Down Under</a>’ by Anne Manchester, featuring a very cute dog!</li>
<li>Travelled for multiple school visits and workshops in
Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland through <a href="https://www.bookcouncil.org.nz/programmes/writers-in-schools/" target="_blank">The New Zealand Book Council, Writers in Schools programme</a>.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.booksinhomes.org.nz/what-we-do/our-work/role-models.aspx" target="_blank">A Duffy Role Model Tour</a> of Hawkes Bay- Bringing Books into
Homes.</li>
<li>Co-Judged the <a href="http://ediblefashionawards.co.nz/" target="_blank">Edible Fashion Awards</a> in Havelock North, with Annah Stretton and Tessa Paymans.</li>
<li>Created a puffer fish puppet for <a href="http://www.sailorasthmashow.co.nz/" target="_blank">The Asthma andRespiratory Foundation Education</a> programme</li>
<li>Ran a Matariki craft workshop at The Beehive and a monthly
craft session for Teen Girls at Hutt Hospital.</li>
<li>Ran writing and illustration workshops at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Community-Service/Hokianga-Book-Festival-2018-626447537723735/" target="_blank">The Hokianga Writers Festiva</a>l in Rawene- a very special place in the world</li>
<li>Facilitated a <a href="https://www.writelikeanauthor.com/" target="_blank">Write Like an Author</a> School Holiday Workshop over a
week with talented young writers and am setting up a <a href="https://www.drawlikeanillustrator.com/" target="_blank">Draw Like an Illustrator</a> one for January 2019 (only 4 places left!)</li>
<li>Gathered WOW entries together for a mini show for <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/arts/104941532/new-show-gives-world-of-wearable-art-rejects-second-chance-to-shine" target="_blank">AWE in Upper Hutt</a> with the tireless and community spirited, Melanie Avery, then helped displayed a static wearable art exhibition
at <a href="https://www.expressions.org.nz/" target="_blank">Expressions Gallery.</a></li>
<li>Spent a month creating a special sculpture for <a href="https://wellington.dressforsuccess.org/" target="_blank">Dress for Succes</a>s using my <a href="https://www.wetanz.com/" target="_blank">Weta Workshop</a> Residency, won at World of WearableArt the previous year.</li>
<li>Won <a href="https://shoesextravaganza.com/" target="_blank">The Shoes Extravaganza</a> Contemporary Section with my 'Milos' Greek inspired shoes</li>
<li>Finally, finally, I have had two picture books that I
have both written and will illustrate accepted for publishing next year (more
details to come as to what and with who). Usually I either write my own novels, or illustrate someone elses picture books.</li>
<li>Made a panel for <a href="https://www.vinnies-wellington.org.nz/suffrage-in-stitches/" target="_blank">Suffrage in Stitches</a> (they still need a few more if you want to make one!)</li>
<li>Oh and the big one; I was appointed the <a href="https://www.otago.ac.nz/humanities/news/otago695162.html" target="_blank">2019 Children’sWriter in residence at Otago University</a>. Something I have dearly wanted and
worked towards for years- AND the NZ Women's Weekly <a href="https://www.pressreader.com/new-zealand/new-zealand-womans-weekly/20181119/281612421437590" target="_blank">did an article</a> on me because of it. So I have made my mother proud!</li>
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So yes, the stars were in alignment and if it seemed that
everything I touched turned to gold this year, it’s more an indication of years
of groundwork I think, making good connections with people and not letting
anyone down, even if I was dog tired. I was fortunate to keep good health both
physically and mentally. And as I said at the start of this post, some years
are just not like that (I'm remembering that appendicitis surgery, and the year of depression...) Oh, and I'm still not financially wealthy. Designer clothes and travel continue to evade me, but I am happy and content. That's worth so much to me.<o:p></o:p></div>
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So if 2018 has been one you’d rather wave goodbye to and
forget, then bid it farewell. Tomorrow is a new day, a new year, with new
possibilities. Happy 2019 all, and thank you everyone for your most excellent
support and aroha xxx<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Fifi Colston's musings and illustrations </div>Fifi Colstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10725999629390100976noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11427342.post-60576420663902871512018-10-12T15:10:00.000+13:452018-10-13T23:04:14.117+13:45Weta Workshop Reward!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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In 2017, I won the <a href="https://www.worldofwearableart.com/2017/09/the-2017-wow-award-winners/" target="_blank">World of WearableArt,Weta Workshop Science Fiction Award</a>, for <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/fashion/96558709/wow-lifer-uses-human-skeleton-to-create-an-organharvesting-cyborg-for-this-years-final" target="_blank">The Organ Farmer</a>, which included an internship opportunity at Weta Workshop.</div>
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Figuring out just how best to use my time at <a href="https://www.wetaworkshop.com/" target="_blank">Weta Workshop</a>
was exciting. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I was a little unusual a candidate for the internship
because some years ago I had worked there on <a href="https://www.wetaworkshop.com/projects/the-chronicles-of-narnia-the-lion-the-witch-and-the-wardrobe/" target="_blank">The Lion, The Witch and theWardrobe,</a> so I already knew a bit about sewing costumes and riveting and
assembling armour. But I’ve always wanted to learn about sculpting, moulding
and casting and was desperate to get into those departments and find out everything.
Everything I knew I didn’t know!<o:p></o:p></div>
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It made sense for me to go with a project in mind and have
the experts at Weta Workshop guide me through the processes to create something.
After much thought, I hit upon the ideal project. Something that would give
back somewhere in the community, whilst teaching me all I wanted to learn. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I approached ‘<a href="https://wellington.dressforsuccess.org/" target="_blank">Dress for Success</a>’ a charity which helps
people prepare for interviews and employment with the simple but crucial
advantage of an appropriate wardrobe. I suggested that I design and create a
one-off sculpture that could be auctioned and the proceeds go to their charity. President Rhiannon McKinnon was thrilled with the idea and with the blessing of the
<a href="https://www.worldofwearableart.com/" target="_blank">World of WearableArt (WOW)</a> and Weta Workshop, we made a plan.<o:p></o:p></div>
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First, I drew up a design. I decided an oversized shoe, a
firm kind of women’s boot patterned with blossoming red flowers on one side and the <a href="http://www.tuarangi.com/meaning-of-maori-kowhaiwhai-patterns/" target="_blank">koiri </a> kowhaiwhai pattern meaning ‘flourish’ on the other, held together with a seam of
gold best represented ‘putting your best foot forward.’ A celebration of the
<a href="https://nzhistory.govt.nz/culture/suffrage125" target="_blank">125<sup>th</sup> year of NZ Womens’ Suffrage. </a><o:p></o:p></div>
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I sent my design in advance to Weta Workshop so I could hit
the ground running on day one.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Jane Wenley met me at reception. Jane is amazing
collectibles sculptor as well as a stunning WOW model. Such talent all wrapped
up in one lovely welcoming tutor! And I needed one, having come up with my
design, I had no idea how to make it. Jane took me to the wood workshop to find
some useful chunks of timber as a base, which were then cut to the right size
for me. She showed me how to build an armature for my model. Then I was
introduced to the Plasteline sculpting compound, kept soft and pliable in
something akin to a pie warmer. I was set up in the sculpting room, at a desk
and lent all kinds of useful tools that were much handier than my own, whilst
Jane showed me the ins and outs of sculpting and kept a gentle eye on my
progress. Richard Taylor came in and gave me some tips too- about not being so
tentative with my techniques but just getting stuck in with a bit of gusto. He
really knows how to use those tools!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_RdnwrF-OBeIhNRAefaHOsKetydOBZBx8LP6SH0lNXkrSZWB_Ek6Bsi3Ek9yOIxWgLu20uqsvUZg2LziX5tCtO6luX5Nqo109_WGzDW62GNCtKXl8P-VCWoz9ech9KGt7Z1T4sg/s1600/shoe--stage-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1304" data-original-width="1600" height="325" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_RdnwrF-OBeIhNRAefaHOsKetydOBZBx8LP6SH0lNXkrSZWB_Ek6Bsi3Ek9yOIxWgLu20uqsvUZg2LziX5tCtO6luX5Nqo109_WGzDW62GNCtKXl8P-VCWoz9ech9KGt7Z1T4sg/s400/shoe--stage-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Over the week, Heather Palmer and Kat Sprowell popped in
from WOW, hugs all around. I had lunch out with Jane and the crew at Park Road
Post (very flash!) and learned how to use the espresso machine in the cafe like
a pro. Very important, the caffeine! I learned the useful art of making dozens
of replica Plasteline flowers from a silicon mould of my sculpt to speed up the
process, how to smooth and refine my design and make it into what I had
envisaged in the first place. I also learned that my idea of making a thing in
a week was totally underestimating the time involved. I could have spent
another couple of weeks on the sculpt, but I had a deadline and it was time to
move onto the next department. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Rob Skene runs the moulding department and took me through
the process of making a mould. I brushed silicone, made a plaster jacket and
learned all about the importance of registration keys. This process took a
couple of days and I would never have got my head around it if I hadn’t had the
guidance and access to the materials. Now if I need to do this, I know what to
buy, how much to buy and what steps are critical. <o:p></o:p></div>
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With plaster mould in hand, it was onto the casting room,
where Brian Stendebach offered to mix up the resin compounds and pour the cast.
I was very happy to hand this part over to the expert as it takes speed,
agility and know how. I watched, fascinated as the mould was filled, layer by
layer and left to set. When it was de-moulded, there, looking fantastic was my
shoe! Almost. Now it needed finishing.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">moulding, casting and demoulding</td></tr>
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The finishing room is headed by Marco Wuest who set me up at
a desk fitted with an extraction fan- very important when finely sanding your
mould to paintable smoothness. I realised then, what work I could have done on
the plasticine sculpt before I made a mould to make this process faster. After
a full day with grit and dremels, it was time to go paint a shoe!</div>
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Jules German set me up in the paint room and introduced me
to super-fast drying spray paints, more extraction booths and the marvels of
gold foil. Paint is my thing and I thought I knew everything about it, but I
learned more. I also had a nosy at the work they were doing for a film and got
some good tips on making multiple stencils. Richard popped by and I took the
opportunity to have him sign the shoe base with gold pen, alongside my name.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dressed for...Weta Workshop!</td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.wetaworkshop.com/" target="_blank">www.wetaworkshop.com</a></div>
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And then, all too soon, my time at Weta Workshop was over. I
had a photo by the weapons wall, one last flat white, goodbye hugs, handed in
my fob and walked out the door with new skills and a giant beautiful shoe that
took around 150 hours to create. It’s one in a limited edition of two, the
second is a blank cast, just for me. Then we broke the mould.<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘Flourish’ will go up for public auction soon, all proceeds
will go to Dress For Success to further their fantastic work. And unlike <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2018/oct/06/banksy-sothebys-auction-prank-leaves-art-world-in-shreds-girl-with-balloon" target="_blank">Banksy</a>, we won’t destroy it when the hammer falls.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo credit: Weta Workshop</td></tr>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Fifi Colston's musings and illustrations </div>Fifi Colstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10725999629390100976noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11427342.post-21841120733411879502018-09-19T23:11:00.004+12:452018-09-19T23:11:57.878+12:45there's a Writer in Residence! (and it's me)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<i><span style="color: #45818e;"><br /></span></i></h2>
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<i><span style="color: #45818e;">Well, blow me down...South!</span></i></h2>
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<i><span style="color: #45818e;">Here's a bucket list thing I have been wanting for a very long time. Once again back to that old saying: 'Your persistence is your measure of your belief in yourself' . </span></i></h2>
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<i><span style="color: #45818e;">Still can't believe it, but have bought a puffer jacket for living in Dundin for 6 months of 2019!</span></i></h2>
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<span style="color: #212121; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 19px; font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://www.otago.ac.nz/otagobulletin/news/otago695162.h">https://www.otago.ac.nz/otagobulletin/news/otago695162.h</a></span></span></h2>
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University of Otago College of Education/Creative New Zealand Children’s Writer in Residence: Fifi Colston</h2>
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She is an award-winning junior fiction novelist, children’s book illustrator, and non-fiction author.</div>
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"I have been playing with an idea for some time that encompasses the main strands of my creative career; writing, illustration and wearable art."</blockquote>
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Many will know her from her time as arts and crafts presenter on TVNZ’s What Now and The Good Morning Show. Her talent has also seen her work with Richard Taylor’s Weta Workshop, Peter Jackson’s Stone Street Studios, Pukeko Pictures and The Production Shed as a costumier, puppet maker, illustrator and crafts expert.</div>
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She feels “incredibly honoured” by her appointment and is ready to embrace the opportunity it presents.</div>
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The Fellowship will enable her to work on a young-adult book “with an illustrated difference”.</div>
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“I have been playing with an idea for some time that encompasses the main strands of my creative career; writing, illustration and wearable art. I find I cannot comfortably forsake one passion for another and neither can my protagonist,” she says.</div>
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 14px; padding: 0px;">
Along with providing the “absolute luxury” of being able to create a major work without having to worry about how to pay the bills, she is looking forward to getting to know the Otago area, and accessing relevant research which is only available at the University.</div>
</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Fifi Colston's musings and illustrations </div>Fifi Colstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10725999629390100976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11427342.post-14203927164284531032018-04-19T13:05:00.000+12:452018-07-30T16:58:27.539+12:45A Big Hoot!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPpnruPAwcM2IVrsdFQUkoNmdJNEL7jgLqjJmKq2JTn2HWftRapQuFtfQ-9lcdU2ZXHHi_PSd6YqhTHAQHUtmpDf7uFjV-HgRI8wlVbo76eJsqXkV3EGcE6qgW1cDxNbn4y5QpUw/s1600/ruru_kakotea_front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="435" data-original-width="760" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPpnruPAwcM2IVrsdFQUkoNmdJNEL7jgLqjJmKq2JTn2HWftRapQuFtfQ-9lcdU2ZXHHi_PSd6YqhTHAQHUtmpDf7uFjV-HgRI8wlVbo76eJsqXkV3EGcE6qgW1cDxNbn4y5QpUw/s400/ruru_kakotea_front.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Life has been busy since my win at WOW. I’ve worked on a
web series with <a href="http://www.thecandlewasters.com/" target="_blank">The Candlewasters</a> being head of art and props, worked with a small costume company on designing and constructing some fun ideas, pottered away on my wearable
art entry for this year and the biggest- literally because it was huge, painted
an <a href="https://www.thebighoot.co.nz/big-owl/ruru-kakotea/" target="_blank">owl</a> for <a href="https://www.thebighoot.co.nz/" target="_blank">The Big Hoot</a>. A fundraiser for the <a href="https://givealittle.co.nz/event/bighoot-fundraising" target="_blank">Child Cancer Foundation.</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://www.vodafone.co.nz/" target="_blank">Vodafone</a> were my sponsors and they put together this lovely
little video of my workshop selfies, painting my very large owl!.<o:p></o:p></div>
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You can see the process <span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvpNNuSdKpw" target="_blank">here!</a></span></div>
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The owls go up for public auction on the 29<sup>th</sup>
May. You can visit my owl, Ruru Kakotea, downtown Auckland at the corner of Vulcan Lane and Queen
Street. We removed the beautiful leather rope (plaited by the very talented <a href="https://www.alimiddleton.com/artworks" target="_blank">Ali Middleton</a>) for his public watch in case it
was souvenired, but it will be reinstalled for the auction.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Download the <a href="https://www.thebighoot.co.nz/art-trail/" target="_blank">trail map</a> and the app, and go visit all the owls,
they are absolutely stunning!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Over and out until my next post- in the meantime follow me
on <span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/creativefifi/" target="_blank">facebook</a></span> and <span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i><a href="https://www.instagram.com/fificolston/" target="_blank">Instagram</a></i></span>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Cheers<o:p></o:p></div>
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Fifi<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2OQgBIsmjLIyj8lJX592NpRvyfY3tuJG1xVw0lYUPQ-t0a9QMozVXZ3hNQ4yAbmD8sOqKEwp3fXxT9D-xPHHpwjBjY6YAdXy1dSJcG4ePQTaA0qg3L8rWbQipZDUlSMAIcYwwnA/s1600/Fifi+at+opening.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2OQgBIsmjLIyj8lJX592NpRvyfY3tuJG1xVw0lYUPQ-t0a9QMozVXZ3hNQ4yAbmD8sOqKEwp3fXxT9D-xPHHpwjBjY6YAdXy1dSJcG4ePQTaA0qg3L8rWbQipZDUlSMAIcYwwnA/s320/Fifi+at+opening.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">me and Ruru Kakotea at the grand unveiling</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbeWNe2YG2ym_uqR9NLtW_W7j-K8kmxEYuuV8rq9e3kRw-Wu4zV0qqHbE89ySARturPU07R6lBkpihyphenhyphenMEs2zFJQy9UwM7jJTvuSmhOKsY7tqAUSJk-MbAlmKFHrAyqnfSFB7P8FA/s1600/in+situ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbeWNe2YG2ym_uqR9NLtW_W7j-K8kmxEYuuV8rq9e3kRw-Wu4zV0qqHbE89ySARturPU07R6lBkpihyphenhyphenMEs2zFJQy9UwM7jJTvuSmhOKsY7tqAUSJk-MbAlmKFHrAyqnfSFB7P8FA/s320/in+situ.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In situ, Vulcan Lane, Auckland</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Fifi Colston's musings and illustrations </div>Fifi Colstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10725999629390100976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11427342.post-45917171012304361132017-10-01T13:18:00.000+13:452017-10-01T13:18:22.924+13:45WoW just WoW<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPvi08lN7k8ZpRdgM-xcg2evwVo6eGS9W2tgIyhce5sdCHNtvObPE-HsYsH8W3tZlbAWxWTwrpPLpCpluUbQFXDi0TYZK_GeGqUWMiEcHfyDiJ7h-N7xqeKlWNdlWQANCKRR_2Iw/s1600/DSC_0769+organ+farmer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPvi08lN7k8ZpRdgM-xcg2evwVo6eGS9W2tgIyhce5sdCHNtvObPE-HsYsH8W3tZlbAWxWTwrpPLpCpluUbQFXDi0TYZK_GeGqUWMiEcHfyDiJ7h-N7xqeKlWNdlWQANCKRR_2Iw/s320/DSC_0769+organ+farmer.jpg" width="211" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">on stage at WOW, photo by Peter McDonald</td></tr>
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It’s been a huge two weeks, in the best way possible :)</div>
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On Friday 22<sup>nd</sup> September, I finished up my 6 week
creative writing programme with Featherston School as part of the <a href="http://featherstoncommunity.org.nz/tag/wairarapa-reap">Wairarapa Project</a>. Hopefully some of the kids I spent time with are writing
stories with good beginnings, interesting middles and fine endings with a host
of interesting characters.</div>
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My own interesting character, graced the stage at the <a href="https://www.worldofwearableart.com/2017/09/the-2017-wow-award-winners/">World of WearableArts</a> Award show that very night. I had on some shiny silver shoes
with no particular expectation of doing anything but dancing in them at the
after party. So, when my name was called as the first place winner in the Weta
Workshop Other Worlds Section, I nearly fell off them. I did in fact scream. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Contrary to popular belief, I have never won a section at
WOW in all the 22 years I have competed. I’ve had a couple of seconds and
thirds over my 24 finalist garments and I was pretty over the moon about those.
But this year, well, WOW! I went on
stage to get my trophy and hug Richard Taylor. I may have left mascara stains
on his lapel; him being very tall and me being very short, and, well, I was
crying at the time.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKoXxy6zWlgzF2ruZXkHLU_AIDoGtoKGF24ugJgfUSs9BR14R1Rr_35nwabPu4EsqiHNkeRyUGRZzffHescltTx17TdEshfbT3N_bCvZ6JGAs6JAZ8pvP_28NdfYyDNOna-QPIIQ/s1600/World%252BWearableArt%252BAwards%252B2017%252Bc7gOs5V-ewcx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKoXxy6zWlgzF2ruZXkHLU_AIDoGtoKGF24ugJgfUSs9BR14R1Rr_35nwabPu4EsqiHNkeRyUGRZzffHescltTx17TdEshfbT3N_bCvZ6JGAs6JAZ8pvP_28NdfYyDNOna-QPIIQ/s320/World%252BWearableArt%252BAwards%252B2017%252Bc7gOs5V-ewcx.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">me, stunned with a trophy</td></tr>
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In addition to the first trophy I have ever had in my life
(including school), I won a money prize and am still deciding what I should
buy. I’m thinking, because my old Samsung tablet is dying and my laptop kicked
the bucket years ago, that to be more portable I might get a <a href="https://www.microsoft.com/en-nz/store/b/surface">Microsoft SurfacePro</a>. I may be a creative but that does not mean I am an <a href="https://www.apple.com/nz/macbook/">Apple gal</a>. <a href="http://www.maccosmetics.co.nz/">Macs</a> and me
only get a long if that is the lipstick brand. Of course if anyone with any influence
is reading this, I am happy to be given these products to unbox, use and social
media about. Isn’t that what happens when you finally get famous? You get given
everything you couldn’t afford before? :D </div>
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The other part of my prize is to be flown to <a href="https://www.wetanz.com/">Weta Workshop</a> to
complete a 4 week internship. It’ll be a very short flight on the Flyer bus, as
I live 5 minutes away as the crow flies. I’m very much looking forward to
spending time there and having a go at a variety of disciplines!<o:p></o:p></div>
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My garment, The Organ Farmer was modelled just superbly on
the WOW stage and I couldn’t have been happier. My rationale for this fairly
nightmarish piece (I didn’t show the pics to my mum in case she thought I’d
lost my mind) is as follows in <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/fashion/96558709/wow-lifer-uses-human-skeleton-to-create-an-organharvesting-cyborg-for-this-years-final">this article and video clip on Stuff</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Cybernetic regeneration of vital tissues <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In 3446 the
Cyborgs come to a realisation that humanity might have a purpose. Their
experimentation however, produces unexpected results. In a heartbeat, this
lowly host experiences strange new feelings previously unknown, opening up a
world of sensation as the fleshy graft takes hold. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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My process is on facebook-<a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1697812903598199.1073741830.219070098139161&type=1&l=7eccf81eff"> click through to see how I did it</a>. Don’t forget to like and follow my page; it makes me feel wanted!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Photos of my final piece by <a href="http://www.wernerkaffl.com/">Werner Kaffl </a>who was an absolute pleasure to work with.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXbDqbjIDbuwgIH3K3j2yJ6Fjk6GnOgzvxO6cK1ozRyxAPu8RUUefv0tfZhLxTVvli3e0M_hO_IGVCfCxkb-bVRZwbpI-yRzYmFJbBzwOMZEk_eh-J2yysDfUYbJQOvvLLHjUZSw/s1600/side-by-side.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1220" data-original-width="1600" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXbDqbjIDbuwgIH3K3j2yJ6Fjk6GnOgzvxO6cK1ozRyxAPu8RUUefv0tfZhLxTVvli3e0M_hO_IGVCfCxkb-bVRZwbpI-yRzYmFJbBzwOMZEk_eh-J2yysDfUYbJQOvvLLHjUZSw/s400/side-by-side.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The organ Farmer. Photos by Werner Kaffl</td></tr>
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I finished up the amazing week that was, by flying to
Queenstown, and doing a week long tour of Southland schools with <a href="https://www.facebook.com/storylinesnationalfestival/">Storylines</a>,
along with Des Hunt, Scott Tulloch and Barbara Else. We visited and talked to 3
schools at day for 5 days from Queenstown to Invercargill. The weather was
awesome, the kids bright eyed and bushy tailed and we had a wonderful time
passing on what it is to be writers and illustrators, and in my case a costume
designer too.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgiMR7t4x9Hbtm9agRb8-rqM-mwuBTBh6bTOXf96IP8qTxzumothgxXkCG81Qn9g_82tEQFdiS-h7bImbbSeJShyphenhyphenMtXq5j-BHkNsFzLqMfZ8wRzEqDNOqIUSGpHKLWRfuAnAq4WQ/s1600/on+tour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgiMR7t4x9Hbtm9agRb8-rqM-mwuBTBh6bTOXf96IP8qTxzumothgxXkCG81Qn9g_82tEQFdiS-h7bImbbSeJShyphenhyphenMtXq5j-BHkNsFzLqMfZ8wRzEqDNOqIUSGpHKLWRfuAnAq4WQ/s320/on+tour.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">looking at Torty and the Soldier</td></tr>
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I round off the next week with a <a href="https://www.tepapa.govt.nz/visit/whats-on/events/wearable-recyclables-fifi-colston">free wearable art workshop at Te Papa</a> on Wednesday for kids, and the Storylines National Children’s
Writers and Illustrators Hui where I’m presenting a workshop on presenting.
It’s what I love, and find fun but others find terrifying. I will help people
get over their fear. After that, I can collapse. Oh hang on…I have a giant owl
to paint for <a href="http://www.thebighoot.co.nz/artists/">The Big Hoot</a>!</div>
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Woo hoo!<o:p></o:p></div>
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xxx Fifi<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Fifi Colston's musings and illustrations </div>Fifi Colstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10725999629390100976noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11427342.post-41842318284947356482017-07-24T18:08:00.001+12:452017-07-25T10:47:04.118+12:45World of WearableArt 2017 is...go!!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The anxious wait for the results of the first round of
judging for the <a href="https://www.worldofwearableart.com/">World of WearableArt </a>came through a week ago.</div>
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This is a day when nothing gets done in a WoW designer's life from
9am in the morning whilst you try and distract yourself by refreshing your
email inbox 30 times a minute. As you can imagine, this wears out your keyboard
and the patience of everyone around you, be it at home, work or on holiday. As
my partner and I work from home, sharing the same office studio with the cat, I
had two to annoy all day with my distracted demeanour and attention focussed
only on my screen. The computer, my tablet and my phone. Changed days from when
I first started entering in 1995, when results were sent out by snail mail
which could arrive anytime in the week, depending on where you lived and the postal
service!</div>
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The private messenger groups we have all formed were buzzing
with anticipation, nervousness, impatience and then finally celebration, relief
or sadness depending on whether the email started with 'Congratulations...' or
'Thankyou for entering...'</div>
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The designer facebook forum started to fill up with pictures
of simply amazing pieces that weren't selected. We aren't party to the judges criteria,
or to the curation of art for the show. You can only make a piece from the
heart, to the best of your ability and hope for the best. If the section has a
brief, answer it, if not, design your own brief. </div>
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My piece for this year was selected for the Weta Workshop Costume and film section, the theme is Science
Fiction. Part of the 2017 brief is 'Create an extra-terrestrial being from an
alien world or a human being as you can imagine them living in the year 3446'. </div>
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I've reimagined something in the cyborg realm. Other than that I can't tell you anything except to
say it's super creepy and it took me a while to show my family what I'd made in case
they thought I'd lost my mind. I love what I've done and once again I pushed
beyond the boundaries of what I know I can do into the territory of what I
could do if I used my grey matter and learned a few new skills. Each year I learn
more and this is what keeps me on the WoW marathon. It's bootcamp for the
creative being. </div>
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Come the award night, I'll be able to post my entry all over
social media, so you'll have to wait until September 22nd. I can however show
you the piece that didn't get in. Yes, there's always the one that got away. My
friend Vicky Robertson and I made this from a selection of recycled items. Her own gorgeous piece got into this year's show
too, but whilst our combined entry didn't, we had fun combining skills and
effort, and drinking wine when it was all over!</div>
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It was for the Illumination section where things light up
under UV light, with the theme Float, Fly Flow. Thank you to <a href="http://www.wernerkaffl.com/">Werner Kaffl</a> for
the photography and to <a href="https://www.shontzphotography.com/">Shonty Rogan</a> for the studio and coordination to get our
WoW pieces captured so brilliantly on one fine day in Trentham!</div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #212121; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Danse de Lumière</span></div>
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Inspired by Guimard’s Chandelier</div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a></div>
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The float, fly, flow theme lends itself to a performance
piece based on a reimagined interpretation of the French architect, Hector Guimard’s
work of 1914. Three separate models, with wing spans and lightshade head
pieces, come together in formation, to create multiple concepts for a
chandelier. We scoured recycling centers and dumpsters with a portable UV light
for the parts that make this entry up. Lampshades, a beer keg bladder, venetian
blinds, curtaining rods, spa pool filters and lastly a harness repurposed from
a previous UV finalist entry.</div>
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We purchased the black morph suits and split rings.</div>
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The entry is open to choreographic interpretation. All parts
are easy to wear, UV reflective and provide huge scope for movement; floating,
flying and flowing across the black stage. We considered the performance
aspects of dance in this creation and what would work for performers to create
the final ‘vision’ of light. </div>
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When it comes back to us, we will take it pieces and recycle the useful bits and back to the tip shop, all the rest will go. </div>
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So- this first pic is not the entry- it was our inspiration!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHjQhCeoJ7m9VDBob8gCWIUJjdnUCQLUcdFV4TKn3-xAkZ8jMg193A8E6dCNFM7E50pnOTKVnDkAxHp-Ks_VWjAfAGTx-WTUFdudAvgLY2c5IRyHuKeHuATQ7jgj5Sj7PFw1xw1Q/s1600/3837392_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHjQhCeoJ7m9VDBob8gCWIUJjdnUCQLUcdFV4TKn3-xAkZ8jMg193A8E6dCNFM7E50pnOTKVnDkAxHp-Ks_VWjAfAGTx-WTUFdudAvgLY2c5IRyHuKeHuATQ7jgj5Sj7PFw1xw1Q/s320/3837392_z.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hector Guimard's Chandelier</td></tr>
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<o:p>It's hard to post a transforming, evolving dance, but try and use your imagination here!</o:p></div>
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<o:p>The dance in three movements...</o:p></div>
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<o:p>And here's what our models, Adrienne and James wore in the daylight. They were awesome even with the flu!</o:p></div>
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<o:p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "open sans" , sans-serif;">So, until I post again.... À bientôt!</span></o:p></div>
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<o:p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "open sans" , sans-serif;">x Fifi</span></o:p></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Fifi Colston's musings and illustrations </div>Fifi Colstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10725999629390100976noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11427342.post-69346798048973013842017-07-10T18:40:00.002+12:452017-07-10T18:40:38.998+12:45Torty and the Soldier- the illustrators journey<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The <a href="http://www.nzbookawards.nz/new-zealand-book-awards-for-children-and-young-adults/2017-awards/shortlist/">NZCYA book awards</a>
are coming up soon and apart from deciding what frock to wear, I’ve been
thinking about the illustration journey I had with <a href="https://www.thechildrensbookshop.co.nz/p/nz-picture-books-torty-and-the-soldier-a-story-of-a-true-wwi-survivor-pb?barcode=9781775433651">Torty and the Soldier</a>, so
beautifully written by the very expert author, <a href="http://www.bookcouncil.org.nz/writer/beck-jennifer">Jennifer Beck</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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When Lynette Evans at<a href="https://www.schoolessentials.co.nz/Product/8494156/Torty-and-the-Soldier#.W"> Scholastic</a> asked me if I’d like to
read the manuscript with a view to illustrating another ANZAC book, she also
mentioned the magic word ‘tortoise’. She’s a clever woman… I have a very soft
spot for these hard-shelled creatures.<o:p></o:p></div>
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My oldest sister and I had a one each as small children in
Britain. Mine was called <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sooty">Sooty</a> after the Sooty and Sweep Show (which left me
with a lifetime love of puppets) and my sisters was <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Ears_(character)">Big Ears</a> which was irony I
missed at the time, given the lack of them on her shelly companion.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Tortoises have a tendency to roam far and wide in search of lettuce
leaves which usually are in the garden proud neighbours place 4 doors down. They
are the Peter Rabbits of the reptilian world. They also hibernate and I remember
them in shoe boxes in the bottom of the wardrobe, wintering over. Sometime
during this period of pet ownership, our family moved to Ghana in West Africa,
and my parents line to this day around the tortoise disappearance whilst packing
was ‘they wandered off.’ No amount of plying with wine will make my mother
change that 50 year old story.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The book’s heroine, Torty (her real name) wandered off, all
over the Greece and into the sight of Stewart Little (not the mouse), in 1917 where
the story begins. I was entranced by her adventures bought to life by Jennifer’s
writing and said yes to taking on the job of illustrating the book.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Normally, for a book based on realistic style illustrations,
I would find models and photograph them to work from. So I paid Torty a visit when
she was out of hibernation and residing with family in Havelock North. She has
an enclosure that boasts a nesting box and plenty of access to grassy lawn and
shady bushes, all with a tortoise proof fence, 25 cm high! She’s a feisty old
lady of 200 years and I made my husband hold her whilst I photographed her from
every angle. She gave him a good kicking in the process. I also visited the Weta Workshop- made replica of her in the <a href="http://gallipoli.tepapa.govt.nz/">Gallipoli exhibition at Te Papa</a>. She's in a wooden crate and a very good likeness indeed!<o:p></o:p></div>
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As for Stewart and his brother, I had no real idea what they
looked like apart from Stewart’s military records. Brown hair, hazel eyes. I
was also running out of time to find models, so I tried a different method for the
first time. I used a 3D programme called <a href="https://www.daz3d.com/">DAZ</a> where I could create people and
move them around from all angles. I am no expert with it, but managed to get
what I needed by a fair amount of trial and error. The rest was interpretation
with watercolours on paper and some digital textures layered on after the scans
were done.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The story moves backwards and forwards through time so we
needed to make a distinction between the illustration. I used monochromatic sepia
watercolours for the backstory and invited colour into the ‘present’ storyline.
Our designer <a href="http://gustodesign.co.nz/about/">Leon Mackie </a>did a terrific job in a subtle way of dividing those
storylines too. And every time I see our cover I sigh with gratitude that Scholastic
use great book designers!<o:p></o:p></div>
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A book takes time, and by the time everyone in the team has
finished their part of the creation, a year has gone by and you are well into
other projects. So it is a delight and an honour that when I’ve almost
forgotten the months of work we put into it, it is shortlisted as a finalist
for the awards. The ultimate acknowledgement. Many thanks to the judges, and I’ll
look forward to a night of celebration with some of New Zealand’s best writers
and illustrators of children and young adults books.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the illustration process</td></tr>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Fifi Colston's musings and illustrations </div>Fifi Colstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10725999629390100976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11427342.post-75584417929226519302017-06-12T18:46:00.003+12:452017-06-12T18:46:47.276+12:45Of Totaras and Saplings<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> more than a bookseller</td></tr>
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This is the briefest post I’m likely to write. I have
problems with getting character counts down to <a href="https://twitter.com/FifiColston">Twitter</a> brevity but it’s been 2
weeks of everything from the highest point to the lowest. Follow all the links to read the full stories.</div>
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Janine McVeagh and I launched a new book ‘<a href="https://bestfriendsarebooks.com/2017/05/30/grandads-guitar-by-janine-mcveagh-and-fifi-colston/">Grandad’s Guitar</a>’ at
<a href="https://www.thechildrensbookshop.co.nz/pages/403-Welcome">the Children’s Bookshop</a>. <a href="http://www.makaropress.co.nz/submarine-books-2/grandads-guitar-by-janine-mcveagh-fifi-colston/">Makaro Press</a> published it and the champion of children’s
books, John McIntyre launched it and we all had a great time with music,
laughter and joy.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I got my <a href="https://www.worldofwearableart.com/">Wearable Art</a> entry off for judging. It’s in the
science Fiction Section and if it doesn’t get into show, I’ll be questioning my very existence (part of the creative process). This is my 22<sup>nd</sup> year with 27 entries… <a href="https://www.worldofwearableart.com/2017/06/the-creative-caves-of-wow-designers/">Here’s a pic of my studio after tidy up.</a></div>
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<a href="https://bobsbooksnz.wordpress.com/2017/03/15/torty-and-the-soldier-a-story-of-a-true-ww1-survivor-by-jennifer-beck-illus-fifi-colston/">Torty and The Soldier</a> got shortlisted for the <a href="http://www.nzbookawards.nz/new-zealand-book-awards-for-children-and-young-adults/2017-awards/shortlist/">NZ Children’s and Young Adults Book Awards</a>, so Jennifer Beck and I are very happy, and now I
get to wonder what to wear at the award ceremony. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Possibly black...<o:p></o:p></div>
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Because...</div>
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This weekend <a href="http://www.thesapling.co.nz/single-post/2017/06/12/Farewell-Dear-John-we-miss-you-already">John McIntyre</a> passed away.</div>
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I’m heartbroken.<o:p></o:p></div>
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He was the best.<o:p></o:p></div>
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You can support the bookshop by <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/memory-john-mcintyre-fifi-colston">Buying a Book for John</a>. <a href="https://www.thechildrensbookshop.co.nz/pages/405-AboutUs">Through the bookstore</a>. Go directly to the bookstore, do not pass The Warehouse on the
way. If you do, drive right on past. Aim for quality and service.<o:p></o:p></div>
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That’s it, the two
weeks that was. RIP.<o:p></o:p></div>
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xxx Fifi</div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Fifi Colston's musings and illustrations </div>Fifi Colstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10725999629390100976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11427342.post-54071522908488972742017-05-01T17:32:00.000+12:452017-05-01T17:32:20.976+12:45Are you are Design Star?!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Each year for the past 3, I've been one of the judges for <a href="http://www.brother.co.nz/Public/DesignStars/About.aspx">Brother Design Stars</a>, and I'm doing it again this year!<br />
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I love this competition because I get to see what amazing, creative, fun things kids from all around the country send in. The <a href="http://www.brother.co.nz/Public/DesignStars/Prizes.aspx">prizes</a> are pretty awesome- as a student I would have been floored with happiness to win something to help me carry on making and creating AND the schools get to win too with a massive injection of sewing technology for the school classroom.<br />
And as if that isn't enough, <span style="background-color: white; color: #303030; font-family: "Segoe UI", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">the top 12 entries will be showcased on the runway as part of</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #303030; font-family: "Segoe UI", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> </span><a href="http://nzfashionweek.com/watch-nzfw-shows-2016" style="color: #00529c; font-family: "Segoe UI", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #00529c;">New Zealand Fashion Week’s</span><span style="color: #00529c;"> </span><i style="margin: 0px;">Graduate Show supported by Brother!</i></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #303030; font-family: "Segoe UI", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> </span><span style="color: #303030; font-family: "Segoe UI", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> </span><br />
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<span style="color: #303030; font-family: "Segoe UI", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">So...all you arty, crafty and fashion mad students, get creating and <a href="http://www.brother.co.nz/Public/DesignStars/EnterNow.aspx">enter online now</a></span><br />
Cos...I want to see your work up close and personal :)<br />
xxx Fifi<br />
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PS, here's a vid to get you excited about your work strutting down the catwalk!<br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Fifi Colston's musings and illustrations </div>Fifi Colstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10725999629390100976noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11427342.post-82075159380064635422017-03-31T17:28:00.001+13:452017-03-31T17:28:48.320+13:45Mad March, much magic!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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So quick as I am to post on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/creativefifi/">facebook</a>, I sometimes forget to blog! I am going to rectify that starting now!<div>
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As March ends, it's marked a busy month. We, Jennifer Beck, Scholastic and I, launched our new title, <a href="https://bobsbooksnz.wordpress.com/2017/03/15/torty-and-the-soldier-a-story-of-a-true-ww1-survivor-by-jennifer-beck-illus-fifi-colston/">Torty and the Soldier</a>. We are very proud of it, and think Torty, who is 200 years old, thus making her the oldest WW1 veteran would be too. She's still alive and well in the Waikato and came out of hibernation in time for the launch party!</div>
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<a href="https://booktrailers4kidsandya.wordpress.com/2017/03/19/torty-and-the-soldier-a-story-of-a-true-ww1-survivor-by-jennifer-beck-ills-by-fifi-colston-fificolston-stunning-new-picture-book/">Here's a bit about the book</a></div>
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And here is Torty herself!</div>
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If you want to make a tiny version of Torty, head on over to my <a href="http://fificolston.blogspot.co.nz/p/craft-of-week.html">Craft of the Month</a> page.</div>
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I've also been travelling around Whanganui being a <a href="http://www.booksinhomes.org.nz/Page/RoleModels/RoleModelsHome.aspx">Duffy Role Model</a>. 11 Schools in 4 days, and South Taranaki in a weeks time. It was a joyful and humbling experience to tell kids about how reading made a difference in my life, and see the excitement on their faces as they received their books. It's a great scheme and I'm proud to be a Duffy author as well as hero!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Reading is cool and achieving is cool!</span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Fifi Colston's musings and illustrations </div>Fifi Colstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10725999629390100976noreply@blogger.com0