‘ARTISTS IN PARADISE’ EXHIBITION; MISSING PAINTING AND THE LOCAL BULLETIN'

I must apologize for the delay in posting, but due to my own fault, my computer failed and I had to find another one to post this one.

The exhibition  ‘Artists in Paradise’, which took place at the Gold coast Council Chambers, displayed works of twelve artists of multicultural background; of which I was one. We represented a cross section of people from countries as different as Israel and Iran, and Europe and China, who made Australia their home. 

Opening night, Friday the 7^th of November, which brought many people together, turned out to be a lively cultural event where everyone felt at home.   

Even though the subject was Australian landscape, the work displayed varied greatly from one another. It did, to a large extend, depict the artist’s background understanding, feeling and visual interpretation, not only as an individual, which all artistic work do, but also according to his/hers place of origin. 

By 10.30 Monday morning, after the exhibition reopened at 9am (being close for the weekend) one of my six paintings displayed was missing. With this experience, I had, and still have, some mixed feeling.  On the one hand, I lost a painting.  On the other, someone might have loved it to such extend, that its disappearance should make me proud. 

Be it as it may, the painting is still missing; AND as each painting I paint it a part of me; a part of my soul, it is upsetting. 

Wanting it back, I contacted our local Newspaper, ‘The Gold Coast Bulletin'. Within a couple of days, the paper posted a story, with my photo and a photo of the missing painting, asking for its return.  

I was overwhelmed by the swift action and by the wonderful attention I got from the Journalist Andrew and Glenn, the photographer, and thanking them I must.  

I must also thank the Bulletin, and the lady that took my call, whose name I don’t know, for their help.

Thank you

Renate

A thank you note to an insurance company

You would not believe it, but we have a wonderful insurance company. It restored our trust in an industry, which unfortunately, dished out to us throughout the years, more ill will then good.

Do you remember the water that rained down our family room ceiling, in my post about homecoming?

Well, our insurer – The Australian Pensioners Insurance (APIA), who caters for people over 50 on part time work or retired, was amazing.

The minute we informed them of our problem, they sent their assessor out. The following day, we got reimbursed for money expended on a plumber we engaged first off, and a couple of visitors; who set up four huge fans in strategic positions; to dry the wet ceiling, carpet and walls; and who immediately took one of our rugs for cleaning.

Three days later, when all dried out, the rug came back, and the fans where taken away.

Being around Christmas time, the company was unable to find tradesmen to finish the job before the holiday; and they were beside themselves.

Soon after, a woman plasterer arrived to close the cuts Gerry cut into the ceiling and one of the walls while looking for the source of the water. She was followed by a painter and a carpet cleaner. All we had to do throughout all this process; was to answer phone calls to arrange suitable dates and times, be home to open the door for tradesmen, and confirm the quality of their work, which was superb.

And I must stress - all tradesmen, bar none, were professional to a tee, friendly and obliging. A real pleasure. What more would one want, and how refreshing! What a company -
Thank you APIA.

Renate
Artist, poet and the author of
From the Promised Land to the Lucky Country

To look inside my book Click here

Accolade

Few days ago I was so thrilled to received this email from a reader, that I felt I should share it with you. So here it is;

13.1.208

Hi Renate

I just thought that I would write and tell you how much I enjoyed reading your fascinating book. It held me captive over a period of two days solid reading and I can say you led me along with such interest that I was reluctant to leave the book down.

It was great to see that because of circumstances you had to move from what could have been a very comfortable home to a life full of challenges. You met these head on and overcame many obstacles, which would have left others in a heap…

Thank you Renate for sharing your life experiences with me your reader…

Kind regards

June Cantrell

If you want to see more of my book, click on the link below, or go direct to Amazon by clicking the link on the right above the book cover photo

Renate

http://www.promisedland-renate.com

A special post of thanks

Beyond the ugliness portrayed in the news, the nastiness displayed in many of the TV programs, and commercial tastelessness, there is a world most of us miss; a world of ordinary people meeting people and helping people, just from the goodness of their heart.

Lulia from http://openisrael4u.com Israel

You have devoted your time for me, in spit of having to work and look after your beautiful family, which I had the honour to meet.Through you and your help I met others who became my friends as well. I thank you.

Beaman80 from http://beamansworld.blogspot.com England

Hi, we found so much in common.We love so many of the same things.Many thanks for your help and friendship.

Thierry from http://www.artviet.net/blog Canada

When you walked into my desktop I didn’t know who you were.I looked and looked till the penny dropped – you came from Syndic8 to help me.How lucky can one be.I found you a warm and loving human being.Thank you for your help guidance and perseverance.

Joan from http://www.joansmall.com/index.htm

My dear friend,

You have been with me from the start. You guided me and you are always there when I need you. Your love and friendship is very dear to me. Thank you

Last and not least - my funs, thanks for taking an interest in what I have to say.It encourages me to write more and to become better at it as time goes. Thank you

Renate

Book launching and review of Book 1 - From the Promised Land to the Lucky Country-

Hi,

I just now, on the 20^th of January officially launched my book – "From the Promised Land to the Lucky Country" at the Gold Coast writers’ association, and it was great.Not only that, but I am already getting very positive feed backs!Readers say they cannot leave the book alone its last page!This is very exciting. Below are a couple of feedbacks just received and, if you happened to read my book, why not send me your comments well?

YOUR BOOK

Just to let you know, I finished reading your book, and thought it was excellent, further more the patience to write it, and time taken, I respect.

For me it was getting exciting towards the end... what happened to your boat, building it ,an experience that must have been!

I arrived in Australia when I was 14 in 1956 so do know, and do remember that time, especially red-back spiders under toilet seats in outside toilets...

Hi Renate,

This is Anita. We met at the German club where you showed us your wonderful paintings and of course I got your book.

I started to read it, then every time Walter visited me, he grabbed it and started reading, it... so much so that he got AHEAD of me!! So in the end I said "here you take it home and read it, and when you are finished I will read it..."! I think it was such a parallel experience for him, in reading your book.

My life was less dramatic... but now I look forward to reading your life story.!!

Walter keeps commenting about parts and pieces out of the stories... the chiropractor, the rip-offs... and so on. Kept me smiling…

Much love,

Anita Chant and Walter Hammer

1.2.2007

Congratulation on the publication of your first book –

'From the Promised land to the Lucky Country'

I enjoyed your book so much finding it almost impossible to put down until I had read it from cover to cover.Even the second time around it is still fascinating.

A truly breathtaking story of unfailing courage, strength, love and commitment to family and many needy causes.

Sincere best wishes,

Margaret Pusterla, Gold Coast

So, What is the book all about?Well, it’s my life story: a story that covers four different countries, each in a different continent. It is fast moving and gives a glimpses into what has occurred in those various countries at those periods of time.

Let me tell you a little bit about it:

As the book is divided into 4 books, I’ll tell you about each book, one at a time.

Here is what the first book is all about:

Book I -The land of Israel

I was lucky my parents took me, at the age of two, out of Nazi Germany in 1933 - the year Hitler came to power, and transplanted me into the then Palestine under the British mandate.

While the Shoah – the Holocaust – was in progress in Europe, a small but very determined group of Jewish people were buying land in Palestine and were rebuilding the land of Israel in preparation of it becoming a state.

Through my growing up years I was a part of this unique process and went through all the different stages; I lived in country towns, in cities and in the kibbutz.I took part in Israel’s war of independence and worked with immigrants from Baghdad in the preventive health services.

in a kibbutz high school - after school

Next time – Book II – Sydney Australia.

Renate

Artist, poet & the author of

"From the Promised Land to the Lucky Country"