| INTRODUCTION
Arrived back in Perth on Wednesday 6 November 2010 after meetings in Dharamsala, Northern India for the Dalai Lama Portrait Project. The next three weeks finalising preparations for commencement of the National Tour were the most intense period of activity of my life to date. Taking possession of the Dream Bus, arranging servicing, fit out, artwork, labels, brochures, print product, film inputs, website updates, schedule, media, launch plus and giving myself only two weeks to achieve all this and more was incredibly challenging. We held the launch at Kidogo Arthouse in Fremantle on Sunday 24 October 2010 and same day, the Dream Bus started leaking brake fluid from the rear right hand disc. Fixing this gave me an extra week which was a blessing. We had to re-schedule the first week of events and ended up simplifying the schedule throughout, a process which has turned out to be an ongoing organic work in progress while we are touring. I’ve been saying all along, that every time I have been challenged in the organisation of this Tour, resolution of the issue has lead to better outcomes. Every thing I have learnt in my ten years as a full time artist, self-represented and organising my own events, is being tested and then some. A mobile exhibition event visiting over 150 communities around Australia is, in essence, over 150 separate exhibitions held over a 12 month period. This year, 2010, we’re on the road for one month only in November to road test the Tour with events held in select locations between Perth and Sydney. This activity will give us the feedback we need to fine tune the method for between six and ten months on the road next year visiting every State and Territory in Australia. The following diary is designed to share some of the story with you and also acknowledge the host venues, media and people who assisted us on the Journey. I hope you enjoy.
Warm regards, Mike
Week 1
Goldfields to Great Ocean Road
Sunday 31 October to Saturday 6 November
Sunday 31 October
Left Perth at 4.30am after working all night with Lewis on film inputs for the Tour. Arrived Kalgoorlie about 2pm for our first exhibition event at the Miners Hall of Fame. The Kalgoorlie Miner (Kalminer) ran an article on the day and this helped to ensure a steady flow of people. Kellie Lewis from the Kalminer got some great photos and one of these featured in an article written by Georgia Folkes-Taylor that was published in the Kalminer on the following Friday 5 November. Thanks Kalminer, the Miners Hall of Fame and everyone in Kalgoorlie who came to view the exhibition.
Monday 1 November
Camped overnight near Kambalda and did a dawn photographic shoot at Lake Cowan. Then drove 16 hours across the Nullabor to a roadside camp just short of Penong. Stopped late afternoon to get some photos along the Great Australian Bight, one of the must see locations in Australia. Dream bus didn’t miss a beat nor use any oil during the crossing.
Tuesday 2 November
Melbourne Cup day and we were on the road early for the drive to Port Lincoln and our next exhibition event at the Grand Tasman. With no Satellite coverage, my phone didn’t switch over to the new time zone and when I left camp at 4.30am, it was really 7am South Australian time. This meant we arrived at the Grand Tasman late and we decided not to run the silent auction for local charity group, Zonta. However, we still put the Makybe Diva limited edition canvas prints on display and spoke to manager Michael Griffiths, about doing a much bigger event at the Grand Tasman next year. We also did an interview with the Port Lincoln Times who ran two articles on the POP Tour. Big thanks to both the Grand Tasman and the Port Lincoln Times for supporting the POP Tour exhibition event in Port Lincoln. The drive to Port Lincoln gave me a glimpse of the majestic beauty of the east coast of the Eyre Peninsula and I will definitely return to photograph and film there.
Wednesday 3 November
Camped on the west coast of the Eyre Peninsula and left early for our next event at the Yarta Purtli Port Augusta Cultural Centre. Stopped roadside near Whyalla to get some photos of the red earth landscape there. Yarta Purtli is a magnificent public gallery space in a heritage building that reminded me of Kidogo Arthouse in Fremantle. I would like to return to stage an exhibition there and thank Ellenor Day and the Port August Cultural Centre for their support of the POP Tour. We left the Dream Bus parked out the front of Yarta Purtli and camped overnight in the Flinders Rangers.
Thursday 4 November
We were booked to exhibit at Kingston SE but decided to let this go to give us time for a dawn photographic shoot at Arkaroo Rock in the Flinders Rangers. The majestic reds there in the early morning light reminded me of the East Kimberley. In the afternoon we went back to Port Lincoln to pick up the Dream Bus and drove to a camp near the Coorong, stopping along the way to photograph the lilac colours of Lake Bumbunga.
Friday 5 November
We were booked to exhibit at Portland but let this go to give us time for a dawn photographic shoot at Camp Coorong. The beautiful soft hues in the early morning light over the Coorong reminded me of the salt lakes on Rottnest Island. In the afternoon we drove to an overnight camp near Cape Duquesne on Cape Bridgewater.
Saturday 6 November
Dawn photographic shoot at Cape Duquesne, then drove to Warrnambool for an exhibition at the Flying Horse Bar and Brewery. An article by Tina Liptai in the Warrnambool Standard helped to ensure a steady stream of people throughout the day and the Standard also sent a photographer to photograph the event for a follow up article that ran on the Monday. Big thanks to Matt Monk and all the team at the Flying Horse and the Standard for supporting the POP Tour exhibition event in Warrnambool. In the evening we drove to an overnight camp near Childers Cove at the start of the Great Ocean Road.
Week 2
Great Ocean Road to Yarra Ranges and Beyond
Sunday 7 November to Saturday 13 November 2010
Sunday 7 November
Dawn photographic shoot at Childers Cove, then yoga, run and paddle for the first time on Tour. No events on today and in the afternoon we spent time in Port Campbell. Thanks with deep gratitude to Ocean View Backpackers for providing me with a room and power to use as a temporary office and I was able to download photos and catch up with emails and other business. In the evening we drove to an overnight camp on Cape Otway, stopping for a sunset photographic shoot at the Twelve Apostles.
Monday 8 November
Dawn photographic shoot at Blanket Bay on Cape Otway which must rate as one of the most beautiful beaches in Australia. We were blessed with stunning early morning light and no wind, so I took some time out to do yoga as well. Attempting to drive out via the one-way loop road, the dirt track was a little too tight for the Dream Bus and I had no choice but to reverse back to the car park. This was okay, but we still sustained some damage to the left hand side of the bus. Fortunately nothing major and it could have been much worse, but there are still some significant grazes in the paintwork and the graphic on the left hand side. At the time I felt deep stress and regret for firstly taking the bus down the dirt track and then not surveying the loop road before attempting to drive out. I should have known better and the grazes are a very visible daily reminder of an important lesson learnt in only the second week on Tour. We spent the afternoon in Apollo Bay and then, during the beautiful late afternoon light, drove along the Great Ocean Road to Torquay. It was tempting to camp on the coast near Torquay, but we decided to keep going and camped overnight near Steiglitz Historical Park.
Tuesday 9 November 2010
Got some early morning photos of the Eucalypts near the Steiglitz Historical Park which borders the Brisbane Ranges National Park and then drove to Ballarat for an exhibition event at the Beechworth Bakery. It was pretty quiet during the day, but we connected with Westpac Ballarat who were holding a VIP launch in the evening with an art auction supporting global charity United Way. In keeping with the spirit of the evening, I contributed a Makybe Diva Limited Edition Canvas Print for sale with part proceeds to United Way. Bank Manager, Mr Ken Baker, gave me the opportunity to speak and I provided those attending with some background information on the Tour and the Makybe Diva painting and limited edition prints. Ms Corina Bright, whose business Interpath Pty Ltd is a successful and award winning business based in Ballarat, was quick to secure the Makybe Diva Edition. Congratulations Corina and big thanks to Ken Baker and all the team at Westpac Ballarat for the opportunity to be involved in their VIP Night. Thanks also to the Beechworth bakery for hosting the POP Tour in Ballarat. In the evening we drove to an overnite camp near Yarra Glen.
Wednesday 10 November 2010
Arrived in Healesville early for our next event at the Healesville Beechworth Bakery and the Dream Bus really needed a clean after nine days on the road. Contacted local bus company McKenzies Tourist Services and General Manager Brad Sanders had no hesitation in inviting us to use their wash bay. It felt great to clean the Dream Bus and for this, we are extremely grateful to Brad and everyone at Mackenzies. It was pretty quiet during the day, but in the evening we partnered with Beechworth Bakery founder and award winning businessman, Tom O’Toole, for an evening presentation sharing our respective stories with the locals. My presentation was pretty tame compared to Tom’s and it was great to witness first hand, the presentation, wit and wisdom of Australia’s “most successful baker”. Big thanks to Matt and all the team at Beechworth Bakery for hosting the POP Tour in Healesville. Thanks also to Tom O’Toole and Beechworth Bakery Marketing Manager, Lanie Donaldson for the opportunity to speak alongside Tom during the evening’s presentation.
Thursday 11 November 2010
Dawn photographic shoot on the Black Spur starting at the Dom Dom saddle in the Yarra Ranges National Park and then other areas of the National Park on the way down. Big thanks to Dad for giving me the heads up on the majestic beauty of the Mountain Ash here and we plan a second shoot lower down in the Yarra Ranges tomorrow. No events today and I used the opportunity to catch up on business including website updates and email.
Friday 12 November 2010
Started the day with a second photographic shoot in the Yarra Ranges National Park and then headed north west to a camp near Daylesford for our next exhibition event on the weekend.
Saturday 13 November 2010
Staged an exhibition event in Daylesford on the main street across the road from the Visitor’s centre and it was raining most of the day so it was pretty quiet. I set my easel up in the back of the bus and worked on one of my new commissions. The highlight of the day was meeting Sofi and friends at Sister George Productions and I bought one of her special unique hand-made hats, which covers my ears and is perfect for the cooler weather.
Week 3
Daylesford to Wodonga via Geelong and the East Coast
Sunday 14 November to Saturday 20 November 2010
Sunday 14 November 2010
Dawn Photographic shoot in the beautiful Hepburn Regional Park along the Tipperary Walking Track and then back to Daylesford for the balance of the day. There was still a bit of weather with some light showers, but a lot more people about and I staged a live art event on the sidewalk beside the bus working on the new Karri Forest painting for Tim Johns. Big thanks to everyone in Daylesford who came to view the exhibition and to Adam McSwain and the Daylesford Council for their assistance and support.
Monday 15 November 2010
Camped near Geelong and headed in early for our exhibition in Little Mallop Street. With no advertising or editorial, we were totally reliant on walk by traffic and there was interest aplenty from people who noticed the Dream Bus with print stand and easels out the front. Megan Sacks from the Winchelsea Collective swung by to check us out and talk options for next year and Ian Kenins from the Geelong Times came down to interview me and take some photos. Big thanks to Steve Bentley, Shelley McKiernan and the Geelong Council for their assistance and support. In the evening we drove to the east coast for an overnight camp near Phillip Island.
Tuesday 16 November 2010
Dawn Photographic shoot along Cape Woolamai and then drove to Inverloch for our next event there outside the new Community Hub. We had plenty of interest from locals and tourists alike and met some great people including Nina Debono, a Holistic Practitioner based in nearby Cape Paterson who connected us with her son Adrian who is a film maker based in Montreal. Also met Marjorie Jane Scott from Books and Massage, a beautiful shop in the main street of Inverloch. Big thanks to Frank Angarane and the Inverloch Council for their assistance and support.
Wednesday 17 November 2010
Dedicated this day to a photo shoot in Wilsons Promontory commencing pre dawn at the Corner Inlet and then Mt Oberon, Tidal River and Lilly Pilly Gully. The beaches here are some of the most beautiful in Australia and we’ll definitely be back to spend more time here.
Thursday 18 November 2010
No event or photo shoot today. Spent the morning working on website updates and then drove to Echuca via Castlemaine and Bendigo for our next exhibition event at the Beechworth Bakery in Echuca tomorrow.
Friday 19 November 2010
Stunning spring day, full of sunshine and we staged our exhibition in the carpark of the Echuca Beechworth Bakery beside the Murray River. On the way here, I conducted a live to air phone interview with ABC Radio and this helped to ensure a steady flow of interest from around the district including Jenny Gallagher from Mundoone who came specifically to check out the thoroughbred portraits and acquired one of the Northerly lithographs, edition number 444. Highlight of the day was meeting Jenifer Simmonds, Founder and Managing Director of Art Publishing based in Castlemaine (www.artpublishing.com.au) and she is going to add some of my images to her product range. Thanks again to the Beechworth Bakery and everyone in Echuca who came to view the exhibition.
Saturday 20 November 2010
From Echuca, it was straight to Wodonga for an exhibition at Woodland Grove in the centre of town. We were blessed with another beautiful day and I staged another live art event in the park beside the bus working on the Karri Forest Painting. This morning, we conducted another live to air radio interview, this time with local ABC presenter, Peter Batson. The interview was fun but cut short by the 7am ABC news which prompted some locals to swing by to not only see the exhibition, but to hear the rest of the story. During the day, we received a visit from Border Mail Photographic Manager, Peter Merkesteyn and reporter Kate Coughlan for a story that ran on the Monday (see POP Tour Media Archive, link as follows http://michaelleggewilkinson.com.au/nationaltour-eventgallery-media.htm)
Week 4
Wodonga to Canberra via Young
Sunday 21 November to Saturday 27th November 2010
Sunday 21 November 2010
Decided to extend our exhibition in Wodonga to make the most of our time here and enjoyed the day meeting more of the locals. One of the highlights was meeting Chris Parnaby who stopped by in his electronic wheelchair to look over the prints and cards on the print stand beside the Dream Bus. Unfortunately we don’t have wheelchair access for the Dream Bus and space limitations inside would make it difficult to provide this. But it’s something to consider when we upgrade to Dream Bus Mach 2 for future tours. Mid afternoon we wrapped and packed for the drive to Young and our first POP Tour Exhibition Event in NSW.
Monday 22 November 2010
Staged our first POP Tour exhibition event in NSW in association with the Young District Arts Council at the Southern Cross Cultural Centre in Young. Big thanks to Joanne Johnson and everyone at the Arts Council for their support and assistance. The Young Witness ran an article on the previous Friday and the event was also advertised on local community radio which helped to ensure a steady stream of locals. In the evening, we ran the “In the Flow” seminar to some very appreciative locals in the Southern Cross Cinema and they provided fantastic feedback for what is still a work in progress. Special thanks to David Seymour for taking photos on behalf of the Arts Council and sharing them with me. Thanks also to everyone who attended the In the Flow seminar and Heather Ruhl who agreed to be interviewed. Also thanks to Jessica McKenzie from the Young Witness who came by to photograph the exhibition and interview me for a front page article that ran on Wednesday 24 November. See the POP Tour Media Archive.
Tuesday 23 November 2010
Drove to Canberra after spending the night at a truck stop just short of Yass. We had arranged to exhibit at the Tuggeranong Arts Centre but found there was not enough room for the Dream Bus. Suzi Edwards from TAC recommended the Aarwun Gallery, Federation Square Gold Creek as an alternate venue and we arranged to meet gallery owners Robert and Laura Stevens in the afternoon. With their support and the support of other retail businesses in the Square together with the owners and builders, John and Lynn Anderson, we agreed to exhibit at Federation Square and parked the Dream Bus in the evening for set up the next day.
Wednesday 24 November to Saturday 27 November 2010
Spent the balance of the week exhibiting at Federation Square, Gold Creek. The bus was in a prime location out the front of the square and attracted plenty of interest from passers by. We enjoyed beautiful spring weather and I took the opportunity to work on some of my commission paintings. On Wednesday, we got a visit from Canberra Times journalist, Jacqueline Williams and photographer, Andrew Sheargold. Jacque asked some great questions while Andrew took photos but, unfortunately, the story didn’t run so I never got to see the photos or read Jacque’s take on the Tour. Other notables who came to view the exhibition included Bruce Howlett from the National Portrait Gallery and Sid Marris and family. The absolute highlight of the week was my third meeting with Sonam Dagpo, representative for His Holiness the Dalai Lama to finalise and sign the contract for the Dalai Lama Portrait Project. We signed the contract on Friday 26 November at the Tibet Information Office in Canberra (see event gallery for photos) and visiting from India was Tenzin Atisha, Secretary for Department of Information and International Relations, Central Tibetan Administration. I first met with Tenzin when I was in Dharamsala, northern India in early October for my first meeting with His Holiness, the Dalai Lama. Work on my portrait of His Holiness, the Dalai Lama will commence next year and progress will be documented in photography and film and upload to a new gallery on this website.
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