Our Christmas markets have now been and gone and, apart from some works hanging in exhibitions in Hornsby and Willoughby (details below), I’m done for 2024! With less than two weeks until Christmas, I feel I can take a breather and unwind a little before I start all over again in the new year.
Art aside, I’ve been telling people recently about my interest in the Australian version of ‘Top Gear’, which in turn has made me think about another couple of shows that have piqued my interest this year. These have no doubt come as much of a surprise to my friends as they have to me, because although I’ve believed for a very long time that we never really know anyone – not even those we’re closest to, not entirely – I was pretty sure I knew what I did and didn’t like!
The other two shows are on the radio. First is ‘The Continuous Call Team’, and second, ‘The Big Fish’. It’s fair to say I have very little interest in cars, football or fishing, and yet I’ve been going back again and again to listen to and watch each of these three shows. Without a doubt it’s all about the presenters: ‘Top Gear’ (Australia) is hosted by Jonathan LaPaglia (actor), Beau Ryan (footballer) and Blair Joscelyne (musician). They couldn’t be a more entertaining trio and it’s a joy watching the three of them and the way they interact.
‘The Continuous Call Team’ are on the radio during the football season and again, they’re just a magic mix of Aussie blokes who, in the time they’re on air before the game starts, talk about all sorts of non-sensical, spontaneous subjects. Their banter is great fun and I look forward to those afternoons when I can sit listening to them as I paint here in my studio.
Then there’s ‘The Big Fish’, on the radio early on a Saturday morning, so if I’m awake to hear it, it’s something I listen to in bed. Each week they talk to a man who goes by the name ‘Stinker’ (though having Googled him I see his real name is John Clarke). He has a uniquely lyrical and entertaining voice and seems to know everything there is to know about fish and fishing and, as a result, he hooks me (ha ha!) with his passion and that voice!
Reflecting on these shows, I think back to my school days and wonder how my enjoyment of those years could have been immeasurably greater had I been taught by teachers who could inject the same kind of passion and enthusiasm for their subjects as these radio and TV men do in theirs. That’s something I’ll never know, but it’s been an eye-opener to realise that there may be all sorts of things I could be more interested in, given the right delivery.
Anyway, as for those last couple of exhibitions for 2024 …
Christmas Exhibition and Sale, Wallarobba, 25 Edgeworth David Ave, Hornsby (NSW), on now until Sunday 22 December, 10am to 4pm (closed Mondays)
Christmas Show at Ewart Gallery, 33 Laurel St, Willoughby (NSW), on now until Saturday 18 January (closed Sundays)
Merry Christmas to you all.
Until next year!