We had to leave the house for the weekend as the floors were being sanded and coated. So we went and visited family up north on the farm. A place without cell phone reception and internet – Bliss! Ah, Bliss is a puppet I don’t have yet… As soon as I get my studio space I will start on that one :)
Being away from the Dedes pushed me off cloud nine and I have found my grounding again. I see there are a few avenues opening. I’ve been invited to exhibit some of the Dedes in a gallery that is dedicated to recycled art on Waiheke, an island just off Auckland. I love Waiheke, but haven’t been there for ages, so this is a very good excuse to visit again. They are interested in running a workshop as well and asked if I could do it during the next holidays. While I could have done it, I decided to postpone it for a little, as I have booked myself into a puppeteering workshop with renown puppeteer Gary Friedman in Melbourne. I am sure I will learn heaps and might be able to apply a few things to what I am doing here. The workshop is from 19th to 21st July. As this is not too far off, I’ll try not to make any major decisions until I am back in Auckland. I know my head will be brimming with new ideas. A good deal of them will be impractical but who cares.
dedepuppets 
The photo looks fairly blissful too. Was it cold? From what i remember New Zealand is somewhere down by the South Pole. :-) Tony
I don’t know how I could have overlooked you comment before, Tony. Yes, the next stop is the South Pole and you can really feel it at the moment. In Winter there are two options here. Freezing cold but sunny or mild but very wet. Can’t make up my mind what I prefer :)
good for you!!!!! you should be proud of yourself!
Thanks Terry. It is the Dedes I am proud of, not myself. They really run the show :)
This one is surely an extremely silly question, but what exactly happens in a workshop?
This is in no way a silly question. I don’t know exactly what will happen in the workshop Australia, but in my one the participants basically play with the puppets and take on a new character. By doing so, they can in a fun way express what’s on their mind. I am very keen on exploration and participation.
When you get an idea for a new puppet…do you make drawings to help you realize it?
No, I just start making it.
There are at least three rounds of modelling and drying. In this process the puppet most likely starts talking to me and will change my mind of who it will become. Very often it ends up a totally different personality than I set out to make.