Portraits of a Musician

Lately I've been taking photographs of Musicians.  You can view this portfolio here.

Portraits of a Musician

A big thankyou to local musician Melinda for being my model for this work.  Melinda may give me some quotes from her beautiful songs to put with this later, but for now some general quotes from music give the idea of what kinds of things I'd like to produce for song writers and musicians looking for a photographer.

I posted a story on the day I took photographs as my Pearlz Dreaming Blog

A Day with a Song Writer

After Yasi Reviews

A stunningly illustrated book compiled by June Perkins and others, AFTER YASI tells the stories of recovery, healing and Community; also a beautiful insight into rural life in Northern Queensland for those who have yet to visit our region.- Joanna, review reader, Townsville.

After Yasi is simply stunning.  Beautifully laid out, images are emotional and strong and the stories behind them oh so touching. -Suzie, ABC Open Producer

I just looked through your e-book and it is fantastic - very beautiful indeed and touching. I love the 'chainsaw optimism' pic especially. Just shows how words and pictures together can be so powerful. I think you have produced something so excellent.  This will be great as a hard-copy coffee table style book. -Nigel, Review Reader, resident in Africa

I have just had a very quick look but what an amazing book. You should be very proud.  I would love to have a copy here for our resources.  -A Queensland Arts Organisation

I took the time to read your book. I'm so impressed by the photographs you took.  Most have smiling faces amidst the ruins of the cyclone. It's so sad to think that a tragedy reminds us what is important.  Family, community, music, smiles, and pictures.  Many people who lose their homes lose their family photos, and that too is a tragedy.  Thank you for sharing. The words and poems were so touching and as I said the pictures were awesome, from the beautiful flowers, to the devastation and destruction of homes and nature. It's a beautiful book, well done. You captured the moments. - Helene, Story Cartel Critique group

The Yasi photo book; the stories and visual recollections leave me wordless but with memories of my childhood flicking through my mind like old 8mm film of surviving Cyclone Althea after Tracey up there... Most extremely well done. -Dimity, children’s book author.

I had a quick look at your After Yasi Blurb book and I'm very impressed with the amount of creative projects you've produced in the last couple of years. The book looks stunning. I'm impressed that you are able to capture fantastic photographs of everything you get involved in. I know how hard this is.  Well done in putting all your experiences and hard work in this beautiful book. -Leandro, ABC Open Mentor

1000 thanks for sharing this epic recount with magical photography and illustrations.  Cannot wait to see the finished product.- Ann, Lower Tully community

This is a fantastic book. Not only do I love the piece about Back on Track but I love the pictures the comments and the smiles from everyone else.   Well done and I look forward to buying the finished product. -Brendan, Australian Rotary Health

Oh my, what a gorgeous piece of work. You are a true artist in so many ways, Can't wait for the finished product - Danielle, former Lower Tully resident

Looking forward to reader responses - feel free to add these to the blog.  Thankyou.

June

Reviews 2011 Work

Click on this link to read June’s Aftermath Blogs

Hi June, and thanks for this post, it raises something that I’ve thought about a lot – why is it that we are so reluctant to accept help?

It can be really confronting to accept the help of others, but we all know how great it feels to help someone who’s in need. It seems to me that sometimes the bravest thing we can do is to let people know how we’re going and allow other people to help us – although you’re right, it can be very hard to do for lots of different reasons, and equally uncomfortable to offer help, even when we really want to. You’ve opened up a big topic here June! Thanks for sharing your story.

-Cath Dwyer, ABC Open Producer on ‘Ute Angels’ Aftermath ABC open guest blog.

Go June! You’re a wonderful writer and storyteller. Your energy motivates and inspires me in my work and I really appreciate how much attention you pay to every detail of the Aftermath project. Thank you!

Miranda, ABCopen Producer

Very insightful and touching June. Thanks for sharing some of the complex and contradictory feelings you and your family experienced. Angels in shorts and T-shirts… love it!

-Shelley, Cairns. on ‘Ute Angels’

June, I can feel the joy coming through the screen, you must have all loved this creative experience! Thank you for this post

- Monica, Soul Food Blogger

Maintaining the creative impulse most certainly helps us survive the worst of events. This is an inspirational post June.

– Heather Blakey on ‘Hope Roof’ Aftermath ABC open.

A beautiful article, June, you really do get to the “heart” of the matter and you’re blessed to live in such a caring community. After hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans people went in and restored family photographs for some of the inhabitants who had lost everything. It was poignant and heartwarming to see the looks on their faces as they were given back just a bit of their past. It’s so good to read a positive story about decent people. Keep up the great work!

-Porch Sitter, Soul Food Blogger, on ‘Heart Strands Hidden in the Cassowary Coast’ Aftermath ABC open.

Thank you for this wonderful insight into the strength and struggles of people recovering from Yasi. And so beautifully written! I look forward to reading more of ‘Aftermath’.

-Meg, Book Creator’s Circle and Junk Wave, on ‘Tupperware Houses’ Aftermath ABC open.

June, I’m so pleased you’re working on a series of articles about Yasi. This is a worldwide experience and your insights will bring knowledge to folks who don’t live in cyclone or hurricane zones, as well as comfort and hope to those who’ve experienced the fear and damage. I’ll be looking forward to your next article.

-Barbara Banta on ‘Tupperware Houses’ Aftermath, ABC Open.

Your commitment to documenting the aftermath of Yasi is remarkable. Through your words and images we can gain an understanding the struggles, recovery and resilience, both personally and in your community. With so many natural disasters are happening…I believe our mother earth may be vying for our attention. Thank you June for teaching and showing us how to work and heal together.

-Jani , Photo Journalist and activist, United States, on ‘Tupperware Houses’ Aftermath, ABC Open

You’ve picked a wonderful writer to do these posts. Not only did she experience it all but she writes with heart!

-Tammy (Agrigirl) United States, on ‘Tupperware Houses’ Aftermath, ABC Open

I can’t stop reading your blog June … you have such a talent .. and a beautiful soul. I’m hooked! It’s like being a kid in a candy store but with a sense of calm. Cx

-Carolyn Bofinger, Teacher and photographer, on ‘Pearlz Dreaming’ blog

Your writing is so beautiful, it comes from the heart and gives comfort to the reader. I wish that everyone in the whole world could read and absorb your written thoughts, and look at and into your amazing images, especially during this season of so many natural disasters. Thank you for sharing your thoughts from the heart.

-Vi, on ‘Pearlz Dreaming’ post.

June – Your touching story of Yasi and the five guitars struck a chord with me. Easy access to good music is high on my list of requirements for quality of life. For the past 30 years or so ABC Classical FM has been a constant in my life at home. I had an aerial attached to the roof to achieve decent reception. Yasi twisted and tossed that aerial to the ground. Late yesterday it was replaced. Today I find myself smiling broadly to the music as I perform the routine tasks.

-Pam Galeano, Children’s Author, on ‘Legend of Five Guitars’, Aftermath, ABC Open.

What a wonderful story June and what inspiration for your children I remember Phil Emmanuel from early Goldrush days and sounds like he is still that genuinely lovely talented human being!

Dijanne, on ‘Legend of Five Guitars’, Aftermath, ABC Open.

This is one post that I wish all people of the world could read, June. There are people like you described that react the same whether it be a cyclone or someone going through infertility. Some of it hurts and is now helpful while some you just want everyone to know how helpful they are. I like the silent angels myself. They do what they do from their hearts without any ulterior motives.

After 911 there were so many in the US who bonded…whether out of fear or whatever. But there were also those who decided to chalk their problems up to anyone Muslim. Our neighbor was Muslim. He hung a flag outside and we neighbours were ready to defend his life if it came to that. The sad thing is that when all is well and done, those that weren’t personally touched by the tragedy (and some who were) have forgotten.

You, my dear June, are an angel. Your intentions are true and heartfelt. I have shared your posts with friends and they were so happy to hear about the cyclone and after effects first hand. Thank you from all of us for sharing your story. It helps us remember that no matter which country we live, we are all the same.

-Sally, on ‘Ute, towel and washing, Angels and; the dark side of cyclones’, Pearlz Dreaming post.

This is so beautiful and so true, June. I loved reading it; it gave me peace and hope. I love heavy metal music, and I love the moments of quiet the musicians offer, like Metallica’s Nothing Else Matters. It is kind of an anthem for me, as I think of my family.
To you and yours, hope and beauty in abundance.

-Gail ‘Angels, Blessings, Sunlight and the Aerodynamics of Optimism’ in ‘Pearlz Dreaming’ post.

Lovely report June. I think the people of Tully can be pleased with their roving reporter

-Paulien Bats on ‘on ‘A Prince, Cassowary Gift and Handshakes of Optimism’ – Facebook post/Pearlz Dreaming post.

What a beautiful account. Thanks so much, June. I saw you on SBS news briefly. So excited! What a bright hot day, though. Glad there was ice-cream!

- Jo Grimmer- on ‘A Prince, Cassowary Gift and Handshakes of Optimism’ – Facebook post/Pearlz Dreaming post.

I see you writing a syndicated column or something that a number of newspapers (or their on-line equivalents!)

-Paul Gerard, on ‘A Prince, Cassowary Gift and Handshakes of Optimism’ – Facebook post/Pearlz Dreaming post.

Great piece of writing & pics to go with it – can feel the warmth!!

-Noel Broomhall, on ‘A Prince, Cassowary Gift and Handshakes of Optimism’ – Facebook post/Pearlz Dreaming post.

Your words touch my heart. Yesterday a friend taught me a new word “weltschmerz”. It’s a German word that means world sadness. I hear it in your poem. Thank you for expressing it so beautifully.

-Suzanne on ‘Moving beyond the wounds’ Pearlz Dreaming post.

It’s great to have such a strong group of contributors who are so willing to share their experiences with the rest of the country.

Sonya Gee, ABC open producer on Aftermath bloggers on Aftermath ABC open.

You are . . . a tower of wisdom. You have taken from the destruction of a storm the gifts it had to offer, and there were gifts, so well hidden that only a chosen few would discover them. Thank you for this speaking to me/to us from your soul. I was spell bound by your words and the depth of vision they presented.

-Vi on ‘Farewells, meeting old age, lessons of a quail and the wayland song…’ on Pearlz Dreaming post.

Great post June … blogging is a fantastic tool to just document life and love and everything that encompasses it. I’d like to think someone, somewhere got something out of each post I write but in the end, I know that I definitely do in writing each one, so that is what counts. Your posts are always so insightful and inspiring. Your storytelling, brilliant. ABC open is so amazing in being people together and providing opportunities for real people to tell real stories. Well done gorgeous. I’ll always enjoy reading your words. Always. Cx

–Carolyn Bofinger, Photographer and Blogger

To read the work commented on here click on this link Discovering

Wow! June this is fantastic! What amazing work from both you and Sheridan.

On Discovering, Stephanie, Artist, On Discovering, curator Ontario

Thank you June for this beautiful and generous gift. Will share it with my contacts.

- On Discovering, Joanna, Writer, Australia

Staggeringly beautiful June … such wonderful, wonderful work … thank
you for sharing with us.

- On Discovering, Jill, Textile Artist, United Kingdom

I am at a loss for words. Your images are so beautiful they bring tears to my eyes. It is obvious that you are one with the world that you photograph and write about. Your vision comes from your heart and even deeper than that, your soul. Thank you for sharing your work with us.

I really liked “Palm Fronds”…that was at the beginning. “Fireside Dreams” was so thought provoking and was probably my favorite. But then there was “Mirroring” it represented such delicacy and “Being Birdsong” was really beautiful.

-On Discovering, Vi, Poet, student of digital arts, Arizona

I love the e-book. Wonderful poems and pictures. Lovely!

-Jane Pleasant Hill, Louisiana, USA

Beautiful production in total. Wonderful to realize people in Australia share similar values.. Professor Arnold’s insight linking USA’s Rachel Carson and Jeffers from the turn of the century to 1960’s confirms a continuing value.. June’s photographic work and poems are exquisite. On Discovering, J Webb, medical professions, Sacramento, California

Stunning presentation. Shows nature is powerful. Reminds me of the fires here and how we became strugglers and then gained respect for the power of earthquakes and fires. Also, every parent, school, church that works with children would benefit from this e-book. Parents being there as children learn and then the child’s work is outstanding as well. A different world, different perspective, shared values.

- On Discovering Rachel, nurse, Chico, California

Exquisite work – great presentation. Have looked at it several times. Shared with colleagues. Very special.

- On Discovering, Marian, artist, Indianapolis, USA

Your presentation was exceptional, inspirational.

-Letizia de Roza, Book Creator’s Circle, on Talk to BCC.

On Video Storytelling

Great record of the good work of good people in great communities. And well done June with the video making – I am curating the ABC Open “Aftermath” content that you contributed this video to and I have watched you just get better and better. abc.net.au/open —ABC Open North Coast NSW, On Back on Track video

Wonderful video June! So good to see people working toward making a better world! ~YES~ pass it on!!!~ Sending Love and Good vibes from California…

Jani Murphy, Photographer and Photojournalist, On Operation Angel documentary

Wow! What a touching blog and video. I can see in the video footage how moved Jacqueline also was by being welcomed by you all up in Queensland recently. I am proud to be part of the Operation Angel team with Jacqueline and the amazing people in VIC who have impacted on the community’s lives after the floods and cyclones earlier this year. We cared enough to help, we were driven to help, and so much support came from our social communities online and contacts who mobilised immediately when we called out for tools, undies, mozzie nets, the lot. Helping our fellow queenslanders was a pleasure because people wanted to give more, and more, and more. I have such faith in the human spirit. Thank you for being strong and getting through this!

—Sarah Allen – social media outreach for Operation Angel – On Operation Angel documentary

That’s really inspiring. Well done. Great combo of stills and video interviews. Good overall shaping and editing from beginning to the end. The music goes well with the stills and the background video etc.—austories on Operation Angel documentary

Mentoring

June has been a mentor,teacher and inspiration to many of us post cyclone Yasi down here in the Tully, Mission Beach El Arish, Silkwood Kurramine areas, encouraging us to write to heal the shock, giving us openings to share the stories with others and in her unique way being just a good friend. All the writers in our area are now under one umbrella. It’s evolving into Licuala WinQ.

from Kate Campbell-Lloyd

WORKS REFERRED TO

June’s Aftermath Blogs

Discovering

ABC radio cover my video blogging

Workshop Review- The Ripple Project

Pearlz worked with my class over several weeks.
The children's workshops involved creating poetry using a variety of media. She quickly developed a rapport with the children and was able to adapt her approaches and outcomes to their ability levels.

The children enjoyed their activities enormously, were always actively involved and were extremely proud of their completed works including written and visual products. I was particularly surprised and pleased with the scope, originality and quality of the ideas and concepts developed by such young children.

As these was not one of my areas of expertise, I was excited to be able to take Pearlz's work and ideas and continue to work with the class.

The children looked forward to recital day. Their energy and excitement levels were high and they performed well in front of a diverse audience.

I enjoyed and appreciated working with Pearlz. She showed empathy with the children and was professional with the other staff.

I would highly recommend to others they participate in any workshops developed and coordinated by Pearlz


Primary School Teacher, October 2007

From Indigenous Oral Historian

I first met June Perkins at an Indigenous writer’s retreat run by Jennifer Martiniello at Fitzroy Falls NSW, in September 2001. My role in the retreat was to train participants in the field of legal, ethical and cultural protocols in conducting interviews within the Indigenous community. I observed June interviewing my Sister Doreen for the Published Anthology Talking Ink from Ochre. She was highly adept at all the skills required to perform such tasks. She took these skills and used them in the process of interviewing (by invitation) an indigenous writers group based in Canberra. It is a measure of the rapport she has with such groups that she was invited to undertake such a commission. The results of these interviews are published in her PhD thesis in which she studied the empowerment of Indigenous women through writing practices.

I later met June whilst she was living in Wollongong at the local indigenous community centre where I launched a collection of Indigenous Elder’s stories from the region. In this same building June was invited to read her poetry at the launch of an indigenous artist’s exhibition.

June has a great deal of experience running workshops. She has recently facilitated workshops in writing, poetry, story telling and oral stories as inspiration for creative writing.

In her past, she was selected to represent Australia as a delegate at the International Festival of Young Playwrights in Townsville in 1996 with her play Immigrant Mother about her Mekeo mother endeavouring to fit in with life in Tasmania.

I have kept in touch with June over the years and have always been impressed with her creativity, enthusiasm, and ability to engage with different cultural groups from a wide variety of backgrounds.

I have the utmost respect for June and her ability as a writer and person. I have no hesitation in recommending June on the basis of her experience, skills, graciousness and intelligence.

Kathleen, Aboriginal Women's Heritage Coordinator

(Further details of referees provided upon request)

Links to recent comments on Pearlz/June's Blogs

I have just started creating a poetry site World Citizen Dreaming. This features poetry on Baha'i and Spiritual Themes.

I will file any reviews or comments of it here and just keep one blog as my visitors/review book.

Thanks for anyone who has taken the time to comment on the work. Feedback is always appreciated.

Links with comments on the blogs or exhibitions

Baha'i Review of Blogs/Bloggers March 13th 2006

From Interplay Colleague

I have known June since 1994, when we were both writers at the International Young Playwrights Festival. Over 25 countries were represented, and June was one of only four playwrights invited from Australia.

Then and now, June’s work has been exciting and innovative. She is both an accomplished poet, and prose writer. She has a unique artistic, educational, and cultural background that allows her to explore both Indigenous and women’s issues.

June’s elegant writing is grounded in aching realities of daily life, motherhood, and Indigenous issues. June writes, “I see a saw reminds me of me Dad / cuttin’ the wood / and me brother’s markin’ out / where the trees to fall / an’ it’s the kinda / day you wanna write about / walkin’ past middens / Koori kitchens to childhood / kitchens nostalgic with tears.”

June is the type who has always done it all – raising a family, while getting a Ph.D. and working various jobs to contribute to her family’s income.

As a former playwriting fellow at Harvard University’s Radcliffe Institute, I have been in the “think tank” environment, and thus know June has the personality to encourage, bond, and interact with her peers. She is also a community educator, who has trained at tertiary level, so she is able to convey her thoughts and ideas to others very easily.

I give June my highest recommendation.

Aurorae, Hollywood, United States.

(Further details of referees provided upon request)

Compilation of quotes from Visitors to Archives in the Land

Dear Pearlz,

It looks wonderful. I like the way you say that every bit of land is an
archive; and that the tree is within me and I am within the tree (A higher
concept of oneness!)

- Ananthan , Sydney.

I checked out your website with the Archives of the land, and Talking to trees. It is beautiful!
I found it very inspiring, and felt the urge to paint!
I thought i can't go on holidays now, is have to paint!!!!

I really liked "here in this tree", almost like it is put to music. (Simon and Garfunkel could make a catchy tune out of it i am sure), But all the other poetry is really nice too.

It made me visualize the light of the sun shimmering through the nice green leaves of the summer trees.

That is good because it is still cold here and the trees are without leaves.
The daffodils have only just stuck out their tiny cold noses out of the soil and await warmer times ....

- Paulien, Netherlands

Thank you very much for sending me your exhibition it is really inspiring!! And the whole page is so well done. the children and their boots look great! I will pass it around to friends if this is OK with you.
- Velda, Townsville.


"Pleasing to the eye. quite impressive and should be quite popular in Baha'i internet circles and other places as well here in Australia and overseas." - Ron, Tasmania.


"Lovely works!!! It brought what was missing to my lonely day"
- Farid, Sydney.


"It looks like you are enjoying your new environment and finding time to be creative in it. "
- Karen, Brisbane.


I've taken a quick look at the exhibition on the blog and love the gumboots, etc.Do you mind if I put a link to your blog on the ....... website on the 'Toplinks' page" I also have some friends who I know would love to see it.
- Sharon, New South Wales


These are beautiful collages, highly evocative. They sing.
- Ingereth

Poetic Review of Archives in the Land

Diligent Indolence
a poetic review of Archives in the land a blog

By Ron Price


So often, when I go to art galleries, I get sleepy and all the talent, all the art is wasted on my eyes as I fall asleep in a chair leaving my wife or perhaps a friend to walk around the said gallery by themselves. It could be some visual disability that I possess; perhaps it is a problem with spaces. I've never really figured it out. The main function of TV for me, sad to say, is as a mild sedative. My brain begins to shut off while my wife is getting turned on. That's okay for after many hours with print my brain wants to turn off. The affect of my poetry on many others often induces sleep. I understand that. Different horses for different courses. Sleep is as essential to life as art.


One must write, one must engage in artistic work, with one's eyes on something inner as well as someone outer. I find visuals on the internet, at sites like Pearlz, much more stimulating. I don't have to walk anywhere and try to enage on a distant painting. And I don't get sleepy. I can breathe the fresh Tasmanian air coming in my window beside my computer here in Australia's oldest town. I can read some words, see some photos, some art, some colour. I can spend 5 minutes or an hour at the site. I'm in control, well, at least partly. The mix is good. The mind can engage.


The following prose-poem is a description of my engagement with Pearlz’s artistic collage some four hours ago.


Diligent Indolence


Perhaps this is some of that
diligent indolence that Keats
said was necessary for poetry
to emerge in gentle self-surrender
to the savouring of days past,
days to come and thought's gold.

Sitting, standing, breathing
here at this online gallery
letting the space, the photographs,
the forms, the varied shapes,
the words, bounce off my
sensory emporium like art
works around the walls
of an art gallery: people
I hardly know come to life:
a beauty, a freshness, a newness.

I try to get eye to engage mind,
but without much success.
Worlds are here but still-born,
to my mind, my tabula rasa.
What can I say? think? do?
Surely this is not just to enjoy?

”Just enjoy”, said the muse:
the smoothest of smooth worlds,
beautiful people, young, very young,
they pop up and up and down and down
and I stroll by with my eye trying to catch
with some of my quiet moments
some of their vitality from their young,
persistent faces bubbling over with life.

She is so beautiful, a thing unto herself,
something magic, deserves at least
a nomination for this work in this place
at some future Internet Academy Wards.
Created, partly, by genetic evolution,
DNA , in a process we are just beginning,
just, to understand. Such beauty, real life,
can be transferred to a wall, a website
and to your heart, that is usually slow.

So much space, order, regularity here,
evenness. I hesitate to send my “little”
poems onto these bright pages, my pieces
with their own regularities and evennesses
where the eyes, too, must engage the mind.

Who will stroll by my work?
who will try and sit and read?
Smiling with “what do you think
of this dear?” Who will sleep,
as I sleep, with my poetry laid out
before me on my bed of ease?

Who will read and watch these
images fly by in gay profusion?
Someone said there are several
trillion sites now for all of us
part of the unparalleled character
of the coming world civilization.
Well, here is one part,
one small part, sweet and young
and so very beautiful to defy
definition or description.
Are my words over the top?
Perhaps.

Ron Price
February 1st 2006


Ron Price has a strong interest in publishing on the internet as well as other forms. A couple of collection of many links is provided below.

http://www.writers.net/writers/36722
http://www.buzzle.com/authors.asp?author=805