Today is #LongCovidAwarenessDay and tomorrow will be my own three year coronaversary.

These are some of the “Breathe” artworks that I have created while living with Long Covid. They all have the word “breathe” featured in Morse code. Because I have had to relearn how to breathe properly. And because focusing mindfully on breathing has helped to calm my mind and body.

#LongCovid #LongCovidAwareness #DisabilityArt #DisabilityArtist #Breathe #AbstractArt #AbstractArtist #MastoArt

My first exhibition where I had my own room to showcase my current series of work and I sold a piece. To the CEO of Arts Access Victoria, no less.
Hours later and I feel like my feet still haven't reached the ground!
I've only been painting since August 2022. So what's next. 🤯
Exhibition open Thurs, Fri, and Sat in Naarm.
Very thankful. 🙏🏼
#melbourne #tlwvision #ActuallyAutistic #ArtistWithADisability #DisabilityArtist @Melbourne

http://www.yarrasculpturegallery.com.au/

http://tlwvision.au

(horizontal image)

Off to the gallery opening at 2pm for the Yarra Sculpture Gallery Summer Residency Group Exhibition in Naarm sporting my new fashion accessory.

I've lost sensation in my 4th and 5th fingers and my gp suspects it might be the ulnar nerve.

Also this week I found out that the left shoulder pain I've been experiencing for months is due to bursitis........ and....... arthritis! 👀

Apparently, at 47, I'm getting old.

#ActuallyAutistic #ArtistWithADisability #DisabilityArtist #photographer #tlwvision

Happy Photography Friday folx!

This fortnight's adventure with my support worker was to the spectacular hanging rock in regional Victoria, about an hour outside of Naarm.

The energy and emotion of the rock is breathtaking and I find it quite a spiritual journey up the mountain.

Unfortunately, like most colonised spots around so-called Australia, the information centre has barely any information about the First Nation's peoples and their connection to the land here.

#PhotographyFriday #tlwvision #LandscapePhotography #DisabilityArtist #DisabledArtist #ActuallyAutistic

(All vertical images)

Two days ago I pulled a 10hr stay at the gallery in an attempt to finish my series (opening at the Yarra Sculpture Gallery in Naarm at 2-4pm Sunday 19th February).

At around 845pm I stepped outside to this view.

So grateful.

#mobilePhotography #tlwvision #sunset #ActuallyAutistic #ArtistWithADisability #DisabilityArtist

Just interviewed and hired another support worker to my care team. He starts on the 25th of January, on a fortnightly 2hr cooking and cleaning basis. So excited!

#ActuallyAutistic #ArtistWithADisability #DisabilityArtist #supportWorker #NDIS #mable

I've just posted to everyone on Ko-fi who has donated thus far a sneek peek into what I'm up to creatively right now. If you haven't donated yet, there's always time, either as a one-off or monthly donation (set and forget). Every month you will receive exclusive content for your generous support. As always share, share, share. Please and thank you.

http://ko-fi.com/tlwvision/posts

#MastoArt #photography #painting #mixedMedia #ActuallyAutistic #ArtistWithADisability #DisabilityArtist #kofi

Oh my, I've been gifted another Explore feature on Flickr for this image that I took at Camel Rock, NSW in December 2022.

#MastoArt #photography #flickr #LandscapePhotography #tlwvision #ArtistWithADisability #DisabilityArtist #DisabledArtist #ActuallyAutistic

https://www.flickr.com/photos/tlwvision/

For my first time entering The Landscape Photography World Awards 2022 I chose my image of the Brooklyn Bridge taken on my last day in America after a month long road trip in June 2022. Pretty chuffed with the results.

#MastoArt #photography #cityscape #LPWA #tlwvision #ArtistWithADisability #LandscapePhotographyWorldAwards #DisabilityArtist #DisabledArtist

My partner came and visited me at my artists residency today. 😍
#art #tlwvision #photography #painting #mixedMedia #ActuallyAutistic #ArtistWithADisability #DisabilityArtist

Today I start my art residency with the Yarra Sculpture Gallery through ArtsAccess Victoria. I have the projection room. Some lights for working & to spotlight the wall for my canvases will be installed this arvo. Bring on the creativity!
#art #MastoArt #photography #painting #mixedMedia #ActuallyAutistic #ArtistWithADisability #DisabilityArtist #photographer #tlwvision #YSG #CityofYarra #YarraSculptureGallery #ArtsAccess #ArtsAccessVictoria #creative #Abbotsford @Melbourne

Just watched The Lost King and it was affirming watching a film where the main character has a disability (played brilliantly by Sally Hawkins, who, incidentally, does live with disability).
Steve Coogin again performs exceptionally well, if at times, ableist.
More disability representation in film please.
#disability #film #movies #DisabilityArtist #DisabledArtist #DisabilityRepresentation #TheLostKing #HistoricallyAccurate #BasedOnATrueStory #TrueStory

I hate baths. They bore me & I had a bad experience once whilst I was experiencing undiagnosed schizophrenia whilst using generic epsom salts that landed me in ER.

However, after my Epic Walk yesterday (see previous post) and the inability to sleep due to the pain, I have no choice but to soak in some Radox now. 😴

#hiking #aftermath #bath #notAFan #radox #painManagement #DisabilityArtist #DisabledArtist

For today's photography adventures, my support worker & I drove to Kinglake Nature Park to see Masons Falls and walk the Lyrebird Creek track.

Only.
We didn't.
Walk the Lyrebird track, that is.
The park is so poorly sign posted that we ended up doing the very difficult Running Creek track.
As such, we ended up walking over 15kms and most of that was uphill with intermittent rain and then a deep mist falling on the mountain with about 90mins of walking to get us back to the car park.

I only took 18 photos with my Nikon due to the rain and the track not following the creek.
The below shot was with my phone.

I now cannot walk due to the pain in my hips and legs. Not sure I'd want to do it again, but am keen to come back and actually do the Lyrebird track!

#mobilePhotography #photography #MastoArt #art #melbourne #victoria #australia #hiking #DisabilityArtist #disabled #DisabledArtist #tlwvision #InvisibleDisabilities #ActuallyAutistic

I love number synchronicity so having achieved 33% of my ko-fi.com goal is super exciting!
Can you spare $5? Wanna buy a membership and receive monthly secret behind-the-scenes images? Are you a purveyor of art and want to give generously?
Then click on the link below!
https://ko-fi.com/tlwvision/goal?g=33

Or just, you know, share as much as possible. Thanks folx.

#MastoArt #artist #art #melbourne #victoria #australia #kofi #KofiGoal #donate #tip #TipsWelcome #photography #LandscapePhotography #painter #ActuallyAutistic #ArtistWithADisability #DisabilityArtist #photographer #tlwvision

Nawww, one of my artworks was unsuccessful in my bid to display it in an upcoming group exhibition that had a prize of $6k attached to it.
*sigh*
Not that I was banking on that money, but it could have gone a long way.
Oh well, it means that I can include the piece with my queer environmental mixed media series at the Yarra Sculpture Gallery in Feb.
The highs and lows of an independent artist.

#art #MastoArt #photography #painting #mixedMedia #exhibition #ArtistWithADisability #ActuallyAutistic #DisabilityArtist

Aaaaaand grant is sent!

Thanks to @littleelfman

#ActuallyAutistic #ArtistWithADisability #DisabilityArtist #naarm #art #MastoArt #GrantWriting #grant #writing

After having to cancel it 3 times due to bad weather I'm Fiiiiiinally taking my 3 day solo photography trip to Ballaarat today (spelling from the Wadawurrung language).

This is me finding some independence within a [very loving and nurturing] relationship. Telling myself that I am competent and strong. Taking time out solely for me.

Yes there will be rain but the clouds should part somewhat for sunrise/sunsets, so fingers crossed the sky will produce dramatic colours over Lake Wendouree. If not, I'll enjoy what I get and be thankful. 💖

#ActuallyAutistic #ArtistWithADisability #DisabilityArtist #melbourne #ballarat #photography #LandscapePhotography #MastoArt #art #victoria #LakeWendouree #australia #tlwvision

As one of the 2022-23 Midsumma Pathways Program recipients, we zoom monthly and discuss the highs and lows of being an artist living with a disability, chat about our projects, ask questions, and occasionally have industry experts give us insight. On Thursday we were privileged to have ArtsAccess CEO Caroline Bowditch speak to us about creating work and receiving feedback on our terms. It was a great session. I really hope to meet her one day.

https://www.carolinebowditch.com/

https://www.midsumma.org.au/participate/midsumma-pathways/

#IDPwD #IDPWD2022 #InternationalDayOfPeopleWithDisability #disability #DisabilityArtist #disabled #DisabledArtist #InvisibleDisabilities #lgbtqia #pride #HumanBeing #MastoArt #ArtsAccess #ClaireBowditch #OutAndProud #Midsumma #MidsummaPathways2022 #melbourne #AustralianArts #australia

Please remember this International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) on Saturday 3rd December, that not all disabilities are visible and that's perfectly OK. I see you.

Also, Disability and Disabled are not dirty words. Don't let others make you feel lesser. You are wonderful and deserve equality.

Here's a link to my Archer article about invisible disability and unlearning internalised ableism.
https://archermagazine.com.au/2022/01/invisible-disabilities/

#IDPwD #IDPWD2022 #InternationalDayOfPeopleWithDisability #disability #DisabilityArtist #disabled #DisabledArtist #writing #InvisibleDisabilities