Gemma Turvey - Australian composer/ pianist

I was listening to 3MBS radio this morning and was completely taken by the music, well, I found out later by Gemma Turvey and the New Palm Court Orchestra, "Mi Hermano".

I found this album on Spotify, but, the song is not in it. Still, this is a great album.  

It's really a great privilege to be comforted and touched by her music making.  

I hope someday I'll see her live performance.  

Here is her YouTube channel. 

Read more »

Tim Murphy - plein air painting advice

Recorded in Pipers Creek near Kynton, Victoria.  October 5, Monday, 2026.

Tim teaches tonal realism oil painting at Victorian Artists Society in East Melbourne.

Read more »

Paint Out Day in Sidonia, Victoria, Australia

It was a great day, painting with

Daniel Butterworth

Gregory R. Smith 

Cristian Roux

Tim Murphy 

September 25, 2026

Read more »

Hey, that’s no way to say goodbye - a short essay by Hiro

Hey,

that's no way to say 

goodbye 

Written by Hiro

You know my love goes with you as your love stays with me,

it's just the way it changes, like the shoreline and the sea,

--- Leonard Cohen ---

***

In April 2026, I received a text message from Danielle.

"Dearest Hiro.

I wanted to let you know my time is drawing closer. My health is very poor and my quality of life is deteriorating every day.

I wanted to thank you for your friendship and support and for looking after me so well over all these years. You have been a special person in my life.

John will let you know the details once I have gone.

Much love

D"


Danielle was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer about a year ago. She didn't ask me to cut her hair off. The cancer was so aggressive that by the time I saw her in the salon, there wasn't much hair left. I trimmed it just around her ears.

I can't remember exactly when I started cutting her hair. It was in my early days at a salon in Ivanhoe. Close to 15 years, maybe.

She was a regular Saturday afternoon client.
She had thick, dark, straight hair with striking silver streaks, and I cut it at a jawline bob. Quite often, when I was cutting her hair, Paige, a young stylist, stopped by me, studied the way I slightly graduated her bob and paid a compliment by saying "Wow, that's beautiful hair".
I would wink at Danielle in the mirror. She would smile back at me.
If you happened to walk past her, I'm certain you would have turned around and had another look at her. Dare I say, her bob had such a presence.


Just a week after her text, I got a message from her husband John, who also thanked me for looking after her hair for so long.

I refrain from writing his words as it is still very painful. He mentioned that it was her decision to go.

Here in Victoria, the government passed Voluntary Assisted Dying Act in 2017, the first in Australia. 

I felt a tremendous sense of sadness receiving the news of her passing, but at the same time, relieved she was able to choose what she had thought the best way to live - and end - her life.

***

Her memorial service was held a month later but unfortunately a prior commitment prevented me from attending.

Still, I wanted to do something, so I decided to write a letter to her family and give them one of my paintings.
The difficulty was, choosing which painting would be appropriate.

Then, I thought about Leonard Cohen's song; one of my all time favourites, particularly his live performance in London 2008.
I remembered a line that says something about a shoreline and sea.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Gx6s1ARfOk

Suddenly it occurred to me that I had quite a few small plein air paintings depicting beach scenes. I scrolled my phone to choose the best one. It took me a while to actually find it in storage boxes.

It was painted in Portarlington almost three years ago, in October 2023.

I took the letter and the painting to the memorial's organiser a week before the event.

***

A couple of days after the memorial, John messaged me thanking me for the gift. I returned the message and told him about the painting.

Immediately he came back to me saying,
"I'm not sure if you're aware of this, Hiro, but, when our kids were little, Danielle and I, and all my family used to spend every summer holiday in Portarlington. It's a very special place for us all.

She loved being there."

***

In Loving Memory of Danielle 

For more than a decade, every 10 weeks, you came to the salon for a haircut.

As I often run behind, you waited for me, spending the time knitting.

I was amazed to see how quickly your hands moved, creating wonderful patterns.




As I sat behind you, I wondered if you actually needed a haircut. Your hair ALWAYS looked beautiful.

"I come to see you for a chat, Hiro", you used to quip.




We laughed a lot about small things in life. You had a great sense of humour. Also, you were very passionate about art, particularly Italian Renaissance paintings. I learned a lot from you. 




And, you always talked about your gorgeous family, showing me photos on the phone.

You were very proud of them.




These are some of the fondest memories I treasure.



R.I.P.


Hiro

Read more »

Hiro’s YouTube channel

Introducing my YouTube channel.  

The link is here.  

@hirohairstylist

Read more »

Hiro at Hairdressing Competition

Fond memories.  

YouTube link is here. 

HBIA Australian Hairdressing Championships 2004, 2006

IHS Australian Hairdressing Championships 2005, 2006

Read more »

VAS 9x5 Exhibition 2026

 This is my entry painting. 

Read more »

Painted Life - Gregory R. Smith

I made a short video about Greg. Hope it will inspire many painters. 

Gregory R. Smith is a former president of Victorian Artists Society in East Melbourne, Australia, where he teaches tonal realism oil painting.

 

Read more »

2026 AACTA Awards

I'm delighted to hear that ABC TV Portraight Artist of the Year 2025 was awarded Best Entertainment Program.

That's me, by the way🤣, painting a portrait of Ken Done @kendonegallery 

 Fabulous judges. 

 @abdul_abdullah 

 @breepickering 

 @robertwellingtonofficial 

And, always entertaining presenters. 

 @misstap 

 @lukewmcgregor 

 Finally, thank you to the production crews on and off site for your hard work and giving me this glorious opportunity. 

@endemolshineau 

 And, of course 

 @abc_arts 

 @abciview 

 My sincere hope is, the show will motivate many viewers across the country and beyond to pick up brushes and start painting. Believe me, your life will become richer and more colourful 😄 #PortraitArtistOfTheYearAU #abciview #kendone #hiro #hirohairstylist melbourne

Read more »

Vincent and me

One of my favourite Van Gogh paintings. 

Hope to paint together someday, somewhere. 

My photo was taken at Werribee Mansion on Jan 6, 2026. 

Read more »

Portrait Artist of The Year, Series 1, Episode 1 on ABC TV Australia

Fondest memories. 

This is my finished painting of Ken Done and my submission self portrait.

It was a great privilege meeting these fabulous artists on the day (filmed on February 12 Wednesday at White Bay Power Station in Sydney ).  Lovely people. 

Wish you all a shining future as artists. 

Natalie @paintedfavours 

Jamie @jaimeepaul 

Jimi @jimimay 

Emmanuel @emmanuel.asante.art 

Dan @dan_butterworth_artist 

Vaughn @vaughn.roberts 

Jasmin @forcadillajasmine 

Lottie @lottierae_art 

My greatest gratitude to Ken @kendonegallery for sitting for us. 

Your words of artistic wisdom will stay in my mind forever. 

Also, it was a great honour to meet the esteemed judges. 

Abdul @abdul_abdullah 

Bree @breepickering 

Robert @robertwellingtonofficial 

And, always entertaining presenters. 

Miranda @misstap 

Luke @lukewmcgregor 

Finally, thank you to the production crews on and off site for your hard work and giving me this glorious opportunity. 

Endemol Shine Australia @endemolshineau 

And, of course 

@abc_arts 

@abciview 

My sincere hope is, the show will motivate many viewers across the country and beyond to pick up brushes and start painting. 

Believe me, your life will become richer and more colourful 😄

#PortraitArtistOfTheYearAU

#abciview #kendone

#hiro #hirohairstylist 

#melbourne

 

Read more »

ABC TV Portrait Artist of the Year, Series 1, Episode 1

I'm super excited to let you know that ABC finally announced the date! 

I had a great pleasure meeting with artists, many production crews, the judges, the presenters and of course, the sitter. 

Hope you'll enjoy the show as much as I did on the day😃

Stream Portrait Artist of the Year from Sunday 2 November 8pm weekly on ABC iview and 

Have a look at YouTube trailer here. 

Read more »

VAS 9x5 Exhibition 2025

This is the third entry to this annual event at Victorian Artists Society.  

It was a great opening this afternoon, lots of people. I like the way they displayed artwork, all in 9x5 inch.  

If you're around, please have a look. Until Aug 3 Sunday.  

This is my entry, "This one sucks". 

Read more »

Love, Love, Love at Heidelberg Theatre Company

Interesting inter generational conflict written by Mike Bartlett. 

As expected from this reputable theatre company, rock solid performances by all the performers, particularly Genya Mik as Sandra. 

Thanks again for this wonderful opportunity to see it.  

Read more »

Leif Vollebekk at Croxton Bandroom in Melbourne, Australia

Unforgettable evening, watching this superb musician playing at this local venue in northern suburb of Melbourne. 

What an electrifying musicianship he possesses! Never seen such a talented songwriter and a performer in ages. It was a privilege to see him enjoying himself on stage and sharing enormous creativity with us. 

I first come across his song "Long Blue Light" on Spotify random playlist six months ago.  I was instantly taken by its atmospheric beauty, his voice and guitar playing, lyricism....

Then I listened to his latest album "Revelation". What an incredible collection of music! Particularly "Sunset Boulevard Expedition", which has become one of my all time favourites.  

The only thing is, he didn't play the song 😨

Read more »