The Summer months, January in particular, is always a busy time filled with travel to see family (this year we drove to Yass to spend time with my sister and her three children for Christmas), and photography gigs and adventures.

Despite also having a Gala to arrange (more about that in a minute), there was a lot of everything else going on, starting with a trip to Dinner Plain in the High Country of the lands of the Gunaikurnai, Dhudoroa, and Jaitmathang peoples.

As was the case for December, I have put the editing of that trip aside, but do have exclusive images, just for my supporters. They were taken with my phone, so don't show the whole grandeur of the region, but I hope they get you excited enough about Country!

A moss covered fallen tree on the right leads into a grassy hilltop. Beyond that are many layers of maintain ranges beneath low lying thick cloud and blue sky. — Dead Timber Hill, Victoria, by Teague Leigh

Lichen covered granite rocks cover the top of a hill. Stretching outwards are layers of mountain tops with low cloud starting to creep between the ridges. The glow of the setting sun is on the right and lights up clouds on the left. — Mount Hotham Summit, Victoria, by Teague Leigh

A dirt path leads towards a mountain, the top of which has low lying cloud drifting across it. Blue sky peaks through the wispy clouds. — Omeo, Victoria, by Teague Leigh

The sunrise shoot at Pioneer Lookout, Omeo was initially a bust because I didn't listen to my instincts and I had placed so much pressure on myself to capture meaningful images of Country as part of my push to save it, that I was a grumpy douche! Fortunately, I got over it in time to take great photos in Omeo.

Whilst away for the seven days, I worked my patootie off on the Gala. Promoting the event, including all my talented performers. I was on the wireless! Joy 94.9 had me on as their first guest of 2024 - so honoured! You can listen to the segment here.

In one day, I had 17 items on my to-do list in my schedule; and I completed them all! Including the audio descriptions for all my artwork.

I've been running ragged, often sick, Midsumma Festival Carnival kicked off on the 21st and as an official event photographer it was a long day.

Miss Moneesha at Midsumma Carnival, by Teague Leigh

A young Palestinian woman wears a drawing of the Palestinian flag and the bisexual pride flag on her cheeks. She wears a white "Palestine will be free" tee and a keffiyeh is wrapped around her head. — A party-goer at Midsumma Carnival, by Teague Leigh

The Gala on the 25th January was a successful hoot and the amazing Tom Noble (@NobleTomNoble), whom you can hire, has already sent me his first pics - I've included a sample below, more will go up on my website eventually (check my website regularly for the link) and on Instagram (@tlwvision). The stunning portrait of me was also taken by Tom.

A white nonbinary human sings into a microphone. They have long pink curly hair and wear a pink dress and a black trucker cap. — Rosie Roulette at The Reclamation of Terra Gala Exhibition Opening, by Tom Noble

An indigenous man with his back to the camera touches a white canvas. He is wearing a red sparkly faux British military jacket. — Yin Paradies at The Reclamation of Terra Gala Exhibition Opening, by Tom Noble

I am exhausted, and with no help from the gallery who refused to answer many of my questions then act like I was the inconvenience to the point that I am questioning if they’re just a bunch of allists and ableists, I am so incredibly proud of what I pulled off with the Gala opening and the exhibition itself. It is always stressful sharing a piece of your soul with the world - what if they hate it or at least don't empathise with what you're trying to do?

I am particularly proud of the additional canvas I decided to do at the end of the 17 months after visiting many art galleries with so many textures that I could not touch - I would walk away overstimulated from the effort! So, I decided to create a canvas that people could touch - run their fingers over the textured paint and "Feel Country". Tom has captured that well in his image of Yin Paradies above.

Every single performer was sensational, and the gathered crowd enjoyed it. Bayley Turner spoke beautiful poetry; Dean Arcuri belted out an Abba medley; Wakaya man, Yin Paradies gave a speech that made me so emotional and proud that I am going to put it up on my website; Saskia hula hooped the roof down; and Rosie Roulette sang a pitch-perfect rendition of Kate Miller-Heidke's "Gravity"; and our MC Goddess Naavikaran was witty and performed a beautiful song in her mother-tongue of India. If you weren't there, you missed out!

As I think I mentioned last month, 5% of every sale from The Reclamation of Terra between now and the 5th of Feb will be donated to Environment Victoria, a grassroots community organisation who works tirelessly on a local, state, and Federal level to reverse climate devastation and our current negative impact on the planet.

Before I go for the month, I managed to shoot Jessie's Ngaio's original one human play "Oh Yuck It's Me" on opening night as part of the Midsumma Festival. So very thankful to have been given that opportunity. This is a play that will make you both cry and laugh and move you in all the ways in between. Jessie is a masterful writer and performer. Tix here.

A woman stretches out her hand towards the unseen audience, her eyes are pleading. — Jessie Ngaio performing in her play “Oh Yuck It’s Me”, by Teague Leigh

A naked woman under blue light. Her back is towards the unseen audience. Neon painted hands are covering her body. She wears a large neon head adornment and her arms are outstretched. — Jessie Ngaio performing in her play “Oh Yuck It’s Me”, by Teague Leigh

A woman wears a light blue dressing gown and light pink bunny ears hat. She appears to be jumping for joy with her hands up in the air and one leg. Her eyes and mouth are wide. — Jessie Ngaio performing in her play “Oh Yuck It’s Me”, by Teague Leigh

Still so much to do, but that will be in February's post!

I almost forgot the fall and how I see the Goddess as she keeps me grounded, despite my achievements. Two days after the Gala, @littleElfman tested positive for Covid. The gallery subsequently locked me out from attending and speaking about my exhibition, despite me consistently testing negative for Covid and never having Covid - ever.

Whilst angry at my treatment, setbacks like this keep me humble. The Gala has people talking about my intent and my vision for the world - this is the success I was after, but the Goddess sending me these hurdles keeps me from getting an inflated ego and I am thankful to be shown my place in the natural order of life. I am but one link in the cosmic chain of change. To be truly successful, we all must be united and experience equity, including all those nations and individuals suffering from ongoing genocide, oppression, murder, and destructive colonial and capitalist rule.

This blogs question: How do you celebrate your wins, whilst also maintaining humility?

Keep finding your peace and joy within and with others.

Be kind to yourselves, each other, and the planet.

T.Leigh

A Gala: the Goddess Keeps Me Humble