Sweet Pea is monumental despite smallness. Her expression, a reminder to keep an ‘arm around the shoulder’ of our little spirit, so we too can feel the comfort and the power of the collective ‘me’ – in all its forms and flaws and misadventures. Direct our lives from within (and before). All the while encompassing the full and blooming range of vital emotion that got us here.
Sweet Pea’s arrival story:
I’m on a swing between rage and exhilaration. Glad I have both or I’d be wrapped around a pole in chains. But I’m swinging high and riding through the back swing that has me face down in the dirt. Then legs swing through to the rescue. The sky opens and says;
‘Hello little spirit. Let go now Sweet Pea. You can fly …’
Stories are at the center of everything. The most powerful and potentially debilitating being the ones inside our head. The stories we tell ourselves. The erosive stories we’ve been told. Stories formed from our experiences. That’s why it’s so vital we have access to and seek out alternative stories that give us strength and hope. Help us realise our full potential. Particularly our children and young people.
Not in a ‘Be wealthy and successful and famous’ way. But to be kind enough to ourselves that we can then go out into the world more securely and do good. Be a thriving, kind, compassionate and caring human being. But that starts from within.
The Army of Ink and all the characters are the carriers of stories full of strength, hope and possibility. They pitch an alternative to what we’re being told (and sold) through social media and popular culture.
They put a caring arm around our shoulder and keep us safe and strong. Encourage us to think and question what makes us who we are. Help us take back some control over our sense of self. Our lives. Our world. And our future …
Find The Army of Ink including Robin Small, Amelia Bloom and Rose and Boots and their stories across five parks in Melville. See Melville Storylines for information. Instagram @browneink.
Robin Small had great difficulty finding a way to share in a world so overly full – of consumption.
Footnote: Robin Small stands apprehensive within the modern world, but is wise and brave in his own life – and future of his own making. He’s a great friend to have if you’re quiet, sensitive and social uncomfortable.
Robin Small Card Collection 2025. Available online through the Fremantle Art Centre Found store.
In the frame, there sleeps a giant slowly rising from the snore. An eyeball giant enough to see it all. And blink it into oblivion.
Footnote: Sweet Pea is an unassuming power source. She has a giant ability to see things for what they really are – which is often not the same as how others see them. She travels lightly and makes wise decisions about what she takes with her – and what she leaves behind. The release of the floating ‘bobble’ might suggest she’s off to somewhere new.
(Sweet Pea Card Collection 2024 available online at Fremantle Art Centre Found. J.Browne 2023/24).
Clunk & Jam Second Edition Book (with content from the Black Dog Blog) and 6 new Card Collections are available on-line and in store at Fremantle Art Centre Found. See other Stockists here. Cover art Stormie Mills.
6 New Card Collections ….the socially shy Robin Small (pictured). Amelia Bloom, dreaming up a better world. Rose, the wise mould breaker (below). Boots the Clown making worry disappear. 21 Friends holding big feelings. And the new Sweet Pea, a personal power generator. $22/Pack Fremantle Art Centre Found. Collab Fremantle Markets.
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WHERE: Gallery 152 York, Western Australia for York Writers Weekend event.
WHEN: Saturday and Sunday 24th/25th June. TIME: 10am-3pm daily.
I’ll be there all weekend so pop in for a look, sit and read, chat, a ‘jam’ on the old typewriter and see the process of how books are created. Books and cards will be available to purchase. JB (Janine)
Exhibition: Meet Janine Browne, Founder of The Black Dog Project throughout the weekend as she shares the beautiful art, stories, characters and process of creating the books and card collections that have grown to become a source of strength and antidote to loneliness throughout the community.
Call in and pick up some of the Project’s promotional cards to take and share with others.
6 New Character card series.
(Cover art Clunk & Jam book by Stormie Mills).
Exhibition accessible for wheel chair users.
