Stories

June 1, 2025 - Robin Small

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.

May 28, 2025 - Sweet Pea – Rising From The Snore

 

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 FoundJ.Browne 2023/24).

May 21, 2025 - Clunk & Jam and The Army Of Ink

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 FoundCollab Fremantle Markets.

Each pack of cards has five common cards (below) to share with others – including the 2024 hand carved and printed Black Dog by Joelie Russell.

 

 

WHY NO SOCIA MEDIA?:  Black Dog does not use social media as a method of sharing because of the current research on the damage it is having on the lives, minds and mental health of young peo0ple.  It is also not a ‘safe’ realm for sharing.   A personal, behind the scenes view of Black Dog can be seen here @browneink.  For the latest information and research on the topic of social media see/read the work of Johnathon Haidt.

 

May 12, 2025 - Exhibition: The Black Dog Project

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.

September 26, 2024 - Sweet Pea – You Can Fly

 

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 …’

(J.Browne 2023/24).

September 5, 2024 - Army of Ink Ride In A Pumpkin

 

army of ink ride in pumpkin

 

Sometimes I Wish I Wasn’t Me .

This little soldier finally realised that being the fairest isn’t all it’s cracked up to be and looking up to stars can be dangerous – especially when they fall.  And that ‘way up high’, ‘over the rainbow’ and ‘climbing the ladder’ are sometimes dangerous places to try and reach.  And too far away to possibly get there on time.

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