Gorges And Valleys

Still very 'up' about our trip to outback Australia, and sorting the photos is keeping me so. One of the first things I photographed when we arrived in Alice Springs was outside the motel where we were staying.

Sturt's Desert Pea is famous for its distinctive blood-red leaf-like flowers, each with a bulbous black centre. It is one of Australia's best known wildflowers, native to the arid regions of central and north-western Australia.  I love these flowers but they are difficult to grow.

It's sometimes difficult to juggle a camera while climbing enormous rocks, and traversing difficult terrain.  We often struggled with the light as the contrast between the harsh sunlight and the shadows was enormous.  However, the trials were insignificant when we reached our various destinations. Awe and amazement were the usual reactions.

Cycad Gorge

Palm Valley

It is such rugged and beautiful country that it is difficult to convey without professional cameras, but who needs to lug heavy equipment when climbing over all this.

This was a VERY tiny precis of our first day.  We did sooooo much more.

Always A Bridesmaid

There is a saying - "Always a bridesmaid, never a bride".  Hope it's not true.  I have a painting in the Queensland Regional Art Awards  

When I saw my work on the site  thought I was a finalist, but it seems that I am not, and that all of the paintings on the site are ALL the entrants. I'm in good company too, with some of my friends also there.

Congratulations to Susanne Barrett  Ken Munsie  Kim Schoenberger !!!!!!... and good luck all.

Noughts And Crosses - acrylics, 61 x 61 cm

More info and YOU CAN VOTE on this site for the people's choice.

Queensland Regional Art Awards

...hope you do.



Last Views Of The Outback

G'day everyone in Blogland... I'm back.  While I have an enormous number of images I'd like to share with you, I also have the washing, shopping, cooking, and arranging my next few weeks busy schedule to attend to.  However I can't keep you waiting in suspense (at least I hope you are), so have quickly looked at our last day at Litchfield National Park, just outside of Darwin.

We spent much of the day cruising croc infested rivers...

... where these prehistoric creatures virtually littered the banks...

... and predatory birds, like this Whistling Kite, hunted for food.

When we'd had enough of that it was time for champagne and prawns, on top of a hill overlooking the amazing landscape, and watching this spectacular sunset. 

I just loved the way the setting sun reflected on the grasses.

Will eventually get the many photos sorted and share some of the many highlights with you.  Lots of painting inspiration for me!!!

The VERY Red Centre

Thanks to my computer savvy husband, I can actually share a small part of our adventure with you. Richard has his laptop and has managed to tear himself away from it so I can satisfy my blogging urges.

No wonder inland Australia is called the 'red' centre.

We have walked miles, and climbed enormous heights.  I have taken sooooo many photos of red rocks, chasms, gorges, etc. that it will be difficult to choose, so will only give you a small sample until I get home.

Naturally the most important places we've visited must be included.  Uluru (previously Ayers Rock) is a very sacred area to the local indigenous people. Climbing the rock is discouraged, but that doesn't stop the most intrepid, young, and fit tourists from giving it a go.  Mostly they are foreign tourists, as Australians are a little more sensitive to the wishes of the local people.

Another important sacred site is Kata Tjuta (previously the Olgas).

Leaving one of my favourites 'til last.... this photo emphasises the absolutely amazing colours of the landscape.

Until I get more computer time, this will have to do.  Stay tuned.

Compilation Of Summer Colours

Here's the Summer Of Colours compilation... my final post for a few weeks. One image from each colour:

BLUE...

Fused Glass Pendant

GREEN:

At The Crease - digital image

PINK:

View From My Deck - photo

YELLOW:

A Handy Teapot

BROWN: 

Scribbly Gum Bark - photo

RED:

Come Away With Me - acrylics

PURPLE:

Conspiracy or Collaboration - digital image

 ORANGE:

The Bluff - collage of painted papers

I've surprised myself!  A reasonable sample of the range of things that I do.

See you in a couple of weeks.

Australia - The Outback

It's true... I've become addicted to my blog.  Here I am,  packed and ready to go for my holiday, still finding more stuff to post.  Just HAD to share with you some paintings by my favourite Australian artists that were inspired by the places I'm off to visit.

Erika Beck - Uluru Rockpool

Euan Macleod - Alice Landscape With Car

Guy Warren - Back Country

John Olsen - Artist's Camp

Yvonne Langshaw - Ross River Gorge

I love all these artists, and their works, and hope I'll be similarly inspired.

Summer Of Colour - Orange

I have to thank Kristin for asking us to include a favourite quote, or verse, with this week's post. There is a very old verse that speaks volumes to me and that I'd like to share...

I would not paint a face, a rock,
nor brooks, nor trees. Mere semblances
of things, but something more than these.

That art is best to which the soul's range
gives no bound. Something besides the
form, something beyond the sound.

Anonymous ..... 8th Century

How often I strive to find the 'essence' of my subject.  It is a constant struggle, and not often successful. Getting a 'picture' is relatively simple, but there's more to art than just that.  My journey seems to be only beginning.  I can see the goal, but will I ever get there?  That said, the more mileage I do, and the more thinking, the closer I am. So, let's get on with 'Orange'.

Another photo from my deck...  lucky me.

Orange Sunset

A collage... with only a little orange...

The Bluff

Perhaps some of my beaded projects?  I just love these particular glass beads, and have put them on a silver wire choker...

... more angels...

... and last, but definitely not least, an image from Photoshop that I've been working on with a view to making a painting, but I don't know what I'd call it.  It brings to mind the dry outback which is on my mind as R & I are heading there for a holiday.  I hope to have some lovely photos of Uluru, Kata Tjuta, Palm Valley, Katherine Gorge, Kakadu, and other remote places, to share when we return.