Back from my trip north, I have spent the last month in my garden, weeding and tidying up after being away for three months. The weather has been ideal for the bottlebrush throughout our suburbs, and their bright red flowers are everywhere. I couldn't resist two small plein air paintings of the tree just outside my studio window.
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My first stopover on the Eyre Peninsula was a beautiful clifftop campsite on Point Gibbon, with 180 degree views of the coastline. On these occasions the camper van comes in handy as I can paint from the shade of the van when there is no other shade in sight. It also provided great wind protection on the second day. Managed two small 6x8 sketches of the coastline. This is a marine conservation area with seal colonies (no seals at a this time) so no beach walks for Coco. However, running at full speed up and down the pure white sand dunes at the back of the beach was just as much fun. Unfortunately, wind and showers drove me inland on the third day.
Second night out of Darwin on the Stuart Highway and a station stay at Banca Banca. There were some lovely old outbuildings worth capturing. I am out of practice with my pen and wash, so not my best effort, but still captured a bit of the atmosphere.A lovely morning spent at Marlow Lagoon, just out of Darwin city. This time out I remembered to lather myself with insect repellant to ward off the midges.. The park has one of the best dog runs I have seen, very large, all fenced and with part of the lagoon for the dogs to swim in. This will be my last painting in Darwin proper. In three days I’m heading home to Perth via Alice’s and South Australia.I love spending time with Louisa, Chris and the children at Darwin. Their very comfortable house on the marina has the feeling of resort living that I never tire of. The little path from the gate has a welcoming, tropical feel, with the greenery surrounding you as you walk to the front door.Coco and I spent a lovely sunny day parked at Port Beach. With the tide out, the wide expanse of sand was heaven for running huge kelpie circles! Later, as the tide rolled in, I stood inside then sliding door of the camper van and painted this little 6x8' plein air in comfort. |