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No.64 in my series of short stories
So there isn't a 1973 HQ Holden Kingswood in my painting but it did inspire this work.
In the 1970's we lived in Roebourne WA. Roebourne had a large population of aboriginals They would say to me "hey white lady you have a nice red car with a wireless in it". Our HQ
The HQ took myself and family to so many wonderful places all over Australia.
It's incredible how a reliable vehicle can become the gateway to so many memorable experiences and discoveries.
Snappy gums, and river gums with their unique shapes and colours made for beautiful subjects in my paintings. We often encountered lots of unique native plants such as spinifex grass, wildflowers Ashburton Pea (depending on the time of year). These could add depth and variety to so many of my paintings. The Hamersley Iron Railroad itself, winding its way through the landscape, could be an interesting focal point for my paintings, especially with its industrial elements juxtaposed against the natural environment. The Rail went from the coast many miles inland to Pannawonica a company mining town.
We had driven over towards Pannawonica and were staying in the camp which was out of town we badly needed a cold beer after our long drive, so we drove past the camp but couldn't drive past the rising river just before the town, leaving the car we pushed our way through the rising flood water to go to the pub, we sat for a while had a chat with some work mates then decided we had better get back to our vehicle before the river came up to high.
We managed to get back through the flowing water only to find the HQ sitting on the dirt as someone had used crow bars to leaver up the car and steal all four tyres and rims. It was 1979 and someone decided they needed the wheels and tyres off our 1973 HQ Holden Kingswood more than the car itself did. We were pretty pissed off so we walked to the camp with our 22 rifle in the dark and after midnight. Phoning the after hours Insurance they said leave the vehicle we will sort it in a few days when we can get someone out there. Explaining to them that after a few days they would be lucky if a car body was left because all doors and windows and every other fitting will be smashed or stripped.
Many years later we had a boating business in Karratha and we had an outboard motor mechanic working for us, we were sitting around having morning tea whilst we were all telling stories of out in the desert and low and behold our mechanic told us the story of him and his brother stealing 4 tyres and rims off a red Holden HQ Kingswood many years before.
My painting captures a mix of nostalgia, frustration, and perhaps a hint of dark humour considering the eventual revelation of who took the tyres. Turning adversity into art can be a powerful form of self-expression. Through a creative outlet like my painting, I can process my emotions, gain a new perspective, and find healing and meaning in my experiences.
I do hope you enjoy reading my blogs as I am thoroughly enjoying writing them.
YOU WILL HEAR FROM ME AGAIN NEXT WEEK.