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No.46. in my series of short stories
The painting below is done in Watercolour and Gouache (SOLD)
In the heart of Western Australia's rugged Pilbara region lies the breathtaking Karijini National Park. This ancient land is a testament to the power of time and nature, where Pindan red earth, spinifex and towering gorges come together to form a world like no other.
I painted the above around 1995 it was approximately 1.6mtrs long x 40cm High.
For 30years my family explored this region. This breathtakingly rugged landscape that we loved and appreciated. A great many township people never bothered to want to look at the country around them due to the heat, the flies, the ants ,the snakes, the centipedes, the kangaroos, Emus and all the animals and critters they were not used to coming up against. There are plenty more but these are only the ones that I recall at this moment.
Back in the 1970's when we barely came across another traveler, when we had the gorges the waterfalls and water holes all to ourselves it was then that I was teaching myself to paint this lovely country. I think most of our friends thought we were a little crazy going out in 45deg heat, with two small children for a few days at a time. Camping out at Millstream, we would set up for our 2 year old child a wooden play pen and it was placed under and tied to a gum tree so she couldn't push it near the water hole. A water bag was fixed to the side of the play pen so she could always take a drink if thirsty. We would swing by rope off the overhanging gum trees way out into the water. Always having blow up vehicle tubes and or mattresses to float around on and we would drag an esky of drinks and food behind us. We brought most of our tucker with us as the fishing was crap. All food was put into containers with sealed lids. Any food left around went to the ants, scorpions, and Bungarras. Bungarras come in various sizes, and are carnivorous reptiles they are known for their keen hunting skills and powerful jaws, and they love a free feed, and I loved to draw and paint them.
Guitars and musical instruments were played around the campfire before swag time.
Waking in the morning with birds chirping and breaking the silence, it was so peaceful before they started then the cockatoos decided they wanted a say and started screeching.
I was often first to rise and I would sit and draw, mostly gum trees, rocks, and Sturt peas, which were so plentiful at certain times of the year, the wildflowers were glorious and over the last 50 years I have painted most of them at some time.
Nothing like a lovely camping spot to calm the nerves and relax the mind so I could just draw and paint like there was no tomorrow.
You better believe it I am still doing that 50 years later.