This is a compilation of sketches from 2 wonderful walks that I did with ‘into the blue’ walks. The first was a writers walk (I was allowed as a tag a long artist) the second a sculptors walk.
- Sitting by the dry Todd River as groups of aboriginal men and women made their way to their selected spots.
- No need to travel far to see the colours of this place
- Morning tea stop in tough country
- walking on a ridge with the same landscape all around- the different colours to the north and the south.
- tracing the shadows of the sparse shrubs on the page
- After a long walk over gently undulating country, we are at euro ridge.
- Girls from a group in Alice performed some pieces which they and their teacher had composed. They wrote their names on the drawing.
- The magic of swags and a dry river bed
- This was named the Jan-Ray tree, after the ribald comments the protrusions brought forth in the morning.
- Head down, one step after another, your mind floats and unbidden mantras are repeated as you walk.
- The scale is overwhelming, sometimes it’s best to just study what is at your feet.
- waking to the sound of unrecognised birds beside the camp
- After a short walk in the heat, we rested in the quiet
- A cool beer is hard to beat, and almost makes it worthwhile to return to ‘civilisation’.
- Early morning cold on a ridge is broken by the first warm light
- Arching trees define an ancient meeting place
- Macro and micro
- Wilpa dreaming country, the red sandstone country is so different.
- Herman and Mavis are traditional owners and storykeepers of Ipolera. Albert Namatjira was Herman’s Grandmothers brother. Herman said to me, after he saw this sketch, ‘you- magic man’.
- Drawn using charcoal from our camp fire
- Two of Mavis’ grand daughters around the campfire, sharing food and stories.
- When this is what you see when you rise from your swag, there is nothing to complain about.
- The end of our trail (this trip) and for me a very unsettling place.
- On the track to the telegraph station.
- tree with scar from bark removal for a coolamon ( carrying bowl)
- Herman isn’t much on talking these days, but you can tell that he knows.
- The red sandstone creates intense colours and heightens contrasts in the strong light.
- The settlement of Ipolera is well cared for and feels loved.
- After an exhilarating walk, a chance to stop and experience the shadows moving.
Being enveloped by this powerful land while working on creative endeavors is a very special experience.
Love your sketches.