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