Tree Studies

I wanted to include sketches from Ratho Farm, and also later paintings produced in the studio of views from the top of the escarpment around the Clyde River Falls. I have included sketches from a camping trip to Golden Beach at Camp 16, near Seaspray, as well as works inspired by a boating trip to the Murray River, at Merbein near Mildura. Of course Lake Tyers and Lake Bunga in Gippsland continue to inspire me.

There are a few works which I have included in this book, which are part of the exhibition Transition/ Transformation that I would like to comment on, as they may seem out of place.

The first is a large painting. one metre square, that I called 'Ebb & Flow', which featured in the works shown at The Mordi Canteen in January earlier this year. It was a painting challenge outside my usual practice, not that it was painted from a photograph. but more that it was of a place I had never been.

The second picture is froma trip to Burnt Creek Mansfield, on Lake Eildon with the title "Overture'. It is a study of a group of trees submerged in water. I have been visiting this location for many years watching the water levels rise and fall. Once there was no water in the lake at all. We could walk for kilometres picking up old fish carcass and finding remnants of flooded buildings, plenty of botties, tins and plastics, as well as fishing line.

This time however the lake had risen higher than usual to submerge even more trees. The lake itself was visibly extended, wrapping itself around the well known landmark of the bridge at Bonnie Doon and returning houses on the far side with prime river views. (Arghh the serenity!).

A visit to family at Craigburn Farm, in the Adelaide Hills, inspired another study of a group of trees before the impact of a massive storm, hence the title "Prelude'. These pictures are united as specific studies of trees which are central to my interest.