A Break Away

 At the end of the silt jetties of the Mitchell River.

Pelicans hanging about.

We've been on a short break travelling to visit family & friends. First to our nieces 18th birthday for a lovely celebration. The next day we went to Williamstown beach to cope with the heat. It was a day to enjoy cool water and read. Monday night and Tuesday we caught up with friends. Wednesday took us to Werribee Open Range Zoo for a guided tour. With my camera battery flat I took my sketch pad and tried to draw the animals. The biggest challenge of drawing is to approach it without fear and do something. It won't be perfect, but it can't get better without doing it. I was okay with what I did in the time I had. Our next place of rest was the Gippsland Lakes and in the late evening the warmth and smell of salt laden air along with the coastal vegetation was the perfect evocation of holiday. Now we're back home and poised to get back into things and stuff.

Waiting

Today I decided to stay away from Afifa and Adomo and let them sit waiting for me decide what more they need. In the meantime I made this unnamed sketch. It is so pleasurable to just make marks, lay down colour and do it all without contemplative judgment. 

A bike ride through Uralla Park

I went out for a ride after a day at home because I felt a need to move and do something physical, to get puffed. About a year ago I bought a mountain bike at the Op Shop to nip down to the shops with and be able to feel comfortable not locking it. To just be there for use, but I quite like the idea of being able to use it for its putative purpose, so that in the last little while I'be been taking myself up to Uralla Park and riding up as far as I can go. Today I headed around the other side of the gully on another track. There was a reasonable amount of pushing, but still, it was fun. I took my camera to help me observe more than the track.

A mystery on our lawn

We arrived home from Tullycavan and these were on the lawn. I am intrigued as to what they would be like on the water. I hope the mystery of their arrival is explained. Are they for us? or for something else? And in fact they are destined for the Op Shop. They sold very quickly.

Afifa and Adomo

Afifa and Adomo working forward.

Poppies

One of the Parishioners died this year and previous to this she had given Athena some seeds from her poppies and here they are.  I love their beauty touched as they are with a relationship. 

Afifa [another step]

I'm back at work on Afifa. I'm feeling a bit skittish, but as I keep telling myself 'I can only make a mistake' so just do this thing. Looking at this photo I feel a bit hopeful.

More Grass at Tullycavan

It is probably a sign of desperation when I look at grass like this and see delight, but I do see a congruence with my painting interests. The shapes of the flower heads scattered over a ground, off sorts. The sinuous curves of the stalks. Anyway I found delight in them and the top photo printed out A4 looks better than it does here small.

New Years Day

 This mornings sky waiting to drop rain.

After last nights gathering.