Lightening Ridge a space of contradictions

The image of the Artesian Bore Bath above is particularly inviting. It portrays an image of health and clear, fresh well-being. But as a contrast, look at the image below which was taken very close by. I took advantage of a Poster Factory special lately, where, as an artist, I could receive a free introductory print if I paid postage. Surprisingly, I chose to have the print below made up for framing. It will be called – Three Rocks in a Surreal Landscape. This photo symbolises the morning I got lost trying to find my way back from the Cactus Farm. There was nothing to judge by, and the Map on my phone could not get its bearings amongst the rabbit warren, piled mine discards. There is nothing to judge direction by – just more and more mine discards. You can sense why I say ARID.

There is a fun, crazy side to Lightening Ridge, contrasted to a crazy opal mining aura. Both things kinda collide and then gel at the Lightening Ridge Bowls Club, where it seems to me that people do a whole lot of gambling; being a poor struggling artist, I do a whole lot of watching others gamble while I sit at my laptop and toil away. Pokies and Keno and partying. But I like it.

Some places like the one featured below are compact, cosy and classy.

I will spend the morning here at the John Murray Gallery, then the Hot Springs again. It was beautiful this morning at about 6am, and there were heaps of people there. It seems that many come for a swim before work, and the feeling is very relaxed. However, the pool is shut from 10am – 12pm so I have to plan around the closure.

I think I will go back to the Bowls Club and do a bit more writing before making my way home.