Tag Archives: river

Mandala – sand art space

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Sand Mandala

Once in the Hot Springs Complex, bathers will find various spaces to chill out, relax, and unwind. The Sand Art Mandala is a space where you can create temporary art for fun. For a day at least, your art becomes part of the relaxing ambience. It is part of the larger area at the Springs where bathers can launch their sporting activities on the water of the Warrego River. Swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding and the like.

Circular Structure with Triangular Placement

I was surprised when this painting emerged on the canvas as it was not what I intended to paint!. But the circular structure attracted me. This is the underpainting. The one an artist does when planning out a painting, I will glaze this here in my unit and then go back out next weekend to put the reflections and leaves into the mix.

In the meantime, I will be playing with composition and planning the frame. The painting will become squarer, with the triangle artists love to use, skewing to the left while viewers look at it. The frame will be the red colour of the dirt here, and the red will echo onto the rocks.

As I glaze and prepare the frame for this painting, I will journal about it here. It won’t work as a painting until all of the various contrasted textures are added.

Taking Off

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Taking Off has now been handed over to the Information Centre for auction. I don’t know the starting price, but I bet you can get it for a bargain.

I have often wondered why artists donate work for auctions, but I have come to the conclusion that some people do service work, some join Lions, and some donate paintings. There is the obvious added benefit of getting the art seen.

The artwork was initially created for an exhibition last year. It was painted at Golden Beach and was called Taking Off because that is where I hoped my art career was headed. Consequently, the painting signifies the joy of freedom and the enthusiasm that comes with confidence. I hope whoever wins the bid will enjoy the painting as much as I enjoyed painting it. I don’t know how the auction process works, as this is my first time.

Sharon Harper-Green has sent an email – “April is shaping up to be one of the most exciting we’ve had in Tourism. We’ve had some brilliant entries in the Outback River Lights Art & Sculpture Competition. Our April Exhibition will be Art & Sculpture entries from our region and beyond. It opens on Thursday the 11th April at 6:00pm. Please join us for drinks and canapes.

The Outback River Lights Festival opens on Friday, 19th April, and closes spectacularly on Sunday, the 21st of April“.

Hope to see you all at the River Light Festival.

Easel – Makes the Difference

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Having the Right Tools is a Plus

I love my new easel. I didn’t even realise this kind of equipment existed! You attach the canvas by screwing it into the frame from behind. Then, once it is very stable, you can tilt up and down. Rotate and lay it out flat. It makes painting so much easier.

They say a bad workman blames his tools. But do they have a saying that having the right tool for the right job makes the day go much more quickly?

I am going through all my tools and methods and asking myself – “What is my bottleneck”” Avi from Fantastic Framers discussed this idea of streamlining the process in his last conference call.

Tannock Weir is Really Running

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Action shots – theme man planned integrated with nature

It is interesting. You don’t see people swimming or kayaking. I am keen to get back behind the paddle but a bit cautious. So, I satisfied myself exploring the theme of integrating man-planned structure with nature. Interesting pattern above.

I’ve called this photo Frothy! I love the patterns, the froth and the swirls. I am still heading towards abstraction. Interestingly, the AI process on this website suggests I explain more of my artistic process. At the moment, I am just on the hunt for exciting photos.

I am taken by the contrast between the rippling water and the sculpture of the deadwood/driftwood along the edge of the Warrego.

Speaking of man-planning, grass and wire netting hold the rocks and sand in place. We haven’t had much rain here, so this is all coming down from other places. There is no need for sandbagging and the like. I will do my research and see if this is Mitchell Grass.

I am resisting realism for the time being. Trying to lighten up and search for essence rather than superficial appearance.

Emergence of Abstraction

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Reaching for Meaning – Mining for an Idea

This photo definitely wasn’t an afterthought—something I just happened to snap at the Hot Springs this morning. On the contrary, I was exploring a theme that will emerge through my work until culminating in an exhibition at the Information Centre in September. 2024.

Abstract paintings will explore the nexus between man-planned and nature. When the Hot Springs were designed, the architects and landscape artists did more than just fit into nature. They sought to fashion architectural forms that will fuse into the landscape.

This curvilinear shape reminds me of an artist’s palette; in a sense, that’s what the springs will be for many: a space where kookaburras sit quietly, gazing out over the water while writers write and gardeners laze and dream.

Look into this image. What do you see? I see a fertile space where creativity can surge from the depths of experience.

Did Someone Say River Lights Festival?

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Cunnamulla is way out in the outback. It is a space that comes alive each year when residents light up their gardens for the Outback River Lights Festival. There are arts-based competitions and sharing of creativity in a creative outpouring that stretches across three days. from the 19th to the 21st of April. Thank heavens we have the school holidays to get ready.

I will donate one painting to the auction as it is the “done thing” here to support the community. I will not say which painting this will be, but if you come along to the Welcome to Paroo evening on Wednesday, the 8th of March, it will be displayed along with artworks created at The Cunnamulla 12 State School. I love to see you there and hear your thoughts.

Coming from Eulo into Cunnamulla

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As you come in over the Land Bridge into Cunnamulla, there is a beautiful leafy green park. There iare swings, picnic tables, gym equipment and lots of space to exercise.

If you travellers go right through the park, they end up at the information centre. It offers complimentary coffee; inside the info centre is an art gallery and a historic museum. Travellers can also charge their devices and buy memorabilia. Do drop in it is worth the visit.

Experimenting on a Panoramic Camera

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I went back out to the Allan Tannock Weir today to experiment with the panoramic function on my new camera. I think it works well, but I also need to learn a lot more about using the images on products. I love the weir, and I regard the trees along the river as sculptures. I will spend the weekend on the Warrego. I intend to pay for the whole weekend at the Hot Springs with the kayak on the bank below. At the moment, the Hot Springs is only open from 6-9am and then 5-9, so I will sit on the bank and do writing, painting and other work in the middle of the day.

There is a jetty like this at the Weir and then another just down from the Hot Springs. They are like a launching pad into a world of serenity. If you look to the left you can see a dip where we drop our kayaks into the water.

Every weekend, as I go out on the kayak, I intend to do a ‘portrait’ of a different tree. They all stand majestic and tall OR weather-beaten and driftwooded by the rise and fall of the water level. Sometimes at work, I drift off to my ‘creative space’ – thinking about what lies in store in the afternoon twilight.

Allan Tannock Weir is Running

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One of the most beautiful spots in the outback, the weir provides countless hours of fun and recreation.

The Allan Tannock Weir is part of an original stock route and was formerly known as Keane’s Crossing. Situated 5 km south of Cunnamulla, the Weir is on the Warrego River. There are many old tree stumps still standing like sculpted driftwood along the edges of the river banks. This gracefulness reflected on the water in the afternoons creates a relaxing ambience.

The images were captured on a 15 Max Pro – they look great on iPhone cases and other digital products. On Zazzle, you can acquire other kinds of memorabilia – shot glasses, glasses and beer steins.

Darby Land Bridge Cunnamulla Entrance

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On the Warrego River, there is a bridge at the entrance of Cunnamulla from Thargomindah. There is a walkway along the river going up to the Hot Springs. It is a great place to pull up when entering the town. There are shade trees and sandstone seats. Under the bridge, there is a space where you can enter the water with your kayak.

The river is an excellent space for fishing and motor boating activities. Cunnamulla is just a small town out here in the outback, but it has a lot to offer. Stay tuned to find out more.

Browse the True Gusto Store or the Redbubble Website for excellent merchandise created from photographic imagery.