Recently I had the great joy of travelling to Central Australia on a family holiday. The beauty of the landscape far exceeded my memories from a trip when I was 11 years old, the same age as my youngest daughter. I was able to appreciate how attitudes are thankfully evolving with regards to the traditional custodians of this ancient and sublimely beautiful land. Complex layers of geology and geography, of native flora and fauna, traditional culture and knowledge, and the scars of more recent times create a mind blowing combination of visual, natural and social narrative. I was able to make a few quick sketches, but am looking forward to returning soon for more in depth study of the Finke Gorge in particular, in preparation for a new body of work. 

The river beds and waterholes were more dry than many locals had seen for many years in Central Australia. Returning home to NSW though, the extent of the drought in our state has captured our attention, and organisations and individuals are mobilising to offer relief to drought affected communities. Via a fantastic initiative by two local artists, along with hundreds of other artists I’ll be participating in “Art For Bales” and will be offering some work for sale on the 19th of August, with all proceeds going towards drought relief. This will take place on Instagram - if you don’t use Instagram and would like to be informed, please let me know and I will send you the offer via email..

Thank you again for your continued interest in my artmaking.