The rising sun heralds the arrival and departure of Brisbane bound commuters. Few appear to take notice of it or the surrounds.
Serpentine Saltwater Creek undulates through the North Lakes Environmental Reserve behind the train station towards Moreton Bay. It often breaks free of its banks.
The water results in a lush wetland ecosystem; home to gum trees, grasses, insects, 29 species of native birds, reptiles, eastern grey kangaroos, possums, and koalas.
Good morning
This abstract mixed media painting was inspired by the colours of water over submerged sand islands viewed whilst descending towards Cairns off the coast of Far North Queensland, Australia.
Whilst on holiday in Port Douglas, using my husband’s 1980s Winsor and Newton Sketcher’s palette, I completed a couple of concept sketches on A6 cartridge paper.
After returning home, I started with a pencil oval outline filled with light watercolour washes in acqua, blue, and green. Texture was created by adding large clean salt crystals that absorbed the water and hues.
The outline was inked in and more washes added.
Water was sprayed on sections of the picture freeing up the colours to merge, and the edges and outline to soften. Darker shades were added to the water droplets and encouraged to flow into each other. Salt recycled from other paintings was added to create random patches of soft brown and pink.
The above was repeated a few times until the final version emerged.
As the seasons shift and leaves fall, the Earth recycles energy, converting it into new life and carrying it forward. Embrace the positivity you need to progress in life. Happy Samhain.
This is essentially green yellow brown no. 2. Inspired by a feather from my husband, the split on the left echos the way barbs separate. The shaft is represented by the right hand white curve from base to two thirds up.
The pristine blue ink outline was softened by spraying water onto the still wet Winsor and Newton watercolours.
Early on salt was added to the yellow area resulting in the undulations. After three layers of green and brown, salt was used to develop texture.
I am happier with the way this mixed media abstract painting came out. My husband said it looks like one of Jack’s beans that grew a mighty stalk linking his home with that of the giant.
A flying visit to Palm Cove this morning for breakfast; en route to Cairns airport and home.
Our first visit to Port Douglas was en route from Cairns to a QuickSilver snorkeling boat trip from Cairns to the Barrier Reef in around 1999.
The next time in 2005, we stayed at Palm Cove between Cairns and Port Douglas and went for lunch at Salsa Bar and Grill situated in a classic white Queenslander near the marina.
In December 2006, we came for Christmas, an experience that literally took our breath away with the extreme heat and humidity. Thereafter we came annually in October for about eight years always staying at the Pink Flamingo Resort, managed by Cath, Sam, and Leigh.
In 2013, we were joined by friends for my fiftieth birthday celebration. By that time, Gigi and Andrea were managing the Resort. They moved on to open their own Gunnahdoo boutique holiday property in Rocky Point north of Port Douglas.
The following year we honeymooned at the Pink Flamingo before getting married a week after my birthday. We are thrilled to be back in Port Douglas after ten years.
Sadly, the Pink Flamingo Resort is looking like it needs some TLC.
atop inanimate entity
lithe life lazily lurks
a striped Saint Andrew’s Cross
spider silently sits in stealth
secure subterfuge awaiting
lunch to land
linger
and never leave
Quite a while ago, in fact when exactly is vague, I designed a zigzag pattern using a watercolour brush in a painting app on my iPad. Its purpose was specific, the background panel for the title block on this blog.
My husband returned home from walking Stan with the gift of a feather. We think it is from a rainbow lorikeet because of the green and yellow colours. I decided to use it as inspiration for a watercolour.
Being fond of ovoids, I sketched out an idea and painted the first wash. A few more layers followed.
Horizontally, it looked a bit like a misshapen footy ball. In portrait it resembles an avocado. At this point, I sprayed water onto it. A soft outline formed from the wet edge. Rivulets of colour settles in the warped dips of the contorted paper. I added reused salt crystals and left it to dry overnight.
The zigzag pattern remained in the back of my mind during the process.
I added the darker yellow oval, fresh salt and darker areas to the green and brown topped with recycled salt.
I think this is the finished piece.
When travelling to and from work, I have backpacked: laptop, headset, headphones, compact umbrella, face masks, cotton bags, hand sanitisers, tissues, wallet, keys, key card, pens, pencils, eraser, sketchbook, propelling pencil. When possible, capture moments. The following and sketch above filled fifty minutes.
when one is really quite weary
how dreary dearie
surreptitiously seeking inspiration
questions
no right asking even if strong featured person opposite is known
consciously combined cosmetics for commuting?
muted tones without shading to avoid notice?
only one or one of many masks?
i feel different
perhaps it is losing weight
being comfortable
in thirty eight inch waist chinos
from a different pre-covid state
surviving the sacrificed shirts
faded frayed familiar
from Brooks Brothers
operations in North America
sadly no more stores in Australia
there is a lightening of mind
of spirit of outlook of something
maybe it is the pink blushed clouds
against a brightening sky
rather than nowhere in sight
there is a modicum of hope
glimmering
against backdrop of self doubt
easier to rest on my laurels
thoughts vacillate between
can can’t worth worthless
i will finish the application(s)
submit ahead of the deadline
i will win the new role(s)
i will make the pertinent decision
it will be interesting fulfilling
enjoyable motivating work
after all Spring has sprung
theINFP 