Gallery 4
The Creek
Ever since we cleared out the prickly invasion of Mimosa pigra and saw the first monsoon flood of ‘our creek', this has been a special, almost magical place. Most of this series was painted over a period of 2 years when the seasons and the revitalising floods were predictable and apparently eternal. A new pastel was started for each day that I was able to observe the Creek. How better could I appreciate and commemorate a favourite place? The Creek and its surrounds are a recurring source of inspriration and I add to this series from time to time.
Pandans in the dry Creek
October: the Creek has dried to sparkling pink sand, the Pandans yellow with drought
Pastel
68 x 55cm
Pandans in the Creek
June: the same view and the Creek still has water after a 'good' wet season
Pastel
68 x 55cm
Monsoon flood with Black Bittern
December: the first flood flashes through, red with mud and I am lucky enough to glimpse the shy, Black bittern...
Pastel on paper
65cm x 85cm
Flood, rain
February: the 'big wet' flushes through the paperbark woodlands (this work was painted in the rain under a 'tarp')
Pastel and watercolour
65cm x 85cm
Water monitor
March: a quiet interlude between rain and a Water Monitor is patrols the shallow water, catching small crabs...
Pastel on paper
65cm x 85cm
Abundance
April: for a while the creek is vibrant with life and colour: water lilies, rainbow fishes, birds and animals coming to drink...
Pastel on paper
65cm x 85cm
Kingfisher
The Creek has resident Forest Kingfishers and Little Kinfishers, Sacred Kingfishers and finally Azure Kingfishers visit successively during the wet season
Pastel on paper
65cm x 85cm
Pollen
May: Paperbark pollen forms a film on the creek as it stops flowing
Pastel on paper
65cm x 85cm
Jewel pool
June: A last puddle of water in the drying creek
Pastel on paper
65cm x 85cm
Empty
August: the Creek is empty save for a few feathers, t twigs and twining roots of Lily-pillies
Pastel on paper
65cm x 85cm
