Mountain Songs
The sun setting in the west casts shadows long and blue in the tall grass. Golden hour has begun. She highlights the cobwebs which lace the Eucalypts. Cicadas sing in my ears and I can spy a Wedgetail eagle circling nearby.
It must be my favourite time of the day. Golden rays backlit against the sharp grasses that pierce the tall gums sitting on the edge of the ridge. The view is vast and expansive. I realise at that moment how small I am up here; ant-like in comparison to the sprawling plains that lie ahead.
The distant mountains of the Barringtons play colours on the horizon – soft lavender and cornflower blues. The air is thick with humidity- it has been a hot wet Summer. I admire the foliage and its ability to regenerate after the fires last year. Charcoal stubs dotting the landscape are a reminder of it’s recent history.
A lofty eucalyptus gives relief from the intense Australian sun, but I soak up the warmth, lizard like. Summer must be my favourite season. The heat, light and long days create excitement and wonderous anticipation for fun and adventure.
Ants find their curiosity in my jeans and create for an itchy incident, a distracting moment from the view and my painting! I do not mind. It adds to the incredible experience. Insects, animals, spiky foliage become the work, I step away from being ‘the artist’ and let Nature take over.
Choosing colours intuitively, I do not think about the work or my response, I simply let the brush choose the colours and paint accordingly. The brush works itself; I am merely the channel.
I feel blissfully alone on this craggy outpost. It is both confronting yet surprisingly uplifting. The dangers are alluring and exciting. There is something strangely comforting and safe all the way up here.
Yours in art,
Bec xoxo
