I have always wanted to paint around the Murray River and it has now become a reality. Four friends and I did just that in March 2023. Some flew into Mildura and two of us travelled by car, out from Canberra, along the Sturt highway, though the wonderful Hay Plains with an overnight stop at Leeton.

I have always wanted to paint around the Murray River and it has now become a reality. Four friends and I did just that in March 2023. Some flew into Mildura and two of us travelled by car, out from Canberra, along the Sturt highway, though the wonderful Hay Plains with an overnight stop at Leeton.

What an experience! After waiting for two years to get there, Mount Borrodaile didn’t disappoint! Ten artists took off from Darwin in a 13 seater light plane to fly to Davidson’s safari lodge in the heart of Arnhemland. It was a magnificent flight along the coastline of the Gulf. The patterns and shapes forming the landscape below were just magic.

What an adventure it was! from a flat battery to a broken back bus window and terrible roads full of corrugations, dips, rocks, gravel and sand, we bounced along through wonderful landscapes and great little towns, painting our way through outback NSW.

WOW what a trip! The painting trip to kangaroo Island was far above my expectations, as I didn’t expect the island to be so diverse in places to paint

Not a chance to do much sketching on this getaway. Covid kept us all at home for a long time, but with restrictions eased between states, I had the opportunity to go to Hobart for 5 days.

Miniature art has been done by artists for centuries. It can include paintings, engravings,and sculptures that are very small.

Miniature art has been done by artists for centuries. It can include paintings, engravings,and sculptures that are very small.

Miniature art has been done by artists for centuries. It can include paintings, engravings,and sculptures that are very small.

Painting bottles and glass. These objects can be daunting, but I have found that if you approach them in a simple way, it is quite easy. Glasses can be painted over the top of the background, or indeed as part of it.

Painting bottles and glass. These objects can be daunting, but I have found that if you approach them in a simple way, it is quite easy. Glasses can be painted over the top of the background, or indeed as part of it.

 I am on another painting trip to Illara Waterhole with Sandrifter Safaris. I think this is the most beautiful place I have ever been to. You would have read in my first article how difficult I found camping to be. Well the place was so beautiful that I could just not resist going again.

Painting bottles and glass. These objects can be daunting, but I have found that if you approach them in a simple way, it is quite easy. Glasses can be painted over the top of the background, or indeed as part of it.

I never was much of a one for painting en plein air but a long time agA QUICK ESCAPE TO HOBART WITHOUT PAINTS

Covid has kept us all at home for a long time now, but with restrictions eased between states somewhat, I had the opportunity to go to Hobart for 5 days. As I had a friend with me I didn’t think I could do too much sketching, as we would be busy. That didn’t worry me at all as it as it was just nice just to get away.

We flew via Link Air as I had a credit for the flight. Just a small 36 seater Saab 340. It was as a bit of a challenge as I hadn’t flown for three years. It was fine, it was a bit bumpy as there were storms around and raining in Hobart when we arrived. The rain didn’t last so we didn’t get wet. A friend was on the flight and we were able to get a lift with him which was super kind of him.

Our 5 star hotel ( we thought we would live it up!) was right on the Hobart Dock within walking distance of the ferry to MONA and the Salamanca Markets and lots of eateries. And lots of inspiration for one to draw. I took a lot of photo reference though so hope to get some paintings out of it. It was hard to control my itchy hand though.

Day one was a trip to the MUSEUM OF Old & NEW ART (MONA) It is a place everyone must visit. We travelled by ferry, then walked up the 90 steps to the entrance. The museum is carved into the cliff and we were advised to start from the bottom. So down we went into the bowels of the earth. Mona is very confronting with some of the art on view, and some very strange works were there, like a statue of a man in a glass case with no head. It was very realistic.

A lot has changed since my first visit when all was very new. The grounds are all landscaped beautifully now, and there are cafes and a stage with lawns where you can listen to music for free, lying on bean bags under beach umbrellas.

Salamanca was our next day’s venture. There were some beautiful art and craft stalls there, but because of Covid, I didn’t think there was as much variety. In the afternoon we went for a sail around the harbour on the beautiful Lady Nelson. It is a lovely Barque and the original was very important in Australian History as John Oxley the explore sailed to Port Macquarie in the original Lady nelson. My late Husband and I went sailing on her in 2001 so it holds happy memories for me. One day I shall have to paint it! Artistically of course!

Bruny Island might be a place I might have time for a sketch or two I thought, as we drove there on tour for the Day. It was an interesting place but unfortunately I picked the wrong tour. It was focused on eating and buying things, but at the Lighthouse I didn’t go up the hill to see that, so managed some sketching. ( how many lighthouses does one really want to see!)

So that was our trip. I was a bit exhausted as we didn’t stop, so came home for the rest I was planning to have!

The food was terrific, as were the non- alcoholic mocktails I had! Tassie certainly knows how to do a menu in style.

My next blurb will certainly be a painting one as I am off taking a group of fellow artists to Kangaroo Island !

o now, perhaps about 2007, I heard about Sandrifter Safaris who took artists to outback Australia to paint. Being at a bit of a loose end in my life I decided to go with them to paint at Illara Waterhole.

14 artists boarded the bus in Broome for an amazing adventure to the West Kimberley and the Pilbara. On board a great crew form Oz Tours, Chris and John, we headed to cape Leveque. Our first painting spot was James Price Point, a secluded spot with red Pindan Cliffs and turquoise ocean- a great introduction to the tour.

I have hung many exhibitions in my time; this is always a stressful job because you can never make everyone happy and it actually makes me quite nervous because you don’t know what you are going to be faced with- Pondering this thought I began to think that it might be a good idea to let everyone into my secret of how an exhibition is hung.

An interesting post about Oil Painting hints - tried and true ways to get around troublesome painterly problems and how to paint yourself out of tricky situations.

We set off on this my first time taking other people away to paint. I must say I was pretty nervous to begin with as never had I done this before. There was only 6 for this trip and we flew to Launceston and joined our chartered bus and driver.

Great! Direct flight from Canberra to Perth! Fred William’s ‘Pilbara series’ was my inspiration, so armed with sketch book and camera I set off on an adventure up the coast of W.A and inland to Karijini National Park.

I left Sydney on the 13 May to fly to Athens with Canberra artist Michael Winters, then to Leros. There were sixteen of us on this painting tour of Leros, one of the Greek Islands.