December blog 2022 Signs of Summer

The beginning of summer in Tasmania has been slow to take off, most days have been more like winter. However gradually the signs of Summer show through, the insects become more active, bee sightings increase, flowers are budding and opening and with all the rain we have been having the blooms are numerous and flourishing.

Collecting inspiration

I really enjoy seeing all the different types of grass in flower, there is such a variety of textures and colours growing at various heights swaying about in the breeze. In my mind I do not label the plants as I see them it is more like appreciating the scene. Later I may research things that have taken my interest. Some of the grasses I observe can be found on this link. http://nrmsouth.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/CommonGrassesofTasmaniaLaneetal2015.pdf

‘Part of developing art is to feed Creativity’

There are many ways to draw inspiration, whether it be going on walks, out on a day trip, looking through magazines, visiting galleries and boutique shops, or going to the markets.

Whilst on the the Snug River walk, I am collecting photos, I love the colours of the purple heads of the grasses and gold yellow brown of the bracken fern, it is a source of inspiration. Whether the photo is used in a painting or not, part of developing art is to feed creativity, so there is never a lack of ideas.

The back of the Screen / divider painted in oils framed in Blackwood and Huon Pine by Kelly Griffiths.

The back of the Screen has a range of leaves from trees, vines, grasses and fungi drawn mostly in Umber tones. I loved the freedom of filling the screen with soft impressions of plant growth, easy to look at and just moving the eye around the screen.

The front of the screen also has grasses painted on the top right. One of things I enjoyed when painting the screen was, that I could include things that were not a feature, less important yet wonderful to come across. Just like when out on a walk it is not just one thing that brings joy but being in the midst of it all and walking through it.

Summer is a time of growth, warmth, increase, where things flourish and thrive. A time to do, before the growth time slows. The birds , butterflies, insects and plants I love to observe and paint remind us of this.