"Location, Location, Location"
     Mike arrived looking true to type in his battered 4WD, and bush-hat in Collie on a cold but sunny afternoon.  I could listen to Mike for a week. His knowledge and love for nature is endless!! A walking encyclopedia, history, geography, geology, botany, fauna and avifauna. Makes me want to protect  our wondrous natural world fiercely.
     Mike explained why Australian plants and animals really are different.  He spoke about understanding the origins of our wildlife, the biogeography of the south-west and why it is a biodiversity hotspot.  It sounds a bit technical but Mike made it interesting! 
     ​Our landscape is outstandingly marvelous, breathtakingly precious and amazingly different and that's why it brings international scientists and enthusiasts here to experience it.  
       This took place amidst my exhibition "Gifts from the Bush & Beach".  Grand to see several faces coming back for more and taking the opportunity to hear top-notch speakers, experts in their field give eye-opening presentations.  At Collie Art Gallery until Sunday 9th September.  See "2018 Exhibitions" page for details.

      Rod Smith, BirdLife WA's education officer gave a bright, breezy presentation about the many species of little bush birds, the LBBS that intrigue bird lovers on a wander in the bush.  Through my many nature conservancy projects
     I meet people who are really active in the world of birds, and Rod is one such special treasure.  His talk was of great benefit and value to Collie people blessed by the surrounding forests, and there were nods of knowing and recognition from the audience to the bird calls Rod played on his system.  
     Tomorrow's presentation with Dr Mike Bamford, zoologist and vice-chair of BirdLife WA  will be sure to delight and surprise, and bring yet another depth of connection to our natural world, "Location, Location, Location - why our plants and animals really are different", about our famous biodiversity Hotspot.  Collie Art Gallery.  Free, 1.45 - 4 pm

​It's been some time since I blogged. 
I was tickled to receive an email in recent weeks, this one from a lady who lives in southern New South Wales She had found one of my paintings in the local Tip Shop.  "My name is Isabelle", she emailed, "and I have just discovered your amazing artworks quite by accident. I came across Nature Finds 22 at my local Tip Shop. It had no glass and the painting fell out of the frame as soon as I got it home. I have been a collector of seed pods, feathers, dead insects and other bits and pieces for years and was immediately drawn to the cicada shells and gum-nuts in your painting."  I remembered this and several other paintings had been purchased by Gypsy Point Hotel via Mallacoota, which has since been demolished and I wondered what might have become of those paintings from the early 1990s.  Here's Nature Finds No. 22, with cicada nymph cases along a gum tree twig.  What a wonderful reminder!

Here's a circle drawing from some time ago
​ "The Moment of Early Going - Curlew"
I love the act of circle drawings.
There's infinite satisfaction in being
contained within the circle. 
Watercolour and ink pen combine
to give bright jewel colours that take
me away from the bush browns
and earth colours. 
Another version of creativity for this artist 

This morning am thrilled to bits to see this in "South of the River", Perth publication about my work.  

THE TUARTS. The third presentation  championing trees, birds and Nature's antiquity.  Botanist and wildflower expert Bronwen Keighery will speak about Tuarts and the role they play in the many layers of biodiversity, what is known of their great age and evolution. Free talk, all welcome.  At Bunbury Regional Art Galleries.  2 - 4 pm, please arrive 1.45 pm 

PAINTING Prince of Tuarts-Ancestor Tree in my exhibition 

REMINDER exhibition closes 17th April, Easter Monday 

THE FINAL EVENT
Historic planting of a new Tuart forest on Sat 29 April .  I like the notion of planting trees from seed collected from trees that are centuries old, trees that have been here since long before white settlement.  Bush regenerator Mark Kennedy is raising these tiny trees in readiness.  City of Bunbury is participating with understorey plants and a site.  Together we will plant almost 1,500 seedlings in time for the winter rains, making a new Tuart bushland.  These young-old Tuarts will be given a priest's blessing at the beginning, and a Nyungar smoking at the end
Helpers needed, please register

Saturday's talk, TIME, TIMELESSNESS, ANTIQUITY with Troy Bennell, Nyungar artist, cultural educator and storyteller. Wow. It was fantastic.  Troy spoke warmly, and from the heart.  No powerpoint presentation via computerization for this fella:  he presents powerfully, as himself.  A non-stop pouring forth of stories about family, nature, connections with the past, stolen generations, his mother and the knowledge passed she passes on to him.  He gave reverence to the ancient 140 million year old rocks along Bunbury's beachfront.  Tales including one about a recently-found-in-South Bunbury coolamon made from Tuart which has yet to be dated.  Troy is really excited about his culture and eager to teach anyone who will listen, he is the incorrigible optimist.  He wound up his talk with a spellbinding performance of the didgeridoo, and promised to give a smoking to bless the old-new Tuart forest we plan for Saturday 29th April in South Bunbury (helpers needed, please let me know).  If you didn't come to Troy's presentation, you missed!   I am tickled pink to be working with another artist in this capacity, and we hope for more collaborations in the future.