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Warrumbungle National Park
NSW
Six hours drive north-west of the Central Coast the landscape suddenly changes and the incredible volcanic rock formations of the Warrumbungle’s rise out of nowhere. It felt like the perfect excuse to escape for a few days and stretch both our legs and our horizons.
An artist friend, had been telling us for ages that we had to visit, so we finally took the hint. The park’s most popular walk is the Breadknife and Grand High Tops—a 12.5 km return hike. I was feeling reasonably prepared, having trained for a whole week (which is surely better than nothing!).
The climb definitely made us work for it. It was steep, but every time I stopped to catch my breath, there was another spectacular view waiting. Naturally, I claimed I was stopping to sketch, and I managed to squeeze in a couple of quick drawings along the way.
Back at the campground, things slowed down beautifully. A gentle bushwalk revealed the dramatic cliff formations in the distance, rolling grassy hills and a picture-perfect little creek that seemed determined to meander as much as possible. Being so close to camp meant I could spread out and work on larger pieces, using ink and charcoal to capture the landscape with loose, expressive marks balanced by finer details. I kept the palette simple—black, dark blue and ochre—which somehow felt just right for this rugged, ancient place.
Central Coast Hinterland,
NSW
Recently, we spent some time in the Central Coast hinterland, a welcome shift from our usual beachside rhythm. Stepping into a new landscape always brings a sense of adventure with the different light, unfamiliar textures, and small discoveries waiting to unfold.
One morning, we woke to find horses grazing beside our van. It felt like an unexpected invitation to draw from life, so I grabbed my sketchbook and worked quickly, trying to keep up with their constant, restless movement.
Before long, they were rounded up and guided back to where they belonged. Afterward, I turned my attention to the ridge, where a soft mist was beginning to lift. I spent time capturing that fleeting moment with the gentle haze glowing in the early light, before the sun fully rose and dissolved it into a clear, pristine blue autumn sky.
Brewarrina,
NSW
Being in the landscape is a restorative and joy-filled experience and provides the raw materials of inspiration for my work. When we are on a field trip, I start with simply walking and observing the place to get a feel for it – the sights, the sounds, the scent of the environment. It’s a place to pause and step out of everyday routine and still myself. I’ve discovered over many trips away and time spent working in the landscape that the more you look, the more you see. Its about waiting, watching and listening. For me, I become aware of opening my heart to the deeper places of inspiration, which I believe ultimately come from heaven.
Our recent travels took us to rugged outback places of Australia, like Brewarrina, Mutawintji, Broken Hill and Menindee Lakes, providing a very different kind of beauty to the Coast where we come from. The untamed wild extremes of nature are obvious and can change dramatically from one year to the next. Our visit to Brewarrina this year revealed different colours to previously and the land seemed to be in preservation mode, letting go of any plant life that wasn’t strong enough for the harsh climate. It’s the reality of the seasons and the cycles of wet and dry.
Atmosphere and Light poured out in my studio after this trip, where I focused on rich colour and the simplicity of markings, creating works that interpret these memories and impressions.
