Ancient lava flows spilling into the sea where the big whales basked and pioneers toiled. The volcanoes sleep. The sandstone erodes. The whales diminish in numbers. The pioneers have turned into techno-junkies with tireless key-tapping thumbs. Durras. Even after 3 decades on her shorelines, I never tire of these weathered lines. I wonder if my children will remember the days we fossicked together.
Perhaps the inspiration for Patricia Piccinini's Skywhale has clearly emerged in Queanbeyan (to thunderous applause even!)
It was late afternoon, as I strolled hand in hand with my husband along a favourite beach. There I caught sight of this tiny web, which did it's best to elude my phone camera. Perhaps it was the dreamy light, perhaps it was the rare moment of peace with my spouse, but a romantic chord of Euplectella (Venus Flower Basket) was struck in me. I have a specimen in my studio from my childhood haunt- the Batemans Bay Shell Museum. It's gorgeous silica spicules- the enduring home of a pair of fish- are a marvel to behold.
Little bit of sunshine, little bit of rain, lot of hope and advancing seasons...
One dreamy winter morning, I got out of the car mid-routine. Just as I drew in a lungful of freezing air, this tree appeared- like a burning memory.
