Cottesloe dog beach

Lots of four legged and two legged dashing around at Cottesloe dog beach (South Cottesloe) this afternoon, enjoying the cooling sea-breeze and ocean water

Kalbarri – Winter 2019

A winter break in Kalbarri (about 560 Km North of Perth)…wonderful warm and sunny weather…walked the Murchison Gorge Loop, along the Kalbarri cliffs and along the beaches. Saw emus, kangaroos, bobtailed skinks,an  echidna on land plus whales (in the distance), dolphins close to shore and caught a couple of sand whiting in the estuary (one was returned to the sea, the other was delicious). Finally the Pelicans which are fed each day by a team of volunteers….

Beach sketches

A couple of recent beach sketches…about a week apart and from slightly different positions of North Cottesloe on the beach….

Cafe People Sketch

Another cafe people sketch….

Fowlers Bay South Australia

Fowlers Bay Jetty, a lovely seaside town once an important supply point for the long walk across the Nullabor (Edward John Eyre set up camp here). A massive sand-dune sits on the Western edge of the town, great campsite and fee hire os sand boards (tip- don’t apply sunscreen before sand-boarding!). the jetty is s great spot to fish (usually – we were unsuccessful).

Flinders Range

Another catch-up post…Flinders Range earlier this year….the long drop dunny! And relaxing at the campsite….kerosene lamp in the evening..

Koonalda Station – Abandoned Cars – Old Eyre Highway,Nullabor

Koonalda Homestead…abandoned station and former petrol station along the old Eyre Highway….about 20 minute drive up a rocky track off the “new” A1 Eyre Highway connecting Western Australia to South Australia. Camped here just after Christmas, the wrecked cars are all pre-1970 vintage…crashes or mechanical failures on the bone shaker old road. I sketched an old Ford Zephyr, classic shape that’s slowly rusting into the dirt. Also the old petrol pump, naked with all it’s cogs, dials and flywheel on display, amazingly the orange lamp cover was intact! Koonalda is definitely worth a visit, the old homestead is unlocked…walking around is taking a step back in time. And the cars….so many all piled up…could have spent a week there sketching…another time…

Guildford, Western Australia

A sunny autumn day in the old part of Guildford – originally the first Swan River settlement before Perth became favoured as the capital city of Western Australia. There are many original Australian colonial era buildings that are still standing but often with different wares for sale in the 21st century. The “Apothecary Hall” is currently a dress shop with beautiful crimson and plum full length frocks in the window. “James of Guildford” is a second hand/antique and curios place (couldn’t find any history on this shop). The power poles and power lines make the town feel like stepping back in time (many metro areas now have underground power – less cluttered looking).

#oneweek100people2019

I’m back….sorry it’s been a while, since I last posted… working life took over for a while….here are my #oneweek100people sketches so far….obviously I’m behind schedule but it doesn’t matter to me too much…it’s about drawing when I have time…. will complete in the next couple of weeks…the good thing about these challenges is that it’s not “life or death:…I only sketch when I have time among all the other commitments that I have….I’m absolutely fine about that…gotta have priorities and 100 sketches in a week takes second place…Anyway here’s what I have so far….TWSBI Eco with Fude nib helps make sketching faster….one pen can do everything….thin  exploratory lines and bold shadows….more sketches to follow when I have time….

 

Lincoln National Park & Catninga Farm-stay

Lincoln National Park last night Fisherman’s Bay…quiet relatively sheltered bay, watched lightning and heard the thunder to the North but apart from a few spots of rain it didn’t bother us. Kids went rock- hopping & had skimming stone competition. Spagbol with samphire from the beach for dinner.

Staying at Catninga Farm-stay in the foothills of the Flinders ranges tonight….glorious sunset, lots of flies (but they go to bed at sundown) stars amazing.