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Artwork 45 “On a Clear Day…”—Old Paperbarks and Figs at Gateway Pool, Central Australia

Section 27

Essence of the Australian Bush—Great Survivors of Oz (Gum Trees, Paperbarks, Bottlebrushes, and Tea-Trees (Myrtaceae Family))

Umbrawarra Gorge Nature Park, Northern Territory, Northern Territory

SHOW PLANT PINS

  1. 1. Melaleuca sp. (paperbark)
Artwork 45: “On a Clear Day…”—Old Paperbarks and Figs at Gateway Pool, Central Australia 1
Melaleuca sp. (paperbark)

Artwork 45

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Limited edition giclee archival quality print on 310 gsm Ilford cotton rag (from an original work in watercolour on watercolour paper, 56 cm high x 76 cm wide)

from the artist

In “On a Clear Day…”—Old Paperbarks and Figs at Gateway Pool, Central Australia the old paperbarks (Melaleuca species) surrounding the pool in the painting have survived numerous floods during the annual Top End wet season. We named the pool “Gateway” as it was the first pool near the entrance into Umbrawarra Gorge, a lovely little gorge about 25 km from Pine Creek, which is located near Katherine in the Northern Territory. It was painted on location, and clear reflections are commonly observed on hot, still days. This pool was one of several which were perfect for swimming. One could hike and swim through the long gorge. Mertens’ water monitors would accompany us on some of these “swimming hikes” and one curious creature waddled through one of my watercolour painting pallettes, decorating itself and nearby rocks with yellows and oranges. We also frequently saw a large water python—and once observed it devouring a small water monitor, whole, near Gateway Pool—an incredible sight.

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