"Art is the only way to run away without leaving home" (Twyla Tharp)

The heat is on ...





The heatwave conditions right across Australia have set new records and sadly many parts of our country have been enduring terrible fires and loss of property.  The national average temperature gauged from readings right across the country soared to its hottest ever and it’s not over yet.




Our garden was at its peak before the furnace hit … happens every year I guess but it’s always sad to see such beauty suffer from the impact of intense heat and lack of water.   I don't think I will ever get used to the scorching temperatures and it seems over the past few years there have been an awful lot of them.

The poor hydrangeas are now crispy ...


We always think of the poor native animals and birds and leave plenty of water dishes around the property for them.  They seem so grateful to  find water and it's nice to watch them drinking and bathing to cool themselves.



Thankfully we have a short reprieve and I am playing catchup with the backlog of work and study since the new year.   The artwork suffered a bit  as it’s difficult to do anything on pristine white paper when you’re dripping from the heat.  I am so grateful I have finally been able to get back to it,  although I haven’t been able to meet the deadlines I set for myself with each artwork.


Measuring up ...


Have done a lot of sketching, colour studies and composition for two of the artworks and I decided to tackle the botanical illustration first  – the subject chosen was the Bauhinia variegata. I painted this beautiful plant in my mixed floral piece and chose to do it  because it was still flowering long enough for me to do all the prep work  for the diploma artwork.



Time to get a move on ...


 Having become familiar with it during Assignment 12 made life a little less stressful going into the illustration.   I have also chosen my fruit subject but have no idea what to do for the next mixed floral, particularly now most of my garden has been scorched.


  
The heat is on for me  to get this work done ... I am praying for rain in our country  - lots of it, to cool the earth, revive the plants and hopefully quell the terrible bushfires.


Bliss ...