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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| Bliss ... |
As you probably know, 2011 was a drought-ridden year in Texas. We will never get over the sight of millions of dead trees where there once was a beautiful native forest. I don't know if it's actually global warming or a natural cycle of nature. I'm following, and cannot wait to know you better!!
ReplyDeleteIt's sad to see nature suffer but it always comes back in time. Thank you for finding me here and look forward to sharing with you :)
DeleteNow that temperatures are out there worthy of the refrigerator, reading your post, I remembered the interminable period(june,july,august) of heat and drought that devastated the gardens as well as the lives of people and animals. In September, as miracle, the roses and the gardens back to life and we too after the first rains. I wish you soon back pleasant temperatures,dear Vicki!
ReplyDeleteIt is quite a miracle isn't it Rita! It is much cooler today and it feels lovely. Thank you for commenting, hope all is well with you - love your paintings x
DeleteWhat a shame we can't share the temperatures out a bit; I am hoping this year England will have a decent summer. It is just as well you started your new illustration when you did. I am not sure how good crispy petals would look :)
ReplyDeleteHi Bella! I was in London earlier this year and there is a lot of grey! I hope you get a nice summer too, have a few friends there and see their weather stories. I'm glad I started the illustration earlier too. Thank you for visiting :)
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