Offering for a tree, 2025

(works in progress)

There is great comfort in the presence of the worn but tough, massive old Red Gum trees here on the Barringgi Gadyin /Wimmera River where I live and work. These reassuring sentinels have been my anchor and a touchstone and as I've entered the river in cycles of vitality and depletion over the decades. They have endured floods, fires, lightning strikes, lunatics with chain saws and God knows what else. My thanks to the Owls, as I suspect they have watched over.

As I made these drawings, the rain came and I retreated into the base of this fine one. With the world spinning faster, I am increasingly inclined to fully relocate there. 

Charcoal, pastel, pencil & acrylic on paper on board; 20x30cm