Blog

As I write I am so thankful for all the great things I have in my life--friends and family who live in the most beautiful places, and the willingness they have to host me and share their lives with me. Currently I'm in a lovely beach town called Terrigal, just north of Sydney. After the events in Queensland I'm very happy to be back in New South Wales, where the weather is just a touch cooler, the air a little drier, the sea a little fresher. And all that flooding really impacted the water in Queensland, so I never set foot in it, or had the slightest desire to paint it!

It was great to stop in beautiful Byron Bay, Australia's most easterly point, on my way south. I took a break for lunch and spotted about 15 dolphins resting off the shoreline. The water beckoned but I made do with a couple of quick paddles and continued my drive south to Urunga, just south of Coffs Harbour, where I did get into the water and have several lovely walks beside the water, and to beaches. Urunga's lovely boardwalk and the V-Wall walk at Nambucca Heads are a couple of my favourite places--although then I headed further south to Old Bar for a beach walk there, and to Umina Beach for walk there, and ...well, I just can't make up my mind--these are all in the top 10 for sure!

I've got a few more days here to enjoy before I move on to Sydney (which must be the most beautiful city in the world) and have some plans to get a bit of painting in during this time. The old Queenslander house painting is still in progress, and I've been playing with the sketch a little more by adding some ink accents. I'm not sure if I'll get it finished in Australia or will be taking it home to Canada to work on yet. Sometimes it takes a while for me to get a result I'm happy enough with to share. I've also been working on my business plan and tasks for stepping up with my art when I do get back to Summerland. Lots to do to get ready for the studio tour starting in April.

Meanwhile I'm enjoying summertime down under--hope you're enjoying wherever you're at in your life too.ometimes I just have to pinch myself to check if this isn't a dream.