"Desert Travels" (2002)

Spring Afternoon, The Olgas	Spring Kata tjuka	West of Alice
Fortescue Falls, Dale's Gorge, Hammersley Ranges	Dale's Gorge	Looking Across Hammersley Gorge
Hills East of Tom Price	Autumn Afternoon East of Tom Price	Edge of Mt Tom Price
Central Australia	Stripey Hills & Mesa	Larapinta Drive, Alice Springs
Pilbara Region	Uluru	Mesas Above Hammersley Gorge
Storm Over Mt. Tom Price	Near Mt. Tom Price	Through the Olgas
Desert Flowers	Storm Over Mt. Connere	Hammersley Gorge
Stormy Day, Uluru	Midday Shadows, Dale's Gorge	Dale's Gorge Escarpment

"One of the most important aspects of painting is to be true to yourself, if this happens, then people will be able to recognise that quality in the painting, no matter what the subject or genre is."

I am continualy inspired by the Australian landscape, and believe that much of this has to do with my childhood years, spent trekking the nether regions of Cairns and its surrounds. I grew up amongst an impressive and challenging landscape - white sands, glimmering crystal-blue waters, and by turn, endless stretches of wilderness, undulating vistas and sun-drenched flora. I probably had the best of both worlds, even though in the early stages of my career I travelled extensively throughout the Middle East on the basis that I needed to explore further territory. Ironically, this exotic landscape although fascinating, proved less inspiring than I had imagined, in terms of depicting it, and so for a time, my art practice considered the political realm of the Middle East.

When I returned to Australia in 1996, I experienced a surge of inspiration for the Australian landscape and now, with the benefit of hindsight, I believe this was driven by a desire to reconnect with the land I had missed so much, having not been able to experience its unique colour and beauty.

I find I derive considerable energy from being out in the landscape, especially the desert areas of this country, which accounts for why so much of my work is done en plein air. It changes you, and you cannot help being excited about trying to use paint to relay the energy and beauty of what is around you.

Australia has such a vibrant landscape, with so much variety and most importantly, so much to be inspired by - I like to feel I express this vibrancy and optimistic mood in my works.

Julie Donald (click for CV)

Please scroll to the top of the page to view the exhibition "Desert Travels", now on view @ maruška café/gallery, ground floor, 130 flinders street, melbourne vic 3000.

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