Mount Roland.

No.12   in my series of short stories.

Mount Roland

No.1220 Mount Roland

Arriving in Devonport on the Spirit of Tasmania the ship that carries passengers and caravans across the Bass Straight between Melbourne and Tasmania Australia.

My intentions were to arrive in Tasmania and retire, that just didn't happen and I needed to do something different in my life.

Moving from the ship to the caravan park in Latrobe a lot of thinking and sorting was to be done, lots of walking.

Within 5 days of being on this lovely green little island, I had made an offer on a gorgeous two storey rather derelict 1865 weatherboard house with an old hall attached. This building is now my home and my Art Gallery.

A renovation will give me something to get my head into. After the offer being accepted and waiting for the settlement there was more walking and lots of excitement on my new life challenge. Whilst waiting I toured Tasmania visiting lots of quaint little towns so much to see and the terrain is stunning, just as stunning as where I had lived before, though completely different. Coming from the orange pindan desert of the Pilbara to the most lush green rolling countryside. After one year of a complete renovation, removing all walls ceilings and floors, re-stumping, re-roofing and all the rest that goes with it, one and a half years later it was all done and dusted.

Then it was time to resume and to pursue my love of art. Above is my first attempt at "en Plein air" this type of painting is about leaving the four walls of your studio behind and experiencing painting and drawing in the landscape, and I chose Mount Roland.

I do like the above painting but I found I do not want to paint realism. Now I paint an array of styles and techniques, it is about the challenge and the life that I have become accustomed to.

My move to Tasmania has also moved me on with my art, being able to explore different techniques has been a great challenge and heaps of fun.