DEEP-SEA ANGELS

PLANNING AND PREPARATION

These are words that I never use together when talking about my art and how I work as an artist. 

There is no process of creating a painting for me.  What usually happens, is I will get this urge to paint and I'll go to the shop and buy a canvas.  

From there, the picture paints itself.  Most people would be horrified by this notion. "You don't plan your artwork?"

"You don't do a sketch or an outline, so you have some idea of what you are going to paint?"

No I don't do these things. 

When I was introduced to the concept of an art journal, it was my turn to be mortified.  "What for?" I thought, as I stared at the blank page before me.  

The canvas is my visual and spiritual diary.  It is my tool for learning of my ancestors, my history my past, my present and my future all rolled out before me. 

I have no control over what goes into a painting. 

The only thing I control is the physical aspect of it.  The preparation of the canvas and the mixing of the colours. 

Everything else is as it should be.  It is an instinct - a knowing. 

Sometimes I am left confused about why I used a certain colour or why I incorporated a particular symbol into a painting, but then I realise it is not for me to question - it is for me to learn from the stories and legends that are being presented to me. 

These lessons are not always revealed straight away. 

I still have paintings that I painted years ago that I don't know the exact meaning of.  

I quite often sit and look at them (for long periods of time) trying to figure it out.  Then a feeling comes over me as if to say, "In time, all will be revealed." 

That's when I know that there are other life lessons that I need to learn before I get to fully understand or appreciate the stories contained within the artwork. 

Spirit Country

"Spirit Country" is one of the paintings where the story is revealed to me long after it has been painted.  

I completed this painting in 2002. 

However it wasn't until June 2011 that I realised where the place was.  

Our eldest son went on a school camp and I had the pleasure of being asked to come and talk with the students about culture and to share the stories of some of my paintings and read some of my poetry to them.  

I had never been to this particular place before.

Imagine my surprise when I realised that right before me, was a place of cultural significance that I had captured in one of my paintings! 

I stood on the river bank and looked to the left - the smaller Sandy Creek that runs into the larger stream of Lolworth Creek. 

It resonated deep within me.  I was standing right here!

It was just like coming home.  The spirits seemed to rise up from the ground to greet me.  The water spirits danced, the birds sang cheerily and the sun shone brightly. 

I was home back out on country. 

My ancestral country - the home of the Kudjala people and my family group the Mgulaki Clan.

I couldn't have planned for this - only life could have prepared me for this moment.

Therein lies the beauty of my artwork. It flows as freely as the stream that meanders along its path before me. 

I couldn't plan for it - because it just is.

SPIRITUALITY

My definition of spirituality lies deep within.  Every living creature has a spirit. Whether or not a person is in touch with their spirit,  is something that only the individual can be totally honest about.  It is not something you can lie about to others.

On the odd occassion that I meet someone who  seems to be having a bad day, I am often left wondering why they would deny their spirit the happiness it deserves.  

Life can get you down.  I know this and there was a time in my life where I allowed this to happen. Depression ruled me. 

I have learnt much about myself that I have released old life patterns that were like a cage around my soul.  This isn't living. 

Freedom of spirit is when you can see the joy in every little moment.  To laugh until you cry (which happens so much for me these days).  Blissful moments.  

You can't hide your spirit and how you project it onto the world.  Spirituality is beauty and peace of mind. 

LIFE AND DEATH (MULLIHN MAHN)

Badthi soars high in the sky and swoops low and fast upon his prey.  

Life on the land is harsh and drought is eminent.

Lack of water indicates certain death for livestock.

Badthi is the victor of Mother nature's spoils.

Life & Death (Mullihn mahn)

MY FRIEND KEVIN

I am a true believer, that people come into your life for a reason. It isn't coincidence that brings people together.

Many years ago as a child, my siblings and I attended the local Baptist church. This is how we  met the Kersey family.  I must have only been around 6 or 7 at the time but I remember them well. 

The Kersey's hailed from the USA so in a little outback North Queensland town, their strong American accents alone made them stand out.   

Several years have gone by and every now and again, the Kersey's would come up in conversation between my older siblings when we looked back upon our Sunday School days.  Life goes on.

Then as most people who become connected to the World Wide Web do - I joined Facebook.  There was a page set up for past students who attended my old high school. 

I was scrolling through the names and then one name stood out in particular. Kevin Kersey. 

He posed the question, "Does anyone remember my family the Kersey's?"  Well I couldn't ignore the question, so I wrote back and said, "Yes my family and I remember the Kersey's." 

I wasn't surprised when Kevin said he didn't quite remember our family but that was ok.  We all get caught up in life - that's human nature. 

So Kevin and I started corresponding talking about Charters Towers and his childhood memories of this place.  

It wasn't too long into our friendship that I was to learn that Kevin had been battling with cancer. 

He kept us all updated on his progress through his own Blog.  The one thing that stood out about Kev's Blog, was how his strength shone brightly through his written word. 

I know he wouldn't have been feeling strong but his courage through his words were all too apparent to me. 

Then there came the day, that I was to learn that Kevin and his beautiful wife Roni, were coming to Australia for a visit and they were coming back to Charters Towers. 

I was pleased and proud when they said they would like to pay me a visit and have a look at the paintings that they had heard so much about. 

So I waited with anticipation, the visit from friends of long ago!  Then I had a thought, I would dearly love to give them something to take home with them - but what? 

I literally slapped myself on the forehead when I came to the realisation, "Of course - a painting!"  So I set about doing a painting - just for Kevin and Roni. 

This is how "Freedom of Spirit" came about.  Kevin owned a Harley Davidson which he loved as Harley owners do, so I made the painting about his beloved motorbike.

"Freedom of Spirit"

FREEDOM OF SPIRIT (BERRENGE NAHN)

This painting is a spiritual representation of the sense of peace and freedom you derive from riding your motorcycle

The central and inner circles represent the journey

The two dots in each corner, represent the two of you as you ride along together

The smaller circles at the bottom and at the top represent the wheels and the journey to and from your destination

The smaller dots dark brown and yellow ochre represent all the beauty that you have witnessed as you look in every direction, a far as the eye can see

The blue background represents fresh air and wind "May all your travels happen beneath clear blue skies"

The yellow dots represent the sun in your face

The white dots signify safety and security

The dark brown around the outer edges represents the road under your wheels

The three inner red circles represents the sun set at the end of the day

The black and orange dots represent your beloved Harley Davidson 

 me and Kevin Kersey

 

Roni, me and Kevin

Kevin was deeply touched by my gift and I was glad to be able to do something special for him.  

Sadly, Kevin lost his battle with cancer in December 2010.  

I think he touched my heart so much, because of the conviction of his words.  The least I could do for Kevin, was to share a little of myself and my culture with him.

A short tribute to Kevin and Roni appears in my introduction DVD when I give talks to students and community about my art and my Indigenous heritage.   

COMPASSION, STRENGTH and COURAGE are the three words that come to mind when I think of Kevin Kersey. He and his family came back into my life for a reason - if only to teach me these things.

Rest in Peace Kevin.

 I was honoured to get to know you again - even for a short while. 

THE GREAT OUTDOORS

There is a lot to be said for painting outdoors. It clears the mind of course and allows the creative juices to flow.  

Sitting inside sweating over a canvas does nothing for me.  I feel stifled when I am sitting under a fluro light.

It is so unnatural and plays havoc with my eyes. I guess it also stems from my indigenous heritage.  My ancestors were of the land. Everything evolved around being at one with nature. Sitting under a tree to paint is the most natural thing for me to do. 

Given that I live in North Queensland, Australia the lighting conditions are perfect for working outdoors most days of the year. When it is cloudy I am saddened to be forced indoors to paint. 

My outdoor Art Studio

"Life & Death" 2011