My artist residency has gone AWOL whilst I break for some more social loving, head back to the high country from Kyneton on back roads to Bright and seek out old mate!!

Driving the Great Alpine Road through the very fertile and picturesque Ovens Valley with its quaint little villages, tree lined streets, mountain peaks and shaded crystal clear running creeks and babbling brooks was like driving into a fairy tale setting. Seriously Victoria.. It’s one botanical feast to the next!! I could be in Europe, southern France or Italy… absolutely stunning and bursting my senses with delight!!

I found my long time old mate Faith ‘GrabbaGallagher’ whom I have not seen for 3 decades in her gorgeous barn house at Smoko. We were like those babbling brooks I just passed, tearing up, hugging, and talking. We giggled and cried, babbled and bellyache laughed for next 4 days. Faith and I shared a couple of houses back in the early eighties and went to art school together, so there were a lot of very funny memories, reminders and our big bold lives that shifted and changed over the years to unravel.

Faith is a brilliant chef, host and tour guide and took me around to the very best of this area. Picnic and swims at ‘The Beach”, winding our way up to the top of Mt Buffalo with its haunting Chalet and drop dead gorges and views, historic Harrietville, the stunning Mt Hotham and driving along the highest roads in Australia to visit Dinner Plain with its truly unique architectural village. ThankYOU Faith, I have been blissed out maximum!!

I think I said ‘OMG this is beautiful’ over a hundred times!!! So we conjured up some crazy ideas about art camps and I will be back… Could spend a year in this place. Would love to see the autumn!!

See you next time Bright one!!

Victorian weather ~ One day it’s hot and sunny…

Study for new work ~ view from Faith’s Barn, ink on paper

Faith GrabbaGallagher~My Beautiful Friend, ink on canvas 30X30cm

Those who hola hoop stay in the loopXX The inner party animal remains solid!!