I'm thrilled to write an entry about this truly beautiful and special exhibition held in the
unique setting of the gorgeous historic house at Carrick Hill. 

"Close to Nature: May Gibbs & Australian Botanical Art", displays a wonderful
collection of stunning pieces by Australia's iconic artist May Gibbs.  In compliment to May's
beautiful work is a selection of nature inspired art by a number of Australian twentieth century
and contemporary artists.  I'm so happy to say that two of my original watercolours are on
display among these beautiful works.

Please see below, a few snaps I took of the exhibition.
The house and the gardens are also stunning to wander through and make a lovely day out!
The exhibition is open until November 25th, 2018.
House entry fee applies.

Click here for more information from Carrick Hill
Click here for information on May Gibbs

I'm  so very lucky to have just recently returned from an amazing 4 week camping trip in Western Australia (my first time in this beautiful state)..... and being Spring, the flora was in it's prime!   After travelling across the great Nullabor we visited many of the incredible southern national parks ..... Cape Le Grand, Fitzgerald River, The Stirling Ranges, Torndirrup and Walpole before ending up in beautiful Perth.  Kings Park and Botanic Garden in Perth was just stunning!  On the way back we went through the wheatbelt where I found the striking Eucalyptus Macrocarpa.  I was just beside myself witnessing so many species of Banksias, Hakeas, Eucalypts and Orchids amongst such a variety of wildflowers, in their natural habitats.  The diversity of plant life was just astounding!  I can't wait to visit again one day!  I've returned home with so many photos and inspiration for future works which is wonderful!
Here's just a sample of the beautiful flora and fauna I came across....
more also on my Instagram page.

After much longing to return to this wonderful garden, I am thrilled to say I managed to fit in a small visit yesterday!
Oh, how I love this place.....I would love it to be a little closer, so I could visit a lot more often. 
Many of the Banksias were putting on such a beautiful display...... there was an abundance of flower buds and so many honey eaters enjoying the smorgasbord of nectar from all of the flowering shrubs and trees.
Here's some of my snaps & useful links below.

https://www.facebook.com/pangarindabotanicgarden/
https://www.coorong.sa.gov.au/page.aspx?u=1730

I've just recently returned from a few days away up in Queensland.
I had the absolute pleasure & joy of staying on beautiful Keswick Island, a place I've been wanting to visit
ever since I spotted an article about it in an Australian Geographic Magazine last year ...... it's a haven to the most
spectacular number of butterflies I have ever seen.  And not only butterflies!  All sorts of interesting insects,
birds, seaside critters and tropical plants. 

To my delight, the butterflies were there at the time of my visit & I have collected much photo & video reference
for my future paintings .... so now I'm very excited to begin sketching & painting!  The butterflies that appear and in
such great numbers at various times are called Blue Tiger (Tirumala hamata) butterflies. There are also the
Big Greasy (Cressida cressida) butterflies with their see-through upper wings, which are just stunning!

Another wee character I was thrilled to come across was the Great Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa), which is Australias largest native bee!  I tried my best to film this busy buzzy fellow (a male), which was pretty tricky as he was
very, very busy.....and managed to get a pretty good pic and some fairly ok sort of in focus footage. 
See pics and videos below if you like!

This island paradise is definitely worth a visit.
See these links for more info
https://www.facebook.com/KeswickIsland/
http://www.keswickisland.com.au/