I’m back from my art trip around Albert Namatjira Country, and what a fantastic time it was. The art trip was in conjunction with Aussie Redback Tours, and artists came from all over Australia to join together in a week of painting, photographing, learning, laughing, and sharing art stories. Our tutor was Ross Paterson who is one of the nicest artists you could meet. He was generous in sharing his painting knowledge, and spent a lot of time demonstrating and sharing his ideas with us all.
We titled the tour “Namatjira Country” because the places we visited and painted were locations that famous Aboriginal artist Albert Namatjira once painted and it was quite moving to be able to be possible standing in the same spots that he may have stood. The landscape around Alice Springs is unlike any other landscape around Australia. It’s hard to describe. The distant hills are a million shades of purple and blue, yet the foreground is such a contrast with it’s strong red earth providing another contrast to the white trunks of the gum trees. The gorges with their still reflections could easily look the same upside down as right side up because everything is so still and quite magical. My favourite spot was Ormiston Gorge and I know that one day I will return to paint that beautiful place.
Ross enjoyed the tour himself and is keen to come to WA next year for an art trip of the Pilbara. Stay tuned for more information on that very soon.
In the meantime, here are some pictures of the trip. You’ll see that Namatjira Country is truly worthy of an art tour!
(For more information on future art tours, have a look at Aussie Redback Tours’ website – https://www.aussieredbacktours.com.au/art-tours-wa/
Ormiston Gorge
Simpson’s Gap
Trephina Gorge
Our Group at the Mt Sonder Lookout