Inspiration: The Eucalyptus

Australian Eucalyptus are such beautiful trees.  I've been lucky to have grown up in leafy suburbs where large trees surrounded our family home, parks and schools so my love of large trees and collecting fallen pods and seeds started from a young age.  I've never truly appreciated them for what they are until recently as they tolerated being bent and viciously blown about in the recent winds.  They are so strong and mighty, yet forgiving (for our landscape is known to be quite harsh in the Summer), delicate and graceful.  

The knowledge I've gained since working in nature has been monumental as I've needed to understand what a plant needs to survive and thrive, which in turn has naturally forced me to look deeper making my connection with the earth so much stronger.   The cycle of life in nature is truly fascinating.  One incredible bit of knowledge I've recently learned was that some of our gums require bushfire to spark life into fallen nuts to rejuvenate.  Some natives require just smoke and others fire as well.

Feeling inspired, I wanted to draw - it's been such a while!  I've been asked many times what I would call my style.  To be honest, I don't know.  It's something I've always done.  I've never been able to integrate colour - it's always been just black and white - and I always start with a pen.  I've never been able to label my style as it's never pre-planned or sketched out.  Sometimes I'll catch a glimpse at how the light brings to life a particular spot or the texture of a leaf and my muse awakens.  In this case, I wanted to embody the leaves and gum nuts swaying in the wind. 

So after an incredibly productive weekend of collecting wood, harvesting the rest of my shiitakes, making shiitake salt with the left over mushrooms, household and business chores and a little socialising, I finished my concept drawing which I plan to turn into an A3 sized drawing:

Enjoy your week :)

First Harvest

The weather these past couple of weeks has been so miserable making it near impossible to service our clients.  However, despite being hugely frustrating, we're receiving a wonderful amount of rain which will lead us into a fabulous Spring.  We've been making the most of our time off by more unpacking and getting things set up.  I've been sorting out my succulent collection, taking cuttings for large scale propagation to plant out one of the front garden beds whilst Heath's been setting up the workshop.  We've also nutted out where the greenhouses, veggie patches and chickens will go as well as a new water tank in the future and potting station.  Being able to finally build on our permaculture-style life is sooooo exciting as we've never had enough space before.  We've tried our best on a small scale and the change has been so rewarding body, mind and spirit-wise.

Being Winter, and our main source of heating being wood-fire, foraging for wood and kindling has become a regular task.  Thankfully we have a large area down the back which is native bush so we've been collecting branches that have come down in the recent heavy winds.  Seeing 20 metre gumtrees swaying almost horizontally is unnerving.  Thankfully no damage save for old limbs gifted for firewood.

Whilst we were down there, we noticed the ground erupting with wild mushrooms.  The way the earth breaks open and up comes beautiful fungus is incredibly fascinating and something I've found so wonderful to observe. I've always wanted to grow my own mushrooms and from what we've seen, the environment seems perfect here.  After noticing one of my favourites was being imported, no time could be better than to start now.   Knowing how our food is grown is important to us. We were able to purchase a tester with plentiful mycelium riddling the block.

The pins have been bursting through the sides over the past few weeks and over the past few days, each day they've been doubling in size.  When I came home from work tonight, one beautiful massive mushroom was perched on top of the block and just in time for dinner.  I'm soooo happy - here's the first mushroom ready for harvest ....

The deep earthy flavour was mouth-watering and gave the dish such a truffle type flavour - Yummo!

Well it's time for bed and the magpies are still chortling.  Gosh I love this place ..... 

Enjoy your week!

 

Shifting Focus

There is something seriously special about this place.  The wide expanse of the skyline with nothing but giant gums swaying delicately in the breeze envelopes you and subconsciously thrums at you to relax.  And when night comes, just a sea of blackness highlighted by wisps of wood smoke, the twinkling of stars and the magic nature of galaxies.  The last time I recall seeing a galaxy was when I was a child.  Now as an adult, my eyes still widen with the same wonder and amazement as they did back then.

We've spotted at least 14 different species of bird so far and hearing them welcome the day and bid us goodnight is an element that I find so special.  I've found myself smiling at the sky as I watch them play, clapping their wings and darting through and around the garden.  Or when they land in the garden foraging at what food nature provides with a few treats from me added into the mix. Today, there was a loud "meowing" coming from what sounded near the front door.  Thinking our cat had somehow escaped outside, I rushed to let him back in.  But low and behold, there were six wild ducks "chatting" with each other as they delved into the lush green in search of food.  I've only ever seen two on the property down the back of the right-hand side paddock so today was extra special to see them so close.  In time, these quiet observations may become that of the norm but for now, I'm savouring these special sensory memories and holding onto them tight.  

 

I've been doing a great deal of soul searching since I've been here as to what direction I should take when it comes to my art.  Online selling isn't working for me, no matter what platform I try.  So after a tonne of deliberation and plenty of chats with Heath (poor thing!  I'm blessed he's so patient), I've decided to step away from online selling or advertising.  Just focusing on the reason why I create to begin with - the love of it.  I've somehow lost a bit of focus along the way, and being here, amongst the simple things that Mother Nature has to offer, has made me realise I need to start at the grassroots level again. No audience, no timeframes, no chunks of time spent on "paperwork".

So starting small, I've started to work on finishing items in my box of WIPs.  Last evening, I finished this adorable gum nut pot with leaf motifs.  It's quite aptly named as it reminds me so much of the bulbous seeds that scatter our gardens.  It's not the best photo as had to take inside as it's been raining non-stop here but it has two different shades of purple for the trim and main bulb of the pot.

Tonight, I plan to continue weaving straps for a new woven fabric which will in turn become  a boho bag.  I had so much fun making the last one that I can't wait to make another.  

Have a great week!