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In March this year (2020) I had the opportunity to attend a photography tour with Mark Rayner of Trekabout photography tours (Head to his site to check out his amazing tours - it may well provide inspiration for future adventures!). Even though I have been to Fraser Island a couple of times before, I found out there were still new places left to discover - like the west coast of Fraser which is absolutely beautiful. Driving along the beach and through the rainforest I am always mesmerised by the colours and patterns - and constantly trying to memorise them to capture them in my paintings. From the trip to Fraser this new painting emerged. Called 'Even on a cloudy day there is beauty'. So named because the weather some days was pretty wild with lots of wind and rain so the water was swirling with the colours of the sand below and the grey sky above quite grey at times in contrast to its usual rich turquoise blue. But even with all that it was still incredibly beautiful.  Even on a cloudy day there is beauty - Acrylic on canvas - 45cm x 45cm For sale - see Shop for details Looking back it is kind of ironic and fitting that this painting happened at the start of the current worldwide experience that is Covid-19. As even with everything that is going on I have seen moments of beauty everywhere. Neighbours and communities connecting (at a safe distance!) and looking out for one another, the skies clearing of smog and pollution, the space and quiet even in the midst of the city, hearing of animals and birds returning to places they haven't been for years or decades. Now more than ever it is important to focus on the beauty in the world and try and maintain some balance in our thoughts and feelings. I have certainly been thinking much more about my family and friends and also how I can better care for my part of the world. I am focusing much more on gardening and composting, reducing waste and growing my own produce. What impact has this experience had on you? What effects has it had on the way you view and experience the world. On your expectations? I don't think there is anyone on the planet that has not been effected in some way. So in the theme of focusing on all that is beautiful here are some shots from Fraser Island off the coast of Queensland, Australia. Without a doubt one of the most beautiful places in the world! Enjoy :)           Stay focused on the beauty! Karen 😊
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Last week I got back from a whirlwind trip of the Northern Territory covering Alice Springs up to Darwin then out to Kakadu. It certainly whet my appetite and I can't wait to go back! First off was Alice Springs. I only saw a snippet of the surrounding country but enough to know there is something really special about this area.  Standley Chasm  I could have watched these guys all day. Finches at Alice Springs Desert Park.  Barn owl in flight at Alice Springs Desert Park Then it was onto Kakadu National Park with a brief stop at Fogg Dam on the way....  ....where I was taking photos of this Forest Kingfisher and was photo-bombed by a Willie Wagtail! Kakadu National Park  Brumbies at sunset - Kakadu. Does it get any better??!!  Whistling Ducks - Yellow Waters, Kakadu  Nourlangie Rock and Anbangbang billabong - Kakadu
A highlight of the visit to Kakadu was definitely the Aboriginal rock art. The first I have ever seen.  Incredible view from rocktop at Ubirr - Kakadu National Park  Water buffalo at sunset - Kakadu National Park Then it was back to Darwin and down to Litchfield National Park  Blyth Homestead - built in 1928 and home to tin miners. There was a photo album in the hut and some history of the people who lived there.  The Lost City - Litchfield National Park. It really did look like ruins!  A very determined tree growing out of solid rock at The Lost City - Litchfield National Park And so many places yet to see! Karen 😊 March 2019 So somehow this happened!!  I have three artworks showing in the 2019 'Her-story' group exhibition at Art Gallery on Darling in Balmain, Sydney!! I'm beyond excited to have this amazing opportunity! Paintings will be on display from 25-31 March 2019. Opening night is 28 March, 2019, with special guest @amanda_penrose_hart. While i wont be attending the exhibition in person I am really looking forward to hearing all the updates and stories and seeing the photos from the eleven fabulous women artists who are also exhibiting. :) This will be my first group exhibition. And it has been nothing short of miraculous that I have been able to get everything done that needed to be done. Amazing what having a deadline achieves! I highly recommend it if you have been holding back or procrastinating on anything. These are the three paintings that I will have showing at the Exhibition.  Girl Dreaming 2019  Connection 2019  A Gathering of Friends 2019 If you are in Sydney between the 25-31 March 2019 please drop by to see some wonderful art and meet the artists in person! Karen 😊 © Karen Northey 2019. All rights reserved. February 2019 Nature and wildlife are a constant source of inspiration for me and my art. I try to get out into nature every weekend and often have my camera in hand. Photography has been a love of mine since I was a child. Last weekend I did a photography workshop with Photographer Mark Rayner (check out his website and amazing trips and workshops here) based around reptiles, birds and frogs which was really cool as I got to get up close to animals I would not normally get to see including some I don't usually want to get up and close and personal with (ie snakes!). Eek!  Tawny frog mouth. Such a beautiful model!  Magnificent tree frog (that's actually his name, not a description!).     Apparently his name is Elvis and he loves to dance!! 😂 Now, back to my art! Karen 😊 © Karen Northey 2019. All rights reserved. Comments are always welcome! January 2019 Having not visited Fraser Island for over twenty years it was so amazing to go back there again. Very little has changed in that time which was great to see.  Dingo on a mission. We saw this fellow run literally for many kilometres along the beach as we drove along. He was headed somewhere in a hurry!  Wanggoolba Creek - Iconic Fraser Island scenery  The beautiful dingoes. They look so thin :(. The only really noticeable change I observed on this trip was the additional safety measures taken to keep dingo's out of the established camping areas. I know I was certainly much more aware of giving the dingoes their space.  SS Maheno shipwreck  After all that inspiration I was very keen to get back to my painting! Karen 😊 © Karen Northey 2019. All rights reserved. |
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