After the Wet: Mt Borradaile

This watercolour was painted after my return from a recent visit to Mt Borradaile in Western Arnhem Land. We were a small group of seven painters staying at Davisons, the only place were people are permitted to stay in that area. Each day we would be taken out into the landscape by our guide, who was there to teach us about the land, the culture and show us the ancient rock art, explaining the styles and different periods.

On both the first morning and the last evening of our stay we went by boat out on the billabong, with extensive flocks of busy birds, and ever-changing species of waterlilies in full bloom after a late wet season. On the first visit we looked across the billabong to Mt Borradaile. On the final afternoon we climbed the rocks to see amazing rock art and we had the significance and sacredness of this location explained. We were given a little time to paint. The insert on the right is taken from my sketch.

Once back in Melbourne, I found my thoughts filled with the abundance and beauty of the waterlilies, the birds, the lurking danger of the crocs and the imagery of the rock art. They now flow through my painting like a river of memories.