ROCKS AND BOABS

Posted on June 16, 2019 by splashingpaint

Our Outback Workshop moved from Kakadu/Litchfield, over to Kununurra via Katherine. Moving across the boarder into Western Australia brings a change in the landscape from speargrass savannah to rocky outcrops and giant Boab trees. The landscape was unusually dry for this time of year. Normally creeks are full, waterfalls are flowing and the landscape is greener but, unfortunately, the last wet season was almost non existent.

Spectacular, close up view of Katherine Gorge

Kununurra sunset changes the landscape completely

Couldn’t resist painting this old Studebaker truck at El Questro Station

Rock Wallaby keeps watch over Chamberlain Gorge

Chamberlain Gorge

Distorted landscape around Lake Argyle

After the Outback Workshop finished, Dianne and I collected our truck we had stored in Kununurra and headed of down the Gibb River Road via Wyndham and Parry Lagoon

Bell Gorge – one of the many waterholes along the Gibb River Road

Water Monitor – Bell Gorge

At the end of the Gibb River Road is the Napier Range. A spectacular band of twisted Limestone running East West across the Southern Kimberley. We spent a few days camped under the range painting, walking, sketching and photographing

Bee hive in a cave in the Napier Range

Outside Studio

An amazing place to paint and explore

KAKADU

Posted on June 3, 2019 by splashingpaint

After a long drive and another great workshop in Blackall, we arrived in Kununurra where we left our truck and flew to Darwin to start the Outback workshop with International Artist. Following a couple of days painting in Litchfield National Park we headed out to Kakadu for some painting and exploring. One of the highlights of Kakadu is the Yellow Waters Cruise. We have done it many times and it is always spectacular and always different.

Whistling Ducks

These Jakana chicks hatch out of the egg with small fluffy bodies and ridiculously over sized feet

As they grow the body gets bigger and less fluffy and the legs grow even further out of proportion.

Azure Kingfisher

Nankeen Night Heron

Deceptively happy looking Crocodile.

Floating and watching

Large Egret

Water Buffalos are starting to breed up again in Kakadu

Yellow Waters Sunset

Painting at Anbangbang Billabong.

ARGENTINA

Posted on March 8, 2019 by splashingpaint

From the Falkland Islands we made our way to Argentina, stopping first in Montevideo, Uruguay, then ending our cruise in Buenos Aries. After the workshop finished, Dianne and I stayed on in Buenos Aires for a few days to explore the city.

© John Lovett 2019 — Montevideo Doorway – Orange Bike

FALKLAND ISLANDS

Posted on March 6, 2019 by splashingpaint

After a second smooth crossing of Drake Passage, we stopped for a day at Stanley in the Falkland Islands. The islands are low, treeless and windswept. The older architecture in Stanley is interesting. Apart from a few buildings made of brick or stone, most construction is of timber and corrugated iron. The design of the buildings are still traditionally British – even down to the picket fences, but the unusual materials take some getting used to. An attempt to make the place feel like home I guess, but they miss out on that balmy British weather!

There are many of these old Nissin Huts, left over from various wars. All the buildings have a flaking, rusty patina caused by the constant freezing and thawing and the continuous howling wind.

An interesting graveyard for wooden boats at the end of Stanley Harbour.

Young penguin hiding in a burrow above the beach

Mum and Dad socialising on the beach

No one climbs through the fences

Male Upland Goose – common on the islands

Brand new Landrovers waiting delivery

Anchorage for fair weather sailers.

The Falklands had a very British feel – friendly British accents, Landrovers everywhere, Pubs serving Ale and money bearing pictures of the Queen.

ANTARCTICA

Posted on February 26, 2019 by splashingpaint

Heading South from the tip of South America, we crossed, an oddly calm, Drake Passage and continued down into the Antarctic Peninsular. We had a number of sea days with no land in sight, but much bird and marine life to observe between painting sessions.

Once into the Antarctic Peninsular Icebergs drifted by as we passed through unimaginably spectacular scenery

Cape Petrels

Giant Petrel

Wandering Albertros

Scientists from one of the research stations boarding the Zaandam for lectures

Argentine research station

Chilean research station – surrounded by penguins

Our painting room on the Zaandam had huge windows, so as we worked, we could watch the landscape drift by.

NORTH TO SCOTLAND

Posted on October 5, 2018 by splashingpaint

Following our workshop in the South of England, Dianne and I hired a car and set off north to Scotland via Wales and the East coast of England. We set off in fine, sunny weather, but part way through Wales things turned damp and cool, gradually deteriorating to wet and cold as we headed North into Scotland. This change in the weather made walking unpleasant, but the dramatic skies, fog and wet landscape sure made for some great photographs.

Exmoor Ponies

Young Exmoor Pony

North West across the water.

Bottom of the hill – Robin Hood’s Bay

Whitby Abbey

Forgotten Hull – Boddin Point

Bayside Cottage

Boddin Point Fisherman’s Hut

Stonehaven Sunrise

Across the Moorings – Stonehaven

Along The Shorehead Road – Stonehaven

Dunnottar Castle

Last Drinks – Lovat Arms Hotel – Beauly

Blanket Clouds
Winding down the mountain

Eilean Donan Castle

Eilean Donan Castle

Eilean Donan Castle

Small holes in the sky

Clearing

CORNWALL & THE COTSWOLDS

Posted on September 20, 2018 by splashingpaint

What a treat to have two weeks painting in Cornwall and The Cotswolds. Beautiful little villages, quaint stone buildings, historic old fishing ports and, amazingly, fantastic weather!

Rowing Boats – Stratford_Upon_Avon

Arden Hotel

Early morning – Cotswold country side

Painting in a meadow – Stow-on-the-Wold

Hobbit door – Stow on the Wold

Cotswolds – thatched roofs and stone walls

Horse trail through the woods

Castle Combe

Painting at Dartmouth Harbour

Dartmouth

Dartmouth as the tide goes out.

Ploughed fields and hedges

Painting on the jetty at Polperro

Polperro Harbour

Fishing boats – Polperro

Mevagissey Harbour

This beautiful old fishing boat was to be our painting subject, but the thought of being scrutinised by 20 painters was too much. She sailed off just as we were about to start!

Clouds over Mevegissey

Small boats ferrying visitors to St Michael’s Mount at high tide.

St Michael’s Mount

Painting from the Hoe, Plymouth – From here, Sir Francis Drake watched the Spanish Armada drift past the mouth of the harbour as he finished his game of bowls.

Dining in Plymouth

Plymouth moped

Plymouth Prawn

Splashing Paint

Paintings, photograph's and thoughts of a wandering artist

Category Archives: Travel

ROCKS AND BOABS

KAKADU

ARGENTINA

FALKLAND ISLANDS

ANTARCTICA

NORTH TO SCOTLAND

CORNWALL & THE COTSWOLDS

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