Undara Album

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SAQA Oceania group gathering



(L-R) Mel Forrest, Brenda Gael Smith, me, Lisa Walton, Sue Dennis, Felicity Clarke



A big thank you to Sue Dennis who hosted what we think is the largest Oceania group get-together for SAQA members held to date. Mel Forrest, Brenda Gael Smith, me, Lisa Walton, Sue and Felicity Clarke (accompanied by some of our significant others) gathered at Sue's place on Friday night to share a meal and talk art quilts. Lisa and I are the SAQA Oceania co-representatives in 2012. The annual SAQA Conference, being held jointly with the Surface Design Association,  is on later this week in Philadelphia - and I'll be blogging live from many of the events and exhibitions being held over the weekend. Thanks again to Sue and Bob for a lovely evening - something we all plan do again!

Undara inspiration

Undara provided many surprises including a range of fungi we'd never seen before. The size of the "mushroom" was larger than  a dinner plate - and WMBM let me borrow his foot for a bit of perspective. 

Also loved the bark on the gums - which is thick and "woolly" around the base of the trees to afford protection from fires, but disappears to reveal smooth, creamy trunks above the flame line. The layered pieces of bark made me think of ways to give texture and depth to an art quilt. The trees of the Savannah woodland are evidence of adaptation at its best - and the possibilities for  Shiva rubbings are endless.

The small pink capped mushrooms (below) were found by accident - peering into the cavity of a felled tree stump. Luscious pink on a pastel stalk lying in the wood dirt. The Collins family, who created Undura from part of their large cattle station (ranch), have really gifted something exquisite that is accessible to everyone. 

The dining area at Undara is framed by old railway carriages and provides a lovely quiet spot for sketching and quiet times.  Kane and the staff are wonderful - great home style meals, cold beer and they provide a restful place where nothing is a problem. The kookaburras and currawong are experts at stealing food from the end of a fork, or plate  - they are persisitent and patient!

Guided tours from experienced professionals, self-guided bush walks or simply resting quietly on the verandah listening to the bush - there's everything, and nothing, to do at Undara.

Adventures in March

Well I survived almost an entire month without Internet access and lived to tell the tale. Had some incredible times up north with WMBM at Undara near Mount Surprise on the edge of the Gulf-Savannah that is Far North Queensland. Then an almost underwater weekend with Liz on Fitzroy Island where men leaped off the end of the jetty to be scooped up by the rising front of the boat in rough, cyclonic seas. I now have an understanding of "green around the gills" and don't recommend it ... ginger tablets or not.  Had some wet and humid days on the coastline, followed by glorious blue skies up around Undara (about 4 hours drive west of Cairns off the Kennedy Highway). Have descended into lava tube caves, and scrambled across a kilometre of slippery rocks to stand on a coral beach. Unforgettable days and now at home for a few days before heading off to Philadelphia and the SAQA Conference! Must find my passport .... and while I look, a few snaps from Undara

Railway carriages for accommodation

Black faced wallaby

Moon overhead

Breakfast terrorists ... swooping kookaburras

Water droplets fall  inside the lava tubes

World Quilt 2012 is here



It is that time of the year again when Australian quilters can enter the 2012 World Quilt Competition. Sue Dennis is again coordinating entries and the prospect of showcasing our traditional and innovative quilter's on the world stage is nothing short of exciting.  Entry forms are now available for downloading from Sue’s website.

The first venue for the World Quilt Show is in Manchester, New Hampshire, New England USA. All entered quilts are judged and many cash prizes are awarded, including Best of Country and Best of Show. There is also a separate section for traditional and innovative entries.  Quilts then tour 3 other prestigious quilt festivals in Pennsylvania, California and Florida before being returned to their owners.  Last year was a real learning experience for me - and  my 2011 entry was the recipient of great feedback on how I might improve both technique and overall composition in my art quilts.

The closing date for 2012 entries is May 20.  For more details contact Sue Dennis and best wishes for your entry.

This quilt  is my interpretation of a  Mornington Island Sunset - a pixelated view of the electric reds and oranges that signal the end of the day - and where, in winter,  pythons seek the last of the day's warmth from the edge of the bitumen.  I used cadastral mapping for the quilt lines showing the area around Gununa township and the small strait that separates Mornington from Denham Island.  Mark making on the surface of the land - mark making on the surface of the cloth - I feel such a strong connection to and respect for the land and place that is Mornington Island. (Mornington Island and the Wellesley Islands are located in the base of the Gulf of Carpentaria, Far North Queensland)