06.25
WED 25TH June 2014 – FORTNIGHTLY GET-TOGETHER OF THE BRAG TRADE ART GROUP (BUNDABERG AUSTRALIA).
A chilly morning by Aussie standards – rugged up in jumpers – headed to Elliott Heads beach near Bundaberg – 3 of us made it today – Julie S., Jacky, and me – for some plein air outdoor painting. Gaye was unavailable – has a lot on her plate with an exhibition of some of her works in Brisbane this weekend. We set up behind the Kiosk – soon to be demolished by the council.
Tackled my portable French easel as usual – need an engineering degree to unfold it – but the more I use it the more I become a bit more adept. What to paint at the beach? Again,almost horizontal stripes of beach, sea and sky of course! Funny, I don’t get tired of doing just that – as it comes out different every time (so far). These outings are my art therapy – leave the marker pens at home and freeform it – simple and quick.
Lunchtime – fish and chips at the kiosk, great. Yes, the kiosk is to be demolished as a new community centre has been built uphill, away from the foreshore. Jacky lamented it was a pity it couldn’t be retained as an art gallery or similar. But then, the area is to be made into a “nature reserve” and even the car park to be ripped up for that. So if Council does it right, it might be a good thing.
PHOTOS BELOW: 1. The Brag Trade’s art site – Julie (L) & Jacky. 2. Small privacy fence behind the kiosk. 3. Me, with finished mini-painting. Yes, that is a smile. 4. Old fence post nearby. 5. Three of The Brag Trade who made it today – Dennis Mealor, Julie Sweeney & Jacky Poulter, leaning against the sea and sky on the back wall of the kiosk. 6. That fence again, close-up.
7. Elliott Heads kiosk, soon to be demolished. Our painting site was behind this – kitsch, but quaint. 8. My painting – Elliott Heads beach and rocks.