(inspired by Dorothea Mackellar’s poem, “The Colours of Light”)
© 2023 1016 x 761mm (42 x30”) / Acrylic
Back in the early 1900s Dorothea Mackellar wondered how best to explain to her English friends the unique light and vibrant colours of her beloved homeland, Australia. So, she put pen to paper and wrote “The Colours of Light.” Dorothea writes, “These are the hues of the land I love”. In her poem she lovingly lists the rich colours of the Australian landscape, such a contrast to the English countryside. Reading her poem set me wondering: where are these unique colours best seen in Australia? Immediately I thought of the Australian outback. That is why I have chosen to paint my impression of Ormiston Gorge in the Northern Territory. This area has all the colours that Dorothea mentions in her poem. I join with Dorothea Mackellar in saying, “These are the hues of the land I love.”