'New Zealand Odyssey', published in 1989 by Heinemann, was authored by me, Don Donovan (who did the text and illustrations) and Euan Sarginson, who did the photography and design. In this series of blog posts, I will publish some of my drawings.
The Tophouse road runs between St. Arnaud and Kohatu. It used to be the main connexion between Nelson and Blenheim but now it's an interesting secondary route. Tophouse homestead started life as a hostelry in 1887 and much history took place within its walls, some of it grim. In 1894 a lodger murdered the licensee and held a woman three childen captive before doing the sensible thing and committing suicide while besieged. Exciting stuff: there are still shot marks in the cob walls.
There was a lowering sky when I painted it. I probably overdid it but there's plenty of drama in that Payne's grey sky!
© DON DONOVAN
donovan@ihug.co.nz
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