Leaves From My Sketchbooks. 51. Meathouse, Glen Helen, West MacDonnell Ranges, Australia

Glen Helen, like an oasis, is a destination. It's a spot recognizable as civilized in a very uncivilized desert-like moon-scape. This is its century old meathouse which, I guess, must have been where they stored meat before refrigerators were installed. I imagine that the thatch insulated it to some extent but I shudder to think what the meat might have been like in Glen Helen's oppressive heat.

As far as I was concerned it represented something draw-able in a place that offered few satisfactory subjects for pen and ink.


© DON DONOVAN. donovan@ihug.co.nz 
www. don-donovan.blogspot.co.nz
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Leaves From My Sketchbooks. 50. Glen Helen Gorge, West MacDonnell Ranges, Australia

The Australian landscape is a challenge for any artist, especially in black and white with no references such as buildings to give scale. This ordinary looking scene is extraordinary because in outback Australia water is a rare sight. As I drew this my photographer companion was about 30-40 metres up those rock bluffs on the right, carrying camera and tripod to get 'the shot'.

Me, I don't climb. I like to be where I would finish up if I did.

© DON DONOVAN. donovan@ihug.co.nz 
www. don-donovan.blogspot.co.nz
.