Blog

I experimented and tried something out, on a new YouTube channel for positive aging stories. I'd love to hear what you think in the YouTube comments. https://youtu.be/FATbrNntllQ It's a short 2-minute video. #age #AgeOfAgeingBetter Reg and I had fun remembering this moment.

I'm striving to organize my twin, demanding muses. Writer muse gets day time until 8pm. Artist muse gets the night. So turning computer off & putting on the art smock NOW. :-)
My vlogs are where both muses talk to each other.
May artist author website is http://www.RynShell.com

#art #Flowers

Rizal is the birthplace of good friend of mine, Grant Leishamn. I designed this book cover for him. aI have also had the opportunity to paint in these locations of natural beauty and to enjoy the unsophisticated lifestyle.

Rizal is a suburb of Mindoro which is often called, the “forgotten island”. This is what my friend Grant Leishman has to say about Rizal.

"It seems like time has stood still there and much of the twenty-first century has passed it by. The roads, even the main road down the western coast of the island were appalling, the first time we traversed it, with enormous potholes and roadworks everywhere. I’m pleased to say it has improved over the last few years, but still, the juxtaposition between the hustle and bustle of a modern, westernised city like Manila and the rural backwater that is Rizal, is something that always strikes me."

A number of Grant Leishman's novels have been set in the Philippines, and one of his stories; Just A Drop in the Ocean is set in the tiny village of Rizal in Occidental Mindoro.

"Geographically, Rizal covers quite a large area, from the coastline of the West Philippine Sea, right through to the base of the spine of mountains that splits Mindoro in two. Rizal, although technically listed as a third-class municipality, is, rather than one single town, a collection of small villages separated by valleys as you head from the coast to the mountains. The village where my wife grew up is actually called Rizal, but to distinguish it from the other parts of greater Rizal, it is often referred to as Limlim.

"To get to Limlim from the main road is no easy task. It involves climbing two fairly large hills and dropping down into the subsequent valley.

​"The road is predominately metal, and although drivable in the dry season, when the wet season hits, it can quickly become a quagmire and impassable.

"Nothing, it seems, has changed much in fifty odd years. It really is like a time warp has kept this serene valley the way it has always been. Oh yes, I know there are a few cars around and many residents now have satellite television, but still, there is an ambiance and atmosphere about the picturesque place, that I’ve rarely seen elsewhere.

"The locals are hard-workers, with many still surviving by semi-subsistence farming and there is little time for the pleasures of life for these people. My father-in-law at 78, still visits and works on his farm regularly and every morning he fulfills his daily routine of sweeping up the fallen leaves from the large property, before burning the rubbish. There is a real rhythm to life there, that is still dictated by the rise and fall of the sun and the seasons.

"There is not a lot of spare money for luxuries or celebrations, so when there is one, the people tend to go all out to enjoy it. Weddings, Significant Birthdays, the Annual Town Fiesta and yes, even funerals are reasons to relax, let loose and imbibe freely. If you’re lucky, there will even be a goat or a pig donated to roast over the open fire. Although I’m not a great fan of watching the poor animal being slaughtered and prepared for the fire, I am one of the first in the line when the food is ready to eat. There is nothing quite as delightful as Lechon Baboy (roasted pig) cooked over an open fire, with the succulent fat, the crispy skin, and the, oh so luscious meat. It’s definitely not good for the waistline, but oh, so good for the soul."

Grant Leishman lives in the middle of Metro Manila, a thriving, bustling city of some fifteen million people. The traffic is horrendous, the heat is stifling and the throngs of people, at times, overwhelming. Aside from being an author he is a skilled proof reader. I'd be happy to pass along his contact details if you need a proof reader. You can contact me by joining my newsletter mailing list.

Again, in Grant's words:
"To have a place to head, like Rizal, Occidental Mindoro, to unwind, to relax and to just be, is one of the true benefits of living here. Yes, I love the beaches here and there are none of those in Limlim, but what there is, is peace, tranquillity and a pace of life that we’ve all but, sadly forgotten.

Oh yes, there are also one million mosquitoes per square inch there (just kidding), but for me, our regular trips “home” to see Papang and the rest of the family, help keep me grounded and sane. For me, it’s like a week at a health spa and I return to Manila, invigorated and ready to face the battle once again. We all need that place of respite, where we can let it all hang out and just be. For me, it is Rizal, Occidental Mindoro, the Philippines."
End quote.

My art career have provided wonderful opportunities to travel and meet with other creative people.
I loved creating the cover for Grant Leishman's novel, A Drop in the Ocean.
Book cover design is one of my specialties.

Best wishes, and happy creativity to you.:-)

My Australian rural-lit books are available at http://www.rural-lit.com and you will discover Grant Leishman's novels set in the Philippines on Amazon.


Cheers, Ryn.

I have blogged on the InkPour.com website about how dye absorption through the skin is one of the reasons why those working in the industries that use dyes have a higher prevalence of bladder cancer than the general population. In those industries, the unions and the health inspectors ensure safe as possible handling.

Artists do not have health inspectors checking how they work, so they have a responsibility to themselves and their family to use best safety practices. You don't 'catch' cancer by getting dye on your skin today.

You cannot see the effects of gradual poisoning. The accumulative effect of getting dye on your skin will predispose you to get certain types of cancer, and that might take ten years to show up. You won't see the ill effects while you are playing in your art mediums.

Just don't deliberately put known poisons and carcinogens on your skin for the love of art, when you can so easily avoid doing so.

On this subject, I hope no one pours resins or acetone in the house with children breathing the air, or fires a ceramic kiln in the laundry. It's unfortunate that safety instructions are often confined to the small print where art materials are concerned.

Have you experienced unsafe working environments in art studios or art schools?
I recall many silica dust filled ceramic classes and students drinking coffee while working with cadmium glazes.

Art is such a joy; we need to protect ourselves to ensure we have an extended life to enjoy it.

I would love reading your comments on this topic.

Best wishes, and happy creativity to you.

My Australian rural-lit books are available at http://www.rural-lit.com 
Cheers, Ryn.

This portrait of David is one that I painted in pastel pencils during my years as the resident artist at the award-winning Buninyong Gallery near Ballarat, Victoria, Australia.

The wonderful things about being a trained artist and author are that your talent will earn you an income no matter where you reside in the world. I also visited San Fransisco on several occasions, taking commissioned Australian landscape to clients there and visiting such beautiful locations to paint as Yosemite in California, and then heading off with my husband and young family to paint in the islands of the South Pacific.

Art and writing have combined to provide me with a wonderful career which involved meeting wonderful people and visiting places most only dream of seeing.

It would be harder for genuine trained artists these days as computer technology makes it difficult for art collectors to tell the difference between an actual painting and paint or pen touched up photocopy.

I now video myself creating my art as proof of authenticity, or I'll paint a work in a masterclass situation as a demonstration for other artists. I'll always have a witness to confirm my work is art and not a photo manipulation. I love to see the brushwork and the process of creating the art. I love art that sets itself aside from a photo and becomes so much more. Even so, I've enjoyed all of the realist portrait commissions I've painted during my gallery exhibiting years.
A realist portrait such as this would have represented a month's work. Writing a novel, or a series of novellas takes me a year. Tonight I'm working on a small portrait of a caboodle using alcohol ink pens.

As I am a septuagenarian and settled into my rural retreat with its expansive views across the Goulburn Valley in Australia, I now have the luxury of writing the novels I desire to and not what publisher's demand, and I can paint for the sheer joy of the creative process and please myself if I'm choosing to accept commissions or not. I tell younger people who are struggling with a mortgage and putting their children through university, that life will get easier. I've loved every stage of my life, but these. my senior years are the most rewarding.

Life is more straightforward and infinitely enjoyable after sixty years of hard work which got me to this stage where I could retire comfortably if I chose. I choose to keep working. I have loved, and I still love every moment of my creative life. Yes, life is good.

Happy creativity.

My Australian rural-lit books are available at http://www.rural-lit.com
Cheers, Ryn.

I regularly travelled through this sheep grazing district when returning south from an annual art exhibition and painting tour that began in Adelaide at Easter, then returned home for a mother's Day exhibition in Ballarat at our Buninyong Gallery.

Following these South Australian and Victoria exhibitions, I packed a trailer with art and took the exhibition inland on tour through Charleville, Cloncurry, Mount Isa, Alice Springs, Katherine and in Darwin. Any stock that I had remaining after the Darwin show, I donated to charity. Then I'd go to the Darwin airport to pick my husband Reg up, who had been working hard, running the Buninyong Gallery while I had fun on tour, and we holidayed all the way home, taking in the wonders of the Northern Territory of Australia.

Sigh, wonderful memories. We would tour through the outback seeing all the national parks and wilderness places.

Wilmington was close to where we turned east to return to, and re-open our Buninyong Gallery for Spring exhibitions, with an exhibition in the cities of Sydney or Melbourne close to Christmas.

We followed this run for many years, loving the lifestyle, and occasionally I'd exhibit and paint further afield in the United States. Eager to discover Western Australia, we closed Buninyong Gallery and took our art exhibiting and painting tour on a wider circuit of the country for many years, before retiring from personal appearances at art exhibitions,so that I could write full-time and complete my novels.

The painting is in naturally soft, early morning in the bush tones. Museum quality prints are available.
Can you hear the magpie chorus I listened to as I camped here for a few days while painting this?
The original has sold. I was delighted that it has gone to a long time collector of my originals where I know that it will be treasured. As 'retired from meeting clients face-to-face, one of my adult daughters arranged the viewing and assisted the client make her selection from the half-dozen available works. Having grown family following your footsteps is terrific. One of my granddaughters is a talented author.

Best wishes, and happy creativity to you.:-)

My Australian rural-lit books are available at http://www.rural-lit.com
Cheers, Ryn.

The image shows the step-by-step creation of the Life Is a Beach Artwork.

If I knew how to add multiple images to these blogs or even the art demonstration videos I would. If any reader can advise me how I could do that, I'd be most appreciative. You can see some of my step-by-step artwork at http://www.InkPour.com and http://gray-nomad.com

I am not sure who had more fun creating this original artwork, me or the a local from La Jolla Beach, Southern California who watched me create this original artwork. Designer giftware and museum quality prints are now available from this art work.

Best wishes, and happy creativity to you.:-)

My Australian rural-lit books are available at http://www.rural-lit.com
Cheers, Ryn.

Life was easy-going in the 1960’s and community events, especially in inland country towns were only lightly regulated. It was easy to hold a community event. There were few, if any, licences to apply for and little likelihood of a safety inspection.

For visitors to that town, an unfenced, roadside, grassy-strip without a “Trespassers Will Be Prosecuted” sign and the sound of a running creek just a few yards away, with a perfect log seat, was the perfect invitation to wander over and sit down. I did just that, and got out my sketch book and watercolours to create the on-site studies for the larger. studio completed, painting at the top of this blog post.

There was a Gymkhana in the town. I sat on the log, blissfully content painting in the open-air. In the distance I could hear a man on a megaphone instructing the riders. I tuned the noise out, focused on my painting, seeking solitude, with just me and the empty paddock, (field) and the creek as my view.

It became harder to block the noisy man and that megaphone out. He was shrieking into it.

His screams finally got through my tranquil mood — and at last I heard:
“Girl on the Horse Jump! GET OFF! The horses are coming!"

~~~

I have illustrated this with one af my favourite watercolours of the area.
Prints and gifts are available in the store.

I travel extensively to draw inspiration for my paintings and writing from life experience.
You will discover my Australian rural-lit novels at www.rural-lit.com

​Ryn Shell.

L. Scott Pendlebury or Laurence Scott Pendlebury (seen above with student, c early 1950s) (21 April 1914 – May 1986) was an Australian landscape and portrait artist and my first serious teacher.

In 1951, after working full-full time for three years while homeschooling myself, from the age of eight, I arrived to enrol in tuition from Mr. Laurie Pendlebury (four times Archibald Prize finalist), and seen here with a student working on portrait painting, circa 1950. He told me (age eleven) that he did not teach children. I looked him in the eye with determination and announced, "I am not a child."
I then told him that I had earned every penny of my tuition fee myself, and he accepted me into this class.

Pendlebury won the Wynne Prize four times for his landscape paintings with The Chicory Kiln, Phillip Island (1956), Constitution Dock, Hobart (1957), Old Farmhouse (1960, shared with John Perceval's Dairy Farm, Victoria) and Road to Whistlewood (1968). He was a finalist in the Archibald Prize twenty-four times, including Nornie Gude (Artist) (1944) and Anne and Drew Pendlebury (actress and musician respectively) (1979). His work was presented in the state galleries of New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria. Pendlebury worked at Swinburne Technical College as an instructor from 1946 to 1963 and then as head of the art school until his retirement in 1974. He died in May 1986, aged 72.

Thank you, Laurie, you were my first high standard art tutor. Today, nearing 71 myself, I return to teaching fine art from my private retreat in the Goulburn Valley, using the modern convenience of online connection.

I travel extensively to draw inspiration for my paintings and writing from life experience.
You will discover my Australian rural-lit novels at www.rural-lit.com

​Ryn Shell.

I am in awe at the courage of and admire for, the men and women who serve the community as firefighters.

Have you ever volunteered for service with the Country Fire Authority, or considered a career as a professional firefighter?

Volunteer CFA members are not only those who fight the fires; there is an extensive range of interesting jobs, volunteers can do.

There are many ways that Volunteers can make a valuable contribution to the community. CFA welcomes different people with different skills to meet a wide variety of community needs.

Firefighting Roles

Firefighter

Incident Controller

Pump Operator

Crew Leader

Communication roles

Special skilled roles including chainsaw operation and breathing apparatus

Non-Firefighting Roles

Brigades In Schools presenters & other community education programs

Brigade administration roles

Administration support roles in Incident Control Centres

Leaders for Juniors program

Media and public relations

Fundraising activities

Community events

I once was part of a crew who went into a valley community threatened by fire coming down the mountain towards them, to collect all the dogs we could fit in an ambulance so we could take them to board in fire safe areas. I played a small role, in the bushfire management, but one that gave me enormous satisfaction.

Often volunteers wish to move on and become professional.
Career Firefighting.

The Country Fire Authority in Australia is currently seeking applications from people interested in becoming career firefighters.

Australia and the USA have a cooperative agreement to share fire-fighting resources.


Experienced firefighters over 24 years of age may be interested in Fire Service Training, the online Bachelor of Arts in Fire Service Administration through the Lewis University in Illinois, U.S. Lewis University has been named one of the “Best Colleges “by U.S. News and World Report for five consecutive years.

The online Bachelor of Arts in Fire service Administration from Lewis University is an ideal way for career firefighters to advance their careers by gaining management skills specific to the field. Training is available to international students, with students from thirty different countries, represented on campus.

We had a dream drive from Hervey Bay to Marlborough, Queensland, Australia today.

Here I am adding to the graffiti mural at the invitation of the Marlborough Hotel tonight. I'm adding my name to the internal walls of this country pub which has become my office for the evening.

Travellers can camp overnight in the hotel carpark for a modest cost.

I travel extensively to draw inspiration for my paintings and writing from life experience.
You will discover my Australian rural-lit novels at www.rural-lit.com

I am back from the Leisurefest with photos and ideas to share.

Firstly, I want to show the one caravan that I am voting the BEST new caravan on the block.

This caravan is not for everyone but it services the need of a large section of the population. I am talking about, the ->

Accessavan. Wheelchair accessible caravans.

It is about time too.

The Accessible Caravans have been designed for people in wheelchairs by people in wheelchairs. I hope to see quite a few of these on the road, on our next Australian tour.

I’m very happy to ‘plug’ this product as I admire good design and fulfilment of need.

The accessavan has a fully accessible, wheel –in toilet/shower.

Their brochure says

ACCESS & EQUITY = INDEPENDENCE & DIGNITY

There is a range of options including slide out ramps, hydrolic ramps and lifts.

Custom bed heights, custom made mattress.

Overbed ceiling hoists and hooks

Wide wheelchair turning area.

Folding tables and seats,

Handrails fitted everywhere.

Low bench heights.

Caravans built to your individual needs.

Phone (03)9407 1230

Visit the website for all the latest news, photo gallery, show and events where you can see this innovative well designed special needs caravan. www.accessavan.com.au

This was NOT a paid add or review by accessavan, I was genuinely impressed by the design and love helping get the information ‘out there’, that the nomad way f life is now accessible to even more people.

Near the Accessavan display is a caravan insurance advice van. Reg and I found it pays to shop around rather than just insuring your caravan with the firm recommended by the caravan salespeople. I like to find out as much as I can before speaking directly, face to face with insurance representatives.

We had a dream drive from Hervey Bay to Marlborough, Queensland, Australia today.

Here I am adding to the graffiti mural at the invitation of the Marlborough Hotel tonight. I'm adding my name to the internal walls of this country pub which has become my office for the evening.

Travellers can camp overnight in the hotel carpark for a modest cost.

I travel extensively to draw inspiration for my paintings and writing from life experience.
You will discover my Australian rural-lit novels at www.rural-lit.com

Time to Smell the Roses, paint, write novels, blog and create video art demonstrations and non-fiction books to teach what I know following a sixty-year successful creative life. But, I'm not done doing as yet, and even though I'm a septuagenarian who no longer needs to work, I never plan on retiring. Another floral masterpiece and a historical fiction novel set in the Third French Empire are both taking shape in my studio. That is why I need to stay connected with others and maintain my life in balance by stopping to smell the roses.

If you check out my art prints, you will see that I paint roses from nature. I grow them in my studio garden. Gardening gives me exercise and is an excellent balance for the many hours a day that I spend writing novels. Today, I am striving to enjoy a balanced life by taking time out to smell the roses.

I love living close to nature.

I surround our home with blooming and edible plants and use plants to climate control, large spreading deciduous trees and creepers cool us in summer and allow the sun to stream in through the windows during the winter months.

I trust my intuitiveness, and while I practice time management principles that have helped me through a busy and productive life, I go with the flow and my feelings wherever possible. I relax and enjoy life. and my spirit is fulfilled through creative endeavour.

Enjoy this pictures of my garden with me. If you know how I could add additional photographs and also a video link to improve this, and my future blogs, I'd be most appreciative if you would let me know.

If you wish to see some of my more developed blogs, check out http://www.inkpour.com which I work along with guest bloggers. It won the Michelle Bridges best blog award. My travel and lifestyle blog is http://www.gray-nomad.com

As you can see by those blogs, I have been blogging for a decade. Problogger has been my adviser during that time. I completed the Thirty Days to a Better Blog initial training a decade ago. I have continued my training in blogging. I'm a novelist, but each aspect of writing is unique, the same as you need different training for each medium of art.

If you wish to be more knowledgeable about blogging, I'd highly recommend https://problogger.com as a starting point. I'm always happy to pass along my knowledge to others, With a sixty-year career as a professional artist and published author behind me, it's time for me to share. If I could add videos to this blog, I would add in some art demonstrations.

There are many ways that you can write blogs. There are few right ways and wrong ways, just blogger preference. I have a love for nature and travel and an interest in country life, and as you can see, my cottage garden. All of these things will spill over into my blog for I'm not striving to write with formality, or as an authoritarian expert on a subject here. I save the tutoring for non-fiction books I write in a pet name, Here is where I can invite my reader into my surroundings and online studio to share the experiences with me. So for those who are wondering what to expect of me, I'll take this relaxed, chatty style on these blogs.

Today, I come here to share the rose blooms on my arbor, and with my mind racing with excitement at the prospect of painting them, and sharing the video of that painting on blogs that allow a video uplift. Unlike with my novels which are heavily edited, I write my blogs, fresh in first draft thoughts. Feel welcome to comment. I'll strive to reply to all friendly comments. I'm not going to reply again to someone suggesting that I should only blog once a month. ;-) One does wonder about the intentions of another wishing you would go and hide. True artists and authors aren't like that, we are all generous by nature and encourage creativity.

Best wishes, and happy creativity to you.:-)

My Australian rural-lit books are available at http://www.rural-lit.com
cheers, Ryn.

George Carlin on age 102.
(Absolutely Brilliant)

Do you realise that the only time in our lives when we like to get old is when we're kids? If you're less than 10 years old, you're so excited about ageing that you think in fractions.

'How old are you?' 'I'm four and a half!' You're never thirty-six and a half. You're four and a half, going on five! That's the key

You get into your teens, now they can't hold you back... You jump to the next number, or even a few ahead.

'How old are you?' 'I'm gonna be 16!' You could be 13, but hey, you're gonna be 16! And then the greatest day of your life .... . You become 21. Even the words sound like a ceremony. YOU BECOME 21. YESSSS!!!

But then you turn 30. Oooohh, what happened there? Makes you sound like bad milk! He TURNED; we had to throw him out. There's no fun now, you're Just a sour-dumpling. What's wrong? What's changed?

You BECOME 21, you TURN 30, then you're PUSHING 40......... Whoa! Put on the brakes, it's all slipping away. Before you know it, you REACH 50 and your dreams are gone.

But wait!!! You MAKE it to 60. You didn't think you would!

So you BECOME 21, TURN 30, PUSH 40, REACH 50 and MAKE it to 60.

You've built up so much speed that you HIT 70! After that it's a day-by-day thing; you HIT Wednesday!

You get into your 80's and every day is a complete cycle; you HIT lunch; you TURN 4:30 ; you REACH bedtime. And it doesn't end there Into the 90s, you start going backwards; 'I Was JUST 92.'

Then a strange thing happens. If you make it over 100, you become a little kid again. 'I'm 100 and a half!'
May you all make it to a healthy 100 and a half!!

HOW TO STAY YOUNG

1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height. Let the doctors worry about them... That is why you pay 'them'

2. Keep only cheerful friends...... The grouches pull you down.

3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain idle. 'An idle mind is the devil's workshop.' And the devil's name is Alzheimer's.

4. Enjoy the simple things.

5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.

6. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person, who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive.

7. Surround yourself with what you love, whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, and hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.

8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.

9. Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county; to a foreign country but NOT to where the guilt is.

10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

~~~

I travel extensively to draw inspiration for my paintings and writing from life experience.
You will discover my Australian rural-lit novels at www.rural-lit.com

​Ryn Shell.

There is blogging potential in every day. Photo is Reg and Valentine assembling the watercolour painting table.

Valentine and tabby kitten can sit up there and watch me paint—and hopefully not come and paint with me.

~~~

I travel extensively to draw inspiration for my paintings and writing from life experience.
You will discover my Australian rural-lit novels at www.rural-lit.com

​Ryn Shell.

I plan to watercolour paint, once I've completed my day's writing. Any requests?

​This is Lake Wondouree near Ballarat.

I am giving myself quite a challenge for 2017 as I'll strive to both paint and write,
As both are labour intensive, and I have fitness and life goals, this will be a challenge.

​Today is my first day at having done a full day's writing, some exercise, and then turning to art in the evening. I'm keen to make this routine work.

Lake Wendouree
Lake in Victoria, Australia
Lake Wendouree is an artificially-created and maintained shallow urban lake located adjacent to the suburb of the same name in the city of Ballarat, Victoria, Australia. Wikipedia
Area: 238 ha
Length: 2 km
Surface elevation: 450 m
Shore length: 6 km
Shore length1: 6 km (3.7 mi)
Cities: Ballarat

~~~

I travel extensively to draw inspiration for my paintings and writing from life experience.
You will discover my Australian rural-lit novels at www.rural-lit.com

​Ryn Shell.

I painted a tonal impressionist, Alla Prima rose tonight, with two cats keeping me company.

Valentine watching me on my right and Tabby kitten watching on my left. I must have taken at least thirty progress photos to put together a film clip, to show the progress—while I wait for video equipment to arrive. But, the iPhone hasn't sent the photos. It I seems that either the phone is not working properly or our internet isn't powerful enough.

As I cannot show the oil painting that I painted tonight, this is Just Joey, painted in watercolour pencils created one lazy afternoon while sitting chatting in the garden with a friend.

~~~

I travel extensively to draw inspiration for my paintings and writing from life experience.
You will discover my Australian rural-lit novels at www.rural-lit.com

​Ryn Shell.

"Is it laying or lying?

The variation in US, UK and AU English has me using both a US and a UK editor for my Australian novels, to ensure everything is understood in context.
Anyhow, this Aussie lady is laying back with feet up watching the other half work at setting up my studio.

~~~

I travel extensively to draw inspiration for my paintings and writing from life experience.
You will discover my Australian rural-lit novels at www.rural-lit.com

​Ryn Shell.

I love horses in artworks, so I have a few in my print on demand gallery. Some of the originals are on my walls, and some are in storage ready for my four grandchildren to select from when they have their homes. I do occasionally sell originals.

This painting was a three foot by four foot, and it is oil on stretched Belgian linen canvas, the museum-quality prints are available to order.

“The horses by the dam” by Ryn Shell. This work was painted in the year I was invited to exhibit in Sydney with other artists, who like me had been chosen as Australia’s top ten artists. I think this was in my late, forties and early in my years as owner, artist of Buninyong Gallery.

~~~~

I travel extensively to draw inspiration for my paintings and writing from life experience.
You will discover my Australian rural-lit novels at www.rural-lit.com

​Ryn Shell.

I am sitting beside a riverbank completing one of the most significant painting projects of my life.
I am writing a novel; painting with words.
This had been a goal of mine since I was thirteen-years-old. It is what I wish to do now.


Samuel Ullman (April 13, 1840 – March 21, 1924) was an American businessman, poet, humanitarian. He is best known today for his poem Youth

Youth is not a time of life - it is a state of mind.
It is a temper of the will; a quality of the imagination;
a vigor of the emotions;
it is a freshness of the deep springs of life.

Youth means a temperamental predominance of courage over timidity,
of the appetite for adventure over a life of ease...
Nobody grows old by merely living a number of years;
people grow old by deserting their ideals."

~Samuel Ullman

~~~I travel extensively to draw inspiration for my paintings and writing from life experience.
You will discover my Australian rural-lit novels at www.rural-lit.com

​Ryn Shell.

While teaching today, I pulled out my on location painted oil work of Nanga Bay in Western Australia and hazed the distance, increasing the feeling of aerial perspective and finishing the artwork. On the left is a close up on the right the work photographed by night light.

I returned to Western Australia the paint regularly.

~~~

I travel extensively to draw inspiration for my paintings and writing from life experience.
You will discover my Australian rural-lit novels at www.rural-lit.com

​Ryn Shell.

What a great subject this would make for an artist to paint.

Tomorrow, Parks Victoria staff will be joined by the volunteers with the Victorian High Country Huts Association, the Ritchie family, local schools, and members of the community to celebrate the completion of Ritchie’s Hut. The hut was rebuilt after the original was lost in the Great Divide Fires of 2006-07. The decision to rebuild the hut followed close consultation with the community and was based on the high social, cultural and refuge values of the original hut.

“Rebuilding of the famous High Country Hut started in May 2008,” said Parks Victoria Ranger Chris Clarke. “It was a labour of love for many of us. It was also a lot of hard work.”

“This was a true community effort. So many people were more than willing to pitch in whether it was with materials, services, or their time. We are extremely grateful for the fantastic efforts of volunteers from the Victorian High Country Hut Association, trail-riding groups, scouts, venturers and school groups who contributed over 2,500 hours to the project. ”
The original Ritchie’s Hut was built by the Ritchie family in 1947 at the junction of 14 Mile Creek and the Howqua River, near Mansfield. The hut was built with materials from the surrounding land, with timber for the walls and roof cut and shaped by hand from nearby trees.

Ken Birch, President of the Victorian High Country Hut Association, said that many of the traditional techniques were kept alive in the rebuilding of the hut. “We’ve seen a lot of the materials used in Ritchie’s Hut carried up on pack horse. It’s great to see everyone involved in the rebuilding embracing the heritage of the huts in the Alpine National Park.”

Parks Victoria’s Chris Clarke said many weekends were spent prefabricating the hut at the Blackbird Hut depot in the Howqua Hills Historic Area.

“Volunteers sourced timber from local forests, which they cut into slabs using a traditional blade and broad axe,” said Mr Clarke. “The hut was then dismantled and transported to 8 Mile Flat, where pieces of the hut were carried in by hand, pack horse and helicopter.”

“Although the hut’s remote location created some problems for the builders, it also gave the volunteers a taste of what life was like for local designer Fred Fry and the Ritchie family at a time before power tools and helicopters.”

Robert Ritchie, son of founder Bob Ritchie, said that this was a fantastic day to celebrate the completion of a lot of hard work by many people. “For Dad and his friends in the 1940s, spending days on end fishing the remote areas of the Howqua was their dream. It was the reason the hut was built in the first place. We’re delighted to see that dream re-imagined by so many. I, on behalf of my family, would like to thank everyone involved. We encourage visitors to come up and enjoy the simple pleasures of one of the most picturesque areas of the park.”

~~~

I travel extensively to draw inspiration for my paintings and writing from life experience.
You will discover my Australian rural-lit novels at www.rural-lit.com

​Ryn Shell.

I was up late last night writing about a serious subject, plagiarism and recommending that people view the website Bloggers against Plagiarism, so we can learn to do more to protect our own and others, intellectual and creative copyright material.

I had a special occasion today, meeting a friend, I have known for more than a year, via a self-help forum, and I had never met her in person until today. I met her and her sister, also my friend now, and other family members.

We picnicked at the Kiama Blowhole and returned along the coast road to the beautiful strip of coastline where we are staying at the Seven Mile Beach, Tourist Park.

~~~
I travel extensively to draw inspiration for my paintings and writing from life experience.
You will discover my Australian rural-lit novels at www.rural-lit.com

​Ryn Shell.

Today I had the pleasure of meeting Australian entertainment legend Frankie J.Holden. Frankie J. Holden is an iconic, Actor, Singer, Entertainer and now a Holiday Park Owner!

Frankie J Holden told me of his plans, with partners Laurie and Di Dellavirgin and Garry and Narelle Hetherington, formerly of the acclaimed “Holiday Hub”, at Pambula, to turn an already lovely caravan park in a magnificent natural setting, into a park to be known as the “Little Park, With A BIG Heart”. Frankie J. Holden wants to bring the very best features he sees at many of the parks he is visiting in his travel show hosting, back to the Tathra Tourist Park.

We chatted about these plans he has for this park and his travel hosting role in the programme What's Up Downunder being presented by Channel 7on Saturday afternoon. This show brought the world of caravanning into viewer’s homes and was a hit with gray nomads and families alike.

The show was co-hosted, by this musician and actor Frankie J Holden and his wife Michelle Pettigrove and features their daughter Georgia and guests.

What’s Up Downunder focused on caravanning, camping, touring, self-drive and fly-drive holidays promoted through holiday parks. It will also showcased regional tourism in Australia. Staying in holiday parks had come a long way over the years, with consumers now able to choose many different product offerings from standard powered and unpowered sites for luxury spa cabins and more.
What's Up Downunder went to air on The Seven Network, including all regional affiliates on Saturdays between 4 pm and 5 pm.

~~~
I travel extensively to draw inspiration for my paintings and writing from life experience.
You will discover my Australian rural-lit novels at www.rural-lit.com

​Ryn Shell.

​I had an art student who was a florist. We struck a deal for her to pay for her art lessons in flowers. I always remember her when I view my favourite flower paintings, such as this one of asters and stocks.

All my paintings have good memories attached to them.

This image from my artwork has been added to my print-on-demand designer gifts store with Fine Art America. Online, is so much easier for me at seventy than striving to hold in person art exhibitions.

What I love about the print on demand option for my clients is that everyone can choose the colour and style of frame they wish, and the mount colours to suit their personal taste and decor.


~~~
I travel extensively to draw inspiration for my paintings and writing from life experience.
You will discover my Australian rural-lit novels at www.rural-lit.com

​Ryn Shell.

Soft pastels have always carried the risk of inhalation of the fine dust.

Modern brands made in Europe, US and Australia claim their products are currently asbestos, free. They take this information from the companies supplying the talc used in the production of the soft pastel.

Tests by the United States Mine Safety and Health Administration found asbestos in all four, supposedly asbestos free, talc samples that it tested in 2000. Asbestos was found, in Artist’s Pastels and Children’s crayons as recently as the year 2000.

It is a case of ‘Artist’s Beware,' when you work with soft pastels, as you are working with fine dust that when inhaled is harmful.
I love working in artist’s pastels. If I did not already own a kit worth thousands of dollars, I would never begin to use them, and I swear I will never buy another pastel. I currently have a little play with them, trying to decide what to do with the kit I have. My knowledge tells me I should not ever use them, the recent results of what can creatively be achieved in a quick pastel sketch, makes me want to cling to these hazardous art materials. My heart has me sticking still to something intellect tells me I should relinquish.

Do yourself a favour, if you already work with pastels, wear a dust mask, work with as little dust as possible, no tapping on the back of the work or blowing off the dust, indoors and damp dust after each use. Use them as infrequently as possible and do not substitute this medium for anything else you could inhale, like volatile thinners.

Do all spraying of fixatives out of doors. Discourage others from taking up any art medium where the risk of inhalation poisoning is unacceptably high.

Yes, for sure the pastel manufacturers label these materials safely. The marketers are not the ones contracting cancers at a higher rate than the general population like professional artists do.

Art is to be enjoyed; you cannot enjoy life or art if you are chronically ill so chose your mediums with health as the high priority.

Work safely, free from the risks of inhalation, ingestion, and absorption through the skin; pigments and binders. This means to minimise your contact with artist’s soft pastels.

~~~
I travel extensively to draw inspiration for my paintings and writing from life experience.
You will discover my Australian rural-lit novels at www.rural-lit.com

​Ryn Shell.

Sign on my touring caravan door.

"Open Hours:

Open most days about 9 or 10. Occasionally as early as 7, and sometimes as late as 12 or 1.

We close about 5:30 or 6.

Occasionally about 4 or 5, and sometimes as late as midnight, or later.

On some days we're not here at all, but lately we've been here a lot, unless we're not here."

~~~
I travel extensively to draw inspiration for my paintings and writing from life experience.
You will discover my Australian rural-lit novels at www.rural-lit.com

​Ryn Shell.

The Daly Waters Pub is a ‘must see,' stopover for gray-nomads, on the trip up through the center of Australia.

Each time we make the journey we stop over for the night, enjoy the famous barra (baramundi fish) and beef evening meal with entertainment, camp in the paddock (they cll it a camping ground) shower with cute little green and pale brown frogs (dozens of them) and leave refreshed the next day.

I have just finished my small flow formula acrylic painting of Daly Waters Pub. There are art prints and gifts available of this image.

I travel extensively to draw inspiration for my paintings and writing from life experience.
You will discover my Australian rural-lit novels at www.rural-lit.com

​Ryn Shell.

Prehistoric:

Paleolithic (30,000BC-8000BC)
Neolithic (8000BC - 1000BC)
Bronze Age (2000BC - 1200BC)

Western:

Egyptian (3000BC - 332BC)
Sumerian, Assyrian, Persian (3000BC - 331BC)
Aegean (2000BC - 1100BC)
Greek (1100BC - 146BC)
Roman (146BC - 476AD)
Early Christian (313-600AD)
Byzantine (330-1453) - also from Persian culture
Romanesque (1000-1200)
Gothic (1137-1550) typically religious, distinctive arched design of churches - also from Islamic culture

International Gothic (1350-1480) more secular eg. de Fabriano, Witz, van Eyck,
Gothic Revival (1820-80)
Proto-Renaissance (1300-1420) eg. Giotto


Early Renaissance (1420-1490) eg. Masaccio, Fra Angelico, Francesca, Botticelli
Renaissance in northern Italy

examples:
Mantegna - (1431-1506) the master of perspective and the fore-shortened figure
Foppa (1427-1515)
Da Vinci (1452-1519)
Bellini
Giorgione - painted the 1st "reclining nude" in 1507, creating a new genre
Titian (Venice - 1490-1576) - influenced the Lombards & Caravaggio
Brescian artists Moroni, Moretto & Savoldo (1480-1550) who specialised in the study of light & was a precursor to Caravaggesque luminism
Renaissance in northern Europe (1495-1580) eg. Durer, Hans Holbein, Brueghel
High Renaissance (1490-1520) calm, ordered eg. Michelangelo, Raphael Mannerism (1520-80) tension, discord following scientific discoveries and Calvinist Reformation & Counter-Reformation of the Christian Church.

examples of Mannerists:

late Michelangelo (Florence) - anti-classical
Tintoretto (Venice)
El Greco (Spain)
late Raphael - respectful of classicism, achieved a perfect synthesis of form and colour with the most expressive results.

northern Lombard naturalism:
in Lombardy, a more expressive style of Mannerism flourished, based on regional peculiarities that had already been evident in previous centuries. Artists endeavoured to avoid stylistic compromise, preferring simplicity & attention to naturalistic detail, following on from the Renaissance painter Foppa, who, in the 15thC, was interested in the perception of the fluctuating effects of light and shadow, and noted for his lively, realistic representation & Da Vinci who had arrived at a representation of truth founded largely on scientific investigation and was the 1st artist to concern himself with expressing the feelings of the people he depicted.
in the 1580's, the Lombard painters flocked to the more culturally rich Rome and Pope Sixtus V who was an art lover
Carracci academy Bologna's naturalism (1585-88)
return to Lombardy naturalism in opposition to the artificiality in late Mannerist art.
the origins of the still life (late 16th C):
a return to easel painting instead of frescos in order to capture the immediacy of real life events combined with Flemish experiences of portraying natural detail and a sense of three-dimensionality led to the "still life". Use of actual models.
Udine,
Caravaggio (southern Italy d1610) - studied the movements and spontaneous reactions of people in a manner far removed from the captiousness that so often pervaded Mannerism
late Roman Mannerism (1585-1600):
Pope Sixtus V (1585-90) overseas the reconstruction of Rome and imposed on artists a homogeneous style of figuration that reinforced the work's overall moral purpose. For the 1st time, Flemish influences were seen in Italian art. eg. da Reggio
Baroque (1580-1750) heavy, theatrical, dynamic, emotional, often violent
during the 1620's, painters throughout Europe were alerted to the news emanating from Rome: the revolutionary art of the late Caravaggio who achieved astonishingly realistic effects through the use of diagonal light, corresponded with a rapid expressive development of the Baroque style & the result was a lavish tour de force of colour & animation.
examples of Baroque:

Rubens (Flemish - 1577-1640 - dominated the Antwerp school) after trip to Rome in 1601, recognised Rome could offer a wealth of old & new material, which he converted it into "Baroque" form. He linked this with Titianesque colour & Caravaggesque chiaroscuro, and was fascinated by the power of Caravaggio's religious paintings but had little admiration for his figurative compositions.
Utrecht School (Catholic Dutch) - inspired by Caravaggio
Rembrandt (Calvinist Dutch d1669), his portraits tended to be character studies of a more psychological nature. He is one of the greatest engravers of all time.
Velasquez - strongly influenced by Caravaggio
Gentileschi - strongly influenced by Caravaggio, famed for his female nudes in particular
La Tour - St Mary Magdalene with candle1635
Rococo (1700-90) King Louis XV; dainty, charming often based on motifs from shells eg. Watteau, Fragonard, Boucher, Tiepolo
Classicism (1550-1760) return to calm Renaissance style eg. Poussin, Le Lorrain
English 18thC (1760-1800) eg. Reynolds, Gainsborough, Hogarth
Victorian Classicism (1840-1900)
Neo-Classicism (1780-1840) American & French revolutions style - a severe, unemotional form of art harkening back to the style of ancient Greece and Rome eg. David
19thC European Academic
Romanticism (1800-1900) reaction against neo-classicism - a deeply-felt style which is individualistic, beautiful, exotic, and emotionally wrought. eg. Goya, Constable, Hudson River School, Turner, Friedrich Symbolism (late 19thC) spooky mysticism eg. Moreau, Redon,

Expressionism (see below)

Australian Colonial (1831-1885) eg. Glover, Martens, Buvelot

Contemporary Australian (1939-) eg. Dobell, Drysdale, Nolan, Boyd

Pre-Raphaelitism (1848-1900) return to early Renaissance eg. Hunt, Millais, Rossetti Golden Age of Illustration (1880-1930) eg. Rackham, Crane, Dulac, Beardsley, Pyle

British Arts and Crafts movement (late 19thC) craftsmanship & design
Art Nouveau (1880-1920) elegant decorative; intricate curved lines eg. Klimt
Art Deco (1920-1940)
Realism (1850-80) rejected academic artificiality, historical fantasy & romantic exaggeration eg. Manet, Courbet, Daumier
Impressionism (1870-90) capture transient light on scenes eg. Monet, Renoir, Pissarro, Sisley, Degas
Australian Impressionism (1885-) eg. Heidelberg School (Roberts, McCubbin, Streeton, Conder); Hans Heysen, Gruner; Meldrum;
Les Nabis (1889-99) tried to connect Impressionism with theories of Gaugin eg. Bonnard, Vuillard
Precisionism / Cubist Realism (1920-1940) realistic rendering of objects but emphasising geometric form eg. Sheeler, Demuth
Social Realism (1930-1940) eg. Rivera
Magic Realism (1943-1960) overtones of fantasy & wonder eg. Cadmus, Evergood, Albright, Tooker
Photo-realism (1965-1980) eg. Kacere
Contemporary Realism (1965-) eg. Wyeth
Modern Primitivism (late 19thC) eg. Rousseau
Modern Architecture (1880 onwards)
Post-impressionism (1880 onwards) underlying structure, emotional use of colour & scientific approach to patterns eg. van Gogh, Gauguin, Cezanne, Seurat
Pointillism (1880's) brush-style using tiny dots of primary colors to create secondary colours eg. Seurat
Fauvism (1905 onwards) "wild animal" unrestrained freedom of artistic expression to bring emotionalism into art eg. Matisse, Dufy Expressionism (1908 onwards) highly personal expression of psyche eg. Roualt, Munch

Blaue Reiter (1911-13) eg. Marc
The Bauhaus Painters (1919-33) eg. Feininger, Klee, Kandisnsky - also from Cubism
Kinetic Art (1920 onwards)
Dadaism (1916-22) eg. Arp, Duchamp, Ernst
Surrealism (1924-39) "super-real" dream-like eg. Dali, Miro

Abstract Expressionism (1947 onwards) rejection of natural form of objects eg. Pollock, Kline
Colour-Field (1948 onwards) large flat areas of colour eg. Rothko
Op Art / Optical Art (1955 onwards) optical illusions eg. Vasarely, Uecker, Riley
Cubism (1907-25) geometric shapes as basis for art eg Picasso, Gris
Futurism (1909-20) dynamic sensation of motion & speed eg. Severini, Boccioni, Balla
Suprematism (1913-1918) eg. Malevich;
Australian Post-Impressionism (1913-) eg. Wakelin, Bell, Shore, Frater, de Maistre;
Purism (1918-) eg. Le Corbusier, Ozenfant
Neo-Plasticism / De Stilj (1917-44) 2D geometric eg. Mondrian
Geometric Abstraction (1932 onwards) Hard Edge Abstraction (1955 onwards) eg. Albers, Kelly;

Minimalism (1960's-) objects stripped down to geometric form & represented impersonally eg. Kelly
Pop Art (1953 onwards) explores the everyday imagery which is part of contemporary consumer culture eg. Warhol, Lichtenstein, Wesselmann, Rosenquist

~~~

I travel extensively to draw inspiration for my paintings and writing from life experience.
You will discover my Australian rural-lit novels at www.rural-lit.com

​Ryn Shell.

Bendigo Pottery is Australia's Oldest Working Pottery

Reg and I visited Bendigo Pottery on Saturday. It has changed in many ways since our previous visits, but it is more hands on these days allowing creative interactive experiences. I loved viewing the working pottery environment and the historic section of the old bottle kilns and pottery. It fired my memories of my decades of creative work with clay.

I travel extensively to draw inspiration for my paintings and writing from life experience.
You will discover my Australian rural-lit novels at www.rural-lit.com

​Ryn Shell.

When I have taught art, a high proportion of my art students were cigarette smokers, and I never allowed cigarette smoking in my studio both for safety reasons and my dislike of the cigarette smoke and the smell.

I would like to know these things, and I would be interested in comments on this subject.

This does not affect me personally, as I do not use highly volatile thinners, though most artists do and many also smoke cigarets while working with these materials. I have seen an artist smoke a cigarette while cleaning brushes over a large can of open kerosene, creating a risk of fire. Common sense is not always common.

Fire Hazards Associated with Chemicals Used in the Arts

The fire hazards associated with artist’s materials are often overlooked, yet fire may be the most significant risk artists face. Common art materials that may cause a fire include flammable or combustible solvents, oily rags, chemical oxidizers, and compressed welding gases.

Improper use of solvents causes most art-related fires.

Artists must be aware of a solvent’s flashpoint and volatility, the two primary properties that influence a solvent’s ability to initiate a fire.

The flashpoint, the most critical factor, is the temperature at which a solvent gives off enough vapour to form an ignitable mixture with air and can ignite in the presence of an ignition source such as a flame or electrical spark. The lower the flashpoint, particularly when it is at or below room temperature the more hazardous the material.

A substance’s volatility determines how much of it will evaporate and mix with air. In order for a solvent to catch fire, it must evaporate and its vapours must mix with air to form the right fuel/air ratio (typically 1-3 percent). The more volatile the solvent, the more readily it will evaporate and the more likely it will create an ignitable fuel/air mixture.

Acetone is extremely volatile, and if spilled, it will evaporate almost instantly. Mineral spirits, which has a much lower volatility than acetone, will evaporate much more slowly if spilled.

To control the risk of a fire, always choose a solvent with the highest possible flashpoint and the lowest potential volatility. Ventilate the area to keep the solvent concentration from reaching an ignitable air/fuel mixture.

Remove ignition sources such as open flames and electrical equipment that may generate sparks.

Vapours from flammable solvents are heavier than air. They can travel some distance to an ignition source and then flash back to the solvent source.

When dispensing flammable solvents, from large metal containers, ground both containers to dissipate static electrical charges.

To prevent fires, store rags soiled with setting oils (tung oil, linseed oil) in tightly closing metal.

containers and have them picked up daily for professional laundering or disposal

Flammable solvents should be stored in a storage cabinet designed for combustible materials.

When using flammable solvents, out in the studio, store them in safety cans. If you handle chemical oxidizers such as chlorates, chromates, nitrates, or peroxides, store them apart from organic solvents and other readily combustible materials in storage units specifically designed for these materials.

Some types of substances such as organic peroxides and nitric acid are so reactive they should be stored separately from all other chemicals. If you use compressed gases, such as acetylene or propane, be familiar with all the complex regulations that apply to them. Secure them in an upright position and test the regulator fittings and connections for leaks before using them.

Store flammable compressed gases, separately from compressed oxygen.

I travel extensively to draw inspiration for my paintings and writing from life experience.
You will discover my Australian rural-lit novels at www.rural-lit.com

​Ryn Shell.

The above artwork image is of portrait commision by Ryn Shell, in artist's pastels, completed to a clients instructions, showing the combination of artistic talent, PR skills of working with the client and the business ability of marketing commissioned portaiture as a service.

You need to treat art as a business if your business is art.


1. Talent.
We need the talent or skill to have something to sell.
Develop this. Make it a lifetime commitment to be in an ongoing search for knowledge and learn from everything and anything you can, while not contravening the copyright of others, make sure you didn’t have a fool for a teacher, by insisting on being ‘self-taught.'
Yes, one can be self-guided, but expertise is learned from experts.

2. Public Relations skills.
If you are not skilled in public relations, then learn these skills. It might be easier to employ someone to do the PR for you, but the truth of the matter is, that unless you have an income aside from your art, few artists are going to have the funds to pay for a good PR representative. Learn how to do this for yourself.

3. Business skills.
It does not matter how well you create, paint or how good the items you have to sell are, nor how well you can market these, using your PR skills, if the business side of things breaks down and you make unwise choices accounting for and using the income you earn. There needs to be a balance of all skills.

4. Diversify.
Art is a nonessential, item. If you look at how the stock market fluctuates, then realize that art is also going to fluctuate, only the fluctuation will be more extensive.
No one, can tell you in advance what artistic skills might peak nor suffer in the next fluctuation.

Take the example of the need to diversify, from what happened during the last big depression to my own artistic family, who all survived based on the actions of one family member, my mother, the only one who diversified her skills.

My father, the architect, rated at the time as one of the top 6 architects in Australia, had no essential service skills and was unemployed during the last depression.

My uncle, one of Australia’s best musicians at the time, a man who during the peak of his career, left millions to charities due to the success of his career. He had no other developed skill aside from his musicianship, and he could not make enough money to provide a home for or feed his family during that depression as people would not pay for his, non-essential service, skill, or even for him to teach music.

My mother, a dress designer, was able to diversify, from making high-end fashion. She changed to doing alterations to extend the use of clothing. She also diversified, designing apparel to fit people with deformity. Later she placed a tender to the Australian government and was accepted to oversee the manufacture of military uniforms. Due to her ability to diversify, she was able to support three families of six adults and three children through the Great Depression.
Because she was prepared to diversify her artistic skills when the need arose and was not be too proud to take orders or work with heavy-weight, harsh on the hands, military materials.

When I informed my family that I intended to be an artist, they were 100% behind my doing this. They never told me that "I would not be able to earn my living in the arts.". They did, however, insist that I have diverse talents and essential skills.

My suggestion is to develop varied and essential service skills that tie into your art. Your integrity as an artist is protected, if you have an alternative income, and you have the financial stability you need as a base to develop a successful artistic life. If you never need to use those other skills, that's great.

Happy creating.

I travel extensively to draw inspiration for my paintings and writing from life experience.
You will discover my Australian rural-lit novels at www.rural-lit.com

​Ryn Shell.

The photo shows the l shape table set up. The larger table is a lightweight one, tied securely to the cargo barrier. Underneath it are lightweight, stacking, plastic drawers filled with paints. On the table anchored in place is another drawer filled with office supplies. My pastel pencils and my brush stand. To the right of the chair is the extra chest three-way fridge. I also have pastels, papers, and canvas stored in there.

Three lighting, 240 or 12 volt plus long life battery powered lighting means I will be able to work in my private studio anytime, while on tour. This will be 'my area ` my space.

The items for sale will now go in the front part of the caravan where I used to try to paint, and I always had trouble, as it was hard to paint in a shared space. Artists will understand what I mean.

I travel extensively to draw inspiration for my paintings and writing from life experience.
You will discover my Australian rural-lit novels at www.rural-lit.com

​Ryn Shell.

This is the first of a planned series of small paintings of the fairy wrens that visit my Goulburn Valley county home. The superb fairy-wren (Malurus cyaneus), also known as the superb blue-wren or colloquially as the blue wren, has been voted as Australia's most loved bird. I'm in the process of painting three more small fairy wren pictures to complete what will be a set off four works that will be available to order as small prints, cards, decor and gift items through FineArt America.

I travel extensively to draw inspiration for my paintings and writing from life experience.
You will discover my Australian rural-lit novels at www.rural-lit.com

​Ryn Shell.

Reg has installed a 12-volt chargeable battery run, bright LED light in the inside cabin of our ‘troopy’, car and I have a 240-volt florescent light fitting mounted high on the cargo barrier behind the driver’s seat.

In the cabin, of the troop carrier, we have removed the eleven passenger seats to make a small room, and I have mounted a table across at the back, tied to the cargo barrier.
Underneath this, I will have plastic lightweight drawers containing my oil painter’s art studio equipment.

I have removed the comfortable seat, and back from a conventional swivel stool we found at the tip shop, and I place this on top of a plastic crate, which doubles as storage and the base for a comfortable seat.

Can you tell, how eager I am for our next painting and writing, tour?

Safety note:
I do not use thinners or flammable liquids when oil painting or cleaning brushes so no dangerous materials are carried in the car.

I travel extensively to draw inspiration for my paintings and writing from life experience.
You will discover my Australian rural-lit novels at www.rural-lit.com

​Ryn Shell.

One of the artists whose work I most admire is Jane Sutherland.

Jane Sutherland 1853-1928 was an artist and art teacher.

At age seventeen, her father George Sutherland, who was a drawing instructor and artist exhibiting with the Victorian Academy of Arts, encouraged her to enroll in the National Gallery Schools. She studied under Thomas Clark, 1871-1875, Oswald Rose Campbell, 1877-1881. Eugene von Guerard in 1877, and George Frederick Folingsby, 1882-1885.

She is an artist of the same era as Tom Roberts and Frederick McCubbin and painted with them at the Box Hill artist Camp. See:- her work 'Obstruction, Box Hill' in 1887.

She exhibited in 1878 with the Victorian Academy of Arts and the Australian Artists' Association. She later exhibited with the Victorian Artists' Society. She also exhibited works in the federal exhibitions in 1899, 1903 and 1906 at the South Australian Society of Arts, and along with Clara Southern, and May Vale, exhibited in the First Exhibition of Australian Women's Work held in the Exhibition Buildings, Melbourne, 1907.

Jane Sutherland, Clara Southern, May Vale and Jane Price also exhibited together in a 'Private Exhibition of Pictures' held in November 1905 in Frederick McCubbin's home, in Shipley Street, South Yarra. Fredrick McCubbin was ‘gentleman’ artist of whom I have a great deal of respect. Many of the male artists. One in particular, went out of their way to strive to prevent private art galleries hanging the work of the great woman artist’s of the day.

Fredrick McCubbin’s strove to correct some of the professional disadvantages female artists encountered. He was ridiculed by his male counterparts for both this and his devotion to his family.

Jane Sutherland and her close friend, Clara Southern, were pioneers of the plein-air movement, and they sought to advance the professional standing of women artists. Jane Sutherland was considered the leading woman artist of the Heidelberg School.

Jane Sutherland Biography
Jane Sutherland - Obstruction, 1887
Jane Sutherland - Girl in a Paddock, c. 1890
Jane Sutherland - The Mushroom Gatherers, c. 1895
The Creek, 1895
Jane Sutherland - Daydream, c. 1895
Field Naturalists, 1896.
A Cabbage Garden, 1896
Emanuel Phillips Fox - A Love Story, c. 1903
Jane Sutherland - Portrait of Margaret Sutherland as a Young Girl, c. 1905

Heidelberg School Background

Around 1904, Jane Sutherland suffered a mild stroke, after this, she stopped painting large on location landscapes and adapted to painting small oils and pastels, of her garden local surroundings and portraits.

It was during this time she painted the beautiful 'Portrait of Margaret Sutherland as a Young Girl,' c.1905. She continued painting, exhibiting and teaching art, with the assistance of a family member, up 1911.

~~~

I travel extensively to draw inspiration for my paintings and writing from life experience.
You will discover my Australian rural-lit novels at www.rural-lit.com

​Ryn Shell.

Steps to Writing Your Artist’s Resume by Ryn Shell

List your most recent activities first (under each heading). Use 10 pt. Type or larger.

1. Name

Name (in bold or larger font)
Address:
Phone Number(s): Work, Studio, Home, Fax
Email:
Personal Website: (if appropriate)

Comments: Be sure to list addresses and phone numbers that are current. Make it easy to be reached. The inclusion of such information as place and date of birth is optional.

2. Artistic Education

3. Artistic Teaching experience

4. Grants/Fellowships (Awards/Honors, etc.)

5. Exhibition Record (* solo shows marked by asterisk)

6. Bibliography (Reviews/Articles/Catalogues, Reviews/Articles/Interviews)

7. Publications (Published Writings, Critical Writings)

8. Conferences (Conferences/Symposia)

9. Other Categories
There are a wide variety of professional activities that can be deserving of headings.

Gallery Representation (Gallery Affiliation)

Artist Residencies (Artist-in-Residence)

Professional Service (Service)

Technical Abilities (Technical Expertise, Technical Skills)

Professional Organizations (Professional Affiliations)

Exhibitions Juried

Exhibitions Curated

Collections that include your work.

Commissions.

Website

References

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I travel extensively to draw inspiration for my paintings and writing from life experience.
You will discover my Australian rural-lit novels at www.rural-lit.com

​Ryn Shell.

I titled this oil painting Brumbies Gold was created during an art masterclass I taught at Buninyong Gallery. This followed an on-location painting tour of the Snowy River. I've no regrets with my life, having lived all of my dreams, and then being fortunate enough to create new ones.

I travel extensively to draw inspiration for my paintings and writing from life experience.
You will discover my Australian rural-lit novels at www.rural-lit.com

​Ryn Shell.

This horse painting was created after a trip to the Snowy River and during a time when I was teaching advanced art students to paint horses. This oil painting won a championship exhibit in art at a professional level competition. I call the work above, 'Brumbies Blue.'

I travel extensively to draw inspiration for my paintings and writing from life experience.
You will discover my Australian rural-lit novels at www.rural-lit.com

​Ryn Shell.

At the Buninyong, Gold King Festival, the Carlton and United Brewery Clydesdale team would set up on the vacant block of land alongside my Buninyong Gallery, each year. I became a regular fan of these magnificent horses, and they became a favourite painting.

I travel extensively to draw inspiration for my paintings and writing from life experience.
You will discover my Australian rural-lit novels at www.rural-lit.com

​Ryn Shell.

I stumbled on this weaving loom in a junk yard. It brought bark happy memories learning to weave when I was in my teens. My sister in California took up weaving before changing over to quilt making.

I do not know the age of the weaving loom, but I thought it a beautiful sculptural piece. I'm hoping a collector finds it. I see beauty in the craftsmanship, involved in making a functional piece like this.

I travel extensively to draw inspiration for my paintings and writing from life experience.
You will discover my Australian rural-lit novels at www.rural-lit.com

​Ryn Shell.

June Gover was an amazingly inspiring lady and an artist. The picture above is of a painting of a tree at the entrance to Brachina Gorge, Flinders Ranges, South Australia, that was painted with Vegemite paste.


I treasure my memories of June. She passed away recently. This is what I'd written about her in an earlier blog:

June Gover is a sensational senior; she is an amazingly inspiring lady who painted the work in the photo above, using Vegemite, on canvas.
I had the enormous pleasure of meeting and getting to know June Gover and her family on visits to Western Australia.

June is 81years young, and she has refused to give in to her rheumatoid arthritis despite being told about 35 years ago that she would be in a wheelchair in 5 years. She is the mum of one of my very best friends, who tells me with great pride in her mother that her dad used to call her mum, a "Pig-headed Aussie Bitch," said with affection. This is why she drove a car until recently, displaying with humour and pride, the number plate, PHAB.

It was June’s determination not to be beaten, that saw her, even though severely affected with this dreadful rheumatoid arthritis, walk the Busselton jetty much to the admiration of onlookers and the intense pride of her family.

June Gover had always wanted to learn to paint (not an easy task when you cant hold the brushes properly), and her family and I are very proud of her efforts.

June’s children and grandchildren mean the world to her and it is reciprocated. I am told that they feel she is a good friend as well as a good mum and knowing the family, I can vouch for the closeness and love you feel within the close family. June’s daughter tells me that her mum is generous in spirit and actions, as she has been known to go up to strangers, particularly young frazzled mums and give them $50 to treat themselves when she could ill afford to do this.

June has a young outlook on life, and no topic is off limits, I know because I love spending time with this ‘young’ spirited woman. June used to enjoy a nightly nip, not so often now (darn medication) but is allowed to occasionally still have the odd one. June loves to read, enjoys quirky things in the garden (she is looking for a skeleton or mannequin for a bath in the garden at the moment).

I think June’s landscape painted in Vegemite, shows outstanding artistic talent, the light and shade and composition are excellent. Inspiring work, June.

June offered to give me this work. I was so touched by such a generous offer but declined. Not because I did not love the work nor value the generosity of the gift offering, June, but because I did value it so highly that I would not take such a beautiful work away from you or your family. It’s something for you all to treasure, as I will the photo I took of you with your painting you told me was inspired by my work of Brachina Gorge, Flinders Ranges, South Australia. June it took me a lot many more years of experience than you have had before I could paint as well as you can. You are fantastic, and I treasure all my memories of meetings with you and your family.

I travel extensively to draw inspiration for my paintings and writing from life experience.
You will discover my Australian rural-lit novels at www.rural-lit.com

This cute pair of original oil painted miniatures are so tiny, they were harder to paint than a large work. I created them especially for these two matching, fairly heavy, gold leaf frames. POA.

While I don't have the time, with my novel writing these days to paint large works of art, I don't plan to paint any with this much detail as tiny as this again.

I travel extensively to draw inspiration for my paintings and writing from life experience.
You will discover my Australian rural-lit novels at www.rural-lit.com

This is Buninyong Dairy. It is on private property at Buninyong, Victoria, Australia. It has always been a favourite of mine. Note the teaspoon positioned, near the corner, to get an idea of the size of this work.

My husband Reg was my mount cutter. he did a fabulous job of cutting the triple mount to set off this beautiful artwork.

I took the photos outside in the shade, late in the day. In my home, under artificial lighting tonight, it appears warmer in colour and brighter in tone than in this image.

I travel extensively to draw inspiration for my paintings and writing from life experience.
You will discover my Australian rural-lit novels at www.rural-lit.com

Definition: (noun) - A remarque is a small, personalised drawing or symbol that an artist adds (near his or her signature) on a print. The presence of a remarque increases the print's value.

Initially, remarques were remarks made, in pencil, that identified the various stages a printing plate went through while being finalized. Whistler pioneered making remarques desirable to collectors, particularly in the case of his "butterfly" mark.

Nowadays, a remarque is primarily a "value-added" option for print collectors - meaning: You can have an artist's remarque added to your printed edition.

Pronunciation: ree·mark

Also known as artist's mark

I travel extensively to draw inspiration for my paintings and writing from life experience.
You will discover my Australian rural-lit novels at www.rural-lit.com

DNA tests are not as accurate as many think. They do not tell you of recent (last 80,000 years) ancestry lines. For example, there were 600 Australias Aboriginal nations, most dating back 65.000 years, but a DNA test would not give any Aboriginal origin, it would most likely give an Asian, African, or Northern Hemisphere origin.

Current DNA testing at the commercially available level is extremely general, and not accurate. It will often give three different results on three separate testings of the same person, or for identical triplets.

It is not capable of tracing the race evolvement of the past 65,000 years in Australia the oldest continent earth. I discovered this because I had wanted to do a DNA test to check my background. I now know it would be worthless information, aside from a vague guide to the extreme ancient history that predates settlement in most lands.

While the tests might discount some lineages, for example, if I had no Asian DNA then I probably would not be part Australian Aboriginal, the results in these commercial tests are only of benefit to those earning money doing them. Paternity DNA testing is a bit different and is more accurate for recent family connections. Here is a link to a report suggesting that these common DNA tests are, in their opinion, meaningless. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/science/science-news/9912822/DNA-ancestry-tests-branded-meaningless.html

Believe in them or not, I only put this here to show that your family can probably tell you your more recent ancestry better than the DNA testers can. More accurate testing is perhaps available but isn't what these commercial venues offer.

I travel extensively to draw inspiration for my paintings and writing from life experience.
You will discover my Australian rural-lit novels at www.rural-lit.com

Shepparton Victoria and surrounding districts feature M0ooving Art; Fiber Glass Cows decorated by local and internationally renowned artists to celebrate the SheppARTton region's famous dairy heritage.

This is titled, "World Peace Cow," and it is by Artist Sharon Davson and 48 Hours Towards World Peace Volunteers.

This is located in the park beside the Goulburn River in the main street, Stevenson St, Murchison a others in Monash Park Shepparton.
There were 3 MOOOving Art Cows, created for World Peace.

The artist has added a message: Thank you very much for publishing one of my 'cows.' It was a wonderful project, and the cows 'grazing' around Shepparton are a great attraction. I also totally support your encouragement of other artists to learn and develop their art. All the very best,
Sharon Davson

It is a beautiful work, Sharon.

I travel extensively to draw inspiration for my paintings and writing from life experience.
You will discover my Australian rural-lit novels at www.rural-lit.com

“Paint a rainbow inside of you, paint a rainbow, let your smile shine through.
When it's cold and gray, push the clouds away, paint a rainbow in your heart.”

This rainbow was captured to share with you outside the rural retreat studio door.

I travel extensively to draw inspiration for my paintings and writing from life experience.
You will discover my Australian rural-lit novels at www.rural-lit.com

One of the things I love about bush camping is the campfire we sit around and often cook our dinner on.

After dinner we enjoy the atmosphere, surrounding the fire, to talk and sit gazing at the stars, especially enjoying the first hour or so of darkness when the flying objects, in the sky, the satellites and if we are lucky the shooting stars, are most visible.

Painting of dusk, by firelight, adds a unique effect and many times I have worked for an hour every evening for up to a couple of weeks, capturing this particular effect in an artwork.

Often I have sat gazing into the fire, trying to capture, the image of those dancing flames, the light, and the colour, in my brain, trying to work out how to paint, a near impossible, to paint moving subject.

I travel extensively to draw inspiration for my paintings and writing from life experience.
You will discover my Australian rural-lit novels at www.rural-lit.com

Our car is back from its 45thousand mini service, and I can begin to make plans for the Queensland leg of our tour, I spent today wandering around Ballina, filling in time while the work was being done.

We crossed the Richmond River in the ferry at $4. A one-way crossing, this saved a long round trip, and it was an interesting crossing. The river is tidal, the boat ramps were mostly pontoons, and these were bobbing up and down in the waves making a noise.

I found a small shopping complex in West Ballina; there were cheap butcher shop chickens for $5. Each a better price that the $25. each I paid further south and the avocados here are 10 for $7, I had been paying up the $4. each for these. Great to finally, be able to shop at good prices again.

Reg and I wandered into what we thought was a nursery and discovered it was more like the tip shop; garden recycle store only there were no salespeople and no prices on anything??? Just plants in all conditions, from huge clumps to small pots, and oddments of garden ornaments and signs that they had recently been watered by someone. Certainly different, I have not seen a garden recycling place like this before. The sign said to come in, wander around, look and sit and relax, though there was nowhere to sit, maybe the seats had found new homes.

We had a dream drive from Hervey Bay to Marlborough, Queensland, Australia today.

Here I am adding to the graffiti mural at the invitation of the Marlborough Hotel tonight. I'm adding my name to the internal walls of this country pub which has become my office for the evening.

Travellers can camp overnight in the hotel carpark for a modest cost.

I travel extensively to draw inspiration for my paintings and writing from life experience.
You will discover my Australian rural-lit novels at www.rural-lit.com

There is a bit of a funny story to Reg and I purchasing a George Forman grill and roaster oven a few years ago, for our caravan kitchen.

We told both our daughters that we were going shopping with the intention of buying one or the other.

We were advised by one daughter, that we could just use nonstick foil and cook on our existing frypan and save out money. OK, well-meant advice, but we wanted to buy one or the other, not seek a low-cost alternative.

Our second daughter, equally caring in her nature, advised us to go to the Warehouse and purchase a no-name product to do a similar job as the more familiar grill. At that stage, the oven was a new concept, and there were no low-cost versions we liked.

Somehow, Reg and I felt a little rebellious at being in our 60's and often being advised by thirty somethings as to how to manage our money so after a quick check of the one daughter spoke of and the warehouse the other mentioned we headed to the department store and joined the SKI Club. We became official members of the Spending the Kids Inheritance Club and in buying both, went over our budget, and we have never regretted either purchase nor the fun we had, laughing at our 'rebellion at being told how to spend our money, by our own 'kids.'

Tonight’s chicken dinner was a free range, organic, local chicken, and it was divine, cooked without any salt or seasoning, just onions and potatoes cooked in the pot with it and all the fat drains out into the dish beneath the roaster, making it low-fat cooking. Delicious!

PS. We LOVE our children and understand they meant only to have given us good advice.

We had a dream drive from Hervey Bay to Marlborough, Queensland, Australia today.

Here I am adding to the graffiti mural at the invitation of the Marlborough Hotel tonight. I'm adding my name to the internal walls of this country pub which has become my office for the evening.

Travellers can camp overnight in the hotel carpark for a modest cost.

I travel extensively to draw inspiration for my paintings and writing from life experience.
You will discover my Australian rural-lit novels at www.rural-lit.com

Children love visiting Australia’s Gold Coast, theme parks. Dream World is one of their favourite places to visit.

It’s a fantastic way to share family photos across the world, and it makes families feel that little bit closer.

I love seeing children being are such good friends with each other and able to have a joy-filled childhood, thanks to having loving parents.

We had a dream drive from Hervey Bay to Marlborough, Queensland, Australia today.

Here I am adding to the graffiti mural at the invitation of the Marlborough Hotel tonight. I'm adding my name to the internal walls of this country pub which has become my office for the evening.

Travellers can camp overnight in the hotel carpark for a modest cost.

I travel extensively to draw inspiration for my paintings and writing from life experience.
You will discover my Australian rural-lit novels at www.rural-lit.com

I have witnessed a lot of good and bad examples of take away food stalls through my years of exhibiting arts and crafts and as a travel writer.

Reg and I ordered hamburgers from the 1st Strathfieldsaye Scouts Group, and I felt they showed the best of takeaway food service. They had a covered marquee with three enclosed walls with the food being cooked well back away from the customer and the money handling area and out of direct sunshine. The only food exposed to the air was the food being cooked or served, and those handling the money did not touch the food itself. Our takeaway food was presented to us on a plate with several paper towels per person and clean tables and chairs available for us to eat at, under full shade. No cooked food was being stored until it was purchased. The food represented value for money, the beef in the hamburger was high quality, not fatty and there was a generous serving of coleslaw under the burger, a reasonably healthy choice for takeaway. There was an option of sauce.

I usually find eating at community profit, food stalls, for example, the CWA, Scouts, Church groups will give a reasonable quality, safe food handling. Burger, better than the chips, Pluto pups, jam donuts available from many food vans, though I think these mostly appeal to the teenagers, not the grey-nomad who wants value for their money.

Things to watch out for to avoid a bout of gastro after the show is that any food that is not cooked in front of you is kept at temperatures below 5oC or above 60oC up until serving time. Food stalls must protect the food from contamination from flies, dust, dirt, direct sun, human breath or smoke. Food stalls must consist of a roof and three sides enclosed. All stalls to be situated on a readily cleanable surface, e.g., concrete, brick paving, duckboards, tarpaulins or heavy duty plastic. And the floor covering to extend beneath server tables.

The worst ever example of food handling I have seen was a chicken van who cooked the chicken at the back of the van it served from, out in the open and the stench of the thawed defrosted chicken before it’s being cooked was overwhelming. These days I even sniff around the back of a stall before I buy from the front and I only order chicken or fish if I feel I know and trust the food stall operators to be as food safety conscious, as I am myself. I got a nasty bout of food poisoning from a dish of garlic prawns bought at the Royal Melbourne Show. I buy a chicken and mushroom dish from an Asian food stall I know; you can watch it as in is cooked. He puts the chicken frozen solid into the wok, cooks it in front of you, If I am there early when it is prepared, there is little possibility of contamination.

If in doubt, look for the obvious safe food handling techniques and do not buy food being cooked by the same person handling the money or stored outside of a bain-marie once cooked.

If you are at a show in Western Australia, I can recommend, Western Australian lamb, ‘The Lamb Van’ for a great just like home cooked, lamb shank. J Yum!

As for drinks, it is almost a fashion accessory these days to carry your own, bottle of water as you walk around a show and to have backup water containers to refill from, in your car.

We had a dream drive from Hervey Bay to Marlborough, Queensland, Australia today.

Here I am adding to the graffiti mural at the invitation of the Marlborough Hotel tonight. I'm adding my name to the internal walls of this country pub which has become my office for the evening.

Travellers can camp overnight in the hotel carpark for a modest cost.

I travel extensively to draw inspiration for my paintings and writing from life experience.
You will discover my Australian rural-lit novels at www.rural-lit.com

At the Leisurefest RV and Caravan Show, at Bendigo this weekend, it was the Eco-Tourer Slipstream caravan, that was drawing the crowd’s attention.

Reg and I, Love this van, we have owned one and toured Australia in it for half of each of the past two years.

All three models were on show at the Leisurefest, the off-highway, shower and en-suite toilet model that Reg and I have. We had the greatest of fun slipping inside to look with the other viewers, and when people asked as what we thought of the van, we told them we owned one and LOVED it and how well Caravan Court has looked after us with after sales service. I do not hear that said about all caravan dealers.

This is not a paid review, just the opinion of two VERT HAPPY CUSTOMERS. Eco-tourer, slipstream, off-highway van with en-suite is a fantastically designed van, everything we need in a brilliant design.

I am the driver, and I hardly know I am towing.

I was frequently asked by those waiting for a chance to get inside and inspect this great van, ‘Can you stand up beside the bed and not bang your head?'

Yes, there is heaps of room to sit up in bed and to stand up beside the bed, and to shower, there is plenty of internal height, at the en-suite end of the van. We had an AVan A Liner before we had the Eco-tourer; you know those triangular vans that are 'up in 30 seconds'? Well, the Eco-tourer is even easier to assemble and take down.

I would recommend solid-sided folding vans over any soft-sided folding van. We have seen couples struggle for an hour, attempting to close a canvas sided, folding van when the wind is blowing. The soft-sided vans do not insulate against heat or cold, anywhere near as well as these hard sided folding vans do.

We had a dream drive from Hervey Bay to Marlborough, Queensland, Australia today.

Here I am adding to the graffiti mural at the invitation of the Marlborough Hotel tonight. I'm adding my name to the internal walls of this country pub which has become my office for the evening.

Travellers can camp overnight in the hotel carpark for a modest cost.

I travel extensively to draw inspiration for my paintings and writing from life experience.
You will discover my Australian rural-lit novels at www.rural-lit.com

We had a dream drive from Hervey Bay to Marlborough, Queensland, Australia today.

Here I am adding to the graffiti mural at the invitation of the Marlborough Hotel tonight. I'm adding my name to the internal walls of this country pub which has become my office for the evening.

Travellers can camp overnight in the hotel carpark for a modest cost.

I travel extensively to draw inspiration for my paintings and writing from life experience.
You will discover my Australian rural-lit novels at www.rural-lit.com