Ferny Creek Horticultural Society Autumn Show

I accepted the invitation of a friend to sketch the preparations for the Ferny Creek Horticultural Society's Autumn Show! Some members were painstakingly laying moss on the Japanese tea garden display when I arrived. The show was being held in their show hall on 10 acres of beautiful grounds near Sherbrooke Forest in the Dandenong Ranges east of Melbourne city. 

On this cool day, the overcast skies and whispy mist in the forest gave it a mysterious prehistoric feel as I looked across to the Gondwana Land plant area. 

With plant and cut flower sales, a Japanese Ikebana display and demonstration, judged exhibits, plant vendors, guided garden walks, not to mention Devonshire Teas, a BBQ and hot soup planned for the two days of the show, it would I'm sure have been a great success. 

#Sailorfude pen, watercolour, #Stillman&Birn Beta Sketchbook, 8.5 x 5.5” #fernycreekhorticulturalsociety

Anzac Day, Berwick, Victoria, 2024

Every year a small ceremony is held at the War Memorial at the bottom of the High St in Berwick (an outer suburb of Melbourne). Standing at the top end of the street, I caught the start of the parade as it made its way from the RSL on the adjoining street, past the Old Post Office built in 1884 (shown in the sketch) down to the War Memorial where the ceremony was held.

I joined the smaller crowd near the top end to watch a big TV screen showing the ceremony down the hill. Not as big a crowd this day as previous years probably due to the wet weather. A moving ceremony as always especially when hearing both the New Zealand and Australian anthems, two countries I have called home.

Sketch pages with pre-coloured swatch.

#Sailorfude pen, watercolour, #SeawhiteTravelJournal 5.5x5.5".

A Fish Pond Bowl

Our fish pond bowl now 3 months old is doing well and giving us much pleasure. Unfortunately the 5 zebra fish are shy especially now the weather is colder. That’s a curry leaf tree at top left.

I'm working wetter and hope to improve on that technique. 

#Sailorfude pen, watercolour, #Stillman&Birn Beta Sketchbook, 8.5 x 5.5”.

Sketching People

Sketching people is a good way to put a face to a name when you’re new to a group. I hope they don't think I'm being rude.

The last sketch was done on a sketchbook page with pre-prepared colour splash.

Assorted materials.

Pioneers Park Autumn

What a beautifully warm day to be out in Pioneers Park and it seemed everyone had the same idea. This guy got up just after I finished painting him. Two very polite ladies asked if it was ok for them to sit there!

#Sailorfude pen, watercolour, #Stillman&Birn Beta Sketchbook, 7.5”x 7.5”.

Bell Birds at Cardina Creek

A nice sunny morning for a walk after two VERY wet days! Cardinia Creek Nature Conservation Reserve is very close to a residential area. Platypus are said to live in the creek and school groups go there on nature trips but we have never seen any in the many times we've visited. Perhaps the dogs which love to take a swim in the creek send them into hiding.

I sketched this when we sat down on a bench in an area where the Bellbirds love to sing. They really sound like loud and melodious bells ringing!

Added a lot more squiggles after getting home, just could'nt help it!

Marker pens, #HandbookJournal 5.5" x 5.5" #CardiniaCreekConservationReserve

Covid Vaccination Again!

I forgot to share these from almost 3 months ago – Covid Vaccine shots...again! Sketched in the medical clinic but I added the blue Neocolor II at home.

Pentel brush pen, 6B graphite stick, Neocolor II crayon.

#HandbookJournal 5.5" x 5.5".