May Bouquet
In Western Australia and beyond, Araluen Botanic Park in Perth’s hills is famous for its spring tulip festival. Last year I visited during tulip time when both flowers and crowds of people abounded. One visit was not enough so I went again – and then I couldn’t stop. Spring morphed into summer; the tulips and the crowds disappeared. I bought an annual pass. I watched as early summer became blistering summer and then turned to the relief of autumn.
As I write this blog post it is early winter. When misty winter rains fall, the garden becomes quite mysterious. I am reminded of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s 1911 novel “The Secret Garden“.
Every time I go something new is flowering. I visit every couple of weeks. I photograph flora and fauna as I wander about or sit and reflect. Araluen has become a treasured part of my existence.
My plan is to do a collection of Araluen drawings throughout the seasons. Whether I achieve this or not – we’ll see – however, consider “May Bouquet”, an autumn exuberance with New Holland Honeyeater, as the first in the series.
Julie Podstolski - Abstract Realism 