These INTO drawings have become the starting point for a series of paintings and drawings inspired by crossing Kennett River. Initially I was gifted two large format pieces of paper from the estate of Bernhard Sachs that was left to Vale Street studio artists. Complete with tatty edges and Bernhard's charcoal stained fingerprints I saw it as an opportunity to launch into new work and push my love for pencil drawing a bit further. The subject matter comes from our unique ongoing experience of physically crossing Kennett River. We cross the river on foot (in gumboots and with the aid of crutchers) regularly to reach a campsite on the far side. The campsite is inaccessible by vehicle so crossing by foot is the only way in and out. Great care needs to be taken on the crossing to navigate rocks and varying flow rates, all the while focusing on what is visible and not visible beneath our feet. All this close attention to the river, and the submerged rocks, have been the inspiration for this body of work. Looking closely at first for practical necessity and then actively looking again to explore the fascinating and infinite interplay of light, colour, reflexions and movement.
