
Things That Attract My Eye – Part 27
Things That Attract My Eye – Part 26
Last weekend, my Wife and I ventured up to an oft visited place, Millthorpe (near Bathurst/Orange) in Central West New South Wales.
We went up to visit our very friends, Diane & David, plus attend the Millthorpe Garden Ramble. Different gardens are on display in different years.
This selection of photos were taken last weekend.














Till next time!
Written & photographed by David Johnson
9 November 2025
Emerging
Breathe…
Diving Deeper
Feeling
Reaching For The Light
Natural History Illustration Workshop
Recently, I had the pleasure of attending the above workshop. It was held at the Alan Baker Gallery in Camden, NSW, which is about a 20-minute drive East of where we live.
The workshop was facilitated by talented local Natural History Illustrator Esther Bolz. It focused on capturing the flora and fauna of the Nepean River, celebrating World Rivers Day.
We were asked to choose from a selection of flora or pick out an animal from an image, and draw from that. I chose flora, namely, “Australian Indigo”, as seen below.

Chose to paint it in Watercolour. Quite happy with it.
Till next time!
Written & painted by David Johnson
6 October 2025
Moments In Time
Things That Attract My Eye – Part 25
This morning, after my gym workout, I went for a 2.3km/1.4-mile walk. It so great to have an area so beautiful that is so close to the gym.
Here are some images I took along the way.






Till next time!
Written & Photographed by David Johnson
Things That Attract My Eye – Part 24
About a two-minute walk from where I go to the gym, there is a pathway that runs alongside Stonequarry Creek through Picton. The path eventually takes you in Picton Botannical Gardens.
After last Sunday’s early morning gym session, I did a small walk of about 2.5km (1.5 miles). It was a choice between that and a treadmill. It was a gorgeous late Winter morning, the Sun was shining, and it was a pleasant temperature outside, so it was an easy choice.
Here are a few images from the walk.
Till next time!
Written & Photographed by
David Johnson
The Future Is Coming
Time
Blue Sky, White Sails
Walking The Path
Things That Attract My Eye – Part 23
The following images were taken in May this year. We had a trip up to Millthorpe (near Bathurst/Orange/Blayney), NSW, in May for a good friend’s 60th Birthday party. Some of the images are from there, and others are around and about.














If you ever get a chance to visit the towns/cities mentioned above, please do so. Lots to see! Abercrombie House, just outside Bathurst is definitely a must. A three-storey mansion, built in 1870, where you can have lunch and do a self-guided mansion tour. I highly recommend it.
Till next time!
Written & Photographed by David Johnson
30 July 2025
Riding The Wave
Clouds Are Thoughts
Things That Attract My Eye – Part 22
It’s been a while since I added to this segment. The images below were taken in March and April this year. We’ve certainly had some beautiful skies of that time. I always enjoy looking at, and taking photos of clouds etc. They also make excellent backgrounds for my poems. 🙂








Till next time!
Written & Photographed by David Johnson
26 July 2025
Visual Enrichment
New Era
Valerie Taylor – An Adventurous Life!
This morning, I finished the book that is the title of this post. I had started the book earlier this year, but as sometimes happens, distractions and life in general get in the way and the book didn’t get picked up for some time.
Over the past two to three weeks, my Wife and I have had the displeasure of experiencing the RSV virus so we have had more time at home than is normal. Time spent convalescing also gives one time to think about life, but I’ll save that for another post.
Back to the book, which itself was a pleasant distraction at a time of illness.
I remember as a child/teenager growing up in the late 60’s and into the ’70’s hearing about some of the adventures of Ron & Valerie Taylor, so I uttered a keen ‘Yes’ when my Father-In-Law asked me if I would to read this book.


My interest in Ron & Valerie sprang from them being Underwater Photographers/Film-makers, in particular their filming of Sharks. They filmed the underwater scenes in Jaws, which was a favourite movie of mine back in the ’70’s.
The book is an inspirational read, and as it highlights on the back cover, Valerie had to overcome many obstactles, including health issues to lead ‘her adventurous life.’
I highly recommend this book!
Wriiten by David Johnson
6 July 2025
Turning The Page
A Journey Uncharted
Going Outside One’s Comfort Zone! – Attempting Different Subjects

I’ve been wanting to explore this subject for some time. I’ve just recently joined the ‘Seascape Art’ group on Facebook and have been marvelling at the creations of artists much more experienced than I. The paintings on there are quite inspiring!
Materials used above are:
- A5 Aquarelle 100% Cotton Cold Press sketchbook purchased from Amazon
- Kuretake Gansai Tambi Japanese Watercolours
- Aquawash Brushes
- White Gel pen
- Colours used: Turquoise Green Deep; Indigo and White
Have to say that I am happy with my first attempt. Looking forward to doing this subject on higher quality paper.
Till next time!
Written & Painted by David Johnson
9 June 2025
Gift Of Light
Gentle Waves
My Thoughts
Image Overload
“Glacier” – 6 Years, 125 Days of a Watercolour Sketch a Day!
It has been another very hectic month for many reasons. I am fortunate to have started this daily Art practice a few years ago. Without this practice I think I would have been using the old excuse, “that I didn’t have time” a lot!
Here is today’s sketch.

Materials:
- Aquarelle Watercolour sketchbook 300gsm Cold Press
- Sumikondo Japanese Watercolours (Blue-Black)
- Kuretake Gansai Tambi Watercolours (Indigo)
- Aquawash & Neef brushes
I had a lot of fun doing this one!
Till next time!
Written & painted by David Johnson
31 May 2025
Story To Be Written
Watercolour Nature Journalling Workshop – So Much Fun!
Last Sunday, I had the absolute pleasure attending the workshop above. It was run by Linda Brown who is a professional artist from the Illawarra Region, south of Sydney. Linda is a fellow member of Red Point Artists, which is based at Port Kembla.
My Wife, Susan gave me a gift certificate for my birthday in March. The certificate was to be able to attend any of Linda’s workshop’s, and I chose this one as thought it sounded delightful, and it was. 🙂
We were asked to bring various natural subjects down, like Autumn leaves, twigs, bark, driftwood, shells, flowers, etc.
Linda guided us through different techniques during the day, which culminated in producing a Watercolour on Watercolour paper after first practising on sketchbook 110 gsm paper. This way, we could experiment on cheaper paper first.
As with any workshop, the people attending make it great as well, and there was a good mix of beginner to experienced artists, all ready to jump out of their comfort zones.
Here is my creation below, expertly guided by Linda Brown Artist. Thanks Linda! 🙂

Linda is running more of this type of workshop, plus others so if you see them advertised, I would highly recommend you check them out.
Till next time!
Written by David Johnson
6 May 2025
Such A Blessing
Gentle Rain Falling
Into The Light
Arrival
An Emotional Connection – My 7th Watercolour Painting Sold!
Yesterday, my Wife Susan and I attended Red Point Artists Makers Market (formerly known as Red Point Artists Art & Craft on the Grass), at the Red Point precinct in Port Kembla, (south of Wollongong) on the New South Wales coast.
It was a little bit different yesterday though as we formed part of the Annual Port Kembla Festival which included street stalls and live music up and down Wentworth Street, the main street in Port Kembla.
One of the highlights of the day was that I sold my 7th Watercolour painting, “Distant Mountains”, which appears below.

Materials:
- Baohong The Master’s Choice Artist Watercolour paper, rough, 300gsm 18cm x 26cm.
- Sumikondo Japonesque Watercolours
- Kuretake Gansai Tambi Japanese Watercolours
- Aquawash brushes
The lady who purchased it said it reminded her of where she grew up. Interestingly, the image/composition came from my imagination.
We never will truly know who will be interested in our creations. Just keep painting, sketching, and be confident enough to display your Art. Someone, somewhere may just have an emotional connection to your Art.
Till next time!
Written & Painted by David Johnson
13 April 2025
Fun With Kuretake Gansi Tambi Japanese Watercolours!
I must say that I am really enjoying using these Watercolours. Brilliant colours and a lovely texture are two of the positives so far. Using 300gsm 100% Cotton paper, either Cold Press or Rough texture.
Here are some examples from my Watercolour Sketch a Day practice.
If you are wondering whether this brand of Watercolours a go, I would say ‘dive in and have some fun!’ 🙂
Till next time!
Written & Sketched/Painted by David Johnson
6 April 2025
Living Our Lives
An Addition To My Art Library!
It certainly has been a busy last 6 months!
Last month for my Birthday, I received some gift vouchers and one of those has been spent on the book below, which I have had in my Wish List on Amazon for some time.

I haven’t had much time to look at it since it arrived earlier in the week so I am looking forward to finding some time this weekend. 🙂
Till next time!
Written by David Johnson
4 April 2025
Creativity Expressed
Red Point Artists – March 2025 – Painting #6 Sold!
Yesterday, Susan & I went to Red Point Artist’s Maker’s Market for the first time this year, having missed the first event of the year last month. It used to be called ‘Art & Craft on the Grass’ which, I still think, is a better name.
There were not as many stalls this time, and was wondering if the inclement weather was to blame?


Regardless of how many stalls are there we always have a relaxing time. Between chatting to the visiting public and sketching/painting, it is always fun. You just never know who you might meet or help to encourage on their artistic journey.
There is always an exhibition as well and live music. All adds up to a great time.
As a bonus, I sold an A5 Watercolour painting yesterday, the image below called “Beside the Lake.” So grateful!








All in all, another enjoyable day!
Till next time!
Written by David Johnson
9 March 2025
Things That Attract My Eye – Part 21
This posts images come from a variety of places:
- Local walks
- A Car Wash
- An Urban Sketcher’s Wollongong Sketch-meet at Port Kembla
- My backyard
- Sydney CBD
Some of the subjects I photograph may end being reference photos for sketches, watercolour, line and wash or oil paintings.
Even though I don’t photograph a lot with DSLR camera’s these days, I like to ‘keep my eye in’ with my phone camera. At some point, I will purchase a mid to high range compact camera that can fit in a suit pocket that I can carry anywhere.
Till next time!
Written & photographed by David Johnson
22 February 2025
Guiding Hand, Guiding Light
Opportunity Awaits!
Things That Attract My Eye – Part 20
This article’s images come from a number of different outings:
- Local walks
- A trip into the City to see Penn & Teller at the Sydney Opera House
- Our garden
Hope you enjoy them. Some are natural, a few are man-made. Beauty is all around us. If only we would take some time to practice awareness. This exercise can bring a bit of peace to your day. 🙂









Till next time!
Written & Photographed by
David Johnson
28 January 2025
Watercolour Sketch a Day – 6 Years Straight!
Yesterday, I achieved another milestone with my daily art practice a, ‘Watercolour Sketch a Day.
As of yesterday, I have completed a Watercolour sketch daily for the past 6 years.
It’s a journey I started to:
- Obtain consistent practice
- Learn new skills – sketching, drawing, painting
- Create an escape of sorts from the day
I have thoroughly enjoyed the journey and have already completed the ‘6 years Day 1 of a Watercolour Sketch a Day’, today, so the journey will continue.
This ‘year’ I intend to attempt some different subjects over time and aim to include people in some of the images.
I am looking forward to where this journey takes me next!
Written, Sketched and Painted by
David Johnson
27 January 2025




































































