Night Closes In
Month: June 2023
A Quick Escape…to Millthorpe in country NSW!
Last weekend my Wife and I went up into the country to stay at place we have been to many times over the years, Millthorpe, NSW, Australia. Millthorpe is about a 3 1/2 hour drive over the Blue Mountains, North-West from where we live, which is 60 kilometres / 37 miles South-West of Sydney.
We have been up there many times as Diane and her Husband, David were school friends of my Wife, Susan. They have 6 boys who are all adults now with only a couple living at home.
Pretty much all of the family came home that weekend as Sean (their second child) and his Wife, Emily were holding a 1st Birthday party for their first child, Nyssa, on Saturday afternoon in Bathurst about 20 minutes drive from Millthorpe.
The party was great and we dinner back at Millthorpe that night.
Millthorpe is a quiet little town of about 1,253 people, and is a Heritage-listed village. I’ll post a link below so you see more about this town if you are interested.
This time we stayed at the Rosebank Guest House. Normally, we would stay with David and Diane however they had a houseful this weekend.
Rosebank is a old Bank building with 4.5metres / 15feet ceilings and is run by a local Artist, Jenny Beach and her husband. We were the only guests staying that night so it was very quiet. They have an Art Supplies sale section within the guest house which is ‘indeed heaven’ for guests like me.
The guest house is beautifully furnished and has Art from Jenny and other local Artists lining the walls of every room.
Jenny (we didn’t get to meet her husband that weekend), was the perfect host, the accomodation was wonderful, and yes you guessed it, I bought some Art supplies. 🙂
On Sunday morning, I did a 1/2 hour walk around town mainly taking some reference photos for future sketches.
On the way home we stopped at Govett’s Leap in the Blue Mountains (the subject of my next post), and then a late lunch at a restaurant called, “The Bunker” at Springwood in the Lower Blue Mountains.
All-in-all another great little escape filled with good cheer, family, friends, Art and relaxation.
We are looking forward to our next escape!
Till next time!
Written & Photographed by David Johnson
30 June 2023
Click on the link (Home) to find out more about Millthorpe.
Things That Attract My Eye – 5
Welcome to the 5th post of Things That Attract My Eye.
This crop of images comers from various places, including on a at a dinner near the City, our front garden in Autumn (Fall), the local Nepean River, Millthorpe (Country NSW), opposite the gym I attend and in a car wash.
Images and the beauty within them are sometimes found in the most unlikely places.
Written & Photographed by David Johnson
29 June 2023
There’s Peace In The Air
Step Forth
Art Journaling Australia
Recently, a great friend and business owner I know (who is an Artist, Art Teacher and Art Therapist), Sharon Veness, set up a Facebook group called ‘Art Journaling Australia.’
I’ve been doing sketches for a few years now and have read about Art Journaling before, however I’ve not really had a consistent practice for it. This past week, I’ve joined Sharon’s new Facebook group and am enjoying the process.
Some of my Art Journaling will never see the light of day as it is quite personal however, some is less personal and I have been happy to share it in the group.
Here a couple of examples:
I’m really enjoying this process. It’s another way for me to communicate/express how I feel about things in my life and as I view the world on a daily basis.
If you are interested in checking out the Facebook link, here it is:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/635381875168842
Happy Art Journaling! 🙂
Written by David Johnson
17 June 2023
Art Is…
Urban Sketching Inspiration
Earlier in the year I turned 60 and received two copies of the ‘Atomic Habits’ book. This past week I finally decided which book I was going to replace one copy with.
I have been doing research on and off for a fair while reviewing books on the subject of Urban Sketching and finally decided to purchase the book below, ‘Urban Sketching: the complete guide to techniques’ by Thomas Thorspecken.
The book only arrived yesterday morning and I have already been inspired by it to start sketching people. I haven’t really done a lot in terms of sketching people, and always seemed to ‘shy away’ from doing it as I had this belief that it was either too hard, or some had some other limiting belief around it.
Apart from that, I have only had a chance to have a quick flip through (as it has been quite a busy Long Weekend). Looking forward to sitting down with a cuppa tonight to explore the book more.
Till next time!
Written by David Johnson
12 June 2023
New Day
Farewell To Autumn (Fall)
It’s the 3rd June 2023 here, (60km / 37 miles) South-West of Sydney, Australia and Autumn is still with us, even though it’s the third day of Winter. The Seasons have been running late here for quite a few years now.
We have a Maple Tree in the front garden and it has been so wonderful to watch the changing colours over Autumn (Fall), and I believe Autumn (Fall) is starting to enter its final stage.
I went out this morning and took a few images on my iPhone before having to dash to an appointment.
Till next time!
Written & Photographed by David Johnson
3 June 2023
Communicating Creatively 