life – Communicating Creatively

Devil’s Marbles

Featured by communicatingcreatively, posted in Painting

Back in 1986, I went on a Con-Tiki tour of the Northern Territory in Australia. Whilst I have quite a few photos from that location (we stayed overnight there), and the trip itself, I have never got around to attempting a painting on any of the subjects I saw on that trip.

The Devil’s Marbles are a loose formation of mainly rounded boulders, plus some other shapes that are anywhere from 50cm (19.6 inches) to 6 metres (19.6 feet) in diameter.

The painting below has a mixture of them. I’m sure I’ll do more of the Devil’s Marbles, and other locations from that trip.

Baohong Aquarelle 100% Pure Cotton Rough Watercolour paper
Kuretake Gansai Tambi Japanese Watercolour pans
Daniel Smith Watercolours
Aquawash brushes
Neef brushes
Size 18 x 26cm (7 x 10 inches)

Till next time!

Written & Painted by David Johnson

8 February 2026

Here is a link to find out more information if you would like visit it.

https://northernterritory.com/tennant-creek-and-barkly-region/destinations/karlu-karlu–devils-marbles-conservation-reserve

Near & Far

Featured by communicatingcreatively, posted in Painting

I seem to do a lot seascapes. I live about 45 minutes to an hour from the nearest beach so I don’t get a lot of time to spend near the water. The painting below is another one from the imagination.

Like a lot of people, I guess I find the ocean/waves relaxing, even if I cannot get there, I love to recreate the feeling/sight at home.

Baohong Aquarelle 100% Pure Cotton Rough Watercolour paper
Kuretake Gansai Tambi Japanese Watercolour pans
Sumikondo Japanese Ink Pigments
Aquawash brushes
Size 18 x 26cm (7 x 10 inches)

Till next time!

Written & Painted by David Johnson

8 February 2026

Towards Another Dimension

Featured by communicatingcreatively, posted in Painting

Whilst I am enjoying painting standard subjects like seascapes, landscapes, building etc, I like to break out every now and then and do something ‘a little bit way out.’ I do love a good Sci-Fi or Fantasy book or film.

This is where I think the inspiration for, ‘Towards Another Dimension’ came.

Baohong Aquarelle 100% Pure Cotton Rough Watercolour paper
Kuretake Gansai Tambi Japanese Watercolour pans
Sumikondo Japanese Ink Pigments
Masking Fluid pen
Aquawash brushes
Size 18 x 26cm (7 x 10 inches)

Till next time!

Written & Painted by David Johnson

8 February 2026

Our Layers Of Life

Featured by communicatingcreatively, posted in Poetry

Mental Unwind

Featured by communicatingcreatively, posted in Poetry

This is the second Poem I wrote yesterday when I was just sitting out the back of our house enjoying the Sunshine, gentle breeze and the lovely birdsong.

An Utter Delight!

Featured by communicatingcreatively, posted in Poetry

Such a beautiful day yesterday! We had our great friends, Rolf & Karen come over for a BBQ lunch and then spent a wonderful time together for hours.😎🥩🥗🍰🍺🍹

After they left I went out the back and enjoyed the (very) late afternoon sunshine, warmth and birdsong, and the following words came to me. 😎🦜🌞✍️🖋️

Sitting On A Shelf

Featured by communicatingcreatively, posted in Poetry

Things That Attract My Eye – Part 28

Featured by communicatingcreatively, posted in Photography

Seems a great day to catch up on a few things, as, in Sydney, South-West it is 43C /109.4F today. Yesterday, it was 41C and the day before, 39C. Tomorrow, It’s supposed to be only 24C. Phew!

The following selection of images were taken across two walks I did this week in the same vicinity, one in that beautiful time of day before Dusk, and the others were taken earlier this morning (before the heat of the day arrived).

Last Wednesday, I walked 4.6 km / 2.86 miles & this morning I walked 7.25km / 4.5 miles.

Till next time!

Written & Photographed by David Johnson

10 January 2026

More Treasure!

Featured by communicatingcreatively, posted in Books, Stories From Life

Last Friday, my Wife and I went to her parent’s property, South-East of Goulburn, NSW. On the way out, we stopped at one of our favourite places in Goulburn, The Argyle Emporium. We have visited there quite a few times before and I have written about it a few times on this blog.

It is located in an old police station/courthouse opposite the railway line, just up from the main park in Goulburn CBD. It has 25 rooms and approximately 500,000 books, plus records (LPs) and other items as well.

I suggested that we drop in here as my Wife is currently reading a 5-book sci-fi series called, ‘Dune.’ She received book one for Christmas and has book 5 but is missing the other three books. She was able to find book three so just has to get the other two now.

Of course, the chances of me entering a second-hand bookstore and not buying anything are extremely slim. I am happy to report that I did, in fact, buy five books. I added three to my poetry collection, there was one art-related book, and one writing-related book.