Earlier this year I stood at Evan’s Head lookout, near Blackheath in the Blue Mountains, NSW, before embarking on the ambitiously-named “Grand Canyon” walk that starts from this point.
The lookout commands a spectacular view to the north and east over a wide deep valley ringed with tall steep cliffs. On this autumn day, sunset was a couple of hours away, and the cliffs were casting long deep shadows over the forested valley slopes, with patches of trees lit up by bright sunlight.
A raucous flight of cockatoos rose from below, screeching to each other as they wheeled and climbed, flapping their way higher, soaring over my head before flying away to an unknown destination.
“Rising from the valley” is acrylic, acrylic ink and cold wax medium on inscribed 61x81cm hardboard, and will be featured at the new Gallery NWC opening in Katoomba early in 2024.
