Today was an excellent day for wandering around in the Mt Cootha Botanic Gardens. We decided to make a trip out because unusually for Brisbane spring, it was cool, cloudy and very pleasant for an outside excursion, so we packed up the kiddies and took off. The gardens were heavily renovated last year, with many parts cordoned off, so we were very keen to see what they looked like now.
What we’d forgotten was that it was spring, so the gardens looked extra special because all the flowers were out! Bonus! It’s a good time of the year because it’s been a relatively wet winter, and there are lots of lush green shrubs and trees. All still green before becoming parched and sunburnt by the harsh Australian sun. There was also a Botanique Bazaar in the Randall Art Studio which we had a wander through, and I spotted some paintings from a fellow Urban Sketcher, Sue Mansill. Her style is very distinct – colourful and loose. The girls are actually very good art critics, and they admired some of the unusual tile ceramic work, and handmade jewellery. There was an orchid show in the nearby auditorium, but we didn’t go there. I love to look at orchids but I have never managed to keep one alive yet, so I won’t get tempted. Although next time, maybe I should visit by myself and try and sketch a few of the more unusual specimens.
The girls got a good walk and play in the newly built children’s area. I couldn’t wait to road test my new sketchbook I bought at the Art Shed – a Leughtturm. I can’t even pronounce the name.
I’ve been wanting a more lightweight visual journal so that I could sketch quickly on the fly, because it’s not always easy to do so when accompanied by two very active 5 year olds. So this was a good chance to try it out. Armed with my pencils (and I hadn’t sketched in pencil for a LOOONG time), I sneaked a couple of sketches here and there. My normal journal for urban sketching is an A4 mixed media Stillman & Birn journal, which will take watercolour washes. I didn’t want to use that big journal for only pencil work, so I’ll save it for wet media only. Anyway, it’s always good to practise drawing. Good foundation skills to have. Might have to start looking at the Youtube videos for pencil and line work again.
There’s also a new kitchen garden section in the Gardens. Apparently they hold cooking demos there now and then. Very handy because there’s all manner of vegetables and herbs growing beautifully around the little cooking patio. I had to take some photos because I had STRONG vege envy. I know I will never have the patience to muck around in the soil and make sure my veggies grow so well. I can only admire others’ work. The girls and Anth had a lot of fun squishing leaves and herbs just so they could smell the different scents. I just love the colours.
Look at that growing broccoli!! Last time I tried to grow that, the bugs ate all the leaves. So frustrating.
I think I will get back into pencil and pen sketching. Much more portable.
I am forever amazed at how civic-minded the locals are. Back in Malaysia where I come from, these plants growing in public areas would never have had a chance. People would have picked them bare by now. There’s another kitchen garden in Southbank..again…untouched except by the birds and possums. That garden has even greater foot traffic. Can’t believe all the vegetables are still intact.
Look at this lovely green wheat. The green shades and lovely shapes are so graceful. Might draw these just for fun. Or even paint them.
All in all, a very satisfactory family Sunday.
