We often look forward to visiting family interstate in December and this year we made our way to Margaret River, Western Australia. It's situated 3 hours drive south of Perth. Away from the bustle of cities but close to beautiful beaches and surrounded by wonderful huge Karri Tree forests.
We stayed at the lovely home above known as "Ithaca". When building the home from scratch they felt it may take as long as Homer's return voyage home to Ithaca to complete (20 years!). They say it's still unfinished but in its ideal bush setting and beautiful collections of old treasures inside, in my eyes it is a stunning home.
On several days I chose to draw from the various items framed upon the wall or displayed around the home. Very relaxing!
We took a day trip to Busselton and whilst the rest of the family had lunch I attempted to sketch the Courthouse Gallery. The building was used as a Courthouse for 120 years before ceasing its service in the 1970's. The sun was burning hot, and the wind also dried the pigments on the palette so I wasn't overly happy at the time but a local watercolour artist did stop to chat whilst I drew which cheered me.
For the last evening of our stay we drove back up to Perth and stayed at the grand Esplanade Hotel in Fremantle. Fremantle is an old portside suburb that's be given a facelift and retains some fantastic buildings full of character. I hope I make it back with more time to sketch there another time. I have to give credit to my own family and in laws for tolerating my sketching at almost every opportunity on this trip! This sketch above was very rushed but in reality it was probably the speed I need to get back to after such a lazy holiday!
