A Wet And Wild Day in Wollongong

Yesterday as much of our state was lashed by wild storms, some brave-hearted Sydney USKers ventured down to Wollongong to draw with a group of sketchers there who are keen to grow and become linked with us.  We caught an early train, and travelling together gave us a lovely chance to catch up and chat, which isn’t always what happens when we’re sketching outdoors on a sunny day.

Despite the fact that the planned itinerary was never going to work in that weather, we all found sketching spots under some degree of shelter. Some of us visited the art gallery, while others drew the Town Hall or the amazing architecture of the new Wollongong Central and its views. Its design is based on the industrial heritage of the city, and its landscape, reflected in the rust-coloured steel bars on the front  facade and the local flora designs as embellishments on the white panels.

Despite soggy shoes and wet clothing we had a great day and it was good to encourage the Wollongong group too. The itinerary they had planned for yesterday is all ready to use the next time we go down, and we thank them for their warm hospitality! 

A step back in time on the road to Canberrra

I recently stopped off at one of my favourite places, Marulan, a little village off the main highway between Sydney and Canberra. It has some interesting history, including bushrangers holding up traffic travelling north to Sydney from the Southern goldfields. Each time I stop there I take the chance to draw some of the historic buildings on its main street, adding to my Marulan set in an 8 x 5” Moleskine.

I can never resist a tin shed … something about the rust? Certainly they have character! And I love the old Billy Tea signage on it.

The buildings that make up Baldock's general store are classic Australian style with the galvanised shed alongside the shop and residence. It was built in the 1870s with a well at the back that was one of only three that were Marulan’s main water supply in those days.

The Marulan Butchery, built in 1878, has been a butcher’s shop ever since! At one time it was Feltham’s Butchery and apparently Granny Feltham was still a good butcher at age 93!
 The Victorian Stone Shop beside it was a grocery store, with a blacksmith’s at the back. The front gable has a window used when heavy stores were winched to the loft from the horse drawn wagon below. I read that at one time there was even a skating rink at the rear of the shop!

There are still more buildings for me to draw next time I pass through … a good excuse to go on a road trip again!