Top End bush
Most of the bush around the Top End of Australia is not particularly lush for a large part of the year. Long hot dry seasons turn the grasses brown and fires lick up their rustling lengths and into trees. Then, when the rain comes the bush fills out with a celebration of bright green.
Pandanus
The bush throughout the Top End of the Northern Territory is marked by a proliferation of pandanus. Every year, excessive burning-off sets the bush ablaze for miles around, leaving blackened bush to recover in the dry heat of July and August. Driving home through numerous fires inspired this design, the dancing orange heat offsetting the startling black trunks of charred pandanus.
At the first hint of rain in the early build-up, the bush begins to turn green, bright growth bursting from blackened stumps as the bush comes back to life.
Nesting
Rainbow pitta
I’ve included the Nesting collection because the coordinates, though very simple leaf designs, describe the seasons in the Top End. Rainbow pittas are reasonably common, however catching a glimpse of one in the wild is a rare treat.
During the wet season, rainbow pittas nest on the ground and in trees, adapting their architecture to suit the environment.
This design is inspired by the Mid Century Modern designs of the 1950’s and 60’s.
There are lots more birds to see.
Seedpods: growth/monsoon
Inspired by a seedpod I picked up off the ground outside my studio, this design didn’t go where I expected it to, but then, not everything does, does it?