Australia’s Story — Today’s Challenge
Art is the collaboration between God and the artist, and the less the artist does the better. Andre Gide
The mind of an artist entertains, is a mystery, it notices magic, it plays with beauty, and it avoids fear and repression and it lives on love. David Price — Out of Nothing, Something — Medium
The true work of art is but a shadow of the divine perfection. Michelangelo
A picture is a poem without words. Horace
All art is but imitation of nature. Lucius Annaeus Seneca
This Naive Style Seascape Oil Painting was indeed a joy to create. The bright/pastel colours seem to bring this artwork to lift.
I have captured the amazing beauty of this lighthouse standing vigil — that I have visited on many occasions.
I have successfully followed both the demands of the Naive style of painting and my desire to capture the reality of the natural beauty of this amazing location.
The gentle pastel colours used in this Seascape Oil Painting truly capture the bright sunset as the sun drifts below the horizon on yet another amazing day.
This is one of my earliest paintings. I am quite proud of the bright colours and thick textures used to tell the story behind this artwork.
Having visited this amazing beach on many occasions I was able to capture its beauty on canvas.
Now a little about Port Macquarie to pique your interest:
Port Macquarie is a major service centre and important holiday destination on the New South Wales Mid North Coast. It is a town steeped in a history which dates back to convict times. There are superb nature reserves with lovely beaches known for their excellent surfing and fishing. There are also beautiful walking tracks with panoramic views around the headlands and beaches. Tourism is obviously central to the local economy, although fishing, oyster farming, manufacturing and mineral processing are also important. In historic terms, Port Macquarie is the most significant town between Newcastle and the Queensland border. In recent times it was the northern limit of the expressway which traversed the coastal hinterland from Sydney.(aussietowns.com.au)
I lived, studied and worked in Port Macquarie for over fourteen years. I still visit her as often as I can, my youngest Mark still lives there. I woke early so I was able to start the day with a stroll on my favourite beach — pictured above. I can still — in my memory — taste the salt on my tongue, feel the breeze in my hair, hear children laughing as they splash in the shallows and watch the gulls overhead. Port Macquarie is such a magical place for me and always will be.
Now, if I could, may I turn your attention to the plight that Port Macquarie is facing due to the impact of Climate Change???
Do something today that your future self will thank you for. therandomvibes.com
When You and I work together with our words and actions we will achieve something that in the future we will be proud of.
I sincerely believe that you, as indeed most Australians, are concerned about the negative impact Australia is burdened. I am only ONE voice, but with your help, I can make a difference. I will write regular stories on the places that I have painted emphasising how they are affected by climate change.
I am not in any way saying that I am an expert on Climate Change and how we can reverse its trends. Yet, I am convinced if we act together now we can make the difference Australia deserves. My desire/hope is my stories will inform and alert people to what is happening in these various locations. I will then give a brief description of strategies that are underway to help nature fight back.
Aim for Miracles — Australia is Indeed Miraculous — She Deserves Our Tender Loving Care!!!
The most violent element in society is ignorance. Emma Goldman
My motivation behind today’s story is to combine these two elements. That is, to use the Miracle of Words and to Combat Ignorance and Climate Change Denial.
I am using today’s story to uplift and build hope. Hope that you and I together can help save the largest living organism in the world — the Great Barrier Reef. Which is so large that astronauts flying in outer space have God’s view of it. The Great Barrier Reef, as indeed all the coral reefs around the world, is dying from bleaching as a result of increased water temperature. I hope my words flying around the world via Medium will alert people so they can demand the powers that can take action. Action needs to be taken to reduce or if possible reverse sea temperature levels on a global scale. One voice at a time can make a difference. Remember the most hardened rock is turned to sand over millennia by water — one drop at a time.
We can, you and I, working together halt sea levels rising due to climate change impacting the largest sand island on our Blue Planet — Fraser Island. By achieving this the pure water in the inland lakes on this unique island will again flourish and sustain the wildlife dependent on them.
Together, you and I can take the first steps needed to stop temperatures from rising and thus decrease fuel build up in areas surrounding districts such as Port Macquarie. The 2019–2020 wild bushfires devastated homes, killed between 350 to 600 slow-moving Koalas, and caused exhaustion and injuries to untold numbers of other wild and domestic animals.
It, I know seems all too much. Yet, when working together anything is possible. Perhaps, we can step back a moment in awe and look around at your particular corner (if you are in Australia, then all the better). We are not the only ones fighting/striving to create a better world. One that future generations can deeply breathe in air that is fresh and safe. A world where animals run free and not only in zoos or on Google. A world where Climate Change is a thing of the past and lessons learnt are passed on so mistakes are not made again. Miracles do happen. One step at a time.
I believe we, you and I, can work together and spread the word. We will succeed along with all the others fighting for Australia and our Blue Planet. I know this deep in my heart! My God-given conviction is if we battle against what at times seems such unassailable odds Little Blue Planet will bounce back. She has done in the past after other Extinction events I have true faith She will prevail again.
My conviction/hope in our beloved country— Australia — worth provides the courage for me to struggle on. Australia — indeed our whole Blue Planet — deserves no less.
We must continue to acknowledge Australia is indeed impacted by Climate Change and our unique wildlife are innocent victims. We can be their voice shouting to the world they need protection. Be it the slow-moving Koalas fleeing the ever-increasing threat of wild bushfires. Or Dingoes on Fraser Island having their pure inland lake water contaminated with salt and sand. Or be it other wildlife being hunted and killed by animals we have migrated to this unique nation. Pests and diseases have wiped to extinction so many species that future generations will only see in museums and books. God designed Man to be this planet’s guardian. Haven’t done a very good job — have we? Yet, I hope it is not too late. I hope that the Koalas can survive and that our little Marsupials can find a haven from our feral cats and dogs.
I have strayed from Climate Change, sorry. I believe every word I write, you read and take action on, will give us the courage to move forward in our endeavour to protect Australia. Hope for a brighter/cleaner future in Australia is you and I come together in words and actions.
Then, I sincerely, believe it will have a DOMINO effect and will inspire others to act.
The earth and its magnificent gift of life deserve the best efforts of every human. Australian for Animals
The values All Australians have in common:
I, you too probably, love Australia’s iconic koalas. These slow-moving furry/lovable creatures can be saved from future bushfires with a strategic fire reduction plan in place each year. Climate change plans to put in place fuel reduction means the temperatures of these devastating fires will not be so intense. It may not save all the Koalas, but if only a few are saved then it is truly worth the effort.
You, and I, working alongside fellow Australians and others can turn the tide on the impact of Climate Change. The wild bushfire devastation around Port Macquarie in 2019–2020 and how it killed between 350 to 600 Koalas and put more and more pressure on its other wildlife sent a global message via media around the globe. Something has to change.
It shines a light on how powerful our individual actions can be when we all act together. WWF — Australia
Imagine for a moment just cuddling one of these living “Teddy Bears” a furry Koala. Is it not worth fighting for? Imagine only seeing Australia’s unique Possums in books or museums. Are they not worth fighting for? The wildlife and our domestic animals cannot fight the impacts of Climate Change on their own. They need our words. They need our actions. And, when do they need them? NOW!!!
Now, we are doing just that — we are taking the action needed to fight on their behalf. And, we know we are going to make a difference. One step at a time. One word, one story at a time. Australia and its wildlife depend on such as us.
It can be easy to feel helpless in the face of such a crisis. But, the bushfire emergency has shown just how much people from Australia and all around the world care about our amazing wildlife. It shines a light on how powerful our individual actions can be when we all act together. We can turn the tide on Australia’s extinction crisis, but we need to act now. WWF — Australia
So, take heart that we are not alone people all around the world care.
The power of one man or one women doing the right thing for the right reason, and at the right time, is the greatest influence in our society. Jack Kemp.
With the power of Medium, you and I are not alone. We are indeed the right people doing the right thing. It is urgent that now is the right time. I fear we are close to the tipping point — so to speak. We have the power, you and I to save our beloved country — Australia. And, by saving her we save her diverse and unique wildlife.
Another simple way you can implement changes to Climate Change is to reduce emissions by electricity providers. How can I do this you may ask. Simply by changing to a renewable-friendly energy retailer and signing to their green power plan. You can also encourage your family and friends to do the same. Reducing emissions in this way also reduces Climate Change in the long run.
So, as you can see, you and I working together can give Australia a future that is both bright and clean. We can have a future that is safe from catastrophic bushfires and rising sea levels. I know we as Australians care. I know we have it in our power to make a difference. Let us do just that. And let it be NOW!!!
A positive statement propels hope toward a better future, it builds up your faith and that of others, and it promotes change. — Jan Dargatz
Our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this planet. We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children’s future. And we are all mortal. John F. Kennedy
Well, till next time, Diane. Please do help Australia in whatever way you deem you should.
