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"A Sound Like Rain' A new way to Celebrate the Australian Landscape is available now.


"Kathmandu Taxi' release 2025. (New Fictional Story)

About Don Hill:
Don's Art is Visually Descriptive and Visionary and it is associated with particular episodes in his life and many travels.
He is an Australian based Multi Disciplinary Practice as well as a Creative Director.
Over the past decade he has been developing his writing skills and is currently writing his new novel Kathmandu Taxi (Copyright).
From early childhood he has had a love of Art and been involved with many notables and projects over this time in Australia, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Japan and Thailand.
Don is also writing a new story concurrent with a showing of works with the title "A Sound Like Rain".
With his latest writings he would like to see it published in multiple languages. 

All paper products that he  uses to publish his books are ISO FSC certified and are a renewable and recyclable resource.  He is critically aware of zero environmental harm and preserving what is left. "All the books I publish still contain the Carbon that was produced in their manufacture as opposed to what we are viewing on our computer screens.'
"All my publications come from plantation timber and I am looking forward to the day that we are using Cannabis as a substitute for timber paper products.'



Don held his first Solo Exhibition in Brisbane in 2000.

A Sound Like Rain Overview and Foreword 

 ISBN979-8-89660-983-4  Release Date December 2024
When I came to start these works and writings I had no idea of where to start except the fact I could look at the image of Queen Elizabeth on my wall and feel inspired. She always encouraged me.
Art and writing is not an easy pilgrimage although when ideas, words and paint start to flow in the congenial direction it is difficult to halt the process and take a rest. So you may find yourself looking up to the clock at one or two in the morning and wonder how you arrived at that point. You and me are different as we have lived different lives with different outcomes that never collide. I am not of the mortal and moral courage to lay back because of the places I have been in my life, some good, some bad, some threatening, some desperate, some sad although there were happy times in between. I have survived all these years dressed in a coat of a loner, vagabond and tramp. I used to think Art was easy in the fact I could paint a portrait or still life and feel happy with it as I thought people would like it and relate to it. Now it is different as I like to write it's story along the way to explain the purpose of the paint as well as the pen.
Please read on and discover my story of the Babinda Boulders, Bartle Frere  and Far North Queensland.

Detail from a "Pool' Study. Oil and Acrylic paint with Gold Leaf on board.

In the Beginning (A Sound Like Rain 2024)
 Day One
The Turquoise sky had fallen in and down to Earth melting like butter into the depths of the forest pools. Green tree ants ran wild up and down lianas to known and unknown destinations hunting food for their tribe. They had a history and could make use of any scraps that were left in the green verge and turbulence of leaves and vine. Writing their own script and future Anywhere, Anytime, wherever and whenever they wanted. Vibrating with life and being. Further down reptiles moved upstream further and further as they had no predator or fear anymore just the hunger for territory, survival and sustenance. The arteries of the rainforest hum to the sound of the Riflebird as it displays a notice and muse to a new mate and the sound of Cassowary walking on. Day flying moths flew to the call of the boulders while Ornithoptera displayed size and beauty a thousand times more than what was required and sought in this green mixture of life and abundance and stated that Priamus was King and Queen. So this is what this place is. An encounter, a mixture of green colour and uncluttered noise. This is what this place is.
The snake makes a stretch along the tree as if to be a branch then slides effortlessly upward to find a fresh egg or something else to eat. Its glistening armor sparkles rainbows in the speckled light of the rainforest. God lives here or maybe God doesn't. It doesn't matter how it manifests itself as all that counts is that it manifests and conquers with its beauty and surprise.
The turbulence of sound, running, crashing water and the rustle of the leaf completes the poetry of noise. A noise that only Nature can make.
Once out of the blue the Paradise Kingfisher swoops down to the lower canopy with it's white tail dipping earthward the fluttering wings prods the leaves into a rhythmic almost operatic movement. Leaning forward there were strange sounds in the forest and also footprints in the mud.
Footprints in the Mud
The day at the pools continues with carloads arriving for their swimming lessons to hear the call of the princess beckoning them to join her at their leisure forever.

"At the Boulders.' "Figure in Landscape.' Oil, Acrylic Paint and Leaf on Box Board Frame. 81 x 61cm. 2023 SOLD

Day Three
The Sun sank behind the trees at the West of the beach as Starfish made tracks and circles in the sand. The Triton hunted them when daylight stirred and started to dim. Hammerhead was now on top of the Apex game just observing, cruising alone and along in his Grey suit. This is how we are. Alone
The pools start to call once more as the Darkness comes to the Oasis.
Today it was not Ulysses that danced in the sky although Ornithoptera flew onward and fluttered by in Metallic Green and Brown coats. My name is Birdwing it sang as it did. It was now the Sun high above my head that danced as I had thoughts of the clear blue and its freshness with a giant stride and bubbles exiting from my aqualung as I sank down into the depths of the Coral Sea. Just dreaming. Just dreaming as the Fish buzz filled my ears to the hiss of the BCD.
This time I had set out early to reach the top of the peak before the heat came.
As usual I was lost as I had been so many times in the past.
It was as if Genesis had been reborn and came to visit me on this Earth in a dream as I walked further into the lush green of the Wet Tropics. Further away from the Pool of Souls where the princess waits for those she calls and beckons to join her forever. Who will be next? Who will wear the Number 22?
I stumbled on heroically trying to keep composed even though my legs were bleeding from the attacks of leeches and lianas. I still went forward. Luckily I brought treatment for those injuries although not for the ones in my heart.

 Pool. Digital Print on Archival print paper 61 x 33 Limited Edition Signed and Numbered 2024. Available

 Number 22. Digital Print on Archival print paper 61 x 33 Limited Edition Signed and Numbered 2024. Available.

             Among the Stones  Detail. Oil and Acrylic Paint, Silver and Gold Leaf  on sized Ply Board 80 x 60cm

"Moonlit figure at the Boulders' Gold and Silver Leaf, Oil and Acrylic paint on box board stretcher 81 x 81cm 2024 From a Sound Like Rain.

"Reflections' at the Boulders. Gold Leaf, Oil and Acrylic paint on box board stretcher 81 x 81cm 2024.  A Sound Like Rain Series and Book

Day Six (a time to run)It looked like a storm was on the Summer horizon in the East with the possibility of a Tropical Low forming in the Coral Sea.
It was now time to descend the summit and head South before turmoil was unleashed.
All that is paradise can be undone.
This can happen in seconds and minutes.
There is however renewal at the end.
The path of previous storms still visible in the lush green with groups of trees stripped bare like reeds in a pond.
Their grey trunks still standing as a testament to the past and nature's fury.
An urgency started to spring from the Cicada noise as there was a movement in the air and a feeling of impending doom.
Cumulus Nimbus was coming forth and upright, its billowing white and grey puffs stretching up to the Stratosphere.
The Coral Sea was once again brewing its teapot unbeknown to the human counterparts who thought they were smarter than the rain forest incumbents and inhabitants.

"Reflections' at the Boulders (Detail). Gold Leaf, Oil and Acrylic paint on box board stretcher 81 x 81cm 2024.  A Sound Like Rain Series and Book

Happiness at Last
The rain clouds penetrated deep into the mountain side making the walking harder and harder. Slipping was a concern in that if one broke a leg who would come to look for you especially if you didnt let anyone know where you were going. As a human I was nothing special just skin and bone with some meat in between. I had proved this many times but I just had to keep going regardless of how hard the rain became. Further on I could see some sunlight and comfort at the end in about 300 metres which meant that I could dry out and take some rest. Stepping over Lianas in the wet were not the most ideal result that you could wish for but there was no other choice. I was still energetic and I felt that soon I would be taking a long trip overseas possibly back to Nepal. I remembered that one of my previous encounters had moved to Gangtok in Sikkim and had a baby. Being a smoker she looked tired and worn out when I saw he last on an Insta page. On this trip was the princess of the pools still travelling with me and guiding me with her hand hopefully to join her?

"The Bend in Time 1'. At the Chute. Digital Print on Archival print paper 61 x 33 Limited Edition Signed and Numbered 2024. Available.

"The Bend in Time 2'. At the Devil's Pool. Digital Print on Archival print paper 61 x 33 Limited Edition Signed and Numbered 2024. Available. 
The drawings above describe the "Bend in Time' at the pools of the Boulders and show the Figure (Oolana) or whatever it is welcoming the new arrivals to her abode. There are three pools which the Legend revolves around and these are "The Washing Machine'. "The Chute' and the "Devil's Pool'. Overall to date there has been 21 known drowning deaths in recent times of young males with one female fatality. The Warning signs are Omni Present and cannot be missed but individuals still cross over the fence line and sometimes bath in the pools.  This practice is highly dangerous and if you are dragged under there is no chance of saving yourself.  On occasions one slip will be fatal with rescue not possible only recovery. When you walk the tracks of the Rain Forest here there is a persistent presence.

"The Bend in Time 2'. At the Devil's Pool. Digital Print on Archival print paper 61 x 33 Limited Edition Signed and Numbered 2024. Available. 

   "Depth of Presence' Reflection looking up through the water to the Rain Forest' Detail. Gold and Silver Leaf, Oil and Acrylic paint on box board stretcher 61 x 61cm 2023. A Sound Like Rain 2024

"Reflections' at the Boulders (Detail). Gold Leaf, Oil and Acrylic paint on box board stretcher 81 x 81cm 2024.  A Sound Like Rain Series and Book


The Oasis
As time past I came to the realization that I was living in the Oasis 
The more I thought about this the more the idea became truth.
I was far away from the Southern crowd and finally doing my own thing without restraint and human interference.
This had proved and begun my release from Urban Sprawl.
Somewhere in my psyche I was free at last in my last ditch to be me away from the mass dictatorship of constant upheaval and power struggles.
I had once again found somewhere to call home without a Litmus Test from anyone.
The next day I was on the water again with the new 17 Foot tinny heading out to the reef to catch some much needed sustenance.
There was a game plan and that was to find and navigate one of the Wonky Holes where the fresh water springs pop up into the salt water.
This is where the fish would be and feeding.
As I moved along doing about 30 knots the outboard on the back sounded like it was actually idling as there was much more it could do at the click of the throttle.
I set my sights on going southward to the Barnard Islands and Lindquist Reef for Brunch and then find some territory that wasn't fished too often.
I had finally made it to John Coburn territory and my age no longer mattered, just my health.

My Paint Box sat idle on the sideboard cupboard as I could not bring myself to paint anything anymore at present.  My energy was spent and even though I had not created many works this time these were enough to progress to the next stage whatever that was and whenever it would happen.  The energy of the rainforest was still present in my mind and I had seen many things some good and some not so good.  That adventure had come to an end for the time being. I had an urge to go diving again in the Coral Sea in the underwater rainforest so I started to get my BCD and Regs ready for that next step into the Abyss. Wall dives on the edge of the Shelf held some promise as the vis was always 30 metres plus sometimes 70 metres. Encounters here were usually big and tangible with the likely hood that a tiger might drift up from the depths to investigate who came splashing into their domain. 

Extract from the Heading North Book ISBN 979-8-89184-849-8

The Tinny glided across the glassy water towards Dunk crossing the pond.
A morning so calm and clear was worth a Toby Lure out the back of the boat for good measure just to see if anything was around.
It was now warming up.
On this particular day I headed down towards the Hull River keeping close to the shore until I came across the grey cliffs that dive into the sea like the back of the Dragon.
No stopping in this area as the salties are big as well as active and hungry.They are the Dragons in this time and age.I made the left turn back towards Dunk with an idea I might head towards Bedarra.
Thoughts and Visions of John Coburn and his art burned in my head as the boat bobbed up and down on the non existent waves.
I could almost hear Norman Lindsay writing and narrating this story so many years ago.
I had a copy of his book published in the 1930's and not being able to find it in Australia
I purchased it from a bookstore down in Kentish Town the last time I was in old London.
Coburn’s tapestries and geometric compositions played with my aquatic libido and I realised how great he was.
Years earlier I had swum around the Peer at Dunk alone as well as up and down the point.
Nothing happened.
Something that would never be attempted again as the water is murky and you don't know what is eyeing you off.
The resort was now gone on the island as the last cyclone smashed it to pieces.
There was two metres plus of sand through the resort and structures with no hope of resurrecting it at all as it had to be demolished.
It used to be beautiful and you could walk through the resort without question eyeing off the food which was laid
out on Mahogany tables stretched around the inside perimeter.
This was very different to the Sands of Kooringal.  

"Out of Darkness' Detail. Gold Leaf, Oil and Acrylic paint on box board stretcher 160 x 120 cm 2023. Two Panel Piece. Available

"Out of Darkness' Detail. Gold Leaf, Oil and Acrylic paint on box board stretcher 160 x 120 cm 2023. Two Panel Piece. Available

"Heading North' ISBN 979-8-89184-849-8 (Released 1st of November 2023)

The opening was held at The London Offices 30 Florence Street Teneriffe. "The Florence Street Space' in Teneriffe Brisbane.
A beautifully crafted edition including photographs of multiple paintings that celebrate his story. It's about adventure in Croc Infested waters in Far North Queensland. The book is descriptive of Don Hill's journeys in a Ten Foot tinny in open sea in and around Dunk Island as well as containing an extract of his fictional book. "16 Belsize Crescent' describing the adventures of his alter ego character Owen Stanley. His near swamping between Mission Beach and Bedarra island in the early millennium and the harrowing journey back to dry land.

Once again I fell under the spell of the “Island of Dreams’ Shambhala.
The journey, this one had taken me two days with delays including weather and getting the old Evinrude Motor serviced.
It was a great motor and always ran despite circumstances.
I was mobile again on the glassy sea. It was glassy so far until the next call of the Sea Bitch.
Dunk always looked easy until you started the crossing especially in an old boat.
This time I made sure I had enough inflatable foam encased at each end of the boat in the event I got swamped as this vehicle was of the old style and could easily sink.
So I could bail before the inevitable.
The life jackets were yellow so therefore the prime colour that Sharks were interested in although it was the only colour I and anyone else could get.
I remembered the good old days when I could ply the Noosa River up and down in safety and catch a Flathead or two.
This was a lot different.
It was the open sea in a tiny Ten Foot Tinny.
If I took the seat out of the front my ship would plane across the water at speed but if I left it in it would plough on.
What should I do?
There were always questions and not many answers.
Finally I had arrived.
This was now the “Night Anchorage at the Island of Dreams’. Banfield’s hideaway and mine.

 "Line of a Tropical Shore' Detail. Gold Leaf, Oil and Acrylic paint on box board stretcher 160 x 120 cm 2023 Available

Interview with Nittaya Inphirut July 2023
Don Hill is Heading North

"I see that you have an interest in certain types of Music.'
"Yes there is music and there is music which I listen to from time to time but most of it is one of my passing fads.' " I have quite a collection if you are interested.'
"Does it have an influence in your art.
'"Yes and no.' "Yes because it was conceived out of thin air and no because it may eventually become boring to listen to.' " The same as Art becomes as you have your moments where something took place and then you may try to replicate it but this doesn't work or it works for a while until you become bored and cant look at it anymore.' "It becomes past tense and no longer interesting.'
"This is the time in the Lull or Doldrum of life when you know you need to move forward but you don't know how to.'
"This is when the depression sets in so once again you dig yourself out of the hole and try to move forward without trying.' " When I work if the neighbors are fine and the music is loud while I am working, I like it as it speaks a lot to me about life and who we are.'
"What do you mean by who we are.'
"Well it is simple I just drift alone with the currents that are coming out of the speakers. It helps to have this distraction when I am working.' "A Kind of mediative approach so as not to be so attentive on the canvas or board.'
"So you do paint on canvas.'
"Used to.'
"It's so unnecessary and we have better alternatives than this stuff.' "Obviously Belgium Linen is the preferred substrate but highly expensive.' "I prefer something more solid than a spongy surface like canvas so when you attach this stuff to a board and you don't get it right you get all sorts of things happening which keep telling you not to use this material again. It looks better on a sailing boat than in a frame.'
"Lets continue.'
"Ok'
"What is Heading North about.'
"How did it come about.' "Ok'
"Originally a few years back I published "Changing Perspectives' which I thought was quite nice but it left gaps that couldn't be filled at that time and then after I finished my latest book this year.'
"The Art of Don Hill.'
"I had a bit of a break and in the meantime I started writing again and the script started to manifest itself inside my consciousness.'
"I had quite a few experiences in North Queensland and mixed with an undercurrent of normal existence in those times you learn a lot of things and people tell you about their experiences.' "At that time I would just shut up and let someone else do the talking so this is how I know these stories about the experiences of others and can piece them together.

"So Heading North is a story I have written obviously about my Art Practice but of which I was hoping to break the mold with this time as I have started to have and need to have a break from in depth articles about art I thought I would write a story about actually heading North instead of descriptive words about art.'
"So this is a Story?'
"Yes of course.' "It's my Story.'
"Ok. Please continue.'
"Its difficult sometimes to describe things.'
"Ok.'
"Heading North is about real Life experiences and my journey through life.'
"The part about Doug in the book which is just one chapter out of many of an unpublished script is just a small part of what is coming as there is more that I have written and I can do.'
"I included this as I thought it was a little bit funny in a comical way even though it may not be acceptable in mainstream culture.' "Doug and Jack really existed maybe not with the same names but what happened up there was true and the whole line of this story is based on fact although there have been additions to it on the way.'
"Everything in there really happened.'
"Who is Owen Stanley?'
"Ah Owen is my alter ego and the main character in the script.'
"What do you mean about mainstream?'
"With mainstream we are starting to lose our soul as we have to decipher everything to see if something is acceptable by our contemporaries or society.' "This sort of stuff really sucks as it is not really what or who we are.'
"Obviously some things need to be questioned but I think the thing that needs to be ascertained and questioned is our Cancel Culture mentality which is run by a minority of individuals who describe themselves as professionals and even though they may have a PHD they do not know anything about real life or care about it.'
"Ok. I think we need to get back to the real interview.'
"Agreed'
"So can you describe for me what you are trying to do with Heading North.'
"Obviously trying to bring it to the masses although today we have Lethargy about everything except our mobile and electronic slackness.' "Visual Art may start to slow with electronic visual art taking over but you cannot replace Vincent or Claude and others with pretty lights.'
"You can try but it is not permanent as there is nothing like the real thing. This goes for the impressionists, as well as all of the practitioners from the twentieth century who are no longer around.
"I remember taking many trips to the Tate in the seventies to view Vincent and the others. Two struck me the most and these were Paul Gauguin and Pierre Bonnard.' "They were visually important in my life.'
"And Today?'

"They still hold the same currency and have not diminished. I still love their works.'
"What about you and Frank De Silva.'
"Frank?'
"You talk a lot about Frank.'
"Yes I loved frank.'
"He was a mentor to me.'
"We would go on field trips to Boonah and Sketch landscapes then get pissed together at the Harrisville Hotel. "Frank was a great artist as he could pull a composition from anywhere.' "Well almost.' "When I heard he had died in a traffic accident I was devastated.'
"Then there was Arthur Evan Read?'
"Arthur encouraged me to go to Europe and make my own way in life.' "He was a brilliant artist and also the spitting image of the Archbishop of Canterbury.'
"And even though he was an atheist people would come up to him and greet him as "Your Worship'.
"One last question.' "Okay.' "Why do you continually were Sunnies.?' "Oh that.'
"I have an Eye condition and have been advised to wear Dark glasses day and night.' "I have had ongoing treatment for this condition for the past two years with some positive and some not so good results .' "The general treatment is very painful and I cannot drive or do much after I have had it."

Nittaya Inphirut Master of Arts

              "The Floating Land' Gold Leaf, Oil and Acrylic paint on box board stretcher 80 x 60 cm 2023 SOLD