about don hill and a sound like rain 

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 and also depicted in a screenplay. 

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

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 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.

Two Days Later
The heat of January was too much, oppressive and overwhelming. Ulysses danced in the sky black, blue, black, blue black, blue, black blue while the sound of the falls grew louder to the rush from the previous nights downpour. The Zodiac moths started early their metallic wings frantic to keep themselves cool. Some might think this was paradise. Others Hell because of the heat. The Coral spawn now covered the sea with its oily drift on and forward far out to the outer reef. This as well as the rain offered life renewal in a world of turmoil and change.There were noises in the forest as I trod along an unknown path to an uncertain destiny. Ulysses still danced in the sky but the forest mood had changed to a degree of uncertainty. Still hot still unconcerned. Concerned that I did not walk in front of a Cassowary with chicks or step on a venomous snake. The mountain track was steep without compromise and my breath drew deeper as I went along and forever upwards to Bartle Frere. Lianas were grabbing at my ankles and tearing them bit by bit but I continued as I knew this would make me stronger like the forest inhabitants. Well away from the Devils Pool the grade became steeper, more slippery and wetter in the Wet Tropics. My boots were now becoming loose and damp. Someone told me that when you start to see the Tropical Rhododendron you would be very close to the summit. The wilderness was wilderness and uncomfortable with blood and sweat.

"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

The Yin and Yang In Between 
One day at a time came and left as the moisture departed from the massive stones forming eddies of mist in the sunlit morning sky.
A zodiac moth fell from the sky landing abruptly on one of the massive granite stones.
No movement at all as death had arrived without warning.
Death it was as its journey and cycle of life had ended and once again it would become a part of the Earth.
Within moments its lifeless body was found by a travelling Green Ant on the hunt for food, then another and another arrived until its departed shell was crawling with them and being cut up and carried away to feed the nest high in the trees.
Life came and Life had gone.
Life arrived and Life departed.
Life on this Earth cannot last forever.
It had come and now it had left, yet the remnant that remained was still useful.
This morning the pool was heaving and calling from the previous nights rain.
It was as if the Princess was lonely again and needed another partner to join her at the Devils Pool.
Sun flickered through the trees.
Was she standing watching among the trees or standing by the pool with her back turned waiting for her next partner?
The white vale of her dress turning grey then blue, fading and reappearing in the mist as if to beckon even though her face was unknown as her back was always turned.
What did her face look like?

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

Day Four

The day started the same as any other day with me wearing my smile in the correct upright position and being positive about reaching my objective.
The top of this mountain.
My injuries had started to heal even with the overnight rain coming down on my Denali one person. It was hard to sleep with continual noises all around in the Alpine surrounds.
Breaking branches, footsteps in the dark and night animal noises.
Whatever the noises were I had no need to know.
Obviously I was near or about to enter the 5000 foot mark on the mountain.
Most people reach this Mile High Club by flying.
All of this was on foot.
Through the spaces in the branches and leaves I could spy and make out the distant seascape of the Reef so far away and yet so close.
From the top the view is much more panoramic.
Its patterned coral outline something else and noted for further reference.
Occasionally there would be the sound of a passenger jet flying overhead.
Other than this it was just the sounds of the jungle singing the song it had sung for thousands of years.

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

Day Five

A Tree Limb drew my attention but I couldn't figure out why.
Then it started to move.
It was a python of the large kind moving vertically up the tree trunk.
Everything was big here even the snakes.There was also small and micro.
Being the best dressed in the jungle was never a priority as you would always come out looking the same and maybe with a Scrub Tick hanging off you temple or somewhere else.
The important thing was to keep going as you were never sure of what was going to happen next especially with the atmosphere as this was always changing up here in the far North.
Weather reports were an assurance of some certainty but never one hundred percent accurate so the earlier you set off the better it would be to avoid an unlucky encounter with nature and its obstacles.

"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.

Jingles in the Jungle
Being familiar with the advertising fraternity there were always tunes popping into my head.
Although I could not remember most of them it was opportune to write this stuff down immediately and possibly record it for future use at some point in time in your studio as sometimes one might be useful. Not that I had any ambitions to follow Morris and Johnston it was just an interesting ploy and play on life that we as creatives can conceive and bring to life in a mundane world.
So when I was walking through the sticks sometimes a tune would appear in my creative head space.
Don't know where from as it just happens.
If you don't record or write it you loose it almost immediately.
Once in a while in my imagination and reimagination a Song and Dance team would accompany me in my sojourn through the forest. The more the merrier although no one was there. This broke the monotonous step by step walking if you could have songs singing in your head. Once I had taken a side trip to Elabana Falls at the Green Mountains. The rush of the water was so loud you could not hear yourself think but the music kept playing and creating it's own syllabus.

"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 Seventh Day
I sat at Murdering Point tending to my wounds with a combination of Sodium Hyper chloride and antiseptic creams. The Sun beat down upon my weary head without mercy as blood seeped from the wounds in my legs. I was on my way back to Feluga to my shed and shelter finally. I missed her so much in the previous days only having the comfort of a Denali one person tent. My mission to the mountain and pools was over. Well for now and in the next couple of days, almost. I had made it to the summit and beyond. The tramping noises in the night rainforest made it impossible to sleep but by early morning I slipped into unconsciousness and into the bliss of nothingness. I remembered this before there was anything. Before my time began. I still missed my allotment at El Arish its beautiful eight acres overlooking the valley and down to Jackson Road. One of the most popular roads near Tully. Today I was reluctant to venture forward to see anything anymore as I needed rest. As for Jackson Road it was really busy as there was an attraction in this Cul-de-sac for those who had a need from something more exotic than Trekking.

"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. 

Shack of CreationJanuary was sweltering with so few options in the Far North. I could be out fishing or diving on the reef.Fishing for a Trout or Spanish Mackerel but the better option would be for me to go back up North to Chiang Mai or spend part of the season in the English Winter. I still had friends and connections in Thailand with my Academic friends. In the UK there were some that would be happy to see me and maybe put me up for a couple of days or just make the crawl to the Belsize Tavern for old times sake and a John Courage just to get pissed one last time. There was also Lacksey daisy at the Maidenhead Pub and memories of the past which was once the hang out of the old boys just moving Down the Dust pipe.Carl was now So far away. Carl had actually passed away in 2017 unable to write or even play music anymore even though he had such a great history of moving from the bush to London and beyond writing songs for himself and others.  When I heard the news of his passing I was so sad. Life goes on most of the time.
Today it was sweet being back in my little hideaway way up in the Far North Tropics of Queensland away from the background noise of Brisbane town and everyone else. I had a vibe to start painting again after my visit to the pools and Bartle Frere. My mood was refreshed as I looked at my hands as the tool of the next creation. Why f around with a brush when your hands could do better. They bring us back to our origins when we were in the caves, The cuts and bruises were healing fast. Sometimes I wondered how I kept going. I just did, as this is what I had always done in the several incantations of my current life.  I had been almost everywhere on the planet except Melbourne and New York not trying to convince myself that this is how it is done but convince myself to keep going regardless of the background.  I still had a strong belief in myself and an urge to get to my destination regardless of everything that was happening.   Black Sabbath was rattling "Into the Void'   at the big shed with their final concert in Birmingham in 2017, as I  had bought the biggest surround sound I could find in Northern Australia.    I reached into the drawer for more Gold Leaf and see what acrylics were left. I had run out this night so I would have to send an order to the Art Shed in West End for more. Interestingly I happened on a pack of Silver which I did not really pursue or use but it would be vital to some of the works that swam in my thoughts, head and dreams. I could see the Zodiacs in front of my face playing as well as Priamus pursuing his female target. He was the great seducer of the insect world. Green and Black made his wanderings more lustful to the Brown of the female counterpart.

   "Depth of Presence' Reflection looking up' 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 and the rest of the world had become and became a desert of idle doubt, hate and unremorseful thoughtless agendas.
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. 

Another Morning after the Previous one. 
The swelter of the Northern Winter had now passed and it was a relief to be heading back to the coolness of Summer again with my tinny heading out to the reef for a fishing adventure. Banfield would have been impressed although he could fish from the beach and always catch something he would still be impressed with the might of a powerboat. I had the memory of the pool which still lingered with me as the Princess was still calling her next Guest to stay with her. God could not be involved in this folly and had no place or plan here. No involvement of God was warranted as the warnings at the pools were omnipresent but meant nothing to anyone if the fence was crossed on the exit to oblivion. Jumping from the rock Big Jack won't necessarily let you come back as when you enter this area the hand of death is on you to guide you through the chute then to the Washing Machine. Overall I just stuck with the Zodiac moths and the sound of Mother Nature so I could feel safe but the hand of the Princess was always there to welcome a new stayer in this place. Frolic if you prefer but don't slip as this could be the last step you make in this life.