About Don Hill
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.