I ventured into Victoria yesterday. I was delivering a load of paintings to the owner of Koopman’s Gallery in Dunkeld. I could only travel seventy kilometres into the state so she met me at a little town called Coleraine where we exchanged the goods.
It was quite a procedure to get there: an early-morning application and subsequent approval from SA Police and a COVID test before departing with a requirement to repeat weekly. Once I’d surreptitiously handed over the art work (maskless – oops) I felt like I’d been involved in some clandestine drug deal.
It is certainly a bizarre time when Australian state borders are closed or have limited penetrability. We are so accustomed to freedom of movement in our country that the flashing ROAD CLOSED sign coming into South Australia was slightly disturbing. It was a reminder, in this state where the Coronavirus is partially disappearing into memory and social distancing seems a product of mere politeness, that the world is still in turmoil. Increasingly so.
I am yet to see today whether Victoria has had a third consecutive count of zero new cases. From afar, this seems like an extraordinary achievement. I have no doubt it has also been arduous. And long. And destructive. But, perhaps, successful. I am overwhelmed, can barely understand, the rates of infection in other parts of the world. May our isolation protect us a little.
And so, as I head to the studio to paint trees in crazy colours, I wonder whether I should be creating some sort of artistic response to this phenomenon that is, hopefully, a once-in-a-lifetime event. On the other hand, there are others better equipped to do that and trees are a little bit alive and hopeful. I’ll probably stick to the usual modus operandi, now that I think about it.
Until later,
Kirsten
Everyday Thoughts of an Artist 
Hi Kirsten,
How strange it is to be having to plan a little hop over the border. Yet stranger still that we are now grateful to be allowed even this freedom. What a year it has been.
Last night, I came home from a longer than usual stint in Naracoorte. Even though we are very lucky in SA, you’ll understand that my work hours revolve around Covid precautions.
To me, it is a great relief and de-stressor to arrive home. To shut the gate behind me and continue down the long driveway past the flowers and trees; to be home among my family, pets, books and loved surroundings. And to gaze at your beautiful painting. It has a timeless peace about it. Something that I would hate to ever lose.
I vaguely remember a quote from the Queen Mother (of all people) about World War 11. Something along the lines of , “We are in this war with you, amongst you, helping you. But whilst we are all in this war, we are not of this war. Let us remember what we are.” Apparently she would visit the bombed streets wearing her best, most colourful dresses and hats to try to cheer people up. Apparently it worked.
Sometimes, it is best to be timeless.
Best wishes, Terri
n 28/10/2020 9:26:56 AM, Everyday Thoughts of an Artist wrote: Kirsten Johnston posted: “I ventured into Victoria yesterday. I was delivering a load of paintings to the owner of Koopman’s Gallery in Dunkeld. I could only travel seventy kilometres into the state so she met me at a little town called Coleraine where we exchanged the goods. It “
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