KAREN COLLINS

There is nothing quite like looking into a golden landscape that has an almost infinite view! The sun is warm on your skin, the breeze is sweet and you give thanks for this beautiful country!

This is one of my favourite bushwalks in southeast Qld! Palm Gorge on Mt Greville. This gorge is relatively narrow, deep and steep and it is full of large bolders and palms. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many palm trees in one spot! A very gorgeous gorge! In this painting I have tried to convey the depth and coolness.

Girraween National Park is scattered with huge granite boulders, sometimes precariously balancing on the edge… but somehow they remain solidly rooted and unmoving. Full of contrasts – colours, shapes, old and new.
Finalist - Camberwell Art Show

The “Blue Tree” stands next to the strong healthy tree that is quietly supporting it. Their branches are intertwined.
In the distance are some dark clouds that are fading away and a beautiful, sunny day is approaching - hope.

A great place to be marooned for a few hours and gaze at one of the best views in Qld! From the top of Mt Maroon, you can see forever! The view in my painting shows Mt Barney National Park and the Main Range. It was the first decent mountain I climbed after my knee operation and I wasn’t sure if I would make it. But thanks to all the physio and knee brace, I did make it and reaching the top was even sweeter!
Finalist - Brisbane Rotary Art Spectacular

One of the best walks in Queensland!
Mt Cougal is right on the Qld/NSW border and it’s double humps are easily identified from afar. This image is from the first “hump” looking across to the second and the track goes along the top of the ridge to the top of the second “hump”. It is a good, challenging walk, but definitely worth the effort for the amazing views from the top!!
And you can see Springbrook National Park’s “Best of All Lookout” in the background.

This is one mountain I am yet to climb and as my body ages and knees wear out, I wonder if I will ever be capable! In the meantime, I am happy to absorb the beauty of this mountain and the surrounding dry Australian landscape and big, wide, open spaces where you can really breathe.