“Wattle”, he said, “I’ll show you wattle”. I was enchanted by the growth on the side of the road and desperate to stop and pick a bunch. “Please can we stop?” I said. “Wait” he said, “there’s better wattle soon.” We drove for days and never saw wattle any better. He apologised to me then. “Sorry, I remembered it being better further south. Once when I was a child it was better.”I thought of that often over the years, many metaphors spring to mind. Take the bird in the golden bush, it may be the best you find. Inspired by Australian natives everywhere.I painted this for a wedding present, the simplicity of the enamel cup and the arrangement makes me think of a young couple starting out. Optimistic about the simplest things, the challenge is to hold onto the simple, beautiful every day.
