Bin Day
Oil on Linen
90cm x 120cm
A few years ago, we took a road trip from Darwin down to Adelaide and while we were in Coober Pedy, we did the Mail Run Tour. This tour offers a real Outback experience, travelling with an Australia Post contractor, delivering mail to the historic outback towns of Oodnadatta and William Creek as well as 5 remote cattle stations.
The scenery was fabulous, but it was the last cattle station of the day which captured my imagination. The fiery sunset illuminated the landscape, vividly heightening the colours, but it was not until I was going through my photos just recently that I noticed the 44-gallon drum and I immediately knew I had to paint the scene.
On closer inspection I could see the orange barrier mesh stuffed into the bin waiting to be burnt and I was instantly reminded of Dad and the 44-gallon drum we used to burn rubbish on the farm. He would set off for that bin with a spring in his step, a glint in his eye, and usually something not conducive to burning in his hands. I had the loveliest time painting this piece with so many happy memories of the farm keeping me company.