Waratah wombat

 

I've been painting an Australiana scene of animals around the billabong at Newtown with Grace Woods, Xantharea O'Driscoll and the Mission community.

We've been asking everyone what animal and plant they want to see in the mural. Pastor Brian is leaving in December after 13 years feeding and providing services for the poor and homeless and sustaining the local community. He will be missed, hopefully his successor will have the same commitment and energy.

Brian requested a wombat and waratah, so here's a sketch in preparation for painting on tuesday. The wombat is at the entrance to his burrow which he will resolutely defend, One of my first books was Harry the Hairy Nosed Wombat.

 

The billabong scene so far . It's in the hall housing the Jordan Cafe, where free lunches and dinners are served, originally a Wesleyan school hall. At the other end of the room is the Newtown Last Supper, which I painted of the locals in 2013-4