Beneath the Gidgee Tree
Diana Neggo — June 15, 2025
Hello lovely art friends,
Over the past few weeks, Rob and I criss-crossed Western Australia—from inland to coast and back again—in search of respite from the heat. We travelled in our trusty VW Crafter campervan, but it turned out we were just a little too early… and the heat was relentless!
Still, we found treasured moments. I set up my mobile studio in some unlikely spots and managed to fill my sketchbook with studies and observations. I also gathered plenty of reference photos to bring back to the studio—future paintings in the making.
Temporary studio in Lancelin
Moments that Inspired
One standout location was Woolleen Station on the Murchison River, where we camped beneath the twisted branches of a grand old Gidgee tree. That tree seemed to hum with stories—it stirred Rob’s writing and sparked ideas for my painting. The early mornings and evenings, when the heat and flies had retreated, gifted us with breathtaking light across the red soil and endless horizons.
I especially love waking up in the bush with the scent of the land and the chorus of morning birdsong. And of course, we had our beautiful rescue girl Honey with us this time. Watching her chase seagulls on deserted beaches, do joyful zoomies across granite outcrops, and settle so easily into van life was a pure joy.
To take a break from the van, we rented beach shacks in Shark Bay and Lancelin. I commandeered the dining tables (with care!) and transformed them into temporary art studios.
Gidgee Tree, Wooleen Station, Murchison
Studio on the Road
This time, I brought oils with me—but quickly realised how out of practice I am with the medium. My usual layering approach doesn’t suit the slow drying time of oils, and I’m far too impatient! But the process reminded me of what truly draws me in: the deep reds and ochres of the midwest, the textures of gnarled trees, the forms of ancient rocks.
I also completed my 100 Day Project, finishing the final piece back at home. What a feeling to have shared daily ink paintings for 100 days straight!
Mollerin Rock
Stronger Together – Collaboration on Rottnest
Not long after returning from the outback, I headed off again—this time to Rottnest Island with my dear friends Catherine Meads and Heather Elliott-Smith. We had two wonderfully stimulating days planning our upcoming collaborative exhibition STRONGER TOGETHER, opening this November.
Together, we explored how our three themes—Bush, Inland, and Coast—will unfold in our own media: botanical sculpture, glass, and painting. We also began planning a large collaborative centrepiece. It’s all coming together, and we left the island buzzing with inspiration (and a long to-do list!).
STRONGER TOGETHER Catherine Meads, Heather Elliot-Smith and me
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Exhibition News & Happy Surprises
I’m thrilled to share that my painting Hope sold at the ENRAPTURED exhibition at Juniper Galleries. The quality of work was amazing, and I felt honoured and surprised to have one of mine find a home. I also contributed three A5 pieces to the INCOGNITO Art Show, where all works are anonymous until sold. It’s such a brilliant concept—supporting artists with disabilities and offering the public a chance to purchase original art (famous or not!) for $100. All three of my works sold during the opening weekend.
And finally, I recently attended the Rockingham Art Prize opening, and what a gala event it was—red carpet, white linen, live music, and speeches galore. The standard of work was phenomenal. Honestly, a little voice inside whispered, “They must’ve made a mistake letting my painting hang here!” But I’m learning to quiet that impostor syndrome and simply enjoy the moment.
Hope sold at Juniper Galleries
60 x 60 acrylic and mixed media on canvas.
What’s Next
The next few months will be full steam ahead as I prepare for STRONGER TOGETHER. I’ve got ideas swirling in my head and I’m eager to start getting them onto canvas. Keep an eye on my website for new work, updates, and upcoming events—and if you’re in WA in November, I truly hope you’ll come see the exhibition. A glass artist, a botanical sculptor, and a painter united by a shared creative vision—I can’t wait to share it with you.
I always love hearing from you, so please feel free to reply with thoughts or questions. Thanks for reading and being part of this creative journey.
Warmest wishes,
Diana x
Honey the wonder dog surveying her territory at the Lancelin Sand Dunes
