How do you describe something indescribable? Thats how I feel about this past week spent making art in the woods for the falls festival. Each day we would work in the sheds creating large-scale puppets, costumes and other decorations for the festival parade. At sunset we would explore the surrounding forrest, waiting for the delicious dinner that trish had cooked for us all. A week full of creating art with like-minded people in the most beautiful place, this is one of those times when my pictures just can’t compare to the memories.
The adventure began with butterflies in my stomach as I was on my way to pick up three girls from the airport who were also travelling to art camp. The moment we were all on the road, butterflies were replaced by giggles as Jess, Dimitra and Stephanie turned out to be the sweetest, most loveliest girls I have ever had the chance to meet.
we stopped on the coast of the great ocean road to stretch our legs and breathe the fresh sea air
after lunch in lorne we drove through the winding roads of the mountains. met by a dirt road, we travelled further into the heart of the forrest passing by the festival grounds until we arrived at the beautiful wooden house that would be our home over the next week.
the beauty of this magical place was overwhelming
we were greeted by the kind people who had organised the camp, and then we were free to explore and settle in.
our little wooden cabin
we chose our beds (the child in me wanted the top bunk) and unpacked our things. our room was everything we had hoped and more. sweet souled karlee arrived not long after us, fitting into our small group seamlessly.
the common rooms were cosy with leather couches, a pool and pingpong table and tall glass windows to watch the world. art campers continued to arrive over the course of the afternoon
we decided to brave the cold and the bugs to explore the festival grounds, it was a ten minute walk through the winding forrest.
dimitra and stephanie claimed to have seen a large black feline creature on our travels, jess and I are still a little skeptical…
trees set alight in warm sunset
our cabin reflecting the sun
that first night the sunset was breathtaking. i felt as though we were hidden in a secret pocket of the world.
early morning tea before work begins at nine am sharp
our first task is to design costumes and outfits that fit the theme ‘alien birthday party celebration’. it is falls festivals 20th birthday this year and the fiesta parade will be full of aliens who have landed upon earth to wish the festival a happy birthday.
we were given minimal equipment but endless imagination
after a delicious lunch (we had the loveliest woman cooking our meals), our next task was to build wearable spaceships from bamboo and bunting.
the working day came to a close at six thirty and i explored the surrounding fields
the artist and festival workers slept in caravans and camper vans surrounding the common house
van life!
this one was my favourite
the food was so so delicious and healthy! all the base foods were vegan and we had the choice of adding cheese if we liked. trish cooked breakfast (oats/porridge with poached pears), lunch and dinner – each even better than the last. the pasta was one of my favourites because i love simple homestyle cooking and pasta has always been my favourite.
there were boxes and boxes of fresh fruit, nectarines, apples, bananas, pears! even a non-fruit eater like me couldn’t help myself
watching the clouds engulf us from the kitchen window
the kindest people playing wonderful music
fog had settled over our campsite, we were lost in the clouds.
the end of another day, filled with inspiration and high spirits.
part two coming soon.
