plutoandmars

Post week-relaxation at Murrindindi with brutha boy, connecting to Country.

New canvas ready! Inspired by the story of Ikkarus, ‘Too Close to the Sun’, a Mununjali shapeshifter story tells the tale of a wedge-tailed eagle that was flying close to the sun on the day that three brothers washed ashore on the mainland after a terrible storm. Flying since time immemorial, searching for Land, it grew fatigued, fell to the earth, and exploded into colour, covering the new landscape that the brothers starting creating with their hands. Uniting the Sky with the Land - in which there was once a void - the creature was now ‘everything’, and could change its coloured form at will. Sometimes it would terrify. In others it would inspire awe. Country. This creature was Country. Looking straight into your eyes. Lovingly handcrafted with premium acrylic and dimension acrylics on canvas, this depiction of the shapeshifter was created over four weeks as Naarm transitioned from the baking sun to a cooler climate.

“Welcome to The White Lotus, Downunnda. Fancy a good ‘ole jatz and coffee?” New headshots April 2026 📸: Ryan Davies

Oh, you know. Just a doll having her ‘brush’ with fame. 📸: Launch Housing

Six months today. It still doesn’t feel real. It’s like Gold St must have all been a dream. How lucky I am to be my grandmother’s grandson. To have met her. Been raised by her. Spoken to by her. In English and in Mununjali language. To walk on Her Country. And come to know Country through Her eyes. To hold and be guided by Her hands. Her hands that have been held by Her mother’s hands, and Her mother’s before that across so many generations. To have lowered her into the ground on Her Country. That is to say, my Country. My Nanna is part of me. And that includes this pain that I can’t unstick from. This grief. I have to wear this grief to carry what is sacred about my Country. I’ll love you forever Nanna.

So cat is out of the bag. I’m formally going back to build on my acting career. It has been five years since I was last in front of the camera, and I thought I’d give it a go again. I auditioned for this amazing initiative by Casting Guild of Australia and Showcast and for ages didn’t expect to hear anything. And well, I got it! I think it’s time. I’m not the same person I was five years ago. But I have so much to feel and so much to say. And I know in my body that acting, the beautiful thing that it is, will give me the freedom to explore myself fully again and give back to the world. I love working with other actors. I find them fascinating. I love storytelling. I want to work with other deadly mob all over the country with their astonishing productions. And I want to act in the stories that I write. So time to give things a boost. I may have been kicked down one too many times the past few years, but I bloody know how to get back up. And this time I’m bringing all of that to the table. Thanks to the CGA, Showcast, Anousha Zarkesh, Rob Collins, and Greer Simpkin.

My first commission for the year has been completed! ‘The Horse of Many Colours’ A Mununjali shapeshifter tale 70.5cm x 56cm Acrylic and dimension acrylic on canvas Over 60 unique colours Over 15,000 hand etched notches

Swirling black lillies, totally ripe 📷: @ned_mansfield

A preview of a new wall hanging I’m concocting, ‘Cornucopia’. This is the first large wall hanging I’ve incorporated metallic paints into. Really looking forward to seeing the finished result once the whole canvas is unrolled. It shines in the sunlight! ✨

Iiiiiii’m a fucking bunyiiiip!

Love you forever, Nanna. Always thinking of you. I miss our calls. Your funny quips. How proud you were of your cooking and keeping us all fed over the years. Your simple joy in a bird always called Jerry. Your voice. Your laugh. Your hands. At least I have your hands. But some days it’s just too much. I wish I had more time with you. Just one more conversation, please. Tell me anything about your life. I’m all ears. Ah to know that I’ve heard all I’m ever going to hear… it’s so sad. I always knew that you would break my heart. I’ll forever be your Chooko, you’ll forever be my Queen 😢💔

Just out enjoying the spring sun today; it has been an excellent opportunity to do some gardening. Amongst the new native plants I’ve planted are: Native grass Digger’s Speedwell Tufted Native Bluebells Common Everlasting Clustered Everlasting Erect Guinea Flower Native Parsnip Sea Celery I especially love the Sea Celery, can’t wait to put it into a sandwich!