drawings 2010

another dead tree 2, coloured pencil on paper, 22 x 22cm, framed

another dead tree, coloured pencil on paper, 21cm x 21cm

This year I saw many big beautiful mountain ash gum trees slaughtered after the Shire of Yarra Ranges council announced that home owners could cut down vegetation around their property without getting a permit. Electricity companies also went crazy with their big electric tools, heres what SP AUSNET did in Belgrave in the carpark behind the shops, below is the newspaper article.

photo by Jenny Saulwick

Anger over loss of historic Belgrave tree

A HISTORIC Belgrave tree being monitored by Yarra Ranges Council has been chopped down without council's knowledge.

Power company SP Ausnet felled the 15-metre tall mountain ash in Alexanders car park several weeks ago, horrifying residents and prompting Cr Samantha Dunn to ask the power company to improve their communication with council. The tree was roughly 60 to 80 years old and council had been monitoring the extent of the decay in its trunk.

Cr Dunn said she was disappointed the significant tree had been cut down without council's knowledge and had also been contacted by many residents also upset about the loss of the tree.

Cr Dunn said she had asked SP Ausnet to consult the council before any similar decisions were made.

One resident Jenny Saulwick was horrified when she saw the tree had been cut down, and has written and spoken to SP Ausnet to express her anger.

Ms Saulwick said the tree was in Apex Park - land that had belonged to early pioneers in the area, the Alexander family.

Ms Saulwick is calling on SP Ausnet to set up a committee with local residents so they can be kept informed on decisions to cut down significant local trees. She believes the tree posed no bushfire risk and was cut down for no good reason. SP Ausnet spokeswoman Tara Albiston said the tree had been assessed and was found to have extensive decay and was leaning dangerously toward the company's electricity assets.

"We understand some residents may be concerned with the removal of trees, but it is imperative that trees and vegetation do not touch powerlines at any time," Ms Albiston said.

Free Press Leader 10 NOV 10 BY KIMBERLEY SEEDY

more than just jelly babies, coloured pencil on paper, 20 x 20cm

rat and shoes, coloured pencil and pen on paper, 8 x 27cm, framed

cells, mixed media on paper, 17 x 12cm, framed

In 2010 a new boutique opened in Belgrave called Limerence. As part of the opening local artists were invited to participate in an exhibition on the theme Limerence, which is a psychological term for the feeling of falling madly in love.

My instant reaction was that of vomiting, so began the thought process that created my piece.

reciept on paper, 12 x 21 cm, 2010