When you prepare to land in Central Australia what strikes you first is the red earth. On the ground you observe all the subtle variations of red in the desert landscape, the browns, the pinks and the purples.

Surprisingly, 40 percent of Australia is dune country, landscape forever on the move. Simpson Dune (pictured) depicts a typical valley between ridges. A group of feral camels moves over the rise. However, the artist was tempted to call the painting Kangaroo! so that the viewer might study the work more closely to find her.

This painting reminds Hal Pratt of the many painting camps he went on at remote locations out from Alice Springs, revisiting the experience of sleeping in a swag under that extraordinary night sky and days when one is free to explore, to draw and to paint in a unique desert landscape.

Hal Pratt only paints in watercolour. He has accepted the challenge of watercolour, especially the inability to rework the medium, although the real challenge is finding a personal interpretation of the Australian landscape.

After careers in architecture and photography, he focused on drawing and painting inspired by the yearly outback camps. Back in his Thirroul studio, he develops plein air studies into larger works.

Closer to home his inspiration is the striking Illawarra coast and the dunes at Seal Rocks.

Terra Motion, an exhibition by Ash Frost and Hal Pratt, will be at Clifton School of Arts from Aug 28 to Sept 7, enquiries to 0410 888 964.

Thanks to the artists for supporting local news with print advertising in The Illawarra Flame's August 2025 edition.