The Hume and Hovell paintings together comprise one work. There are 6 panels, each 79x58cm, and they are a mixture of oil on board, drawing and collage. The work was completed in 2002.

The work was inspired by the Hume and Hovell Walk (Yass to Albury, NSW, Australia) approximately 450 kms, which my husband and I did in 2002. The work is now owned by the National Trust of Australia.

We did the Walk in May when the trees had already started to change colour, but the weather was still warm. There had been an ongoing drought for several years, and there was very little water in the lakes and dams. Also, there were lots of kangaroos everywhere; most probably looking for water. When we had reached the Snowy Mountains, it began to snow – imagine waking up in a tent to see the whole world covered in white! The snow did not last – it was too early in the season – and it very quickly turned to slush and rain.

Copyright © Diane Eklund–Abolins 1996–2011     TERMS