Pinnacles, WA (28)

Another photo from a tourist brochure inspired this painting of the Pinnacles, located about three hours north of Perth near Cervantes. Thousands of unusually shaped limestone rocks rise up to 3 metres from the sand like ancient ruins. They are believed to have been created from seashells which were broken down into sand and then eroded by water and wind.

The Pinnacles Desert is best seen at dawn or dusk when the rocks, which have been likened to tombstones, termite mounds and even fingers, cast long, eerie shadows over the rippling yellow sand dunes. Although I faithfully reproduced the scene, the uniqueness of the subject matter led to a rather abstract-looking painting.