We’re camped at Moree for a couple of days in my friend Kristina’s backyard.

Krissi moved here from Melbourne mid last year to be closer to her son and the countryside is proving a constant inspiration for her paintings.

Today we went to Cranky Rock just out of Warialda looking for the perfect subjects for her forthcoming exhibition, My Australia.

Unfortunately Cranky Rock was more inspiring as a story than a painting! The story goes that it got its name from a cranky Chinese man who was so offended by a local lady that he killed her then went off to this rocky outcrop and committed suicide to evade being captured by police.

Signage to the rocky outcrop was sadly lacking and we didn’t realise we had to cross the bridge to see the amazing balancing boulders! Oh well, next time! Funnily enough, the photos we took around the carpark area captured the light and shade in a much more interesting way than the real thing so all was not lost.

An art gallery and coffee shop in Warialda was a great stop for morning tea. The Pepperpot was a friendly relaxed spot and Kristina made a good contact there to display her art for sale. Really good coffee too!

On the way back to Moree we stopped at the Nancy Coulton Lookout for more photo opportunities – and future local painting inspiration.

It was nice to get back to Krissi’s and the air conditioning as it was a hot 35°c today.

The little cottage where she lives has the perfect studio on the side verandah with plenty of room for all her painting paraphernalia.

Her home is filled with her artwork and I’m sure after today there will be new works on the way.