by Damien Naughton
Canvas size 800mm x 1220mm

The Story behind the Painting
Inspired by a trip to the Flinders Ranges Sam and Damien both knew that one day they would paint the astonishing landscape. The result is Damien’s new painting, Reflecting.

The image shows the Flinders in flood. Predators and prey gather on high dry ground in a stalemate which lasts until the water recedes. For Damien the painting reflects how in times of war we join together with our peers but forget that we are a part of one human race.

Reflecting was on the easel for a year while Damien created his rock walled garden and built a room onto the cottage at Little Scrub. It was Damien’s most challenging painting and a subject close to his heart. Damien’s father was a Rat of Tobrouk and a gentle man who was affected by his war experiences for the rest of his short life.

Damien is fascinated by the scruples of war and possesses a deep knowledge about the history. As one of life’s most compassionate souls, he always wanted to paint a picture to reflect the nature of war. Here it is. Sam’s poem describes better than these words the hidden truth in Damien’s most recent painting: Reflecting.

Reflecting
They ran and ran from the treacherous water
And found a grassy shield
Lizards, snakes, roos and bilbies
Took rest in Flinders fields

It took forty days and forty nights
In some distant far eastern land
Here it took one celestial haemorrhage
For them to make a peaceful stand

The settlers arrived here in Flinders
After a time of flood’s false hope
They saw fields of green and wealth in sheep
Then drought crushed their will to cope

Fate brings souls together
As does war and times of lack
And enemies stand locked as One
Levelled when fallen flat

We stand on this land high and dry
And shiver from fear not cold
And bear witness to a probable world
Where we will all die old

It takes a great love to live in truth
And hear the voice within
The wisdom of a bigger us
An invisible trusted kin

The survivors here all heard a voice
To reach for higher ground
We too must listen to the call
It is faithful, clear and honour bound

We live and stand amongst our foe
A time when patience yields
Take faith from those who died for us
They rest in Flanders Fields

NEW!!