
Of all the abundant beauty and wonder I experienced on our visit to New Zealand and Australia — from New Zealand’s Auckland / Rotorua / Redwoods / Huka Falls / Craters of the Moon / Waitomo Glowworms Caves / Taupo / Pirongia / and Hamilton Gardens — to Australia’s these exciting birds and these / stunning views / delicious eats / this and this wildlife at Currumbin / some beasts and beauty in Brisbane / and enjoyed Sydney this much and that much, as well as the purring there — my very favorite part of the trip was meeting terrific family in Gold Coast!
An inspiration at any age, cousin Rita Rigby is lovely and vigorous of mind and body. She’s both fun — and a talented artist! After dinner, on the final night of our visit, she (and her granddaughter, Roshan, too!) played the piano for us! In this photo (from left to right: Mark, me, Khashayar, and Roshan), we’re treated to an impromptu performance by Rita! Read on for a little about Rita and her artwork contributed by her son, Mark Rigby…

* * Rita Rigby’s art by Mark Rigby * *
Rita was born in 1927 and grew up in a small Queensland country town called Kilkivan. She loved the country life, which is reflected in her paintings. During her school years art was her favourite subject which has remained to this day.

Two men (drovers) on horseback are herding sheep in the country where I grew up.

This is an old Eucalypt tree that is synonymous with the countryside that Rita grew up with. It was struck by lightning with regrowth branching out from the main truck.

The background to this painting is Mount Warning, a significant landmark on the border between Queensland and New South Wales. It was named by Captain Cook, an English explorer who discovered Australia in 1770, to warn of the dangerous river bar near this location. The man is cutting sleepers to construct a railway in the early settlement times.
Do you like to paint?
I enjoy painting but sadly am nowhere near as good as Rita. Those are lovely paintings and she sounds quite a character.
LikeLiked by 1 person
She is a wonderful soul indeed, Sheree ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh Rita is an amazing character, And those paintings are great 🙏!
LikeLiked by 1 person
She is wonderful as is her art!
LikeLike
Yes she has special skills by birth!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yayyyy people plunking piano keys! Yayyyy great times!.
Slightly off subject, pianola. The auto-keys… But less for that sake than just to start finding times gone by. https://blogs.unimelb.edu.au/librarycollections/2016/11/15/australian-made-piano-rolls-a-generous-donation-to-rare-music/.
Clicking the first reference link and reading other artists of mastertouch … I see a Frank la forge. I’m a star trek need… So ooo oo Geordie la forge! They would pick a fine Australian name. Anyways
Yay visit!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very interesting!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love painting..
those paintings are awesome! 🙏
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
The paintings you are showing are absolutely stunning. The third one captures history as well. I am sure Rita has created a real treasure trove!
Unfortunately, painting is a thing that I have absolutely no talent for. I paint in my garden, with flowers … 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Indeed you do, Birgit – with living color 🙂
LikeLike
Superb and excellent paintings by Rita and I loved them, da-AL. Thanks for this wonderful share.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The pleasure is truly mine 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you forr introducing Rita Rigby to us. Her paintings are softly done, yet contain the strength of
the place and time. Very emotive.
Yes, I do like to paint very much.
miriam
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well said, delphini510 – clearly you have the heart of an artist ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely work. I am better at drawing than painting
LikeLiked by 1 person
Am happy you appreciated it, Derrick 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love her work!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me too, Rosaliene 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
So amaaaazing!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad you enjoyed it 🙂
LikeLike
I don’t paint, I do fondant art but that is on my other blog, robbiesinspiration. These paintings are lovely and I particularly like the one featuring the old man laying sleepers. We visited New Zealand in 2016 and visited many of the places you have mentioned here. My favourite place was the buried village. So historic and poignant.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Loved the pictures… The artwork is truly amazing. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
A very artistic eye here. She most definitely has a gift to create and when that happens it is magic. Thank you for sharing it here.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Indeed Rita does 🙂
LikeLike
Beautiful artwork!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a sweet post.
LikeLiked by 1 person
❤
LikeLike
Nice art❤️…she’s talented for sure…
LikeLiked by 1 person
She sure is in so many ways 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful paintings, she’s very talented.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think so too 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person