Sinister pools - the story of a painting

Sinister Pools Triptych - oil on canvas

Carol Lee Beckx ©2010

High in the foothills of the Drakensberg Mountains of South Africa near Garden Castle, the Umzimkulu River spills out of the mountains and starts its journey to the sea. The river twists and turns its way through fertile farmland. As one turns off the main road from the village of Underberg to drive into the mountains, the river is alongside the road. The water tumbling over rocky cascades thrills adrenalin junkies on canoes.

In between there are deep dark pools that are part of the lore of the local trout fishermen. The mist rises off the river in winter at dawn and I imagine the atmosphere is dark, cold and sinister, hence the name.

The triptych is a gentler version of the scene. I was not up at dawn to photograph the river and I haven’t battled with elusive trout. The day I was there it was sunny and clear. In the distance, the mountains were a soft lilac contrasting with the sharp green of the fields.

For a closer look at Sinister Pools try this link to Google Earth latitude -29.7755769503, longitude =29.4647043761

Sinister Pools is currently on view at Red Hill Gallery , 61 Musgrave Road Red Hill Brisbane QLD 4059