Acrylic on canvas.

I painted this little study from a photo I took, during a treasured time in the outback town of Iron Knob, South Australia.

The vivid fruit referred to sometimes as ‘bush peach’ is a Native Quondong and hangs like magenta Christmas baubles, aglow in the sunset on the edge of town.

The view looks toward Port Augusta, across 30-40kms of grassy desert. A place where the sunset colours are like no other in the world. I enjoyed this little painting and the place so very much, it inspired me to paint the larger version, Qoundong Sunset, you can also view in my collection.

Did you know?

The Quondong is a parasitic plant and relies on a host plant to survive. The above was on an Acacia or wattle tree, as many know them as.

Traditional Aboriginal use of the nut is as a medicine. The kernel was crushed and mixed with saliva to treat skin disorders. The kernels were also consumed and some groups were known to crush them to use as “hair conditioning oil”. They are not only prized for the fruit, made into yummy jams and pickles but the seed also. It is as hard as a macadamia and ornately furrowed, making impressive wearables when strung together, either dyed or natural.