Childhood holidays spent on my grandparents’ property near Cootamundra left a lasting impression on me. Days were spent exploring the creeks, riverbanks and surrounding paddocks, watching the landscape transform after rain as temporary waterways emerged and receded across the South West Slopes. The earthy reds and ochres reference the rich inland soils, while the distinctive sloping hills on the horizon create a sense of enclosure and belonging, echoing the landscape that shaped these early memories.