I’ll never forget the first time I climbed the iconic Mt Baga. This majestic mountain towers over the highway connecting the city of Rockhampton to the beautiful Yeppoon beach. I had only just moved to Rockhampton from the big city of Brisbane, and had been invited to take some kids from the youth group at our church for a weekend climb. Our car packed full of teenage girls piled out of the car, never missing a beat in the conversation that had begun at the church and only been broken a few times to sing along to a favourite song on the radio. The sign looming over us warned very explicitly that this mountain was ‘dangerous to climb’. We would never have even considered climbing a mountain in Brisbane… my excitement rose up in my chest as I eagerly broke into a jog to catch up with the teens, realising they had already started making their way down the dirt track leading the the mountain’s base.
Since that day, this mountain has held memories of so many conversations with some of my closest friends, my sister, my dad, and my boyfriend (now husband). Climbing this stunning mountain, with it's sheer cliff faces, has formed even stronger bonds with those closest to me as we scramble up the rocks, pointing each other to the best hand-holds and encouraging each other to take the next step without looking too far down! The sense of accomplishment at reaching the top together is heightened by the reward of the breath-taking views of the surrounding wheat fields, mountain ranges made up of ancient inactive volcanos, and the sea off in the distance. Each time I make it to this incredible view, my heart is filled with thankfulness to the One who created it all.
This piece highlights the dangerous beauty in the reds, yellows and coffee-coloured rocks of the cliff-face. I have chosen to paint the mountain from the perspective of the wheat fields, the straw-coloured crop swaying in the sea-breeze, to capture every aspect of the surrounding area. This piece to me represents the beauty of God's creation, the freshness of every morning as you feel the sea breeze caress your face and run through your hair, and the sense of connection and unity of those with whom I have stood shoulder-to-shoulder to make it to the top.