Arthur Boyd's Bundanon Yesterday, Grade 6 (well most of it) went to Bundanon for an art lesson. It all started when we were told to line up under the COLA. Kirsty and I were sent to get the art equipment. We got to save a seat on the bus first. The trip down there was very bumpy and when we had to go down the road that was close to the edge, I was scared that we might fall down. When we got to Bundanon, we had recess then we were put into three different groups. I was in Mr Evan's group, who went to see Mary Cassis(the artist) to show us some work. Mary showed us the work she did about birds, instead of painting two birds, she did symbols of their sounds. The second activity our group did was to look at Arthur Boyd's studio where he worked and did his beautiful masterpieces. My favourite painting in there was the one with the three fish and the cross in the background of the painting. The paints that Arthur used are still there and haven't been touched, actually they only have a thin layer of skin over them and are still wet underneath. Then after we went to the studio, a lady took our group on a tour of Arthur's home. We sat in the lounge room with the piano in it and looked at some of his beautiful pieces hanging on the wall. He didn't just do painting, he also did sculpture and pottery. Once we had our tours of the property, we sat and had lunch; we only got five minutes so after that we started out for our walk down to the Shoalhaven River. The walk down was......charming. Everybody was......overjoyed.......at the sight of cow-patties. It was also very muddy, with everybody screaming, and running from place to place didn't help much either. Once at the river we sat on the damp sand with only our clipboards and pencils and started to draw the objects around us (including a sketch of Pulpit Rock). Many pictures were done very beautifully. But we were not used to so much silence - so like normal kids - we soon changed that! Once we were back on the bus, everyone checked the bottom of his or her shoes and we were soon on our way home. Many of us were tired but that didn't keep us quiet for long. Back at school, everyone ran off to find their parents and tell them about everything. So, in conclusion, I think a trip to Bundanon would be great. I recommend everyone go there but! look out for cow-patties! by Nicky

Arthur Boyd's Bundanon Yesterday, Year 6 went to Bundanon for an excursion; we looked at artwork from Arthur Boyd. He drew some very good pictures and they looked real. I thought the bus trip down was very good and I liked the long trip through Bundanon and over the cracks. It was very scary to see the back wheel nearly fall off the edge. I liked talking to my friends and playing games with them. Our first activity was the talk with artist, Mary Cassis. Her art was very different to all other artists. She drew bird calls and they looked strange. Our second group activity was going into Arthur Boyd's house and looking at all the wonderful art and the strange pottery. Our third group activity was going and seeing Arthur's working studio to see what he drew. His art studio was very different to all the other studios. We walked to the Shoalhaven River and we walked all over cow-patties and they smelled very disgusting and looked very disgusting. The walk down was very long and I touched the electric fence and I got a shock on purpose. We drew some pictures of a particular rock that Arthur Boyd has in many of his pictures and we had to draw Pulpit Rock as well. It was very hard to draw the rocks' reflections and draw trees. The bus trip home was very slow and the whole day was excellent. I want to go there again with my mum and dad. What I liked most was drawing the pictures of the rocks. by Andrew A.

Arthur Boyd's Bundanon Yesterday, the 19th June 2000, Year 6 of Barrack Heights Public School went to Bundanon for an art experience. We went to Arthur Boyd's studio, house and saw Mary Cassis and some of her artwork. We went to Pulpit Rock where we drew some things that we saw. On the bus trip I sat on the back seat with Sam O., Elisa, Boni, Tamara and Jayde. The bus trip to Bundanon was very long but nice to just sit and talk with your friends. The bus driver was very nice and he let us eat on the bus. When we finally came into Bundanon, we felt too tired to get up. When we arrived we ate our recess and then went off with Mary Cassis, an artist. She came to Bundanon for one month and she has already spent two weeks there. Mary Cassis was talking to us about her art and she told us that in her art she looks for texture and colours. She also finds things like mushrooms, feathers and other things to make photos of and then she scans them into her computer. The most money she has received for her artwork is about $2,000. Our second group activity was with Mr Beare. He showed us Arthur Boyd's studio and some of his paintings and paintbrushes. Then if anybody had questions, he would answer them. After that we got a look around at some stuff in the studio but then we had to leave. Our third group activity was with Jill. Jill took us to the homestead and talked to us about all the different paintings that were hung around the house. After our third group activity, we had lunch. During lunch we got a clipboard and a pencil to draw with. We then walked to the Shoalhaven River but along the way, what should be there, but.......COW DUNG! Slowly stepping over the cow dung, screaming when you saw some, I slowly found out that my lucky rock helped me so I didn't step in any cow dung. When we finally got to the Shoalhaven River we drew Pulpit Rock and some other rocks that were near the river. We got 15 minutes to draw all that and then we made our way back. Sarah stepped in a big piece of cow dung and everybody laughed. When we got back, the bus was waiting for us. We got on the bus for the long trip back to school and finally we were there. I liked it at Bundanon and my favourite bit of the day was the trip to the Shoalhaven River and the exciting adventures with cow dung!!! by Jamie G.

Arthur Boyd's Bundanon Yesterday, the 19th of June, most of Year 6 went to Bundanon. We traveled by bus. We went there because we were doing an art project. When I got to school, everyone had to line up under the COLA. On the bus I sat next to Luke, Simon and Mickey were in front of me and Luke W. and Andrew A. were behind me. The bus driver showed us some landmarks like the shortest train tunnel and the shortest train platform in NSW. When we got there we put our bags down and ate recess. After that we got in three groups. Our group first went to a studio where a lady named Mary Cassis was painting. She showed us some of her paintings. She had collected feathers and pieces of wood. She used their colours to paint the pictures. She kept a diary and wrote different bird sounds in it. She used some of them in her paintings. After that our group looked in Arthur Boyd's studio with Mr Beare. I saw some of his unfinished paintings. I liked the painting with the jet-ski men in it. We then moved through to Arthur Boyd's house. There were some strange statues of people in the garden. Inside the house there were lots of painting and sculptures. There was also a world class grand piano. Then we walked back to our bags and ate lunch. The next thing we did was walk to the Shoalhaven River. On the way were lots of cow-patties. You could tell there was a big one ahead because you could hear Luke W. shouting at the front. Sometimes it was hard not to step in them, but I succeeded. When we got to the river, we had to draw a picture of Pulpit Rock. We were also asked to draw one more picture of whatever we wanted. I drew a picture of the trees reflecting off the water. At the river, you could hear peoples' echoes very well. We then walked back to the bus. On the way back in the bus, we sat in the same spot. Luke and I were fighting words and luck against Simon and Mickey. We won nine-three. I really enjoyed going to Bundanon. I especially liked walking back up off the beach and then back home. by Mitchell K.

My Bundanon Experience Yesterday, Grade 6 went to Arthur Boyd's Bundanon to look at his award-winning art work and develop our own artistic skills. At 9:15am, we left for Bundanon. I sat next to Oliver and Nik. The trip to Bundanon was pretty good. I didn't really talk much. When we got to Bundanon, we put our bags down and sat on the grass in front of the lavatory. We were put into groups a went away. First we went to Arthur Boyd's house and looked at his stunning artwork. There were probably two hundred beautiful paintings and pottery pieces in the house. We looked around the house and listened to the tour guide tell us about Mr Boyd and his family. Next the group went into Arthur Boyd's own cottage-like studio. We drew on a canvas sheet with charcoal and then Mr Beare told us about Arthur's paintings, which I think are beautiful and unique. After that Mr Beare showed us where Mr Boyd would sit and think about this art. All of Grade 6 reassembled and had a rest in front of the lavatory. After that we broke into groups again and went to talk to an artist from Malibu. She was a good artist in her own right. But I didn't really like her work because I'm not a fan of abstract artwork. When we got back from the artists' studio, we had lunch and prepared for a walk down to the Shoalhaven River. So we got started on our way. Mickey, Ethan and I walked down to the river together. On the way I nearly stepped in a cow-patty. When we got there, we were asked to draw Pulpit Rock and something else of our own choice. I drew the rock face and its reflection. Simon's artwork and mine were very similar. We were very pleased....... When we came back to the lavatory, the bus was waiting to take us home....... On the bus I just sat quietly and thought about Arthur Boyd's unique and story-like artwork. All in all, the day was good. I thought it was wonderful looking at all of Arthur Boyd's paintings and pottery. by Stipe

Arthur Boyd's Bundanon yesterday (19-6-2000), most of Year 6 went on an excursion. We went to Bundanon accompanied by Mrs Fischer, Mr Evans, Mrs Kater and Mrs Chapman. We saw Arthur Boyd's house and studio; we also saw another artist. On the bus trip down, I sat next to Kirsty, we shared $5 worth of lollies and listened to an earphone each. We sat on the second seat behind the driver. The bus driver, Bob, pointed out lots of......interesting facts. It took a while to get there, but we did. After getting into groups and discussing where we were going, my group left to go and see and talk to the other artist, Mary Cassis. She showed us her intriguing art and showed us what to make of it and how she got her ideas. Our next visit was to Arthur's house, where we saw some of his art, and other pieces of art from his family. Jill, our tour guide, told us many interesting facts about his life and paintings. (I took some photos) Mr Beare then took us to Arthur's old studio where we saw many paintings. Mr Beare showed us some tools which were used by Arthur. He also told us interesting facts about Arthur's life. After lunch, everybody came together and we headed down to Pulpit Rock to do some drawings of our own. On the way down the cow-poo covered track, everyone tried to avoid the dung......but nobody came back without stepping in it. We had to draw a couple of scenes around us. Kirsty, Holly and I sat on the small beach and drew the rocks, bank and their reflection in the water. On the way home on the bus, I sat in the same seat. Kirsty and I sat with her earphones on again.....until I was told to swap places with Sarah F. because she felt sick. Mrs Kater told me to share the position at the back with Holly and Ashley. I had a fun-filled day. I enjoyed looking and hearing about Bundanon. by Felicity