Magenta Appel-Pye, Mullumbimby.
I was so disappointed when the Popular cafe closed down, not only for the loss of wholesome, cheap food, but also because of the destruction of the iconic mural of Mullumbimby and surrounds, including a man on the thunderbox, by Len Hend.
His wonderful art popped up again on the True Wheel Cycles shop, which we appreciate every time we drive by.
I am thrilled to see the big, local-scape mural tradition living on with his son, Daniel Hend. Now the Mullumbimby Co-Op is a work of art at which I notice something new every time I go. It’s like a groovy, arty virus springing to life colourfully on the town’s alley-way making walking around Mullum like being in an art gallery. One day they are dingy, daggy, dusty laneways, next they’re vibrant visuals of what makes this area so beautiful to live in.
I hope eventually every alleyway is affected. Thank you to Daniel, what an amazing artist you are, and to those who must be sponsoring him in these public displays of fabulousness.
Mullumbimby is certainly becoming a town to visit, just to wander around wondering at the amazing art, as well as the natural beauty of Mount Chincogan overlooking this little town. Oh, and everything else, of course.
There is a great story about the young Leonardo di Vinci who was in a class being instructed on how to paint.
He was in a class of about 10 young painters and the teacher said it was time to begin. Leonardo just sat there and sat there and sat there for about an hour looking at the wall. The teacher said “Leonardi why are you not painting?”
He said “I am”.
He then set to and painted the best painting of the class in half an hour.
It is all in the planning and where things are to go. He was painting and planning in his mind and all he had to do was to transfer it to paper.
Thank you