about, cv, clouds of january, a sound like rain, kathmandu taxi
ABOUT
Don held his first Solo Exhibition in Brisbane in 2000 and has held more than 20 one man shows. He is described as a modernist literary and has been involved in the contemporary Art movement known as "The Recyclers' which focuses on environmental issues and uses found or discarded debris and objects to create works of Art. Don has an extensive history of Associate Shows in Australia and Overseas. He was tutored in the early 1970's by Frank DeSilva, Arthur Evan Read, Mervyn Moriarty and Ipswich Water Colourist Arch Gratton. Don's Art is Visually Descriptive and is associated with particular episodes in his life and many travels. He is an Australian based Multi Disciplinary Artist as well as a Creative Director and Writer.Over the past few decades he has been developing his writing skills and has just completed writing his new novel Kathmandu Taxi (Copyright) as well as working on the script to Tittenhurst 2004 till current.From early childhood he has had a love of Art and been involved with many notables and projects over this time in Australia, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Japan and Thailand.Don has just published his 10th book which is concurrent with a showing of a series of works with the title "A Sound Like Rain".
CV and Biographical Detail
Selected Solo Exhibitions
2026/27 "Siddhartha's Land' in process
2026 "Clouds of January' Paintings and Drawings with book release
2025 "A Sound Like Rain' Exhibition with ISBN Registered Book. Arts Connect Gallery, Ipswich Queensland. Opened by Jennifer Howard, MP State Member for Ipswich.
2023 "Undercurrent" Exhibition and Book Release, Florence Street Space Teneriffe
2023 "Heading North' Exhibition and Book Release London Offices Brisbane
2021 "Changing Perspectives" Exhibition and Book Release Florence Street Space
2020 "A Shifting Tide" August Brisbane London Offices Brisbane
2020/2019 "Accelerator" London Offices Teneriffe Brisbane
2006 "Paintings from Nature" The Art Factory Brisbane August 2006
2006 Davson Gallery "Sculptures from Canvas"
2005 "Art of the Non Objective Landscape" New Works with Rejected canvas Landscapes, Chinchilla Whitegums Gallery
2005 "Art of the Non Objective Landscape" Works in Bamboo Jasu Gallery Brisbane
2004 " Landscape & Textures from the Shore to the Sky" Rejected Items. Texas Regional Art Gallery
2004 "Shorelines" New Textural and Assemblage recycled items and Landscapes. Cooloola Shire Public Gallery
2004 "Working Plein Air" Sheraton Hotel Brisbane
2004 "Landscapes from the Rim" New textural and assemblage works using Rejected and Recycled Art, Boonah Regional Gallery
2004 'Recent Seascapes' The Sofitel Brisbane Central
2004 "Water and Light" New Oil Panels. The Bundaberg Arts Centre
2003 "Water and Light" Specific use of light in Abstractions. Butter Factory Arts Centre Cooroy. Opened by Alexander Michael Somlyay MP Federal member for Fairfax, House of Representatives, Parliament of Australia
2002 "Recent Paintings" Augelo's New farm
2001 " Painting demonstrations" Port Office Hotel Brisbane
2000 "Moreton Island Series" Fox Studios Brisbane. Opened by Michael Johnson MP Federal Member for Ryan, Parliament of Australia, House of Representatives
2000 "Sand Island Paintings" Queensland Law Society Brisbane
Selected Two and Three Person Exhibitions
2021 'Tide Line" with John Dahlsen Book
Release and Exhibition2005 Jasu Gallery Brisbane
2003 "Following the Sun" Fox Galleries with Louis Ricaud / Michael Ciavarella
2002 "Transformations" Fox Galleries with Louis Ricaud and Mark Davies
2002 "Indian Summer" Grosvnor on George with John Dahlsen
2001 "Colours of the Bay" Fox Galleries Brisbane with Louis Ricaud
Selected Associate Exhibitions
2026 "We Converse' Brisbane Institute of Art
2025 Side Gallery, Brisbane
2024 Ipswich Civic Centre Queensland
2024 "The Land Between, Above and Below' Florence Street Teneriffe
2023 "Up Late' Ipswich Civic Centre
2008 "New Beginnings" Waterfront Place Brisbane city
2007 "River City" Waterfront Place 1 Eagle Street Brisbane
2007 "Psychedelia" CBD Gallery Brisbane
2006 St Sebastian's Biennial exhibition
2006 "The Windows of Opportunity"Brisbane Power House with · Bree AmerCatherine Anderson, Mike "Banx" Banks, Robyn Bauer, Robert Coleby, Angela Davies, Gavin Dickey, Daisy Dickey, HannahEvans, Scott Goddard, Mike Goldman, Travis Hendrix, David Hinchliffe, Kerry Holland, Mary Ibrahim, Kirra Jamison, JustinLavender, Tiffiny Laverack, Adrian Lewinski, Natasha Lewis, Christine Maudy, John Morris, Nuuna, Danielle O'Brien, JimOlsson, Sam Poursh, Cliff Sheldrake, Emma Sheldrake, Starr, Maxine Stibbe, Margaret Underdown, Chris Williams, Simon Won
2006 Carnival Exhibition CBD Brisbane
2005 "The Doors" Brisbane Power House with Bree Amer,Anthony Bennett, Cathy Bevis, John Clements, Robert Coleby, Natalie Cook,John Dahlsen, Design College of Australia, DonnaGee, Mike Goldman, David Hinchliffe, Malcolm Hooper, Mary-Paula Ibrahim, Jan Jorgensen, Tracey Keller, Jack Kennedy,Brett Lethbridge, Adrian Lewinski, Shane Macfarlane, Felicity Mason, Simon Mclean, Moorooka Day Service, John Morris,Nuuna, Sammaneh Poursh, Christine Sheldrake, Cliff Sheldrake, Emma Sheldrake, Maxine Stibbe Margaret Underdown, PamWalpole & Simon Wong
2005 Churchie Emerging Art Prize (Finalist)
2001 "Third Annual Eclectic" Fox Galleries Brisbane
2001 "Recent Paintings" Port Office Hotel Brisbane
2000 "Annual Eclectic" Fox Galleries Brisbane with Louis Riquad, Anthony Lister, John Dahlsen.
1992 "Art and Soul" Brisbane Art Directors McWhirters Art Space Fortitude Valley
1990 "Art and Soul" Brisbane Art Directors Waterfront Place Brisbane
1990 "Group Showing' Queensland Art Gallery Grey Street South Brisbane
1989 "Art and Soul" Brisbane Art Directors Riverside centre Brisbane
1989 "Logan Art Award" Logan City
1988 "Logan Art Award" John Paul College Logan City
1988 "Fusions Gallery Brunswick Street Fortitude Valley
1987 "Aberdare Art Prize' Ipswich
1989 Logan Art Award (Certificate of Merit Award) Judged by Doug Hall, Queensland Art Gallery Director
1975 Royal National Art Prize (Highly Recommended)
1972 Ipswich Open Portrait Prize (Outright winner) Portrait of Shane
1972 Ipswich Open Art Prize (Outright Winner)Awards
2025 Finalist Ipswich Arts Connect Literature
Awards
2025 Finalist Ipswich Arts Connect Literature Awards
2005 Churchie Emerging Art Prize (Finalist)
1989 Logan Art Award (Certificate of Merit Award) Judged by Doug Hall, Queensland Art Gallery Director
1975 Royal National Art Prize (Highly Recommended)
1972 Ipswich Open Portrait Prize (Outright winner) Portrait of Shane
1972 Ipswich Open Art Prize (Outright Winner)
Reviews, Print and Articles
December 17 2025 Ipswich Tribune Newspaper
6th of August 2025 "Get your Arts Into Gear' with Glen Smith
YouTube July
2025YouTube March
2025Ipswich Tribune Newspaper, "Get your Arts Into Gear' 2nd of April
2025Fryer Library Manuscripts, University of Queensland (Current)West Bremer Radio Podcast
My Village News 2019
The Chronicle July 2007
The Courier Mail 28th of August 2006"
A time to Listen, A Time to Speak Out" Ken Green 2006
Australian Art Collector July 2006
Art Almanac August 2006
Art Almanac July 2006
Gatton Star February 2006
ABC Television "Stateline" 19th and 20th of August 2005
Felicity Mason "Arts for Arts Sake" August
2005
Redcliffe Herald April 2005
Australian Art Collector April 2005
Sassy Magazine October 2004
MacIntyre Gazzette October 2004
The Gympie Times 7th of July 2004
Peter Dobe Composes "Shorelines" for the "Shorelines" Exhibition Gympie Flute and electronic July 2004
Fassifern Gaudian 9th of April 2004
Rim FM Margaret Opperman April 2004
News Mail Bundaberg 27th of January2004
News Mail Bundaberg 24th of January
2004
News Mail Bundaberg 16th of January2004
Coastline Tourist January 2004
The Arty Farty Show 21st of January 2004
Sea FM 93.1 January / February 2004
My Village News 2019
Northern News 2006
Art Almanac 2003
Fox Galleries 2006
ABC Radio Wide Bay January 2004
Eyeline Calendar 2004
Half Arts Noosa Community Radio November 2003
Noosa News 5th of December 2003
Noosa News 7th of August 2003
Hervey Bay Observer 28th of January 2003
Antiques and Art in Queensland November to March 2002 to 2003 edition
Brisbane News 7th August 2002
Whats Hot Sunday Mail 18th of August 2002
Hervey Bay Observer May 2002
Art and Antiques in Queensland July to November edition 2002
Life Magazine Courier Mail Saturday April 20th 2002
Interviews, Connections and Conversations
2025 Podcast and Interview at West Bremer Radio 107.9 FM., 15th of July 2025 with Bradley “Sparky” Clarke
2025 Ipswich Tribune Newspaper, "Get your Arts Into Gear' 2nd of April 2025 with Glen Smith
2025 Podcast interview West Bremer Radio 107.9 FM 4th of March 2025 Bradley “Sparky” Clarke
2025 Interview with Glen Smith. Ipswich Tribune. Shape of Art's Ipswich 21 February 2025
2024 24th of June Interview with Noosa Radio http://www.noosa.radio/ with Maxine Stibbe
2024 May. Interview with Bronwyn Holm about the new book "Kathmandu Taxi'
202414th of March . Letter from Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner about the Marion Barter Postcards.
2024 January. Meets with Sally Leydon to discuss help and directions with fund raising to discover more of the path that Marion Barter ( The Lady Vanishes) took before disappearing without a trace more than 27 years ago.
2023 31st of December New years eave Meeting and discussions with Professor Boonchuay Doojai, Visiting Lecturer, MCU, Chiang Mai and Dr Chitchanok Tupthai, MA English, CMRU, Phd Buddhism, MCU CM Chiang
2023 July. Heading North Interview
20226th of June. Letter from Prince Charles about the Tide Line book.
2021 23rd of November, Letter from Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner about the Tide Line book.
2004 22nd of January News Mail Bundaberg
2004 January Australian Broadcasting Corporation Wayne Shearman Wide Bay
2003 August The Arty Farty Show Noosa Community Radio
2003 November Half Arts Vanessa Brown Noosa FM 101.3
Books
"Siddhartha's Land's Dates to be announced. In Process
"Clouds of January' in process 2025/26
"A Sound Like Rain' Release November 2024 ISBN 979-8-89660-983-4
"Heading North" ISBN 979-8-89184-849-8 Release date 10-10-2023
“Undercurrent. The Other Brush Twenty Years Later.' 2023 ISBN 979-8-89184-596-1
“The Art of Don Hill” Contemporary works 2002 - 2006" First edition 2023 ISBN 978-1-64713-946-9
"Changing Perspectives’ 2021 ISBN 978-1-63848-509-4
“Tide Line” third edition 2021 ISBN 978-1-64826-235-7
“Remnant” second edition 2022 / 2023 ISBN 978-1-64713-493-8
“Tide Line” second edition 2020 ISBN 978-1-64826-235-7
“Rainmaker” 1st Edition 2019
“Accelerator” 2019 ISBN 978-1-64606-420-5
“A Shifting Tide” 2020 ISBN978-1-64786-877-2
"Tittenhurst" 2002 - 2024 ISBN 0-646-46269-5 Release to be announced
‘Kathmandu Taxi’ 2024 ISBN979-8-89443-911-2
Other Books references
"A time to Listen, A Time to Speak Out" Ken Green 2006
Collections
State Library of Queensland
National Library of Australia
Ipswich City Library
Brisbane City Council Libraries
Parliamentary Library of Queensland
Faculty of Art, Chiang Mai University Thailand
Parliamentary Library, Parliament House, Canberra ACT
Chiang Mai University Library
University of Port Harcourt Library Nigeria
Aurora University Library , Illinois, United States
Brigham Young University Library , United States
Painting and Sculpture Collections: Brisbane Sydney Melbourne Canberra United States Switzerland
Historical Information
2025 Finalist Ipswich Arts Connect Literature Awards
2025 Revisits Siddhartha's Land' concept
2025 Writes "The Clouds of January'
2025 A Sound Like Rain' Second edition published
2024 “Kathmandu Taxi” ISBN979-8-89443-911-2
2024 Revisits his past experiences in Far North Queensland and commences work on the Oasis book and set of paintings of the same title. The concept evolves into "A Sound Like Rain'2023 Meets with Professor Boonchuay Doojai, Visiting Lecturer, MCU, Chiang Mai and Dr Chitchanok Tupthai, MA English, CMRU, Phd Buddhism, MCU CM Conversation about the changing face of modern art and how Heading North came about. Presents several books for the Chiang Mai University Art Faculty.2023 "Undercurrent' ISBN 979-8-89184-596-1 New book with works using sustainable materials such as Bamboo and Banana Trunk.This book is a Supplement to The Art of Don Hill, Contemporary Works 2002 to 20062023 "Heading North' ISBN 979-8-89184-849-8 A new book with new adventures Released November 20232023 The Art of Don Hill / Contemporary Works 2002 to 2006 ISBN 978-1-64713-946-92021 Changing Perspectives / ISBN 978-1-63848-509-42020A Shifting Tide / ISBN 978-1-64786-877-22020Tide Line / ISBN 978-1-64826-235-72019 Starts the Tide Line project with Dr John Dahlsen 2019Don Hill Contemporary 2002 to 2006 / ISBN 978-1-64713-946-92019The Rainmaker / ISBN 978-1-64713-493-8 2019‘Accelerator” / ISBN 978-1-64606-420-52018 Starts work on the Accelerator book2017Writes Don Hill “About Seascapes” 2017 first edition (unpublished)2017 Writes “Amphora” Part 1 (unpublished)2016 2017 Establishes “The Teak House Studio" in Chiang Mai Thailand.2015 Discovers the field of Debris at Bruce Bay New Zealand2008 / 2009 Travels Thailand collects material for new body of work2008 Travels to India and Nepal. Formulates ideas, sketches and photography for “Siddhartha’s Land”2008 “Vipassana” Goes solo mountain bicycle riding in Nepal, the Himalayas and Mustang2007 2008 Writes "Kathmandu Taxi' during the Nepal Civil War and Deposition of the King 2007 Mountain Hill Station Stay in Darjeeling 2007 Travels to New Zealand for the first time and takes his favourite Repco mountain bike. Re assembles it at Christchurch Airport then rides South looking for the Southern Alps.2006 Starts writing the book “Straight out of London” ISBN 0646462695 ISBN 97806464626912005 Represented Marie Mizon Gallery Paddington Sydney2004 Starts work on the “Rainmaker” project2003 Works on solo exhibitions through the regional gallery circuit2000,2004 Represented Fox Galleries Brisbane1997 Travels in Thailand1991-92 Involved in Group exhibitions for the Endeavour Foundation1990 Residence at Metro Arts Brisbane1990 Commissions for James Penny Interiors Brisbane1990 Represented Hang Ups Gallery Brisbane1990 Group Showing Queensland Art Gallery Grey Street South Brisbane1988/91 Becomes involved in several group exhibitions in Australia and Japan1989 Certificate of Merit Logan Art Award1976 RNA Highly Recommended for Still Life1975 Returns to Australia via Bombay and Singapore.1975 Stays the remainder of time in the UK with sculptor Stuart Williamson at 16 Belsize Crescent11975 Arrives back in London without enough money to catch the tube back to 16 Belsize Crescent1974 Climbs the Weisshorn in Switzerland unaided and Solo. After arriving back in Zermatt spends 4 days in care with a fever and sickness. 1975 Travels Yugoslavia1975 Hitch hikes throughout southern and central Europe.1974″Magic Bus” three days in hell to Greece1974 Lives, works and paints in London in Belsize Village during IRA bombings1974 Settles in 16 Belsize Crescent North London1974 Travels to and hitch hikes Wales, Scotland and Orkney Islands.1974 Stays with Carl Groszmann (deceased) at Tittenhurst Park Studios while he writes and records “A Dose of Rock and Roll”,1973 Purchases Bicycle and rides it from London to Lands End in Cornwall in Ugg boots.1973 Arrives in London.1973 Sees Frank De Silva and Arch Graton alive for the very last time1973 Field Trips to Boonah and the Scenic Rim with Frank De Silva1973 Encouraged and inspired by Arthur Evan Reid to travel to Europe and England to undertake further studies inmodern and traditional art1972 Has day classes with Merven Moriarty at “Garowie” 59 White Hill Road Residence and Adelaide Street Brisbane.1972 First Prize: Ipswich Open Art Prize for Portraiture (portrait of Shane)1972 First Prize: Ipswich Open Art Prize for Still Life1972 Water Colour Technique and characteristics with Charles Ludlow
Gallery Representation:
Arts Connect, Ipswich. CurrentFox Galleries
2000 to 2004Maree Mizon Gallery Paddington. Sydney
2003 to 2007
Hang Ups Gallery Red Hill Brisbane 1980's
Contributors, Associates, Collections.
Arts Connect, Ipswich (Associate and Supporter)BAD Brisbane Art Directors (Brisbane Art and Design) (Associate)
John Dahlsen (Co Author and contributor)Spicers (Fine Paper) (Sponsor)Felicity Mason (The Art of Don Hill, Contemporary Works 2002 to 2006 Contributor) (Actress)Hutchinson Builders (Supporter)PPS, Professional Print Services (Print Sponsor)
Robert Dunsmore (Print Sponsor and associate)
Jun Han (Type and Print Supporter)Drawing and Drafting Australia (Type and Print Supporter)
Lyn Williams (Tide Line Copywrite Contributor)Yuliana Kusumastuti (The Art of Don Hill, Contemporary Works 2002 to 2006) (Tide Line) (Writer and Journalist) (Contributor)State Library of Queensland (Collection)
Glen Smith (Advisor and Supporter) Arts ConnectBrisbane City Council Libraries (Collection)National Library of Australia (Collection)Ipswich City Library (Collection)
Brent Harvey (The Art of Don Hill, Contemporary Works 2002 to 2006) (Contributor)
Paul Ching Bor (Undercurrent) (Contributor)Chiang Mai University Library (Collection)Professor Boonchuay Doojai (Contributor and Supporter in Chiang Mai Thailand)Chitchanok Tupthai (PHD Buddhism and Yoga, Chiang Mai) (Contributor and Supporter)Direct Paper (Sponsor)
Bronwyn Holm (Kathmandu Taxi interview) (Contributor and Supporter)Maxine Stibbi (Kathmandu Taxi interview Noosa Radio) Bradley “Sparky” Clarke (Principal of West Bremer Radio) Podcasts and Interviewer, Supporter
Copyright Don Hill 2022
He describes his work as written and visual assessments of the environment
"Whim of the Painted Desert' "Clouds of January' work. Detail. South Australia, Diptych. Gold pouring, Gold Leaf, Oil and Acrylic, Aerosol Media on board. 2025 48 x 24 cm
"Blue and Gold in the Painted Desert' "Clouds of January' work Gold pouring, Oil and Acrylic, Aerosol Media on board. 2025 49 x 49 cm 
"Mesa and the Night Painted Desert' "Clouds of January' work Gold pouring, Oil and Acrylic, Aerosol Media on board. 2025 122 x 81 cm 
"Mesa and the Night Painted Desert' "Clouds of January' work Detail. Gold pouring, Oil and Acrylic, Aerosol Media on board. Detail 2025 122 x 81 cm
"Gibber and Hard Rock' Clouds of January work Gold Leaf, Oil and Acrylic, Pouring Media on board. Detail 2025 122 x 81 cm 
"Gibber and Hard Rock' Clouds of January work Gold Leaf, Oil and Acrylic, Pouring Media on board. 2025 122 x 81 cm 
"Cooper's Creek Sunday' Clouds of January work Gold Leaf, Oil and Acrylic, Pouring Media on board. 2025 1.60 x 2.5 metres
"Blue and Gold Desert Scape' "The Emus are restless today' Mumbleberry endures. Clouds of January work Mixed media on board. 2025 160 x 120 cm 
"Clouds of January' Mixed media on board. 2025 160 x 120 cm"Beads of Heaven' 2025
They fell to Earth as rain unevenly and without apology.
Dancing on the surface of the sea disturbing and dulling its sheen
Light and darkness is here
Light and darkness above
Darkness and light below
An uneven dappling of wet contact sent from Heaven
As the weather moved forward a small swell started to roll in on the sea.
High above birds swirled in the sky
Down below fish danced to the surge.
A dance that had been going on for quite a while.
The green and blue of the water brought calm to this place
The blue and darkness of the sky brought life.
On the shore tiny waves talk to the sand speaking of their arrival from heaven and eventual return to this place.
Precipitation and evaporation
The eternal cycle and rebirth in the Universe
Further on shore water rushed down paths through the Rain Forest from the mountains finally entering the Sea
Life reinvents
It continues in different places and geographic time zones.
The beads are now moving South and West to drench the dry bones of the Sand Dunes and the wildlife that lives there.
The smell of rain is in the air and a restlessness takes over the still in anticipation of releasing new life into the world.
"Clouds of January' Detail Mixed media on board. 2025 160 x 120 cm 
"Blue and Gold Desert Scape' "The Emus are restless today' Clouds of January work Detail Mixed media on board. 2025 160 x 120 cm A SOUND LIKE RAIN 2025 OPENING
At the opening of "A Sound Like Rain'. Special thanks to special guests, State Member, Jennifer Howard. Cnr Pye Augustine and Dr Gael Phillips for their attendance. "A Sound Like Rain' arrived at Booval Fair with special guests Jennifer Howard MP who opened the exhibition and Councilor Pye Augustine who was also present and a great support. Don Hill would like to thank Dr Gael Phillips for her effort to attend the opening as well as she cut short her commitments and journey in South Australia to support him.
Don Hill was interviewed on "Get your Arts into Gear' at West Bremer Radio, with Glen Smith and Bradley "Sparky" Clarke Tuesday 15th of July 2025 for "A Sound Like Rain' opening and book signing at Booval Fair on Saturday the 26th of July 2025. Sandwiches and Lamingtons provided.
YouTube: 18th of July 2025. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpe5I4bhU0g&t=12s
" Pool Study.' Acrylic, Leaf and Oil Paint on Board 50 x50 cm A Sound Like Rain 2025"A SOUND LIKE RAIN' ARRIVED AT BOOVAL FAIR SHOPPING CENTRE
Opening and Book Signing happened yesterday 12noon 26th of July 2025. Booval Fair Shopping Centre. Thanks to Arts Connect, Glen Smith and Bradley Sparky
ISBN979-8-89660-983-4
In the Beginning (A Sound Like Rain 2024) Day OneThe Turquoise sky had fallen in and down to Earth melting like butter into the depths of the forest pools. Green tree ants ran wild up and down lianas to known and unknown destinations hunting food for their tribe. They had a history and could make use of any scraps that were left in the green verge and turbulence of leaves and vine. Writing their own script and future Anywhere, Anytime, wherever and whenever they wanted. Vibrating with life and being. Further down reptiles moved upstream further and further as they had no predator or fear anymore just the hunger for territory, survival and sustenance. The arteries of the rainforest hum to the sound of the Riflebird as it displays a notice and muse to a new mate and the sound of Cassowary walking on. Day flying moths flew to the call of the boulders while Ornithoptera displayed size and beauty a thousand times more than what was required and sought in this green mixture of life and abundance and stated that Priamus was King and Queen. So this is what this place is. An encounter, a mixture of green colour and uncluttered noise. This is what this place is.The snake makes a stretch along the tree as if to be a branch then slides effortlessly upward to find a fresh egg or something else to eat. Its glistening armor sparkles rainbows in the speckled light of the rainforest. God lives here or maybe God doesn't. It doesn't matter how it manifests itself as all that counts is that it manifests and conquers with its beauty and surprise. The turbulence of sound, running, crashing water and the rustle of the leaf completes the poetry of noise. A noise that only Nature can make. Once out of the blue the Paradise Kingfisher swoops down to the lower canopy with it's white tail dipping earthward the fluttering wings prods the leaves into a rhythmic almost operatic movement. Leaning forward there were strange sounds in the forest and also footprints in the mud. Footprints in the Mud. The day at the pools continues with carloads arriving for their swimming lessons to hear the call of the princess beckoning them to join her at their leisure forever.
Don Hill 2025
"Untitled Scape' Detail. Oil and Acrylic Paint. Leaf and Pouring Gold on Board "Clouds of January' 2025 "Clouds of January' and other Stories
Layout, Graphic design, Typography by The Teak House Studio, Chiang Mai Thailand
ISBN In Process
"Clouds of January' 2025/26
The Rains had come to the Desert for the first time in many years with
the Sun replaced by the grey of the clouds and the beads falling over the land.
The Constance of an overcast sky and the patter of rain on the dry red sand
making a dull sound on contact with the Earth.
A wetness from Heaven.
A wetness on the Earth.
No dry place left in this place and moment.
Night comes easily at this time and the dark was its only companion and cohort.
No moon nor stars filled the sky.
Just darkness.
No Milky Way to navigate by and be amazed at so far from the bright light
of modern civilization.
Mud and pools and pools of mud started to form between the dunes as the beads
fell on the earth as bandicoot shakes the droplets from its coat and continues its
journey to its secret hideout lair amongst the sand hills.
Today on and over the far side of the ridge of the Range and through the air the Red Dunes
rise up to celebrate the next dawn with their parallel calling to welcome the Sun.
Parallel indeed.
A rough line up of red sand hills running North to South dominate this land and make it honest.
One cannot deny its honesty or beauty or doubt to admire its truth.
The bright Sun calling will not happen today as there is no Sun and the rain has replaced
it and started in this place.
Just rain.
Just rain over and over without forgiveness or pleasure.
Just rain.
The widow of the Sun.
Sun. The husband of blue sky and dreams had now disappeared and were gone
but would return when this time was over and come again to dry and freshen
the land.
Rain the freshness of the future but the lust and pain in between.
Don Hill 2025
"Cooper's Creek Sunday'. 2440 x 1640 mm Oil and Acrylic Paint. Leaf and Pouring Gold, Blue Ink on board 2025
"Cooper's Creek Sunday '. Detail. 2440 x 1640 mm Oil and Acrylic Paint. Leaf and Pouring Gold, Blue Ink on board 2025
"Sticks'. 40 x 40 cm Detail Oil and Acrylic Paint. Leaf and Pouring Gold, Blue Ink on board 2025
"Dune Study'. 50 x 50 cm Mixed media on board 2025
"Lake of Dunes' Gold pouring, Oil Paint, Leaf and Acrylic on Board 40 x 40 cm Clouds of January. 2025
"Untitled Scape' Gold pouring, Oil Paint, Leaf and Acrylic on Board 35x 35cm Clouds of January. 2025
"Stick Country in Gold' Number Two. Mixed media on board 80 x 120cm 2025
"Red Ochre' Number Two. Mixed media on board 80 x 60 cm 2025
"Red Ochre' Number Three. Mixed media on board 60 x 60 cm 2025
"Blue Sky and Red Ochre' Number One. Mixed Media on Board. Detail 2025. 60 x 60 cm
"Black Sky Red Stick Country' Mixed Media on Board. Detail 2025. 120 x 80 cm
" Reflections Lake Mumbleberry' Mixed media on board 60 x 60 cm
"Stick Country' Digital Print on Archival Paper 61x34 cm 2025 Signed and Numbered
"Black Sky Red Country' Detail
"Blue Sky and Red Ochre' Mixed Media on Board. Detail 2025. 60 x 60 cm
"Sand and Sticks' Detail 40 X 40 cm mixed media. 2025
"After Rain' Detail. 40 x40 cm mixed media. 2025
" Reflections Lake Mumbleberry' Detail. Mixed media on board 60 x 60 cm
"Stick Country in Gold' Detail. Mixed media on board 80 x 120cm 2025
"A Sound Like Rain' is now available in its first Limited Edition. It is a collection of Short Stories, Poems and Paintings of Don Hill's adventures in the Wet Tropics of Far North Queensland. Beautifully finished in a Gloss Cello cover.
With Glen Smith and West Bremer Radio Ipswich
A SOUND LIKE RAIN
A Sound Like Rain Overview and Foreword
Opening 12noon 26th of July 2025. Booval Fair Shopping Centre. Thanks to Arts Connect Ipswich and West Bremer Radio.
ISBN979-8-89660-983-4
Foreword
When I came to start these works and writings I had no idea of where to start except the fact I could look at the image of Queen Elizabeth on my wall and feel inspired. She always encouraged me. Art and writing is not an easy pilgrimage although when ideas, words and paint start to flow in the congenial direction it is difficult to halt the process and take a rest. So you may find yourself looking up to the clock at one or two in the morning and wonder how you arrived at that point. You and me are different as we have lived different lives with different outcomes that never collide. I am not of the mortal and moral courage to lay back because of the places I have been in my life, some good, some bad, some threatening, some desperate, some sad although there were happy times in between. I have survived all these years dressed in a coat of a loner, vagabond and tramp. I used to think Art was easy in the fact I could paint a portrait or still life and feel happy with it as I thought people would like it and relate to it. Now it is different as I like to write it's story along the way to explain the purpose of the paint as well as the pen.Please read on and discover my story of the Babinda Boulders, Bartle Frere and Far North Queensland.
"My Tropical Self' Oil and Acrylic Paint, Gold Pouring and Leaf on Board 50 x 50cm 2025
Yella-Hell. Digital Sketch and Limited Edition Print run of 100 Numbered. 62 x 32.5 cm on archival paper. A Sound Like Rain 2024
"At the Boulders.' "Figure in Landscape.' Oil, Acrylic Paint and Leaf on Box Board Frame. 81 x 61cm. 2023 SOLD
Detail from a "Pool' Study. Oil and Acrylic paint with Gold Leaf on board.
"Tropical Low' Oil, Acrylic Paint and Leaf on Box Board Frame. 77x 150cm.
Day ThreeThe Sun sank behind the trees at the West of the beach as Starfish made tracks and circles in the sand. The Triton hunted them when daylight stirred and started to dim. Hammerhead was now on top of the Apex game just observing, cruising alone and along in his Grey suit. This is how we are. Alone. The pools start to call once more as the Darkness comes to the Oasis. Today it was not Ulysses that danced in the sky although Ornithoptera flew onward and fluttered by in Metallic Green and Brown coats. My name is Birdwing it sang as it did. It was now the Sun high above my head that danced as I had thoughts of the clear blue and its freshness with a giant stride and bubbles exiting from my aqualung as I sank down into the depths of the Coral Sea. Just dreaming. Just dreaming as the Fish buzz filled my ears to the hiss of the BCD.This time I had set out early to reach the top of the peak before the heat came.As usual I was lost as I had been so many times in the past.It was as if Genesis had been reborn and came to visit me on this Earth in a dream as I walked further into the lush green of the Wet Tropics. Further away from the Pool of Souls where the princess waits for those she calls and beckons to join her forever. Who will be next? Who will wear the Number 22? I stumbled on heroically trying to keep composed even though my legs were bleeding from the attacks of leeches and lianas. I still went forward. Luckily I brought treatment for those injuries although not for the ones in my heart.
Day Six (a time to run)It looked like a storm was on the Summer horizon in the East with the possibility of a Tropical Low forming in the Coral Sea.It was now time to descend the summit and head South before turmoil was unleashed . All that is paradise can be undone. This can happen in seconds and minutes. There is however renewal at the end. The path of previous storms still visible in the lush green with groups of trees stripped bare like reeds in a pond. Their grey trunks still standing as a testament to the past and nature's fury. An urgency started to spring from the Cicada noise as there was a movement in the air and a feeling of impending doom. Cumulus Nimbus was coming forth and upright, its billowing white and grey puffs stretching up to the Stratosphere. The Coral Sea was once again brewing its teapot unbeknown to the human counterparts who thought they were smarter than the rain forest incumbents and inhabitants.
"Forest Reflections. Oolana Calls' Legend of the Pool. (Detail). Gold Leaf, Oil and Acrylic paint on box board stretcher 81 x 81cm 2024. A Sound Like Rain Series and Book
The drawings describe the "Bend in Time' at the pools of the Boulders and show the Figure (Oolana) or whatever it is welcoming the new arrivals to her abode. There are three pools which the Legend revolves around and these are "The Washing Machine'. "The Chute' and the "Devil's Pool'. Overall to date there has been 21 known drowning deaths in recent times of young males with one female fatality. The Warning signs are Omni Present and cannot be missed but individuals still cross over the fence line and sometimes bath in the pools. This practice is highly dangerous and if you are dragged under there is no chance of saving yourself. On occasions one slip will be fatal with rescue not possible only recovery. When you walk the tracks of the Rain Forest here there is a persistent presence.
"The Bend in Time 2'. At the Devil's Pool. Digital Print on Archival print paper 61 x 33 Limited Edition Signed and Numbered 2024. Available.
"A Depth of Presence'. Gold and Silver Leaf, Oil and Acrylic paint on box board stretcher 61 x 61cm 2023. A Sound Like Rain 2024
As time past I came to the realization that I was living in the Oasis The more I thought about this the more the idea became truth.I was far away from the Southern crowd and finally doing my own thing without restraint and human interference.This had proved and begun my release from Urban Sprawl.Somewhere in my psyche I was free at last in my last ditch to be me away from the mass dictatorship of constant upheaval and power struggles.I had once again found somewhere to call home without a Litmus Test from anyone.The next day I was on the water again with the new 17 Foot tinny heading out to the reef to catch some much needed sustenance.There was a game plan and that was to find and navigate one of the Wonky Holes where the fresh water springs pop up into the salt water.This is where the fish would be and feeding.As I moved along doing about 30 knots the outboard on the back sounded like it was actually idling as there was much more it could do at the click of the throttle.I set my sights on going southward to the Barnard Islands and Lindquist Reef for Brunch and then find some territory that wasn't fished too often.I had finally made it to John Coburn territory and my age no longer mattered, just my health.
Extract from "Kathmandu Taxi' ISBN 979-8-89443-911-2 Release Date 2025 (Fiction).
All text and Images are copyright and the property of Don Hill. No text or images may be copied or used without the express permission of Don Hill. Copyright 2024.
Any references to people living or deceased is only coincidental. Images by Don Hill and Palbar Ngawang (Pema Ts'al Sakya Monastic Institute, Pokhara Nepal) All rights reserved.
Don Hill was interviewed about Kathmandu Taxi on the 24th of June 2024 by Noosa Radio. Interviewer Maxine Stibbe Broadcast Live Australia Wide
Night Train to Nepal
So which village are you from.
Namche Bazar.
Sir now my parents and family live in a village just outside
of Pokhara.
Would you like to visit?
I would love to.
But maybe not at this time.
You would love Pokhara as it is very beautiful Sir.
In which way is it beautiful?
It is warmer than Kathmandu with views of the mountains
up close.
The air is fresh and clear as it is not in Kathmandu.
You would love it there as it is so clean as opposed to this place.
So if you could give me your details we can catch up.
What do you think?
Yes that would be wonderful.
I have many sisters that are looking for a husband.
That's ok I am not looking for a wife at the moment
But thank you anyway.
I am sure your sisters are beautiful and worthy of any man.
Yes they are Mr Stanley.
They are all young and eager to raise a family with the
right man of course.
What are the most interesting things about your village apart
from your sisters.
My village is at the top of a ridge where you can see all
of the Himalayas.
We can collect wood there for our fires, cooking and heating.
It is easy to do because our women are strong and resilient.
They can chop wood all day.
The older ones smoke but the young ones look for a husband
and a family.
The view is unbroken so this means that is our life is complete.
Of course there are issues with the snow and in the winter
it is hard to find enough food for my family but
we always survive as we store things in preparedness for the
Winter.
Sita my sister would like to meet you.
Why is that?
She is a widow, her husband was killed in an avalanche
last year.
She has become so lonely since his passing and she needs a
man.
Copyright Don Hill 2024
KATHMANDU TAXI INTERVIEW 2024
Interview with Bronwyn Holm about Kathmandu Taxi 2024
Tell me about Kathmandu Taxi.
Yeah sure.
I wrote the first very brief draft in 2008 after my second visit to Nepal but it obviously
needed a tidy up and a haircut.
I am happy with it now.
What is it about?
It is about adventure and encounters with other cultures with the main character
being a chap called Owen Stanley.
What is Owen like?
He has spent the last few years in the UK working at anything he can get an
income from and at long last he has enough money to go travelling further
afield.
Where does he go?
He has this dream of traveling to India to buy a Sitar, learn to play it properly
and meet his idol Ravi Shankar but he is disillusioned when he arrives as the vibe of the
Sub Continent does not suit him and Ravi is actually living in England and
California by that time and is very old.
He finally gets to Nepal but realizes that Kathmandu even though it was one of
the main Hippy trails of the early 60s and 70s has totally changed.
So what happens next in his story?
Nepal has really changed and it is not the same and welcoming as it used to be.
In fact it is highly dangerous for locals, foriegners as well as men and women
alike.
He arrives in Nepal in the middle of the Civil War with the Marxists which is a
little bit daunting but he realizes that if he does not take the risk or chance he
might as well have stayed in England out at Ascot in the safety of Tittenhurst
Park.
He prefers to meet and converse with locals instead of people from Europe and
his own country as they could influence his thought.
He couldn't be happier to get away from this crowd although he has made many
friends along the way.
The locals know how to get around and also converse and get out of most
trouble.
Especially people carrying guns.
Obviously he meets women who help him and become his guide and sometimes
he falls in love with them and even though it may seem like brief encounters he
still continues to be in contact with them even after he leaves as he does still love them.
You know money doesn't last forever.
One girl in particular has taken his fancy.
She convinces him to travel back to India and go to Darjeelling and Gangtok
which she says will adjust his negative thoughts about the sub continent. He
asks her to go with him but she refuses as she has to look after her mother's stall in Dubar
Square in Basantapur.
He travels to Darjeeling which he loves and this is the start of a new journey of
finding out about himself.
His true inner self.
There is in no need for mediation on top of a mountain or finding a Guru to help
him discover the truth.
Only him. Only Owen can do this. Although he still meets up with locals.
Finally he becomes self aware of who he really is even through the haze of alternative practices
and finds reality and not just a fake world that predominates human society and is structured by money and greed.
He realizes that humans are here for a higher cause, not just being involved in useless controlling ideology that is put upon them by those in high places.
It is still a Cast system whether it is in India or everywhere else around the world.
Yes go on.
On his journey he doesn't take any friends with him as he does not want to
influenced by anyone into their pack mentality or preconcieved ideas about different places.
He just wants to experience what it is like traveling alone in a places where he will see few Westerners.
One day he might even get married to that girl in Kathmandu but he loves his
freedom more than marriage.
The girls that he meets love him but also hate him at the same time knowing that
they could not convince him to marry them and he will depart and probably
never come back even if he says he will.
So this is his adventure during a time of Civil unrest with a lot of risk and
pressure on the local population.
It's a story about his encounters at the Roof of the World.
And how did Owen Stanley come about.
Oh that.
Yes.
He was always on a quest to find his true self even in risky situations.
There were places that he would not travel to but given that he wanted to
experience what it was like to live among locals, eat their food, feel their
emotions and live (even briefly) like they did.
His mother and father lived in New Guinea and Richard his father was a world
authority on insects especially Lepidoptera and worked for the Australian and
Papuan Governments in that capacity.
He was friends with Ray Statham up at Kuranda and that Garry guy up in the
Atherton area.
Oh ok.
Thank you Don and we all hope the book will be incredibly successful for you.
Bronwyn Holm
Siddhartha's Land 2026 / 2027
"Clouds of January' 2025/26
The Rains had come to the Desert for the first time in many years with
the Sun replaced by the grey of the clouds and the beads falling over the land.
The Constance of an overcast sky and the patter of rain on the dry red sand
making a dull sound on contact with the Earth.
A wetness from Heaven.
A wetness on the Earth.
No dry place left in this place and moment.
Night comes easily at this time and the dark was its only companion and cohort.
No moon nor stars filled the sky.
Just darkness.
No Milky Way to navigate by and be amazed at so far from the bright light
of modern civilization.
Mud and pools and pools of mud started to form between the dunes as the beads
fell on the earth as bandicoot shakes the droplets from its coat and continues its
journey to its secret hideout lair amongst the sand hills.
Today on and over the far side of the ridge of the Range and through the air the Red Dunes
rise up to celebrate the next dawn with their parallel calling to welcome the Sun.
Parallel indeed.
A rough line up of red sand hills running North to South dominate this land and make it honest.
One cannot deny its honesty or beauty or doubt to admire its truth.
The bright Sun calling will not happen today as there is no Sun and the rain has replaced
it and started in this place.
Just rain.
Just rain over and over without forgiveness or pleasure.
Just rain.
The widow of the Sun.
Sun. The husband of blue sky and dreams had now disappeared and were gone
but would return when this time was over and come again to dry and freshen
the land.
Rain the freshness of the future but the lust and pain in between.
Don Hill 2025
"Cooper's Creek Sunday'. 2440 x 1640 mm Oil and Acrylic Paint. Leaf and Pouring Gold, Blue Ink on board 2025 "Cooper's Creek Sunday '. Detail. 2440 x 1640 mm Oil and Acrylic Paint. Leaf and Pouring Gold, Blue Ink on board 2025 "Sticks'. 40 x 40 cm Detail Oil and Acrylic Paint. Leaf and Pouring Gold, Blue Ink on board 2025 "Dune Study'. 50 x 50 cm Mixed media on board 2025 "Lake of Dunes' Gold pouring, Oil Paint, Leaf and Acrylic on Board 40 x 40 cm Clouds of January. 2025 "Untitled Scape' Gold pouring, Oil Paint, Leaf and Acrylic on Board 35x 35cm Clouds of January. 2025 "Stick Country in Gold' Number Two. Mixed media on board 80 x 120cm 2025 "Red Ochre' Number Two. Mixed media on board 80 x 60 cm 2025 "Red Ochre' Number Three. Mixed media on board 60 x 60 cm 2025 "Blue Sky and Red Ochre' Number One. Mixed Media on Board. Detail 2025. 60 x 60 cm"Black Sky Red Stick Country' Mixed Media on Board. Detail 2025. 120 x 80 cm
" Reflections Lake Mumbleberry' Mixed media on board 60 x 60 cm "Stick Country' Digital Print on Archival Paper 61x34 cm 2025 Signed and Numbered "Black Sky Red Country' Detail "Blue Sky and Red Ochre' Mixed Media on Board. Detail 2025. 60 x 60 cm "Sand and Sticks' Detail 40 X 40 cm mixed media. 2025 "After Rain' Detail. 40 x40 cm mixed media. 2025 " Reflections Lake Mumbleberry' Detail. Mixed media on board 60 x 60 cm "Stick Country in Gold' Detail. Mixed media on board 80 x 120cm 2025"A Sound Like Rain' is now available in its first Limited Edition. It is a collection of Short Stories, Poems and Paintings of Don Hill's adventures in the Wet Tropics of Far North Queensland. Beautifully finished in a Gloss Cello cover.
With Glen Smith and West Bremer Radio Ipswich A SOUND LIKE RAIN
A Sound Like Rain Overview and Foreword
Opening 12noon 26th of July 2025. Booval Fair Shopping Centre. Thanks to Arts Connect Ipswich and West Bremer Radio.
ISBN979-8-89660-983-4
Foreword
When I came to start these works and writings I had no idea of where to start except the fact I could look at the image of Queen Elizabeth on my wall and feel inspired. She always encouraged me. Art and writing is not an easy pilgrimage although when ideas, words and paint start to flow in the congenial direction it is difficult to halt the process and take a rest. So you may find yourself looking up to the clock at one or two in the morning and wonder how you arrived at that point. You and me are different as we have lived different lives with different outcomes that never collide. I am not of the mortal and moral courage to lay back because of the places I have been in my life, some good, some bad, some threatening, some desperate, some sad although there were happy times in between. I have survived all these years dressed in a coat of a loner, vagabond and tramp. I used to think Art was easy in the fact I could paint a portrait or still life and feel happy with it as I thought people would like it and relate to it. Now it is different as I like to write it's story along the way to explain the purpose of the paint as well as the pen.Please read on and discover my story of the Babinda Boulders, Bartle Frere and Far North Queensland.
"My Tropical Self' Oil and Acrylic Paint, Gold Pouring and Leaf on Board 50 x 50cm 2025Yella-Hell. Digital Sketch and Limited Edition Print run of 100 Numbered. 62 x 32.5 cm on archival paper. A Sound Like Rain 2024
"At the Boulders.' "Figure in Landscape.' Oil, Acrylic Paint and Leaf on Box Board Frame. 81 x 61cm. 2023 SOLD Detail from a "Pool' Study. Oil and Acrylic paint with Gold Leaf on board."Tropical Low' Oil, Acrylic Paint and Leaf on Box Board Frame. 77x 150cm.Day ThreeThe Sun sank behind the trees at the West of the beach as Starfish made tracks and circles in the sand. The Triton hunted them when daylight stirred and started to dim. Hammerhead was now on top of the Apex game just observing, cruising alone and along in his Grey suit. This is how we are. Alone. The pools start to call once more as the Darkness comes to the Oasis. Today it was not Ulysses that danced in the sky although Ornithoptera flew onward and fluttered by in Metallic Green and Brown coats. My name is Birdwing it sang as it did. It was now the Sun high above my head that danced as I had thoughts of the clear blue and its freshness with a giant stride and bubbles exiting from my aqualung as I sank down into the depths of the Coral Sea. Just dreaming. Just dreaming as the Fish buzz filled my ears to the hiss of the BCD.This time I had set out early to reach the top of the peak before the heat came.As usual I was lost as I had been so many times in the past.It was as if Genesis had been reborn and came to visit me on this Earth in a dream as I walked further into the lush green of the Wet Tropics. Further away from the Pool of Souls where the princess waits for those she calls and beckons to join her forever. Who will be next? Who will wear the Number 22? I stumbled on heroically trying to keep composed even though my legs were bleeding from the attacks of leeches and lianas. I still went forward. Luckily I brought treatment for those injuries although not for the ones in my heart.
Day Six (a time to run)It looked like a storm was on the Summer horizon in the East with the possibility of a Tropical Low forming in the Coral Sea.It was now time to descend the summit and head South before turmoil was unleashed . All that is paradise can be undone. This can happen in seconds and minutes. There is however renewal at the end. The path of previous storms still visible in the lush green with groups of trees stripped bare like reeds in a pond. Their grey trunks still standing as a testament to the past and nature's fury. An urgency started to spring from the Cicada noise as there was a movement in the air and a feeling of impending doom. Cumulus Nimbus was coming forth and upright, its billowing white and grey puffs stretching up to the Stratosphere. The Coral Sea was once again brewing its teapot unbeknown to the human counterparts who thought they were smarter than the rain forest incumbents and inhabitants.
"Forest Reflections. Oolana Calls' Legend of the Pool. (Detail). Gold Leaf, Oil and Acrylic paint on box board stretcher 81 x 81cm 2024. A Sound Like Rain Series and BookThe drawings describe the "Bend in Time' at the pools of the Boulders and show the Figure (Oolana) or whatever it is welcoming the new arrivals to her abode. There are three pools which the Legend revolves around and these are "The Washing Machine'. "The Chute' and the "Devil's Pool'. Overall to date there has been 21 known drowning deaths in recent times of young males with one female fatality. The Warning signs are Omni Present and cannot be missed but individuals still cross over the fence line and sometimes bath in the pools. This practice is highly dangerous and if you are dragged under there is no chance of saving yourself. On occasions one slip will be fatal with rescue not possible only recovery. When you walk the tracks of the Rain Forest here there is a persistent presence.
"The Bend in Time 2'. At the Devil's Pool. Digital Print on Archival print paper 61 x 33 Limited Edition Signed and Numbered 2024. Available.
"A Depth of Presence'. Gold and Silver Leaf, Oil and Acrylic paint on box board stretcher 61 x 61cm 2023. A Sound Like Rain 2024As time past I came to the realization that I was living in the Oasis The more I thought about this the more the idea became truth.I was far away from the Southern crowd and finally doing my own thing without restraint and human interference.This had proved and begun my release from Urban Sprawl.Somewhere in my psyche I was free at last in my last ditch to be me away from the mass dictatorship of constant upheaval and power struggles.I had once again found somewhere to call home without a Litmus Test from anyone.The next day I was on the water again with the new 17 Foot tinny heading out to the reef to catch some much needed sustenance.There was a game plan and that was to find and navigate one of the Wonky Holes where the fresh water springs pop up into the salt water.This is where the fish would be and feeding.As I moved along doing about 30 knots the outboard on the back sounded like it was actually idling as there was much more it could do at the click of the throttle.I set my sights on going southward to the Barnard Islands and Lindquist Reef for Brunch and then find some territory that wasn't fished too often.I had finally made it to John Coburn territory and my age no longer mattered, just my health.
Extract from "Kathmandu Taxi' ISBN 979-8-89443-911-2 Release Date 2025 (Fiction).
All text and Images are copyright and the property of Don Hill. No text or images may be copied or used without the express permission of Don Hill. Copyright 2024.
Any references to people living or deceased is only coincidental. Images by Don Hill and Palbar Ngawang (Pema Ts'al Sakya Monastic Institute, Pokhara Nepal) All rights reserved.
Don Hill was interviewed about Kathmandu Taxi on the 24th of June 2024 by Noosa Radio. Interviewer Maxine Stibbe Broadcast Live Australia Wide
Night Train to Nepal
So which village are you from.
Namche Bazar.
Sir now my parents and family live in a village just outside
of Pokhara.
Would you like to visit?
I would love to.
But maybe not at this time.
You would love Pokhara as it is very beautiful Sir.
In which way is it beautiful?
It is warmer than Kathmandu with views of the mountains
up close.
The air is fresh and clear as it is not in Kathmandu.
You would love it there as it is so clean as opposed to this place.
So if you could give me your details we can catch up.
What do you think?
Yes that would be wonderful.
I have many sisters that are looking for a husband.
That's ok I am not looking for a wife at the moment
But thank you anyway.
I am sure your sisters are beautiful and worthy of any man.
Yes they are Mr Stanley.
They are all young and eager to raise a family with the
right man of course.
What are the most interesting things about your village apart
from your sisters.
My village is at the top of a ridge where you can see all
of the Himalayas.
We can collect wood there for our fires, cooking and heating.
It is easy to do because our women are strong and resilient.
They can chop wood all day.
The older ones smoke but the young ones look for a husband
and a family.
The view is unbroken so this means that is our life is complete.
Of course there are issues with the snow and in the winter
it is hard to find enough food for my family but
we always survive as we store things in preparedness for the
Winter.
Sita my sister would like to meet you.
Why is that?
She is a widow, her husband was killed in an avalanche
last year.
She has become so lonely since his passing and she needs a
man.
Copyright Don Hill 2024
KATHMANDU TAXI INTERVIEW 2024
Interview with Bronwyn Holm about Kathmandu Taxi 2024Tell me about Kathmandu Taxi.
Yeah sure.
I wrote the first very brief draft in 2008 after my second visit to Nepal but it obviously
needed a tidy up and a haircut.
I am happy with it now.
What is it about?
It is about adventure and encounters with other cultures with the main character
being a chap called Owen Stanley.
What is Owen like?
He has spent the last few years in the UK working at anything he can get an
income from and at long last he has enough money to go travelling further
afield.
Where does he go?
He has this dream of traveling to India to buy a Sitar, learn to play it properly
and meet his idol Ravi Shankar but he is disillusioned when he arrives as the vibe of the
Sub Continent does not suit him and Ravi is actually living in England and
California by that time and is very old.
He finally gets to Nepal but realizes that Kathmandu even though it was one of
the main Hippy trails of the early 60s and 70s has totally changed.
So what happens next in his story?
Nepal has really changed and it is not the same and welcoming as it used to be.
In fact it is highly dangerous for locals, foriegners as well as men and women
alike.
He arrives in Nepal in the middle of the Civil War with the Marxists which is a
little bit daunting but he realizes that if he does not take the risk or chance he
might as well have stayed in England out at Ascot in the safety of Tittenhurst
Park.
He prefers to meet and converse with locals instead of people from Europe and
his own country as they could influence his thought.
He couldn't be happier to get away from this crowd although he has made many
friends along the way.
The locals know how to get around and also converse and get out of most
trouble.
Especially people carrying guns.
Obviously he meets women who help him and become his guide and sometimes
he falls in love with them and even though it may seem like brief encounters he
still continues to be in contact with them even after he leaves as he does still love them.
You know money doesn't last forever.
One girl in particular has taken his fancy.
She convinces him to travel back to India and go to Darjeelling and Gangtok
which she says will adjust his negative thoughts about the sub continent. He
asks her to go with him but she refuses as she has to look after her mother's stall in Dubar
Square in Basantapur.
He travels to Darjeeling which he loves and this is the start of a new journey of
finding out about himself.
His true inner self.
There is in no need for mediation on top of a mountain or finding a Guru to help
him discover the truth.
Only him. Only Owen can do this. Although he still meets up with locals.
Finally he becomes self aware of who he really is even through the haze of alternative practices
and finds reality and not just a fake world that predominates human society and is structured by money and greed.
He realizes that humans are here for a higher cause, not just being involved in useless controlling ideology that is put upon them by those in high places.
It is still a Cast system whether it is in India or everywhere else around the world.
Yes go on.
On his journey he doesn't take any friends with him as he does not want to
influenced by anyone into their pack mentality or preconcieved ideas about different places.
He just wants to experience what it is like traveling alone in a places where he will see few Westerners.
One day he might even get married to that girl in Kathmandu but he loves his
freedom more than marriage.
The girls that he meets love him but also hate him at the same time knowing that
they could not convince him to marry them and he will depart and probably
never come back even if he says he will.
So this is his adventure during a time of Civil unrest with a lot of risk and
pressure on the local population.
It's a story about his encounters at the Roof of the World.
And how did Owen Stanley come about.
Oh that.
Yes.
He was always on a quest to find his true self even in risky situations.
There were places that he would not travel to but given that he wanted to
experience what it was like to live among locals, eat their food, feel their
emotions and live (even briefly) like they did.
His mother and father lived in New Guinea and Richard his father was a world
authority on insects especially Lepidoptera and worked for the Australian and
Papuan Governments in that capacity.
He was friends with Ray Statham up at Kuranda and that Garry guy up in the
Atherton area.
Oh ok.
Thank you Don and we all hope the book will be incredibly successful for you.
Bronwyn Holm
Siddhartha's Land 2026 / 2027
"Fear' Digital Print on 200gsm Paper Neutral PH 610 x 320 mm Signed numbered. 
"Friend' Digital Print on 200gsm Paper Neutral PH 610 x 320 mm Signed numbered.
"Foe' Digital Print on 200gsm Paper Neutral PH 610 x 320 mm Signed numbered.