Droving into the Light, 1914-21, Art Gallery of South Australia
Hans Heyson was an Australian artist who lived between 1877 and 1968 (dying at 91 years of age). He was a well known name in Australia for his superb depictions of gum trees, the Aussie bush and animals such as horses and other farmed animals in the landscape. He won the Wynne Prize for landscape 9 times and left a vast legacy of watercolours. He also gave me this weeks smile.
For Hans Heyson the gum trees were characters akin to humans and he loved them as much as he loved his family of 9 children. Apparently, whilst out walking Hans came across a group of council workers preparing to cut down a gum tree that he loved. He begged them not to cut it down. He was informed the council needed the revenue the tree would raise for firewood. He persuaded them to wait and he took himself off to council and paid 1oo pounds to save the tree. The council seeing they were on a good wicket then started informing Hans of any gum tree they were proposing to fell and Hans paid for them all. Some he even paid for twice.
This gave me a big smile.
For Trent’s Weekly Smile
Reflections and Nightmares- Irene A Waters (writer and memoirist) 
That’s well worthy of a smile. 🙂 Thanks for sharing this. 🌴
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You’re welcome Sarah.
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wow -sound slick they tok advantage of him – but what a sweet person – and great artist – and obviously nature -lover – this is a good smile – thx
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Glad it made you smile too. He sounds like a nice man.
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Sorry about the the typos “sounds like they took…..”
But what a great way to use money – instead of consuming – what a special man
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Absolutely a special man. Don’t worry about the typos. I understood what you were saying – I just assumed you were using a phone or tablet – they will not let you type what you want but decide what it is that should be said. LOL.
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yes – it was phone – and autocorrect gets me a lot – ha
have a nice day 🙂
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You too.
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🙂
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I’d love the council to come to my neck of the woods where the gum trees are dangerous and fall over too often. We loved the look of our neighborhood when we moved in, the trees were delicate and thin, but the trees got bigger, the rain got less, and the whole situation became way too unpredictable.
Still, the painting is gorgeous and Heyson was an admirable, talented man. Saving trees in the wild is a bit different from saving trees planted in rows, as were ours. (We didn’t do it.)
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We call some gum trees widow makers for that very reason. Limbs fall off and not a lot of fun if you are standing beneath them at the time. I can understand you getting rid of your trees. From a safety factor it was the way to go.
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You see? I miss coming here so much because of your delightful posts Irene; your warmth and humour, so much of interest and because of the big smiles you bring to my day 🙂 Love this kind of art and great story! ❤ xxx
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Glad it gave you a smile Sherri. You’ll get back one day soon. I’m not planning on going anywhere. 🙂
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What beautiful stately trees! They are quite different from ours, but I think our oak is most similar. Hans was a true naturalist!
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Yes. He had a real passion for trees.
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