Big storm coming by Thom Muir in Sydney

When I was young my mum used to sing the storm in. It was a type of magic that she learned in Kununurra from the Miriwung women, to keep the spirits happy and everyone safe while the weather came through. The electricity before a storm is very special to me. I feel connected with this country in those moments, my painting hand aches where it was broken years ago when the pressure drops. A big storm is a big change. This painting was done over the duration of a storm in June. This one is on the move, the start or the end. I had a spiritual malady for years so I forgot about singing the storm in, I lost those close and quiet moments under the sky. Sometimes I feel like the sky is speaking with me now, and it has opened up because I am happy and present to take it in. When nothing of us remains, the sky and the spirits will still be here, blowing storms across this old country. That gives me a lot of peace. Media: Charcoal, synthetic polymer paint, synthetic resin solvent based enamel spray on canvas