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Lee Leibrandt

Tapestry Weaver

2021’s only roadtrip?

August 13, 2021 By leeleibrandt

Could this have been the only roadtrip for 2021? You might have seen earlier this year (over on the Instagram) that Husband and I managed to squeeze in a roadtrip through Victoria and NSW before all the lockdowns continued. And since it seems like we aren’t getting out of this Delta situation anytime soon, I started thinking perhaps I should celebrate and share what could be the only travel we really get to do this year!

The cooler climates of Victoria

We started our trip in Bright, down in Victoria, for a few days before making our way to outback NSW via Gariwerd (the Grampians). We love the alpine area around Bright and had been keen to go again after our last visit a few years ago. Our absolute favourite place for a drink and amazing food is Reed and Co. Distillery. We love their gin! And if you can’t help eating dinner there twice in a row, you know it’s gotta be good! 🤤

The Autumn colours were everywhere around Bright – something we’d been too early for the last time around. We spent a lovely day wandering around the town and along the river; and another day out and about doing some short walks to Fainter Falls and Mermaid Pools at Mt Beauty. I can’t tell you how wonderful it felt to be back on the road and walking a trail again!

Next up we spent a few nights in Halls Gap, exploring Gariwerd and it’s stunning, diverse landscape. What a spectacular hike up to The Pinnacle – the scrambling across the rocks and reward of that vista across the range! If you haven’t been, put it on your list!

Into the Outback

We then turned north, meeting my family in Balranald, NSW and heading into Mungo National Park. Our whole roadtrip was actually planned around our short, but wonderful stay there. This is Paakantji, Ngyiampaa and Mutthi Mutthi country; fascinating and so signficant to human history on this continent. The site of the oldest human remains found to date (Mungo Man and Lady Mungo, upward of ~45,000 years); the parched lakeshore and moving sands constantly revealing old midden heaps and ancient animal bones (including thylacine!). I challenge anyone to hold a fragment of 20,000 year old emu egg in the palm of their hand and tell me it doesn’t weigh a tonne!

We took two tours of the Mungo lunette. One at sunset (through our accommodation at Mungo Lodge); and the other a morning cultural tour with a local Aboriginal guide. I can recommend doing both. We walked different sections of the lunette on each tour, and they focussed on different aspects of the area’s history. The sunset tour covering more of the pastoral history, and the cultural tour about the ancient activities around the lake and fossil record.

This is a special place, well worth the long dirt drive into the outback! And has inspired some recent work of mine, both of the mixed media and tapestry variety – you can read more about it here.

Not yet done with the red earth, our last stop before turning for home was in Broken Hill for several nights. Coincidentally, we happened to turn up as the Menindee Lakes system was filling up after many years. It was amazing to see so much water and the dramatic change bringing life to the arid landscape! Highlights also included visiting the Living Desert State Park – the view from up at the sandstone sculptures was gorgeous – and the Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery had such a fantastic collection of work on display.

Now with our continued border closures and the uncertainty of when we’ll be able to travel again, more than ever I am holding such memories of roadtrips tight.

Creative play + getting that weaving mojo back
Highly Commended, Irene Davies Emerging Artist Award + Gosford Art Prize
  • Fiona, AUSTRALIAFiona, AUSTRALIAMemories of an Island Home
    When I asked Lee to commission a piece for me detailing my favourite view of my island home in New Zealand, I was not disappointed. From the very beginning, Lee was responsive and provided excellent customer service. She took such care in selecting the colour palette, I really felt that she was honouring my childhood memories and treating them with love, care and respect – it meant a lot to me. She kept me informed of her progress every step of the way and gave me choices about how the final piece would look and feel. When it came to framing the piece, little extra touches such as using wood from Tasmania because she knew I used to live there, was really touching. All of these personal gestures added up to the most valuable sentimental piece that I absolutely adore. The piece itself is professionally executed with such precision, featuring a melody of colours and textures that stand out and complement each other all at the same time. Pricing is fair, reflecting the time and effort that goes in to the final piece. I would highly recommend Lee if you have a treasured memory you want depicted in to something tangible, or just want a high quality, unique, eclectic, and naturalistic memento.
  • Catherine, USACatherine, USAVegan Commission

    I decided to treat myself and buy some art for my wall and came across some photos of amazing woven art by Lee Leibrandt. After stalking her online for awhile (nothing but love and admiration 🥰) and signing up for her newsletter, I knew for certain that a piece from her was what I wanted for my wall. It sounds like a huge commitment on my part but in reality the price is absolutely reasonable for a lovely handmade piece made just for me. Lee was so sweet to work with and included me, as much as I wanted to be included, in the decisions. My main requirement was that the fibers be all vegan, and she did it! I have to shout out to her father who does the amazing woodwork and frame. It all came together beautifully, so beautifully that based on the progress pictures I also asked Lee for a handwoven basket to hang on my wall. Thank you Lee, for these amazing pieces of art, for sharing your talent, for being inspired by my IG page and likes. Nothing but LOVE!

  • Bec, AUSTRALIABec, AUSTRALIAA Memory Honoured

    "Working with Lee was an absolute pleasure and I can’t recommend her highly enough. The piece I commissioned held a lot of emotional significance for me. Lee managed the process with professionalism, empathy and care, which filled me with confidence in her and her work. I loved receiving updates along the way and felt the excitement and momentum building right through until I received my tapestry. I am so blown away with the end result; a divine artwork, which I will treasure forever. Thank you, Lee."

  • Dianne, AUSTRALIADianne, AUSTRALIAGolden Bar Purchase

    "This is beautiful work. Made with beautiful hand spun yarns, it has pride of place in our family room where we can appreciate it everyday!"

  • Julie, AUSTRALIAJulie, AUSTRALIAA Wintery Commission

    "I feel honoured to have a piece in my home by this talented artist! I was after a specific theme - Scandinavian Winter - Lee created a tapestry that was beyond what I had expected! Truly an artist worth supporting!!"

  • Kara, UKKara, UKCustom Order for a Wedding Gift

    "The custom tapestry is perfect and a beautiful interpretation of the original landscape photo that I gave to Lee. It was very well received as a wedding gift by my friend who really loved it. Lee is a very talented and creative artist producing very special and unique pieces of work."

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