Mickey

the painting style of the locomotive is based on Aboriginal dot painting and originated in Central Australia. You may see a Qantas jet or two also covered in the "dot painting" style.

When you are next in the Northern Territory it would be worth checking out some of these paintings are they can be quite interesting and can increase substantially in value if by a recognised artist.

I purchased one from a small community South West of Alice Springs in 1996 from a small local art gallery. Much cheaper than from Alice Springs only 500 kilometres away.

I wanted to emulate my Grandfather who travelled to the region and worked to establish a mission for the desert Aboriginals at Hermannsburg. When he was there he purchased a small painting by Albert Naminjera (spelling?) who is now recognised as the greatest Aboriginal artist. Naminjera's paintings are not dot painting which is much more modern but draws its roots probably from body painting for ceremonies. The painting he purchased in the early 1900's is totally different from his usual style and is perhaps unique. His normal style was beautiful desert landscapes and I have been thinking of starting a thread on them for some time. His paintings reflect the Aboriginal cultural view of "belonging" to the land. If you look closely you will find faces of totems in the rocks, hills and trees. Spirits of ancestors that are part of the land.