Cousin Earl

This original drawing in Charcoal on paper of Cousin Earl, a "Full Blood" of our Indigenous Tribe, Biripi was drawn by our late Mother, Jean Smith at Saltwater, circa 1940. 

Cousin Earl as he was known came with his "cousin" Old Joe every year to camp at Saltwater Reserve. 

Cousin Earl was an exceptional guitarist who had taught my elder sister Joan how to play the instrument; as he did with my mother’s younger brother, my Uncle Tal, who became quite a "regular" playing at different events and at the local dances held in Rushby’s Casino Hall at Old Bar Beach for the very popular dances and entertainment. 

My youngest son, Steven has also become an accomplished guitarist and is currently enrolled in The famous Jazz school in Tel Aviv, Israel, learning much more to the music and playing the guitar, amazingly, in a foreign language. 

Medium: Charcoal on 200gsm paper