This place was built from recycled materials, on almost no budget, by volunteers. I mean, that's so impressive, it's just bewildering. http://www.montsalvat.com.au/
"Justus J�rgensen, as a student of Max Meldrum, spent many happy hours painting in Eltham. In 1935 J�rgensen purchased land and with his friends (see details of the Artistic Community here) commenced work on the buildings that became Montsalvat. The first buildings were two small �French Provincial� style cottages where they could stay at weekends. By 1938 work had started on the Great Hall. This mainly stone building includes two galleries, a studio and a large dining hall.
"J�rgensen had the ability to make use of whatever material was at hand. The earth and stone from the excavations formed the walls, with other materials sourced from wreckers� and builders� yards across Melbourne.
"With the outbreak of World War Two, the collective energies at Montsalvat were redirected and Montsalvat became largely self-sufficient, with a market garden, poultry farm and small dairy. Several more buildings were hastily built for the �farm� - the dairy, barn, stables, silos and storehouses belong to this period."
Geese (I think?) wander freely.
Not the best photo -- I should have asked her to pose. But this is Karina's mother, Jill.
I want to recline on that chaise and dream about my next novel.
Dining hall -- Karina had a birthday party picnic here.
See, don't I look at home here already?
The artists who work here have a variety of skills and interests; instrument-making seems fairly popular. (This one is a luthier and shakuhachi flute maker.) But there are writers too!
There's art all over the place, including some impressive galleries. But she just charmed me for some reason.
Guitar-making.
A rare moment of display!
I'm ready for my close-up.
Bracken and ivy.
