LOCAL artist and Falls Creek snowmaking team member Ben McDonald-Stuart's creative flair has added an extra bit of enjoyment on Wombats Ramble this season.
Over summer, Ben created a masterpiece mural on Wombats Ramble for skiers, snowboarders and hikers alike to enjoy.
And they've certainly done that - particularly night skiers and boarders as the mural glows in the dark.
With no formal training in visual art, Ben turned to the internet to learn his craft.
“The collective consciousness of the internet can provide most wisdom you seek in any discipline,” he said.
“So as my interests have grown, so have my skill set.
"I dabble in ink, digital, animation and currently murals are the newest.”
Taking inspiration from the local environment of Falls Creek and surrounding national park, Ben wanted the mural to feel like it was part of the environment.
“The (Australian) Alpine environment is such a unique oasis of life,” he said.
“With the mural being located on Wombats Ramble, I incorporated a skiing wombat surrounded but Snow Gum nuts and leaves in the shape of a Mandala.
"These are such powerful images, and I find meditation in the repeating patterns they create.”
Ben dedicated all his three-day weekends over a six-week period, working in single-degree temperatures, to bring the artwork to life.
“The support I received from many locals on their hikes as I was in the midst of creating it was wonderful,” he said.
When asked what he wants people to know most about the project, Ben said, “This encompasses Australiana to the fullest, from materials to subject matter; 90 per cent of the paints used were from Australian owned and operated companies.”
Ben is proud of the project, and happy it turned out well.
“Most creatives I have met are highly self-critical, it can be a blessing and a curse,” he said.
“As I’ve got wiser in my years, trusting yourself and leaning into the process knowing that if you keep moving forward, no matter how many setbacks, it will come together in a glorious moment.”
When not working Ben is always being creative.
He practices yoga, cold plunges and goes to the gym.
In the winter he enjoys getting on the slopes and backcountry touring.
“Backcountry touring is my absolute favourite flavour of snowboarding,” Ben said.
“Get two birds stoned at once, get to hike a mountain and slide down it, pure bliss!”
As a Falls Creek local, Ben appreciates the area has a lot to offer from the terrain to the people.
“Mountain ranges attract the most wonderful humans," he said.
"They provide fuel for the stoke these humans bring.
“Each range across Spaceship Earth has its own character of people and nature.
"I believe Gaia is our greatest living artist, mooshed together with priceless office views, I get to marinate in all this amazing energy all the time, always providing inspiration, no matter how dark your days get.
"Falls Creek is a true paradise.”
