Shedding My Skin. The Inner West is home to myriad flora, including many native trees: especially the Eucalyptus, Melaleuca and Ficus varieties. This watercolour and ink work captures just a portion of a River Red Gum trunk in the process of bark sloughing. The River Red Gum is just one example of the magnificent process of bark shedding that these gum trees go through. As these trees are so fast growing, they shed their outer bark each year to accommodate their increasing girth. During certain times of the year, one can witness a rain shower of bark. Underneath, the tree reveals smooth, fresh bark in colours from grey, to pink to yellow and brown and all the shades in between. This work expresses the moments of shedding with layers opening and curling away. Watercolour washes create the image of the trunk and ink further defines the delicate paper-like bark. The background is a fog of cool blue washes representing numerous trees receding in the mist.