Bursting Forth and the Floaty Fish

Oil paint on 450gsm pure cotton canvas on premium stretcher bars with professional wire hanger to the back..

Measures 61cm x 76.3cm x 3.5cm (24" x 30")

Available EXCLUSIVELY for purchase via www.bluethumb.com.au

This painting has been inspired by the bountiful gardens surrounding our home in Olinda on top of Mount Dandenong Victoria.

Due to lockdown here in Victoria, I have spent many hours studying the flora that has been bursting forth from the rich volcanic soil in our garden and the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Gardens that are very close to our home.

To the background is my continuing theme of Vintage Fabric. The piece that brought inspiration to this painting is a very old Sanderson linen from the early 50's - a remanent from a ladies' boudoir chair. The colours are bold, broken down and punchy and I love the pop it brings to the background, creating a juxtaposition of what is actually in the glass vase in front.

It holds fish, daffodils and perhaps something else - the journey of personal discovery I have been working alongside and through during this time.

This period of time has involved a lot of introspection personally and as the seasons turned into Spring I have felt a new flourish to life and what it holds. This painting for me is a symbol of that growth, floating fish and dissociation tapping at the glass, flowers bursting forth to light, colour and freedom within one's self if you dare do the work and look for it...

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Bachelor of Fine Art - Monash Uni. (B.A. Fine Art)
Diploma Education - Victoria College (Dip. Ed.)
Alicia Cornwell is a Melbourne-based artist working from her home studio in Olinda, Victoria — a 100-year-old house nestled among the historic gardens and lush landscapes of the Dandenong Ranges. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Art in Printmaking and Painting (Caulfield Institute of Technology – Monash University, 1985) and a Graduate Diploma in Art Education (Victoria College, Burwood, 1987).

Specialising in contemporary still life, Alicia works primarily in oils. Her compositions are a graceful fusion of natural elements and vintage design — a reflection of her many years in the antiques and interiors industry. Her paintings range from bold and vibrant to soft and pastel-toned, always with a focus on structure, layered glazes, and fine detail.

Deeply inspired by the changing seasons and the surrounding national parks, Alicia’s work captures both the serenity and richness of her environment. Her art has been exhibited and collected across Australia and internationally, and she is proudly represented by a number of galleries nationwide.

Explore Alicia's collection here on Bluethumb to discover work that brings elegance, nature, and timeless design into the contemporary space.