Residue

'Residue'

"What remains when the water disappears."

For years, I’ve photographed the salt lakes of South Australia from above, drawn to the extraordinary patterns created where water, salt and earth meet.

With Residue, I’ve turned my attention to what happens when the water retreats.

Inspired by the drier salt lakes of the Yorke Peninsula, this painting explores the rich chocolate-coloured soils and dusty pink salt deposits left behind through evaporation. The landscape becomes rawer and more elemental — a meeting of earth, mineral and the traces of water that once occupied the space.

Using layered acrylic and heavy palette knife strokes, I wanted to translate the texture and energy of these environments rather than recreate a particular location. The deep earth tones, muted pinks and flashes of colour reflect the changing surfaces I’ve encountered while photographing these landscapes over many years.

This is another step in an ongoing collection of paintings inspired by Australia's remarkable salt lakes and the landscapes that surround them.

91cm × 91cm
Oak frame, professionally crafted on gallery-quality canvas by @upinframes to gallery standards. Archival-quality acrylic paints used.

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For many years, my creative practice has been centered on Australia's extraordinary landscapes, exploring them through aerial photography and, more recently, expressive abstract painting. Whether working with a camera or a palette knife, I'm drawn to the colours, textures and patterns that emerge naturally within the landscape, revealing perspectives that often go unnoticed.

Living in South Australia has provided endless inspiration. From mineral-rich salt lakes and coastal flats to expansive inland textures, these ever-changing environments have shaped the way I see and create. My work is inspired by the subtle geometry, rhythm and movement found in nature, where rich earth tones meet brilliant whites, delicate pinks and shifting blues.

Photography remains the foundation of my practice, allowing me to document the landscape from above with precision and simplicity. Painting has become a natural extension of that journey. Rather than reproducing a photograph, I use layers of acrylic paint and expressive palette knife techniques to interpret the emotion, energy and atmosphere of the places I've come to know over many years.

My work sits between observation and abstraction, inviting viewers to slow down and experience familiar landscapes in a different way. Whether through a fine art photograph or a textured painting, I hope each piece brings a sense of calm, curiosity and connection to the natural world.

I have been fortunate to have my work recognized through several photographic competition finalist placements, including receiving a Gold Medal at the Australian Photographic Prize. While recognition is always appreciated, my greatest reward comes from creating work that resonates with others and encourages a deeper appreciation of Australia's remarkable landscapes.

As my practice continues to evolve, my goal remains the same: to create thoughtful, contemporary artworks that celebrate the beauty, texture and quiet complexity of the Australian landscape.