Acrylic on wood, ready to hang.

Signed on the front.

This pandanus on Big Burleigh presented a challenge: spiky foliage, shaggy detritus, and warm light reflected into the shadows, all under a brilliant summer sky, full of dazzle and energy. I was drawn to it immediately! I love how they seem to walk across the land on many legs — I’m sure if you sped up that motion you’d see them heading for a swim in the warm sea.

About the surface and panel: Works on panel are more durable and long lasting than works on canvas — many made in the Middle Ages and Renaissance are still admired today. This is a hand-crafted panel made of water resistant marine ply, often used for making boats, cradled (braced) with oak, and sealed on all sides with acrylic varnish. Italian Fabriano watercolour paper is mounted to the panel using acrylic gel to provide an archival surface protected from the wood, and coated with acrylic gesso before painting. The watercolour paper provides a unique subtle texture, and when mounted to the panel provides a resilient surface perfect for aggressive painting techniques that might damage canvas.