Arkaba Creek Trees

Created on location in the Flinders Ranges, this plein air piece captures a handful of trees in the dry bed of Arkaba Creek. Their roots reach into the sandy bank, exposed like human limbs and fingers, a testament to the harsh realities of the outback and the fierce determination of life to endure.

Painted with expressive, impressionistic brushwork on Belgian linen panel, the piece pares back detail to capture the essence of these trees—weathered, skeletal, yet stubbornly alive. The muted desert palette and the stark forms give the work a quiet, contemplative power.

Arkaba Creek Trees is part of the artist’s ongoing Cazneaux Tree series, painted en plein air to record the strength and character of the ancient gums of the Flinders Ranges. Its intimate scale and evocative subject make it a strong companion to other works in the series or a striking standalone piece for collectors of Australian landscape art.

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David Isbester is an Australian artist known for his evocative plein air paintings and impressionistic depictions of rural landscapes. With a career spanning decades, David’s work is inspired by the early Australian impressionists and tonal painters, with a focus on capturing light, atmosphere, and the transient beauty of the Australian bush.

David began his artistic journey at 21, studying drawing and tonal painting under David Bryan Wilson, a teacher from the Julian Ashton School. His love for plein air painting has since taken him across the country, from the rugged Flinders Ranges to Tasmania’s wilderness and the rolling hills of the Central West of NSW.

In his paintings, David aims to convey more than just a scene—he seeks to evoke a feeling. Whether it’s the blinding brilliance of late afternoon sun filtering through a clump of trees or the quiet companionship of a kelpie resting on a ute , David’s work is characterised by loose, expressive brushstrokes, minimal detail, and an emphasis on light and tonal values.

David has exhibited extensively, including solo exhibitions at the David Isbester Gallery and Rosnay Organic Wines. His work has been recognized in major art prizes, including as a finalist in the Calleen Art Awards and Highly Commended at the Victorian Artists Society’s 9x5 exhibition.

Based in Canowindra, NSW, David continues to paint and exhibit, sharing his unique perspective on the Australian landscape. His original paintings and limited-edition prints on Bluethumb offer collectors a chance to own works that celebrate the raw beauty and impermanence of nature.