Too New Bangaroo

Painted en plein air on the grounds of a well-known sheep station near Canowindra, 'Too New Bangaroo' captures a shearing shed that had long held nostalgic appeal for me. For years, I’d wanted to paint the weathered structure as it stood—leaning, crumbling, and full of history. But when I finally made the trip with my paints in tow, I found it freshly renovated. Too new.

Despite the surprise, I set up and painted the scene anyway—documenting the shed’s new chapter while quietly mourning the lost patina of age and use. The work holds a tension between the romanticised memory and the sharp clarity of the present.

This small plein air piece was painted on Belgian linen with bold, expressive strokes and a keen sensitivity to light and space. It’s a portrait of a place in transition—and a reminder that landscapes change whether we’re ready or not.

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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.