The Royal Exhibition Centre from Gertrude Street, Fitzroy, Melbourne

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Inspired by the diversity of mood and light, I explore the themes of light in the urban areas and the coast. They are quite different conditions & presently I am exploring the city at night and the magic hour when the sparkle energizes the water in a harbour or coast.

I find the interplay with cool and warm colour particularly satisfying in capturing form & luminosity in a painting. Usually, I have a clear view of what I want. However, sometimes a bit of “magic” happens and it reaches a stage when I can see that the painting is trying to take over and leading me somewhere else. I find it satisfying to let go and let the painting take me there.

Plein air painting & sketching outdoors plays a big part in my practice. I visit new places to draw, sketch and paint on the spot. Nothing beats painting outdoors where you can feel the sun and wind, and “hear” the landscape, it always turns out to be a very satisfying day at the “office.”

My work is in private collections in all states of Australia, most states of the US, UK, New Zealand, and Singapore. Work is also held in corporate collections in the US and Australia.

My paintings have been selected for hanging in numerous prizes, including Postcards from the Edge, Wollongong City Gallery (Winner 2022) the Kogarah Art Prize 2016, St George Art Prize 2016, 2014, 2012, NSW Parliamentary Plein Air Prize 2014 (semi finalist) Bulli Art Prize 2014 and awarded a “Highly Commended” in the Royal Botanical Gardens Sketchabout Prize.

See article at the Illawarra Flame https://www.theillawarraflame.com.au/artists-of-the-illawarra-fred-marsh