Windswept Tree at Binalong Bay

Beautifully presented in a Tasmanian Oak floating frame - this is the original painting in oils on canvas. It’s a larger painting at 120cm x 90cm and would certainly be noticed.

I think anyone who has visited Tasmania has done the North East coastal stretch via the Bay of Fires Conservation area which is a stunning piece of coastline. A must-stop along the way is Binalong Bay where one of the most photographed trees in Australia once stood. Sadly, some high winds have since snapped it off. The photo reference I used was from 2019, it looked a bit more raggedy in subsequent visits, then … no more. But now, here it is, frozen in time, captured in oils on linen. The foreground rocks took a very long time to paint, taking four layers to bring them to life - or I guess capture their stillness. A labour of love.

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Mine, isn’t your classic artist story. I wasn’t born with a paintbrush in my hand. In fact, as a child and young adult (and older adult) I showed little promise.

Then, I got to my mid/late forties, around the age when you stop giving a fig about what other people think. I went to an art class near my home on a whim and made a discovery. I can paint!
I often refer to this time as “When I found out I could paint”. Seems strange that this was locked up in me all that time. My life has two eras. Before Painting and After Painting. I’m now 5 years into my After Painting era and feel like a different person.

I see life through different eyes. Everything I look at, I see light and shadow, colour and hues. When I see a sunset, an ocean, a rock, flowing water, still water, reflections, I think about how I would paint it. I spend more time thinking about painting than actually doing. I love painting and my new perspective. And I want others to enjoy my labour of love. I hope you do.

I guess my love of seascapes comes from growing up in the Queensland coastal town, Hervey Bay. The ocean is part of me and I feel like, wherever I live, I can’t be too far from the coast. Even if I don’t go to the beach, I have to know it’s nearby.