Sheltered Cove

The Story & Inspiration

I painted this en plein air on location at Mooloolaba. My focus was capturing the heavy energy of the breaking waves and the sharp clarity of the Australian light. I wanted to show the direct contrast between the warm golden sand and the cool, clear water of the Sunshine Coast.
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How It Lifts a Room

"Whenever I paint outdoors, I try to bring a bit of that open, fresh-air feeling back into the studio with me. The bright aqua tones and warm ochres give this piece a lot of light, so it’s great for opening up a dark corner or adding a bit of life to a study or living space. Because the brushstrokes are quick and raw, it keeps that moving, lively energy of the ocean even when it’s hanging on a quiet wall."
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Materials

Medium: I used artist-grade oils on board, which let me lay down thick, expressive strokes that catch the light nicely.

Framing: I've set it in a natural timber floating frame—it frames the piece beautifully without distracting from the painting itself.

Ready to Hang: It comes fully wired on the back so you can put it straight up on the wall, and I've finished it with a light satin varnish to keep the colors protected.

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Jules Farrell is a contemporary Australian painter born and raised in Brisbane, Queensland. Growing up, Jules was immersed in art. His father, Lindsay, was a landscape painter and his grandfather, Tom, a sculptor. Early exposure to art-making at home had a profound impact on him. His clear memories are the smell of oil paint and turpentine while his father painted. When his father passed away, Jules inherited his art materials and, inspired by his legacy, picked up the brushes for the first time and launched his own artistic journey.

For Jules, painting is more than capturing the physical beauty of the natural world. It is a way to reflect on the transcendent joy of creating and capturing the essence of the land and our connections with it. He primarily paints with oil paint and loves the tactile nature of the medium. Jules' passion for the Australian landscape is evident in his work, his unique style combines impressionism while pushing to the edge of abstraction. He is passionate about painting En plein air, to be engrossed in his subject and then refine this work later in the studio.

Jules' love for creativity extends beyond traditional art forms. He works professionally as a 3D Artist, creating award-winning digital images in architecture and design. In contrast to his digital work, Jules embraces his love for tactile and physical art-making with a simple brush and oil paint. His art works are held in private collections throughout Australia and overseas.