Long Shadows

'Long Shadows' is an original acrylic painting on canvas from a series of landscape works exploring the forests, lakes, and estuaries of northern New South Wales’ coastal national parks. Inspired by the Japanese practice of forest bathing (shinrin-yoku), the series invites viewers into a slow, sensory experience of reconnection with the natural world.
Rendered in rich, cool blue tones, 'Long Shadows' depicts a quiet late-afternoon moment as sunlight filters through the trees and casts elongated shadows across the sand. The flattened perspective, rhythmic tree forms, and soft light create a sense of stillness and calm, drawing the viewer into a contemplative space.
The work is influenced by Japanese woodblock prints, particularly in its use of negative space, silhouetted forms, and visual simplicity. As part of a broader series, Long Shadows reflects a fascination with the quiet beauty, atmosphere, and restorative qualities of coastal forest environments in northern New South Wales.

Follow

Karyn Fendley is a landscape artist based in Byron Bay in northern New South Wales, Australia.
Her artwork explores how we remember places we have visited, using simple yet evocative imagery to capture their essence.
Sumptuous, dramatic colour and flattened perspectives are hallmarks of her distinctive style, inviting viewers to experience familiar landscapes through a fresh, contemplative lens.
Recent series focus on the diverse environments of northern New South Wales and South East Queensland, including the coastal heathlands and serene lakes of Arakwal, Bundjalung, and Yuraygir National Parks, and the ancient, weathered granite formations of Bald Rock and Girraween National Parks near Tenterfield.