Painting by Nell Symonds 24 Artworks Sold

The Way She Swam

Oil, Canvas, Framed by Artist

94cm (W) x 94cm (H) x 5cm (D)

Certificate of Authenticity Included

Framed by Artist

A$5,610

Arrives 14–16 Sep

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Artwork Description

This painting is dedicated to Judy W.

Judy was born in Busselton in 1933. She married and had 5 children. Judy loved children and the ocean. She founded, with her husband the Busselton Jetty Swim in 1956. She also, after having seen markets on a trip to London, started the Petticoat Lane Markets in the main street of Busselton in 1957. Both of these events are still running today. Judy’s granddaughter regularly swims in the Jetty event and her children and grandchildren held stalls at the market.

Judy also organised other free children’s events like the teddy bears picnic, chalk pavement art and the beach treasure hunt which I remember as a child. She wrote a book for all of her children about living out of home successfully and through planning and good business acumen, she was financially secure, independently of her husband.

As I paint each painting, they show me who they are. The glittering blue green of the vase reflects the ocean, Judy’s favourite place to be. The crisp display of white blossoms, only blooming in the warm summer months of the southwest. The quiet understated shadow. Judy was a remarkable woman and I see the reflection of her attitudes passed down to her daughters and granddaughters.

Artist Bio

Nell was raised in the south west of Western Australia. Living in small towns with strong communities and spending her time largely outdoors. Whether in the native bush, or by the ocean.

Nell predominantly worked in graphite and charcoal in her 20s. Traveling extensively called for a creative practice that was light on the luggage. Becoming a mother and wife has changed her perspective on life and herself. Having a creative outlet is refreshing to the soul and brings a new dimension to living. Especially as a mother, Nell felt the need for a creative practice that expressed who she was inside.

Nell has become fascinated with naturally occurring shapes and curves on her journey. The play of light and shadow. The composition of objects creating balance is key to her work. A simple but bold colour palette completes her paintings. And above all, shadows. The image thrown by a shadow brings a new dimension to the object, creating as it were a second world. These worlds live side by side in the light but never in the dark.

Commissions

Nell's studio is in Mandurah, Western Australia