Between a Rock and a Calm Place

This painting was inspired by a peaceful afternoon spent by a creek on a friend's property in New South Wales. I was captivated by the way the submerged rocks interacted with the water’s surface, creating a delicate balance between what’s visible and what lies just beneath. The gentle flow of the creek over these ancient stones seemed to breathe life into the scene, while the play of light and reflections danced across the water’s surface, creating a mesmerizing contrast between clarity and distortion.

In this piece, I sought to capture not only the serenity of the creek but also the hidden beauty of the submerged rocks, which often go unnoticed but form the foundation of the scene. By highlighting these elements, I aim to invite the viewer to pause and appreciate the quiet details of nature that are so easily overlooked. This painting brings together a sense of calm and grounding, making it a perfect addition to any space that could use a peaceful, earthy touch.

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I focus on acrylic paintings generally with a marine aspect to them. I love painting turtles and waves. Growing up surrounded by the beauty of Moreton Bay I fell in love with the water. Everything about it calms me and reminds me of happy memories, so when I started painting of course I wanted to paint it. And then I realised how involved it was, and how I was seeing the world in such a limited way - the sky was blue, the water was blue, and leaves were green. Thanks to a great mentor Mark Waller (from Explore Acrylics), I now see the reflections, refractions, the water colour that changes, the yellow and red in leaves and the elusive purple shadows. As I learn to see all these nuances my art improves, but I’m sure my learning will be never ending. I hope you start to see all those colours in my paintings, or in everyday life and get the same joy as I do when that coloured glue eventually starts to evoke a memory.

I am available for specific commissions including any with a focus on: marine paintings, seascapes, beach scenes, pandanus, whales, dolphins, turtles, manta rays, eagle rays, stingrays, whalesharks. And now I am branching into portraits.