Sips for the Sunburnt

‘Sips for the Sunburnt’ 2025
80 × 103cm
Oil on canvas
Ready to hang with walnut-stained timber floating frame

‘Sips for the Sunburnt’ is a large-scale contemporary still life painted in oil, grounded in realism yet imbued with a vibrant, playful energy. The composition begins with a carefully arranged scene—photographed, then reimagined through paint to heighten both atmosphere and detail. Each object within the composition has been deliberately arranged and, in some cases, cropped at the edges, creating the suggestion of a narrative that extends beyond the canvas.

Through the use of bright complementary colours and light, the work captures the relaxed atmosphere of an Australian summer. The cocktails, pineapple, and barware act as symbols of leisure, fun, and togetherness, evoking moments of escape and refreshment on hot days by the pool.

This painting reflects on the sensory pleasures of the season—the warmth of sunlight, the coolness of a drink in hand, and the carefree spirit of long afternoons spent in good company. ‘Sips for the Sunburnt’ invites viewers into a scene that celebrates play, joy, and the vibrant ease of summertime.

Original oil painting by Olivia Cotovich
Materials: Winsor & Newton professional artists’ oil paints, Gamblin Gamvar satin varnish

Follow

Olivia Cotovich is a young emerging artist and oil painter based in Port Macquarie, leaning into her passion for contemporary still life and realism. Olivia’s work is inspired by the beauty of everyday objects and the narratives they can hold when framed with intention.

Each piece begins long before the canvas—with an idea that grows through sketching compositions, arranging a scene, photographing and editing it to create the perfect reference photo. She loves exploring how colour, light, and detail can transform something familiar into something meaningful, allowing the painting to speak beyond the subject itself.

Alongside developing her own practice, Olivia also take on commissions, working closely with clients to create personalised works that capture their stories.

Olivia has recently been recognised as an early career artist and has been selected for Shared Practice — an 18-month mentorship program — run by Arts Mid North Coast and funded by Creative Australia, alongside 9 other artists across the region.