Back Water

Back Water is inspired by the haunting beauty of South Australia's salt lake country—those vast, shimmering expanses that appear like mirages at the edge of the Flinders Ranges. This painting draws particular reference from the sweeping forms of Lake Torrens and the many other ephemeral salt lakes that ring the arid landscape like ancient inland seas.

In this piece, the salt surface glistens beneath the outback sun, blending seamlessly into the open sky. The result is a near-abstract vision where earth, salt and sky dissolve into one another, shaped by light and heat. These otherworldly forms emerge naturally from the land itself—fluid, shifting, and timeless.

The stark whiteness of the salt against subtle earth tones and a luminous sky brings a bold, meditative quality to the canvas. It speaks of stillness, space, and the quiet power of landscapes shaped over millennia. Hanging Back Water in a room invites calm, contemplation and a deeper connection to the Australian interior—it brings the wild, wide open in.

Materials & Techniques:
This artwork is created with acrylic paint on stretched canvas, using a thoughtful mix of fine brushwork and palette knife techniques. The layered texture reflects the layered story of the land—weathered, worn, yet eternally captivating. Roger’s confident handling of form and tone makes this painting not just an image, but a visceral encounter with place.

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Roger Drennan – Outback Storyteller in Paint

Roger Drennan is a South Australian artist whose lifelong passion for painting is deeply connected to the dramatic beauty of the Flinders Ranges and the outback. Born in Port Augusta and raised in Horrocks Pass, Roger's early years as a stockman instilled in him a profound respect for the land—its shapes, shadows, and untamed spirit. These elements continue to inspire his richly textured and vibrantly coloured acrylic landscapes.

Trained in his youth by acclaimed artist and printmaker Charles Bannon, Roger won the prestigious Athelney Prize for Art in 1960. Since then, his work has featured in both solo and group exhibitions across Australia, including at the highly regarded Bonython and Greenhill Galleries. His paintings are held in private collections and are highly collectable for their unique perspective and storytelling depth.

Roger’s distinct style blends an aerial “fisheye” viewpoint with expressive texture and colour, capturing both the grandness and the grit of arid inland Australia. From sweeping ridgelines to the intimate details of bush tracks, Roger paints what he knows—scenes shaped by decades of exploration and labour.

Beyond his art, Roger is a well-known local character—horseman, bushman, adventurer, and mentor. He has worked across industries including stock and station oversight, wild horse running, truck transport, and driver training. His life journey has taken him through some of the country’s most remote landscapes, from the Flinders Ranges to the Simpson Desert, often by motorcycle or horseback.

This firsthand experience of Australia’s inland has expanded Roger’s subject matter to include transport, industrial scenes, and nostalgic glimpses of rural life. His work reflects a deep knowledge of land and machine, story and structure—shaped as much by his time operating earthmoving equipment as by his time in the saddle.

Roger’s creative repertoire also extends to leatherwork and functional design inspired by environmental connection. Whether on canvas or crafted by hand, his work celebrates the enduring spirit of the bush and the people who call it home.