High Tide At New Brighton

White clouds steak across the blue sky in an impressive display. The tide laps at the edge of the sand dunes as I walk down the beach path amongst the dune grasses. The wind whips past my skin. I take a moment to capture the scene in my mind before walking down for a quick dip. This is New Brighton at high tide.

Acrylic on cradled board, the edges have been painted so it wraps around, and d-rings and a wire hang across the back so it is ready to hang or sit on a shelf. It has been finished in satin varnish for protection and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.

Suzanne creates abstracted coastal landscapes using brush and often a palette knife. Her work is gestural and layered to create a sense of movement across the canvas like the ever-changing coastal landscape.

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Suzanne Barrett is an Australian coastal landscape artist whose work is inspired by the ever-changing beauty of the ocean. She holds a BA in Fine Art and a Visual Art Teaching qualification, giving her a solid professional background in The Arts. Living and creating in close connection with the shoreline, she draws on the colours, light, and atmosphere of the coast to produce evocative seascapes that capture both movement and stillness.

Working primarily in acrylics, and occasionally in oil, Suzanne layers soft washes, textured brushwork, and palette knife depth to reflect the shifting moods of the sea—from calm, glassy horizons to windswept tides. Her paintings often blur the line between realism and abstraction, allowing the essence of a place to emerge rather than a literal depiction.

Suzanne’s process is intuitive and reflective, guided by her emotional response to the landscape. Inspired by early mornings by the water, salt air, and the rhythm of waves, her work invites viewers to reconnect with a sense of calm, space, and escape.

Her pieces are collected by those who feel a deep affinity with the coast, bringing a sense of tranquility and openness into contemporary interiors. Through her art, Suzanne Barrett offers a gentle reminder of the restorative power of the ocean and the beauty found in its simplicity.