Brindle #89 with storm clouds

I've been re-reading one of my favourite James Michener novels, 'Texas', and have always been fascinated by the section that talks about how the recovery of the Texas Longhorn cattle breed occurred in the 1920s. They were basically almost extinct, as their rangy and lean build, and occasionally fiery nature + massive horns, were not exactly ideal for the domestic meat market. There was a concerted breeding campaign to bring them back and now they are much more prevalent, but still just as fascinating.

I loved the brindle and white pattern of my reference cow and it was fun dropping the temperature and mood with a stormy background.

The painting extends around the edge of the canvas and can be hung with or without a frame.

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A lifelong Canberran, my work draws on multiple art media (acrylic, pastel, ink, charcoal) to create vivid depictions of the natural world. I am particularly fond of maximalist compositions that draw on classic chinoiserie themes, but with a modern twist applied.

Traversing the spectrum from deep abstract through to still life, I find inspiration in the little scenes of life - a glimpse of a landscape out of a window, a beautiful piece of ceramic, a flash of colourful feathers - which I carry forward in to my work. I draw heavily on memories of childhood and travel, and those little hoarded treasures and scenes that have stayed with me through the years.

Colour brings me joy, and I want to share that joy with everyone. I am particularly drawn to cool jewel-like colour palettes - viridian green, turquoise, ultramarine, deep rose - and I enjoy the energy that a flash of neon can bring to 'conventional' colour arrays. I am also increasingly exploring texture through palette knives and paint scrapers, and am particularly intrigued with the play of natural and unnatural light across rough and smooth surfaces.

My art is deeply linked to my mood and well-being. The variation in tone, subject, colour and technique is a litmus test for the mood I am trying to capture for myself (and others). My style can vary between bright stylised animals and birds, to moody minimalist landscapes depending on the day. My Temperate Rainforest series in particular can move across lots of different forms, but all are intended to capture memories and emotions associated with different representations of my favourite places in the world.

I have been curating my art for a number of years now, with mainly private commissions, but am now ready to open the doors beyond my inner circle.