Growing up in the serene coastal town of Byron Bay and now living in Melbourne, I have been shaped by the contrasting landscapes of Australia’s natural beauty. As an artist working predominantly in oil paint, I explore the deep connection between humanity and the natural world, particularly the ocean, which has always held a profound significance in my life. Creativity is an essential part of who I am—a necessary outlet through which I can express my inner world and process my relationship with the environment. The act of creating offers me a space to reflect, question, and grow, and it is through this process that I find both clarity and a deeper connection to the world around me. My work is an ongoing journey of discovery, where I am constantly experimenting with subject matter, technique, and form. The natural world, especially rock pools, fascinates me—these microcosms offer a glimpse into an often-overlooked world, teeming with life and color. I use photography as a tool to capture the intricate details of these environment.. These photographs often serve as the foundation for my paintings, allowing me to explore the textures, patterns, and movement within the ocean's edges. Through the rich, layered texture of oil paint, I strive to evoke a sense of movement and emotion that mirrors the rhythms of nature itself. The fluidity of the medium allows me to experiment with abstraction, while still anchoring my work in the familiar, grounding imagery of the world around us. My practice is a search for balance between chaos and calm, energy and stillness—elements that are at the heart of my connection with the environment. I hope to offer viewers a moment of reflection and perhaps a renewed sense of wonder for the world that surrounds us. In addition to my work as a visual artist, I have a background as a fine dining chef, which has deeply influenced my creative process. Working with delicate ingredients and intricate presentation honed my appreciation for texture, color, and composition—principles I carry into my paintings. The precision and care involved in crafting a dish parallels my approach to painting, where I seek to capture fleeting moments of beauty. I also enjoy painting still lifes from life, engaging directly with my subjects to observe their form, texture, and light. For me, still life painting is an exercise in distilling the essence of a subject—extracting its core energy and revealing its inherent beauty.
For more examples of my work check out www.zoebarber.com