As an Artist I draw my inspiration from nature and the euphoric effect it can have on our lives simply by being immersed in it.
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Close examination of Australian native flora reveals an intriguing energy, sprung tension and character in arrested animation within flowers and foliage. My work endeavours to reflect the dynamics within nature and capture the essence of these qualities that extend beyond superficial beauty. My fascination with native flora stems from living, working and travelling in Western Queensland for 7 years. There I was astounded to see barren, drought ravaged country respond almost immediately to life-giving rain, returning relatively quickly to its former glory. This attests to the robust nature of flowers and their capacity for survival, as they often lie dormant through long cycles of drought. These seemingly fragile and vulnerable, yet inherently strong characteristics of flowers often parallel those of the human spirit. Resilience to adversity. It is these qualities that I celebrate within my paintings. Close observation and attention to detail are qualities that have been with me from childhood. Many flowers have such an obvious, flambouyant beauty while others it takes time to discover their true majesty. By creating detailed close ups I hope it encourages the viewer to stop and discover or rediscover aspects of our native flora in a new light. |