Viewpoints: Wollemi National Park I 14 May-2 July 2022 I Muswellbrook Regional Arts Centre + Singleton Art and Cultural Centre I NSW
Enquiries contact Nanda Hobbs
The Unique Landscape (series)
While travelling through the Upper Hunter Valley, as a part of my Wollemi Residency, I was surprised by the unexpected landscape. It seemed to consist
of two different, and somewhat incongruous, aspects – one so old and natural, and one more recent as a result of mining, but both peculiar to the area.
I found myself wanting to ‘document’ the uniqueness of the hills and escarpments within the Wollemi National Park, particularly as the formations were so unusual, their features rounded like the backdrop to ‘animated’ film. I found I needed to record the likeness as well as capturing the energy of the environment. Weirdly, the lines between natural and man-made seemed blurred and it was hard to discern between them. The drive back from the Wollemi National Park was just as intriguing, I wanted to paint the neat houses along the route surrounding the wilderness, which were another incongruity.
Approaching the Valley, first day
Oil on linen
76cm x 102cm
Through the trees
Oil on linen
76cm x 102cm
Phipps Cutting
Oil on board
50cm x 60cm
The road home, Widden Valley
Oil on board
41cm x 51cm
Just outside the wilderness
Oil on board
41cm x 51cm
Over Apple Tree Flat
Oil on linen
46cm x 56cm
Escarpment
Oil on board
41cm x 51cm
On the way back, caravan
Oil on board
41cm x 51cm
Secret Outlook
Oil on linen
46cm x 56cm
Travelling Through
Oil on board
41cm x 51cm
Near Ruebens Creek
Oil on board
35cm x 40cm
En Plein Air (series)
When engaged in the process of painting, and especially en plein air, I like to stand, to get the energy of the ground through my feet and transfer it onto
the canvas or surface. I believe it creates ‘bounce’ or a ‘feeling’ that is then passed onto the viewer.
While we travelled to each destination, I made oil studies onto 30 x 30cm wooden panels. The panels were portable but not large enough to capture the vastness of the landscape, these studies were my observational ‘snap-shots’. The weather was dry and sunny the entire time we were there, the light had
a striking clarity and brightness which presented a refreshing challenge to capture with my limited colour palette.
Goulburn River
Oil on board
30cm x 30cm
Wollemi Peak
Oil on board
30cm x 30cm
Phipps Cutting last day
Oil on board
30cm x 30cm
Lookout Point Apple Tree Flat
Oil on board
30cm x 30cm
Apple Tree Flat
Oil on board
30cm x 30cm
Baerami Creek
Oil on board
30cm x 30cm
Ruebens Trail
Oil on board
20cm x 20cm
Widdens Valley
Oil on board
20cm x 20cm
The Last Motel in Town (Series)
I thoroughly enjoyed the Residency and the whole project. As well as visiting the area, I wanted to capture the experience of the “Artist In Residence” with my fellow artists. Due to a shortage of accommodation at the time, we shared a suite at a local Motel.
I loved the Motel with its decor reminiscent of the 1970’s which added further inspiration that I could draw on for my series. I recorded some aspects of the suite which made me smile. I felt right at home with that tidy-bin, with its style and colour scheme reminiscent of objects from my childhood.
The last Motel in town, pool II
Oil on board
35cm x 40cm
The last Motel in town, dish
Oil on board
35cm x 40cm
The last Motel in town, clothes line
Oil on board
35cm x 40cm
