The Road to Riesling

On a lovely autumn afternoon in the Clare Valley, it was my great pleasure to attend the launch of the latest vintage from Farrell Wines. What was particularly significant about this day was that the label on the 2017 Riesling features a painting I had completed a couple of years ago. The work depicted the historic red bridge on Quarry Road just outside of Clare and was purchased by nearby vineyard owner, wine connoisseur and Federal Senator Don Farrell.

Don approached me last year with the idea of using the painting for a new wine label design and I was thrilled that he thought the work worthy enough to promote his latest riesling. It’s my first wine label, so I will certainly take a personal interest in the journey of this particular drop as it enters the local wine scene. It will be on sale at the Gourmet Hub during the 2018 Clare Valley Gourmet Weekend from May 18 – 21, or can also be purchased at https://www.farrellwines.com.au/

Kidman Art Show 2017

The biennial Kidman Art Show has steadily grown into a much respected and enjoyed community art event in South Australia’s mid north. Supported by the Rotary Cub of Kapunda and held in the Kapunda Soldiers Memorial Hall, the exhibition provides an opportunity for local artists to exhibit their works and compete for a range prizes covering numerous forms of artistic media. 2017 Kidman Art Show was the sixth event and was again well supported.

One of the paintings I submitted this year was ‘T- Junction, Seppelsfield’ which was based upon the landscape of the palm tree lined road that leads to historic Seppelsfield Winery. In the midday sun of summer the palms provide a very distinct collective form that dramatically contrast against the straw coloured surrounds. Deep shadows fall gently upon the road as it heads steadily uphill toward the familiar T- junction.

I really enjoyed painting a scene that is only a few kilometers from Kapunda itself and was particularly pleaded when it was awarded ‘Best in Exhibition’ at the 2017 Kidman Art Show.

A Torii Gate Inspired Award

The Gleeson Wetlands is fast emerging as one of the hidden gems of the Clare Valley. Having been constructed only a few years ago, the native trees and grasses that surround three small lakes are starting to grow, while birdlife is increasingly being attracted to this quiet, natural haven.

Visiting the wetlands for the first time, Jules and I followed the trail around the lake area and we were thrilled to come across a striking Japanese torii gate that we later learnt was a gift from Clare’s sister city of Yoshinga. Having lived in Japan for four years previously, this traditional structure brought back plenty of sentimental memories, but even more significant to us, the gate represented a personal and symbolic connection between our past life in Japan and our future life in Clare.

I knew at some point that I would love to depict this impressive torii gate and the tranquil wetlands environment of Clare within in an oil painting. On another walk, a view across the lake eventually inspired ‘Afternoon Reflections, Clare Wetlands’.

This piece was entered into the 2017 Clare Rotary Art Show and I was particularly pleased that it was awarded the ‘Clare Valley Acquisitive Art Prize', sponsored by Senator Don Farrell. The award is given to an art piece that highlights a particular aspect of the Clare Valley region. 

With Senator Don Farrell at the Clare Wetlands

Watershed Art Prize 2017

The Watershed Art Prize is an initiative of the city of Salisbury that encourages awareness of water as a precious resource and significant environmental management issue. Now in its ninth year the art prize exhibition has seen its reputation continue to grow amongst the art community of South Australia with 60 finalists displaying their works at the John Harvey Gallery. The works on display this year once again represented a wide range of creative interpretations of the theme of wetland biodiversity and water sustainability.

The painting I chose to submit was titled ‘Bird Hide’… In the early heat of summer, we seek waters trapped by winter rains. A wetland sanctuary teaming with life, yet a place of solitude and the soothing sounds of nature. Birdlife abounds, trees thrive, their deep shadows providing contrast to native reeds sought for nesting. We are out of place here, an intruder, yet this is a sanctuary for the soul. We find a place to bunker down, to observe and reflect in the bird hide. 

I was very pleased with this painting as it seemed to capture the silence, calmness and solitude of the Salisbury Wetlands and was therefore thrilled to receive first prize for the piece.  

Walkerville Art Show 2016

Over the past summer I had been working on a number landscape pieces that aimed to depict the beauty and colour of the mid north region from an elevated point of view. This has involved searching out a number of high vantage points from which I could observe the ‘patchwork’ nature of the vast landscape and the distinct changes in colour as the horizon recedes into the distance. The wonderful thing about such observations is just how dramatically the colours can change depending upon the, weather conditions, time of the day or stage in the seasons. There are just so many unique combinations that can result in so many variations on the same view.

I recently entered one of these pieces (‘Beyond the Track’) into the 2016 Walkerville Art Show and was very pleased to be awarded with ‘Best in Show’. This honor was particularly satisfying as the exhibition included works by a number of local artists whom I have increasingly grown to admire. Likewise, having highly respected artist Andrew Baines as this years judge was certainly an encouraging nod for what I was trying to achieve with this particular piece.

‘The Art of Flower and Garden’ at Burra

 One of the little gems of the mid north of South Australia is the Burra Regional Gallery, which is about half an hour from the Clare. It has been operating successfully for twenty years and is a perfect model of how a community gallery should work. Housed in the towns original telegraph and post office, the presentation space is large enough to provide ample space for the display of a variety of art forms throughout several rooms. The works are always presented in a professional manner, with due consideration for each piece and as a result the gallery often attracts artists from throughout the state and beyond. It has a dedicated team of volunteers who generate a wide variety of exhibitions throughout the year, while ensuring that community involvement remains a high priority.

One of their annual exhibitions is ‘The Art of Flower and Garden’, which is open throughout October and is perfectly timed with the onset of spring. I currently have two paintings on display and there are a wide a variety other works by mostly local artists covering a range of media. Each piece provides a fresh perspective on the joys of the garden, which has historically been a favorite subject matter amongst artists. The exhibition certainly reflects the myriad of visual inspirations that can be found right outside our own backdoor.