Watershed Art Prize 2018

It was wonderful once again to be included as a finalist in the 2018 Watershed Art Prize. This important initiative by the Salisbury City Council in conjunction with major sponsor ICE WaRM (the International Centre of Excellence in Water Resources Management), has continued to highlight the need for sustainable water management while maintaining our delicate natural environment.

This years exhibition again provided a wide range of paintings focusing upon a myriad of subjects within the broader themes of water conservation and nature. For my part, I included a piece entitled ‘Signs of Life’ that depicted a tranquil scene of the Mawson Lakes wetlands with a distant reminder of the encroaching man-made world as represented by highway signs on the horizon.

This years overall winner was ‘The Night Watch’ by Gerhard Ritter, while I was very pleased to have been awarded the ‘Mawson Lakes Living Editors Choice Award’.

Cover of the June edition of Mawson Lakes Living

Clare Valley Art Show 2018

One of the great pleasures of living in the Clare Valley is the constant source of inspiration derived from the landscape of the region. There is certainly four distinct seasons and the light is always different in each. Much like the French Impressionists, the artists can often paint the same subject matter over and over again with each work producing a very different visual experience. One of my favourite subjects over recent years has been the view from Clare toward Balaklava as seen from the beautiful Spring Gully conservation park. So it was particularly pleasing when my piece ‘Spring Gully Shadows’ was awarded the Clare Valley Acquisitive Prize at the 2018 Clare Valley Art Exhibition. 

'Spring Gully Shadows' 2018

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.