Being in the landscape is a restorative and joy-filled experience and provides the raw materials of inspiration for my work. When we are on a field trip, I start with simply walking and observing the place to get a feel for it – the sights, the sounds, the cent of the environment. It’s a place to pause and step out of everyday routine and still myself. I’ve discovered over many trips away and time spent working in the landscape that the more you look, the more you see. Its about waiting, watching and listening. For me, I become aware of opening my heart to the deeper places of inspiration, which I believe ultimately come from heaven.

Our recent travels took us to rugged outback places of Australia, like Brewarrina, Mutawintji, Broken Hill and Menindee Lakes, providing a very different kind of beauty to the Coast where we come from. The untamed wild extremes of nature are obvious and can change dramatically from one year to the next. Our visit to Brewarrina this year revealed different colours to previously and the land seemed to be in preservation mode, letting go of any plant life that wasn’t strong enough for the harsh climate. It’s the reality of the seasons and the cycles of wet and dry.

Atmosphere and Light poured out in my studio after this trip, where I focused on rich colour and the simplicity of markings, creating works that interpret these memories and impressions.