A week ago I took myself out for a hike through some nearby hills, seeking to relax and de-stress, to reconnect with nature and hopefully, to find inspiration. I have exhibitions coming up, and paintings aren’t going to paint themselves!
I saw magpies, clever and curious, flying up to observe this strange human wandering alone. There were kangaroos aplenty, parrots, cockatoos and koels, and the occasional walker of a border collie to pause and chat with. There was clean fresh air, golden grass, bobbing wildflowers and a big sky.
And in the out-of-the-way spot where I sat down on an ancient lichened rock to sip water and rest my feet, a great view of the valley spread out before me, there was something of value on the ground, reflecting the sunlight, surely missed by whoever had dropped it.
It was incongruous, jarringly out of place in this natural environment, a reminder of what I’d gone out hiking to escape – hence the title of this painting.
“Well that doesn’t belong here” is framed acrylic and acrylic ink on 91x61cm cradled birch panel, and was sold at the group exhibition hosted by Gallery ONE88 at Katoomba in February 2023. High quality prints may be available on request.
This was one of the more difficult scenes I’ve attempted and for the longest time it just refused to come together. Two days ago I was on the verge of painting over the thing with black gesso – I’m glad I didn’t. Lesson to self, never give up.
