When I first saw this gnarled old redgum it was a bright sunny day in early summer, would have been baking hot if not for a cool breeze up on the hillside.
The old tree was flowering and covered in monarch butterflies, and my first thought was to paint them, but as I progressed I felt the tree should be the hero and tell its own story, with its twisted branches and trunks, its patterned bark and cascading leaves, flourishing despite its age, a symbol of survival and renewal as it shed its old dead wood to make way for the new, and a refuge and home bursting with life.
It was that sense of it standing strong and firm, a survivor, and also a kind gentle presence providing cool shade in the heat of the day and a sanctuary for birds and animals, that I tried to capture in this painting. The eastern rosellas were very much the finishing touch, as I wanted creatures that foraged on the ground and were also nervous & flighty, ready to bolt for safety at the least sign of trouble – they fit the bill perfectly.
“Shade & sanctuary” is acrylic and acrylic ink on framed 122cmx91cm canvas, and is currently on show at my solo exhibition, “In the distance”, at WOTSO Health Space in North Strathfield. It also available for purchase online from the Nationwide Curating website.
There was so much fun, freedom and expression to be found working on a large canvas – to think that for such a long time I found them intimidating. If only they were easy to store & transport though!
