These works are a selection of those created in March 2022 during a ten day solo, self-funded residency at the historical gold mining village of Hill End, NSW. The plein air works were created at various locations around Hill End and nearby Sofala. They explore my ongoing interest in village life, the impact of gold mining on the landscape and the areas that were seemingly left untouched.
As my stay progressed my plein air approach expanded to encompass large scale un-stretched canvas. This entailed working flat on the ground enabling the textured surface underneath the canvas to influence mark making. These marks form an integral part in reflecting light within and out of the paintings.
