These artworks are inspired by the beautiful coastlines of South East Tasmania and Southern Victoria observed from several boat journeys and many walks along the edges of these shores. Natural areas feature from anchorages around Maria Island, Norfolk Bay, Eaglehawk Neck and Fortescue Bay and from walks and sailing trips closer to home in Queenscliff and Point Lonsdale. There is often a moment that imprints itself in your mind and eventually becomes a painting.
Exploring by boat you witness and experience whatever nature and the weather bring. The journey becomes a physical and emotional experience that stays in your body and your mind’s eye. Senses are heightened as you become attuned to being outside in nature day and night surrounded by the expanse of everchanging skies and seas. Water, clouds and birds are your constant companions and provide a daily source of wonder and curiosity. This experience feels miraculous and there are images before you constantly wanting to become paintings! The atmosphere and environment changes hourly and to catch it in a drawing is often a race against time.
Returning to the land-based studio to recreate the experiences of these trips I feel that I am attempting to hold onto a moment and a place in time; to honour these unique and precious natural areas. Many of the paintings in this exhibition recall expansive vistas of water or land that mystify and intrigue me with their distinct feeling and character. They are about sharing the beauty and resilience of nature. The wind in the Casuarinas, the ancient cliffs battered by the relentless Southern Ocean, the wheeling seabirds, the clouds dancing across the sky and a bird taking flight.
These artworks revel in both the joy of being alive in a beautiful world alongside fear that this fragile wonder is in constant danger from modern day threats. Our wild and natural places are vanishing before we can fully appreciate or understand them. These paintings and drawings are an attempt to take you there.
Thank you to Captain Steve for all the amazing adventures in boats and life.
I would like to acknowledge and pay my respects to the indigenous people on all the land and sea that I have travelled to, lived upon and been inspired by for their care and respect of this incredible country which sustains us all.
- Sue Anderson 2025
