Smith's Beach, W.A.

Returning to Australia after 30 years abroad I felt like a tourist, alert with fresh eyes and a new appreciation for my childhood spent along the bay. In this series of paintings, I follow the footsteps of Australia's early impressionists along the Bayside Trail - a place they made an outdoor studio and playground in the mid to late 1800's.

The Bayside Art Trail spans 17kms along Port Phillip Bay from Elwood Beach to Beaumaris. The trail celebrates the lives and artwork of Australian artists who painted the Bayside coast.

En plein air or "in the open air" is a term used to describe the practice of working outdoors. However, because of the Covid pandemic I chose to sketch and photograph scenes, and then paint back in the safety of the home studio. I've employed a direct painting style to create an impression of changing effects, such as sunlight or weather like the old masters captured.

The sausage: Painted with watercolor and acrylic on #300gsm fabriano sketch pad paper… thanks Aldi.