Pastel on Colourfix paper – 70cm x 50cm

I finished this painting late last year, and thought it was an appropriate RedBubble ‘upload’ given the events of the past week in Australia. It is symbolic of the Aussie spirit and the knowledge that the bush, and the people who dwell in the beauty of the Australian bush, will regenerate!

I have entered this painting in a few art shows since I finished it last November, and it has won me four awards! The next art show I have entered it in is at Kilmore, which is a bit spooky, because that is where the intial fire that demolished Kinglake, Flowerdale and the Marysville area commenced.

Many Australian eucalypts are dependent on fire to regenerate. This painting depicts the leaves and their ‘gumnut’ seeds from the ‘Ironbark’ species of eucalypt which are prolific on the 40 acre property where I live.

The People’s Choice – Ruffy Art Show – Nov. 2008
The Viewer’s Choice – Art by the Lake at Nagambie – Dec 2008
The People’s Choice – Strathbogie Art Show – Jan 2009
Highly Commended – Kilmore Art Expo – March 2009
Placed in the Top 10 of the Painters in Modern Times ‘Green’ Challenge – May 2009
Featured in the Painter’s in Modern Times group – May 2009
Featured in The Best of – August 2009
Featured in Solo Exhibition – Jan 2010
Featured in Photo Realistic Artwork – March 2010
Top 10 in Close Ups challenge in First Things – April 2010

SOLD from the Old Courthouse Gallery, Seymour – July 2009
CHALLENGE WINNER in Leaves Leaves Leaves Challenge in Impressionism Cafe – May 2010
Featured in Contemporary Pastel Painters – June 2010
Sold a Matted Print – December 2010
Featured in Art at Heart – May 2011
Top 10 in What Grows in My Tree Challenge in Painters Universe – July 2011
Permanent Feature Page in Art Universe ‘Paint Book’ – August 2011
Featured in Painted Nature & Objects – October 2011
Featured in Exquisition – May 2012
Challenge Winner – Painted Nature & Object – May 2012

It is now August, so quite awhile since I uploaded this image. I received a call yesterday from the person who bought it. They explained that when they saw it in a local gallery they just had to have it because it reminded them of how the bush was before the fires, and gave them hope that it will ‘regenerate’ again. On further conversation I discovered that the buyer was from Kinglake, and she had sat in her dam on February 7th and watched her home and everything she owned go up in smoke!!!! She is rebuilding, and has a special spot in her new home for this painting.