Painters of the Flinders Ranges

As a descendant of a pioneering family, on my father’s side at the Blinman and Yudnamutana copper mines, I have grown up with a special affinity for the whole Flinders Ranges area and have toured and camped throughout the region over many years.

I have been painting in my spare time for just over twenty years, with a strong passion for Flinders Ranges landscapes.  Having recently retired from the Accounting profession at the lead smelter here in Port Pirie, I now have time to further develop my artistic skills.

I have been influenced over the years by watching past “resident” artists in action by the old shop at Wilpena camping ground.  One artist, in particular, was the late Peter Matthews of Victor Harbour who was an expert in oils using a palette knife and Flinders “friendly” hues.

As a consequence, I mainly paint in oils, also using a palette knife for the majority of paintings. I find, using this technique, it allows me to highlight the ruggedness of the rocks and mountains and even the roughness of the bark in the trunks of gum trees and so on. I also paint using acrylics which gives me a softer result more appropriate for perspectives in distant scenes.

I continue to be fascinated by the colours which can be observed throughout the Flinders which constantly change throughout the daylight hours.  I love the contrast of the blues and purples of the Wilpena ranges with the red and tans of the stark granites of the Arkaroola/Gammon Ranges areas in the northern Flinders.

Demand for my works has been strong including a significant number of commissions in private collections and sales from exhibitions throughout South Australia.

Awards bestowed to me along the way include, winner of the Laura Art Prize in 1994, winner of the Peoples’ Choice Award, Port Pirie Inaugural Art Prize in 1996 and a commendation in the SA Regional Artist section of the Port Pirie Art Prize in 2000.