Painting in the studio is wonderful, however to get a real sense of the natural light, artists tend to paint outdoors. The Impressionists were particularly fond of taking their easels out on location. The tubes of oil paint you see in art supply stores now were invented as a result of artists needing a more convenient way to transport paint. Early this year, I put my paints, brushes, mediums, sun-hat, ant repellent (oh yes - nature bites sometimes) and all the paraphernalia I use into the back of my truck, along with a pre-stretched canvas to work on, and headed off to the island.

Stradbroke Island, or Minjerribah in the local language, is an island just off the coast of Brisbane and is only able to be reached by boat or ferry. Even though it is only a few kilometres away, it feels like another world. The Quandamooka people have lived on or around Southern Moreton Bay for tens of thousands of years. Archaeological evidence dates occupation of Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) back to at least 21,000 years ago. Today, it is filled with holiday homes, coastal banksias, salty ocean breezes, and kangaroos graze on front lawns. Most of the island however is a pristine natural landscape, and this is what I head there for.

The light has almost perfect clarity, unlike the light in Europe which is always softer. I love the way the leaves of the banksias shimmer silver in the breeze. The blues are intense and deep. For me, access to the real colours of our country is fundamental to making authentic pieces that resonate with the local environment.

Watch a video of me painting, with very salty hair, just after an afternoon swim at the beach.

Here is the painting I made