How do you describe your art practice today?

My work is an ongoing exploration of my immediate environment – the area around Goolwa and the lower Murray. Walking regularly by the river, beach and bush, gathering natural and found objects, I often record daily changes through photographs, sketches and journal jottings as I go. These all help me to develop ideas to be brought back to the studio, which is where I paint the atmospheric sky, sea and landscapes that are distinctly characteristic of the region. Usually a series of paintings, from very small ‘meditations’ to larger works on canvas and board, will evolve as I try to capture my response.

What fascinates you about your choice of medium?

The luscious texture and vibrant glowing colours of oil paints makes them such a joy to use and are a first choice for most of my paintings. I also love the transparency that can be applied with oil glazes on canvas and board. I’m always excited by the gorgeous colours in a new box of watercolour pencils, or pastels, and the immediacy of these materials often gives them the centre stage, along with charcoal, graphite, ink and anything else I have to hand, when drawing or creating mixed media pieces.

What inspires you most and why?

Drawing inspiration from the natural beauty of the area, the transitory effects of weather and light and small incremental changes as the seasons turn with their slow rhythms, I take pleasure in painting the same scene several times to try and capture just a few of the infinite variations within each day. My studio, the former laundry building at the historic South Coast Regional Art Centre ( Old Police Station) in Goolwa, provides a source of endless inspiration, housing a visual feast of collections, natural and found objects, artworks, books, materials and other treasures inside and out, that invite contemplation of the small, quiet, ordinary and unassuming things that are all around. It is a constant desire to celebrate the beauty and wonder of the everyday, through my work.

Sally Deans

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