Sydney Affordable Art Fair with Gallery Alchemy

There’s a particular stillness that settles over the ironbark basin at Point Addis, the kind that hums beneath the surface. The ironbarks stand tall, twisted yet resolute, their dark, textured trunks catching the soft coastal light in a way that feels both ancient and alive. It’s here, among these trees, that I frequently turn to for inspiration including this small new collection I created for the Sydney Affordable Art Fair.

A Deep Connection to Place

I’ve always felt a strong connection to the Ironbark basin. From fond childhood memories to moments of solitude in this busy modern life. There’s a quiet strength in these trees, a grounded, enduring energy that invites reflection. The scent of eucalypt, the crunch of leaves underfoot, the filtered light through the canopy, it all feels deeply familiar. It’s a place that reminds me to slow down, to listen, and to breathe.

Finding Balance Through Nature

These works reflect on what has been a difficult year, one that has asked for patience, acceptance and trust in the process. In spending time among the Ironbarks, I’ve been reminded of the resilience of nature, how it bends, adapts, and continues with quiet determination. That resilience empowers me to find softness and balance in everything I do, both in my art and my everyday life.

Each brushstroke became a meditation on that idea: strength doesn’t always have to be loud or forceful. Sometimes it’s found in stillness, in the way a tree endures through seasons, or in the gentle rhythm of breath and watercolour flowing across paper.

Painting the Essence, Not Just the Scene

Rather than capturing a literal landscape, I wanted to paint what it feels like to stand among the Ironbarks, to be enveloped by that sense of calm and quiet energy. Layered washes of watercolour echo the interplay of shadow and light, while textural marks trace the rough beauty of bark and the shifting tones of dusk through the canopy.

It’s a body of work born from reflection, resilience and renewal. A gentle reminder that balance can be found, even after the storm.

See the Works in Sydney

These new pieces will be available through Gallery Alchemy at the upcoming Sydney Affordable Art Fair. I’m thrilled to be showing this collection alongside such a wonderful gallery and community of artists.

If you’re heading to the fair, I hope you’ll stop by to experience the works in person, to stand among the Ironbarks through paint and paper, and maybe feel a little of that grounded calm for yourself.