McKell Rockscapes - 2006

The series “McKell Rockscapes” continues my exploration of rocks and rockpools. The stone rocks and blocks native to many harbour edges have been an ideal subject to further my ideas about solid vs void, link vs bulk, positive vs negative space.

An old watercolour sketch of McKell Park steps triggered a few ideas: Are they steps? Are they rocks? they disappear at high tide, they are welcoming at low tide. The surrounding stone walls are withered, partially rock face, part brick, part earth. This tiny inlet is a rare ruin in our modern shiny city. Rocks are often serene and peaceful but have a strong, powerful presence. This location was the perfect fusion of the landscape blurring with the built environment.

This small inlet, although now a left over space, has a history of being a boat parking bay and a women’s bathing pool. It is like an outdoor room, contained with solid walls, but it changes constantly with the tide, and time of day. I hope the paintings capture some of these moods and opposing elements in this “urban-natural” scene.

My emphasis with this series has been to balance my composition well, a process which started with sketches and watercolours on site, then completion of the works back at my studio. I have tried to give the subjects some solidity and realness, whilst also allowing the viewer enough scope to interpret their own landscape. I look forward to seeing the paintings through other people’s eyes.