Sleeping Shadow, West MacDonnells, oil on board, 40 x 80 cm, small.jpg
Mountain range in earthy tones fills most of this horizontal landscape painting, with a bright blue sky
Oil painting made en plein air of desert mountains, with dark shadow and deep blue sky
Sleeping Shadow, West MacDonnells, oil on board, 40 x 80 cm, small.jpg
Mountain range in earthy tones fills most of this horizontal landscape painting, with a bright blue sky
Oil painting made en plein air of desert mountains, with dark shadow and deep blue sky

Sleeping Shadow, East MacDonnells, 2024, oil on board, diptych 40 x 80 cm

$1,900.00

Sleeping Shadow is a plein air painting that captures the desolate, charred slopes of the East MacDonnell Ranges in Central Australia. Painted during my residency in April 2024, this artwork reflects the devastating impact of Buffel grass on the region—an invasive species that burns hotter than native grasses and has left this mountainside barren.

The composition evokes both the harshness and beauty of the land. Broad, energetic brushstrokes reflect the heat and intense sunlight of the desert, while the limited colour palette suggests the stark contrast between life and death in this fragile environment.

In this work, I sought to capture the sense of isolation and alienation I felt standing in this scorched landscape, highlighting the quiet, yet profound, struggle for renewal. The painting’s immediacy and energy reflect the connection between the artist and the land, with each brushstroke speaking to the urgency of our environmental challenges.

Medium: Oil on two professional artist-quality plywood panels
Location: East MacDonnell Ranges, Central Australia
Subject: Barren, charred mountains in the Australian outback
Colour palette: Ultramarine blue, cobalt blue, burnt umber, yellow ochre, red gold, burnt sienna, magenta

Sleeping Shadow is a plein air painting that captures the desolate, charred slopes of the East MacDonnell Ranges in Central Australia. Painted during my residency in April 2024, this artwork reflects the devastating impact of Buffel grass on the region—an invasive species that burns hotter than native grasses and has left this mountainside barren.

The composition evokes both the harshness and beauty of the land. Broad, energetic brushstrokes reflect the heat and intense sunlight of the desert, while the limited colour palette suggests the stark contrast between life and death in this fragile environment.

In this work, I sought to capture the sense of isolation and alienation I felt standing in this scorched landscape, highlighting the quiet, yet profound, struggle for renewal. The painting’s immediacy and energy reflect the connection between the artist and the land, with each brushstroke speaking to the urgency of our environmental challenges.

Medium: Oil on two professional artist-quality plywood panels
Location: East MacDonnell Ranges, Central Australia
Subject: Barren, charred mountains in the Australian outback
Colour palette: Ultramarine blue, cobalt blue, burnt umber, yellow ochre, red gold, burnt sienna, magenta

Artwork Specifications

Certification:
This artwork is an original contemporary Australian landscape painting, signed and dated on the back by the artist.

Art Gallery Quality Premium Materials:

  • Diptych, each panel measures 40 x 40 cm

  • Art Spectrum and Windsor & Newton oil paints applied over a Matisse Acrylic Gesso

  • Professional artist-quality plywood boards with framing

Painting Dimensions:
40 cm (h) x 80 cm (w) x 4 cm (d)

How to Hang Your Painting:
This medium-sized plein air landscape painting of the Australian outback is easy to install and ideal for display above furniture or on a feature wall such as an entryway. Best suited to a well-lit space in either modern or traditional interiors, good lighting enhances the full depth and vibrancy of the colour palette.

According to Australian gallery standards, artwork should be hung so the centre of the piece sits approximately 155 cm from the floor. Adjustments can be made based on ceiling height, surrounding furniture, and whether the space is used for sitting (like a dining room) or standing (like a hallway). To preserve its condition, avoid placing oil paintings in direct sunlight, as UV exposure may cause fading or discolouration.

Framing Details:
This original oil painting on plywood is currently unframed, consistent with how contemporary artworks are often presented in galleries and private collections. It is fitted with professional D-hooks and wire for immediate hanging. Custom framing can be arranged upon request.