Tropical artists reflect life in Far North Queensland.Tropical artists living in Far North Queensland are mostly interested in portraying some aspect of life in this beautiful far-flung region. Diverse subject matter might include studies of rainforest plants, tropical birds, figure drawings and portraits, the tropical savannah, Australian myths and legends, even aspects of growing sugar cane. Often trained in southern states or in other countries, frequently with a successful artistic career behind them, they are attracted to the relaxed life-style and stunning beauty of the forests, mountains and tidal fore-shores. Many of these artists are environmental crusaders, story-tellers or social commentators. Painters work in various mediums including oil, watercolour or acrylic paint, textiles or mixed media. There are printmakers and glass artists, sculptors, musicians and writers.
PAINTERS
Tania Heben is an oil painter who often paints 'people in the landscape' as they go about enjoying the beach, markets, inland rivers and jungle. She has also recorded many old buildings, such as sugar cane "barracks" - sometimes just before they have been demolished! 
Linda Jackson, renowned as a fashion designer and trend-setter from her work with Jenny Kee in establishing Flamingo Park and later her own frock salon, Bush Couture, has concentrated on paintings on canvas and lengths of painted and dyed fabric of recent years. 
Christine Eyres works from her studio in the northern beaches of Cairns. She examines concepts and stories relating to the human condition, rendering her observations in layers of paint - and meaning. 
Jim Cobb is a paint manufacturer as well as a painter, his laboratory and studio both being in Julatten, near Port Douglas. Distant views of the Australian landscape, rendered in beautifully harmonious colour on canvas or paper give an impression of grandeur and beauty. 
Josephine Cobb shares an interest in landscape with husband, Jim, although their approaches and styles are different. She frequently travels inland with Jim and painter friends to capture the "red heart" en plein air, with impressive results. 
Jill Booth paints and prints "one off" lengths of silk and semi-abstract paintings on canvas or paper in her Port Douglas studio, subject matter usually being the Australian landscape. 
Terry Johnson works from his gallery in Robe, South Australia, but recently has decided to spend winters in Port Douglas. His paintings reflect his happy attitude to life, subjects often being people enjoying their holidays in the tropics! 
Ron Edwards, sadly, passed away in 2008 but his paintings, drawings and books about bushcraft and life in the far north and islands of the Torres Strait live on and are available from the gallery in Cairns which his widow, Anne, herself a painter, operates. 
Anthony Henjel uses oil painting techniques of the old masters to develop portraits of friends. He also paints scenes of the Port Douglas environment where he lives, using more experimental methods. 
Cara Stevens enjoys using found, natural, objects, which she uses to great effect in her abstract landscapes and seascapes. PRINTMAKERS
Anna Curtis specialises in hand cut lino-blocks, which she uses to produce a wonderful array of highly skilled and engaging nature-inspired reduction lino prints. 
Leon Pericles is a frequent visitor to Port Douglas in North Queensland from his home in Perth, Western Australia. His gently satirical observations of life in Australia, executed through etchings and collages as well as paintings have endeared him to many.
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