Searching for stunning tropical paintings, remarkable sculpture, original prints or brilliantly crafted art glass or textiles?
Or are you an artist hoping, as I did, to find peace and
tranquility in which to make art or to just think about it? A warm,
tropical rainforest climate with a touch of adventure just waiting for you?
Many famous Australian painters on such a quest have gravitated to
these northern shores since the early days of European settlement.
Often living in rough shacks, hastily thrown up on pristine beaches,
beside waterfalls or hidden in the rainforest, they explored their
vision with excitement, energy and dedication.
Since time immemorial, their predecessors, the Australian aborigines,
have daubed their bodies and painted or carved images on rock faces in
ceremonial, cultural rituals.
Aboriginal art history, through cave paintings and dreamtime stories,
passed down through generations, informs contemporary arts practice in
aboriginal communities across the continent. The resultant paintings,
carvings and basketry are highly valued by discerning collectors today.
Being rather isolated and so far from southern cities, Tropical
Australia (everywhere north of the Tropic of Capricorn) covers thousands
of square kilometres from Broome in Western Australia through Darwin in
the Northern Territory to Cairns in North Queensland. With its vast
distances, 'laid-back' lifestyle and colourful 'characters' it retains
something of a frontier atmosphere.
In North Queensland, the drama of crashing tropical thunder and downpours, amazing cloud formations, towering, jungle clad mountain ranges and tidal surges forms the backdrop for tropical paintings, art glass, drawings and sculpture, which have developed a distinctly regional flavour.
In case you're wondering whether I found what I was looking for, the answer is a resounding YES! Read something of my story and how this website came into being here.
For examples of tropical paintings and other art-forms being produced in
Australia today and to experience this unique part of the world
through its paintings, photographs, sculpture or drawings, or to learn about art events or specialist techniques, please refer
to the various sections in the navigation bar to the left.
If you would like to BUY FABULOUS, ORIGINAL ARTWORK direct from professional and experienced artists please click here.
NEW! Check out the blog for up to date information about new artworks, art events and artists here. Be privy to the development of new works through artists' journals - perhaps check back on the first day of each month for new opportunities to own the piece of your dreams!
Pure silk scarves, designed and made in Australia are available exclusively from this website, from the Spirit of Oz website, Barbarella and Swan and Jungle Road in Macrossan Street, Port Douglas, Kick Arts Gallery in Cairns or from Silky Oaks Lodge, where you are also invited to enjoy lunch while overlooking the beautiful Mossman River.
Would you prefer to experience first-hand the wild beauty of the
Australian tropics as well as the diversity of art workshops, festivals,
galleries and markets on offer by holidaying here? Looking for exciting
tropical vacation destinations? You may have found some! If not, please
ask for specific information.
Your opinion and comments or special requests would be appreciated, so
please take a moment to fill in the contact form. Don't forget to sign
up for "Perspectives", your free e-newsletter!
As you navigate your way through the site, please use the coloured links to open new pages and find more information.
Would you like to tell us about YOUR Australian tropical
paintings? Upload a picture of your latest success or tell the world
about your special art event or workshop? Have some fabulous painting
tips to share? All FREE to artists or art groups - just follow the links
from the HAVE YOUR SAY page on the navigation bar. Enjoy!
Increasingly,
I find that visitors to this site are looking for information about
some aspect of making art. For example they may be searching for
information about how to draw people, how to make a collage or perhaps
for a high quality online painting course. Check out reviews about some of the best e-courses available. If you can't find what you
are looking for, please ask and I shall do my best to help.
NB: I hope that you also enjoy the images on this site but please note that they and all the text on the site are subject to strict copyright laws
and may not be copied without my express permission. If you have a
particular reason for wishing to use an image please contact me via the
contact form.
Would this site be of interest to your visitors? Great! Please link to it.
Details from artwork by some of our artists. Please click on each image for more information about the artist.