The artist studied the techniques used by French and Australian Impressionist, ‘en plein air’ artists. In this painting he has used some of those techniques. His understanding of Australian outback colours is also evidenced in this painting. His love of colour was strengthened by his first hand observation of the works of Tom Tomson (1877 – 1917), and the Group of Seven, (1920 – 1933), Canadian landscape artists.
This rural landscape shows a home with a rusting, red roof, unsheltered from the elements. It is surrounded by what appears to be an outdoor laundry, and a row of disused machinery. A few shade trees are at the back of the home. Its verandah has been enclosed on two sides, probably to accommodate a growing family.
By using an analogous, complementary colour scheme, (colours side by side and directly opposite on a colour wheel), and a sunny mother colour, the artist has stimulated the viewer’s senses.
The artist has applied the ‘rule of thirds’ to the composition, and positioned the home in the top third.
The roof of the house and the mailbox are lit by bright sunlight. There is little shadow. The bright hue of ‘stippled’ grass takes up the foreground, and the colour is softly reflected in the blended tones of the summer sky. By manipulation of colour and tonal value, the artist achieved a sense of distance or atmospheric perspective.
The mood of the painting is a little lonely, as the home seems isolated. A bird sits on a dead tree trunk, and waits for the mailperson.
Acrylic on Masonite, date unknown. (Cleaned and framed.)
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