Sandstone cliffs again

I was not going to finish the sandstone painting I begun but one of our friends Jo said she really liked it and persuaded me to complete it. I think the houses I originally perched on clifftop were too much hard work. It is far easier to remove them but then where is the interest in the composition? This was a dilemma I pondered and finally decided to modify the cliff so that there is another in the back. I also added a grey threatening sky and here it is complete.



Unfortunately it cannot really be Sydney .... Well maybe Sydney around 150 years ago when we hadn't built our shores up like today. However it reminds me of the walks we Sydneysiders have the privilege to do along the coast. How beautiful is this city?

Hawkesbury river Brooklyn

A friend lent me their house at Brooklyn so that I could set up on one of their numerous decks. After a period of 3 weeks where I did no art when we were travelling, it was refreshing to be at it once more.


This was the result of 4 hours on his deck. I must say it is a long drive over the congested Pacific Highway to get there. But once there, it is so tranquil it's worth the stress.

Lifeguard at Wylies

On the weekends, the Coogee surf and life savings club actually mans Wylies. Life guards wear their characteristic red and yellow uniform and have a great job. Most of the time nobody gets into trouble, they get to sit in scenic locations and enjoy the view. The public gets the assurance that somebody is looking out for them and everybody is happy.


I spoke to this guard who is a Pom and told me that Coogee has changed greatly in the 10 years he has been in Sydney. It was more family oriented then but with the growing number of backpackers there is more drinking and anti social behaviour. I tend to agree. The beach is still lovely : you just don't want to live on it!

Sandstone cliffs

Another aspect distinguishing Sydney is our magnificent sandstone. Walks along our coast is along cliffs where we glimpse the exposed sandstone face. This painting is of the cliff at Gordon's Bay between Coogee and Clovelly.


This is a cropped view as it is incomplete. There are a number of dark brick Art Deco apartments perched precariously on the cliff I wanted to include but made the mistake of painting them in that purply colour which contrasted badly with the rest of the picture. To harmonise with the hues of the sandstone, they need to be shades of ochre and brown. Of course if all fails I can do a vast sky and cover everything up. Artists do not have to paint reality!