The Old Gum: Beneath the Branches

The Old Gum: Beneath the Branches was inspired by a black-and-white photograph taken near the river in Mount Isa during my father's childhood. Trees like this offered welcome shade during long summer days. Rather than recreating the original photograph, I have reimagined the scene through expressive colour and textured brushwork with oil paint, celebrating both the beauty of Australia's iconic gum trees and the memories they hold across generations.

This painting was selected for inclusion in the 2026 Roam exhibition at Aspire Gallery, Paddington, Brisbane.

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Amanda Nouwens is a Brisbane-based oil painter whose expressive landscapes and florals celebrate the colour, light and atmosphere of Australian landscapes. Working with rich impasto brushwork and vibrant colour, she creates paintings that capture not only a place, but the feeling of being there.

Amanda is inspired by the Queensland coastline, bushland and open spaces, as well as memories from her travels. Amanda interprets familiar scenes through energetic brushstrokes and bold colour to evoke warmth and a sense of connection with nature.

Her work is held in private collections throughout Australia and has been exhibited in galleries and art awards, including the Moreton Bay Region Art Awards. Whether painting a windswept beach, an old gum tree or a vase of flowers, Amanda hopes each artwork brings colour, joy and a lasting sense of calm into the home.