Sentinels at Munmorah

Munmorah state conservation area is part of the Sydney basin and the National Parks program - protected, and rightly so. The craggy coastline forms surreal shapes as if they were sentinels guarding the ancient reserves that have been thousands of years in the making. The site is popular with campers and bush walkers. Looking down through the coastal bush over clay and sandy bush tracks, one is transported to a wild untamed part of the mid NSW coast. The wind on water and on the adaptably diverse salt bushes have formed a dynamic yet 'still life' of resilience and beauty. This work was painted in the studio - based on studies made plein air, and tries to capture the sharp shifting light and myriad of Australian coastal colours. The path beckons down to a view of the surreally named "Ghosties" Beach where caves and cliffs form these sentinel like figures.