East Coast: The Vertical Tide

East Coast is a vibrant, mixed-media aerial study that reimagines the Australian shoreline through a bold, vertical perspective. Using a combination of rich blues, deep purples, and fine pen-work, I have captured the rhythmic pulse of the ocean as it meets the sand. From a bird’s-eye view, the waves appear to climb vertically up the composition toward a massive, wedge-shaped cliff that anchors the end of the beach. Wispy, meandering wafts of clouds drift across the sky, adding a sense of movement to the stillness of the coast.

The most distinctive feature of this work is its presentation. To move away from the traditional barrier of glass, I have sealed the paper and pen-work under a hand-applied wax varnish. This gives the colors a deep, saturated glow—especially the purples and blues—and provides a soft, matte finish that is both tactile and protective. Influenced by Aerial Cartography and Modernist Topography, this piece is an exploration of the "No Frills" beauty of the coast, where the raw materials of the work are as much a part of the story as the landscape itself

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About the Artist: Jamie Congdon
The Story & The Drive
Born in Williamstown, Melbourne, Jamie Congdon was one of six children raised by his mother, Margaret, after his father was tragically lost at sea when Jamie was just an infant. Now a long-time resident of Queensland, Jamie has spent the last 35 years in Brisbane and Redcliffe, balancing his roles as a father of five, a taxi driver, and a deeply dedicated visual artist.

Jamie describes his creative drive as nearly obsessive. When he isn't behind the wheel, he is immersed in the Redcliffe Art Society Portrait Group or in his studio. His work is a "visual diary"—a candid, ongoing story of his own life, focusing on interiors and the quiet moments of his daily routine.

The Philosophy
Jamie’s practice is refreshingly direct. He avoids political, ethical, or moral agendas, believing instead that the canvas is a fresh page ready for a personal narrative. He operates under the ethos of Paul Cézanne: "True art is when the artist inserts his personality into his work." For Jamie, painting is about honesty, ambition, and the proactive pursuit of capturing one's own truth.

Education & Experience
Jamie’s creative energy is backed by high-level formal training and a massive body of work:

Master of Screen Production (Animation)

Bachelor of Fine Art – Queensland College of Art (QCA), South Bank

23 Solo Exhibitions hosted throughout his career

4-time RADF Grant recipient

3-time participant in the prestigious '15 Artists' annual exhibition

Jamie has exhibited extensively across regional galleries, including Redcliffe, Caboolture, Strathpine, and Rockhampton.

Recent Achievements & Awards
Jamie is a frequent finalist and winner in some of Australia’s most respected art prizes:

2025 – Winner, Moreton Bay Outdoor Art Prize

2024 – Winner, Exhibition of Excellence

2023 – Winner, Moreton Bay Art Prize

2022 – Winner (Still Life) & 2nd Overall, Exhibition of Excellence

2022 – Finalist, Brisbane Portrait Prize (My Flatmate)

2022 – Finalist, Salon Des Refusés (Choices, Choices)

2021 – Semi-Finalist, Doug Moran National Portrait Prize

2021 – Finalist, Salon Des Refusés (Brisbane Portrait Prize)

2021 – 1st in Still Life & 3rd Overall, Exhibition of Excellence

2020 – Finalist, Brisbane Portrait Prize

2018 – Finalist, Lyn McCrea Memorial Drawing Prize

2016 – Semi-Finalist, Doug Moran National Portrait Prize