The Deluge: Ochre Patchwork

The Deluge: Ochre Patchwork is a birds-eye exploration of the Australian interior following a significant weather event. The landscape is rendered in a "dirty" ochre yellow, divided into a patchwork of fields and scrubland. A dark, meandering river cuts a jagged path through the center, serving as the lifeblood of the composition. Above, heavy clouds are shown "rolling out," suggesting the clearing skies immediately following a massive rainfall.

Technically, this work bridges the gap between fine art and architectural drafting. I used a Rotring pen to meticulously outline the landforms, providing a sharp, graphic contrast to the painterly ochre tones. The work is created on paper, but has been mounted onto a solid wood panel and sealed with a satin wax varnish. This presentation eliminates the need for glass, allowing the satin sheen to highlight the fine pen-work and the "dirty" richness of the yellow hues. It is an honest, tactile map of resilience and the changing face of the land

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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