Sydney The Rocks

The Rocks holds a pivotal place in Sydney's vibrant history, marking the spot where modern Sydney sprang to life with the arrival of European settlers in 1788. Initially inhabited by convicts, this historic area quickly became the foundation of the new colony’s development. Today, The Rocks has transformed into a bustling entertainment precinct, juxtaposing its rich colonial past with a lively contemporary culture. Nestled beside the spectacular Sydney Harbour, this district offers visitors a unique glimpse into Australia’s heritage while enjoying the dynamic atmosphere of its markets, museums, and street performances, all set against the backdrop of one of the world’s most iconic waterfronts.

This oil painting was one of my most challenging because the different shapes and shades of color made me constantly mix the oil paint and let it dry for the next steps. I did love the process, however it took longer to finish than I thought.
This version is on canvas, which is unsual for my work as i prefer the smoother finish of wooden panels. Panels also allow me to go into greater detail whilst canvas can lose some when rendering the painting. But this turned out beautifully nonetheless and I'll be painting more large canvas paintings in the future. All my paintings are framed in my studio.
Sydney Rocks!

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Hi, my name is Jori Poutanen. I was born in Finland and have spent half my life in Australia. I now live in Cairns, in tropical North Queensland, surrounded by lush rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef – an inspiring place to raise a young family and to paint.
I am an oil painter who also enjoys working in charcoal. I paint the natural beauty around me the way I see and feel it, often experimenting with different techniques and new ways of using oil paint to capture light, depth, and atmosphere.
Art runs in my family. My father and uncle in Finland were both artists in their own way. My uncle was a professional artist and served as a World War II TK draftsman, “holding a rifle in one hand and a pencil in the other,” documenting life on the front lines. He carried many stories that never needed words – they lived in his drawings. My father was a sailor who painted offshore whenever he found the time. Watching them work when I was young sparked my own passion for painting.
As Finns, we don’t tend to talk too much; we prefer to let the paintings speak for themselves. I try to do the same. My work is simply my way of showing the world as I experience it, and I hope you enjoy what you see.
All my oil paintings are created on either wood panel, MDF panel, or canvas. I prepare every surface myself using a marble-dust gesso made with my own special recipe, and I work exclusively with high-quality oil paints to ensure lasting, vibrant results. Each painting is framed as shown in the images.
You can also follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joripoutanenart