Summer Sun Something’s Begun

A commission piece for my collector - inspired by my other painting called “Summer Day’s, Drifting Away”. This painting feels like a mix of cool confidence and dreamlike escape. The woman (in fact, myself as a self-portrait), half-submerged in water, looks straight at you through reflective sunglasses, giving her an untouchable, self-assured vibe. The colours are vivid and playful - teal blues, splashes of neon green, and pops of yellow flowers swirling in her hair - all blending in a way that suggests movement and light rippling through water.

There’s a sense of weightlessness, as if she’s suspended in a private, tranquil world, yet the intense contrasts in colour keep the image bold and energetic. It’s calm and vibrant at the same time, like the feeling of floating in the ocean while knowing there’s a bustling shore just out of sight.

My original paintings are informed by created and found photographs and film stills. This particular piece was inspired by a collage that I made using imagery I had from personal photographs from when I was a teenager. Having just moved close to Southern Beaches in Fish Creek, Victoria, I felt that I was revisiting my youth - hence the blue glasses and groovy neck choker. It really is a kind of Self-Portrait. I have developed my style using contemporary art techniques such as expressionism and pop art. Named after a line in Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta's song "Summer Nights".

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Kerry Inkster is a distinguished visual artist celebrated for her profound exploration of women’s stories and experiences through mixed media. Her mission is to make art for quiet women who've been told to be smaller, so they can remember they have something powerful and valuable to offer the world. At the heart of her artistic practice lies an unwavering commitment to amplifying narratives that reflect the depth, complexity, and resilience inherent in womanhood.

Through her underwater photography, Inkster captures the transformative relationship between women and water—a powerful symbol of emotion, fluidity, and rebirth. Each photograph invites viewers to engage in introspection while revealing the challenges, triumphs, and intricacies that shape women's identities.

Her painting practice further delves into the complex tapestry of women's lives, utilising colour, form, and texture to embody the myriad emotions that accompany their diverse experiences. The layered canvases serve as a visual language, offering audiences a space for catharsis, inviting them to confront their relationships with themselves, femininity, power, and vulnerability.

Inkster's innovative techniques and emotive narratives foster meaningful dialogue surrounding gender and empowerment, while her commitment to community engagement includes volunteering at local galleries to nurture emerging talent.

A graduate of The South Australian School of Art / University of South Australia, Inkster has established herself as a significant figure in contemporary art, showcasing her work nationally and internationally in esteemed galleries and exhibitions, including an Artist Residency with Comebeck Ltd in Germany. A multiple award finalist, with her work housed in notable collections, she remains a pivotal voice in the art world.

Kerry Inkster currently resides in Fish Creek, Victoria, Australia, where she continues to evolve her artistic journey, dedicated to illuminating women’s voices and experiences.