Kathryn Ryan Australian Artist: 'Winter Landscapes' Solo Exhibition, Flinders Lane Gallery, Melbourne 2011

Kathryn Ryan
Winter Landscapes
July 19- August 6th
Flinders Lane Gallery, Melbourne

Row of Pines, oil on linen, 137x183cm 2011

South West Winter, oil on paper, 52x72cm 2011

Morning Fog, oil on paper, 52x72cm 2011

The Winter Paddock, oil on linen, 137x183cm

Farm Hedges in Winter & The Winter Paddock, oil on linen 137x183cm 2011

Buachaille Etive Mor, 2010 & Row of Pines, 2011

Row of Pines, & Top Paddock, oil on linen , 137x183cm 2011

Top Paddock, 137x183cm, South West Paddock, 82x61 cm, Farm Windbreaks, 76x102cm 2011

For the last few years I have been privileged to be able to spend time living in the Middle East, amongst a very different culture in Abu Dhabi and the surrounding vast deserts of the UAE. I gained so much from this experience, living within a Muslim country, however made up predominately of expat workers from around the world. It opened my eyes to the many different ways we all live and gave me an opportunity to explore from this region.

States of Grace series no. 9-12, oil on linen 82x61cm 2011

Highland Pines, King House Pines, 61x81cm oil on linen 2010 &

Snow Landscape with Pines 137x183cm 2011

Snow Landscape with Pines, States of Grace series 9-12

States of Grace series 9-12, Top Paddock

South West Hedge, Approaching Fog, Farm Hedges in Winter

From the desert heat, we travelled to Europe’s snow covered winter. The extreme contrast sharpened the intensity of experience and focus of seeing what was around us. The Scottish Highlands covered in snow were breathtaking . These majestic, vast, snow covered landscapes, inspired and captured me. The quality of light reflected all around, the serenity and expansiveness of the highlands provides such a beautiful place for quietness and time to absorb nature’s power

South West Hedge, Approaching Fog

Opening Night

Sally & Karen
Returning to Australia, with time spent in the warmer climate and tropical landscape of QLD, I was again drawn back to the landscape of my upbringing, the South West of Victoria. This area has always provided a sense of home, a landscape to nourish my soul, the familiarity and history I have with it is comforting and grounding.

Martin, Kathryn

Sally, Karen, Kathryn

Theresa, Gabby, Kathryn

Kathryn & Paul, Opening Night

In painting the landscape, I find myself returning again and again to the Western District. My sensitivity, way of seeing, my sense of place and home have been shaped by my years spent surrounded by this vast landscape in all its changing weather and seasons.

The quality of subdued winter light, the serene atmosphere and large open skies, have always drawn me in. There is a particular layout to the land, with cypress trees and hedges planted as windbreaks and boundaries, punctuating the open space of the dairy farm paddocks.

Snow Landscape with Pines, oil on linen, 137x183cm 2011

Kings House Pines, oil on linen 61x81cm 2010

Snow Landscape with Pines, oil on linen 61x81cm 2010

Responding to my experiences with the landscape, I am trying to convey what moves me in my work. My paintings are built up patiently in many layers of glazing and paint over 3 to 4 months. I am always challenged and exploring ways to develop my painting technique. I find a lot of diligence and determination is required to continually explore new ways of achieving the effect I am after in my work. Sometimes the developments are subtle, the ways I am applying paint and glazes to a different focus of the paintings intention.
I am uplifted by my time spent amongst the landscape, whether it is the vastness of the Scottish Highlands or my familiar terrain of the South West of Victoria, they nourish my soul.

Kathryn Ryan July 2010