For the last two weeks I’ve been staying in a cottage overlooking the ocean on the shores of Portsea, Victoria. It’s the most amazing place. Artists have been attracted to this location since the 1860’s. The highlight for me has been the spectacular displays of everchanging light, magnificent skies and ocean. I’ve witnessed clouds rolling in and rain falling over the water in the distance, the gorgeous sunrises and colourful sunsets, the effects of light on the colours at various times of day, all this teaches me much about the choices we make when painting landscapes.

I loved the isolation, the tranquillity, the birds and the views from the gatekeeper’s cottage where I was staying. I was reminded of my fascination with the early morning. Here I had the opportunity to catch every sunrise, witness the glowing light move across the earth, hear the song of the waking birds and experience it all in complete privacy, like my own daily spiritual ritual. This place will always stay with me now, I know I will come back here often, and it will feel like coming home.

Big thank you to Mornington Peninsula Shire and Regional Gallery for making this experience possible.