Dust, Ants and Awe: Painting the Broken Back Range

I thought it was about time I ventured up into the mountains and painted from the top. The Broken Back Range is part of my everyday view—its presence anchors me. It's shaped so much of my inspiration, so it felt only natural to climb into its folds, exploring the ridges, crevasses, foliage, and the quiet, powerful essence of the place.

Over the past few months, I've been deep in that ancient, majestic landscape, creating a new body of work for my upcoming exhibition at Muswellbrook Regional Arts Centre, opening May 8.

These mountains are relatively untouched, aside from the occasional fire trail. They hold a spiritual weight, a kind of sacred hush. Sitting on a rock at the edge of an escarpment, I felt something timeless—a connection that defies words. That feeling made its way into the work.

But it wasn’t all golden light and breathtaking vistas! There were bugs, ants, dust, scratchy plants, and more than a few sketchy ridgelines. Every one of those moments—the discomfort, the awe, the stillness—has found its way into the canvas.

The paintings are layered, loose, expressive. There's energy in the brushwork, bold colour in the marks. I’m not trying to romanticise this landscape—it doesn’t need that. It holds its own truth. My goal was simply to be present, respond honestly, and let nature lead.

It was a truly special experience, and I can't wait to share the finished suite of work with you.

A preview catalogue will be sent out to my mailing list before the show opens—if you’d like to receive one, you can sign up [here].

Yours in art,
Bec xoxo

Painting along the Broken Back Mts.
Photo: Ryan Jenkins