Back roads inspire artist’s landscapes

It is very much the journey rather than the destination that excites Drysdale’s Linda Gallus on her regular country drives around Victoria.

Deliberately taking the back roads, Linda looks for scenes that capture her imagination. It may be the structures, light effects, animals, birds or stories that appeal.

She begins to form a visual summary, sorting through what she desires to express or capture in a painting and the challenges of the scene.

Returning several times to a favoured spot, Linda will also observe the dynamic features in the landscape or construct elements of her own, allowing the painting to evolve.

“The final paintings are not realistic representations of what I originally saw but a ‘Tableau’ – constructed reality, much like a theatrical set where previously unrelated elements come together to tell a story,” Linda explains.

Linda Gallus is the daughter of an architect and this also influences her eye for line, pattern and interest in historical buildings with a story to tell.

Her strong fascination with the past allows her to dig a little deeper and add this trace to her work.

Current paintings have featured Little Creatures Brewery in the fading light of day, Leura Park Winery vineyard, the Art Deco Eastern Beach, the local salt works and further afield at the incredible Stick Shed near Murtoa, an old emergency grain storage building on the National Heritage List, which is like a cathedral of light and columns.

As an artist, she is going from strength to strength.

Following a 2020 Exhibition at Geelong’s National Wool Museum, where they acquired two of her paintings, Linda is now in line for a Solo Exhibition of works at Mildura Regional Art Gallery in 2023.

This will be inspired by Sydney Nolan’s paintings of the Dimboola region.

Country Victoria, Geelong and the Bellarine Peninsula, along with Linda’s wonderful imagination, have inspired all her recent works that can be seen in her upcoming solo exhibition at The Hive Ocean Grove.

Opening on Saturday, February 5. All are welcome from 2-4pm at 1/41 Smithton Grove, Ocean Grove.