A natural kind of art

Moyra Le Blanc Smith has a passion for painting the Australian bush.

Whether it’s the beautiful greens of the ferns and paddocks of the Otway Ranges, the turquoise water and creamy coloured sand of Australia’s beaches, the reds, ochres and soft greens of the outback, or gnarled old gum trees clinging to life on a creek bank, all are constant sources of inspiration for Moyra.

The main goal for her work is to highlight the fragility of the natural world and the need to preserve it for future generations.

By painting beautiful, natural subjects, Moyra hopes she can bring awareness for the environmental concerns facing Australia.

“Most of us lead crazy, busy, lives and it’s sometimes difficult to take time out to spend in natural places,” she said.

“My wish to give the viewers of my work a place of calm and beauty by owning paintings relating to them, either in their homes or places of work. I hope the paintings will take them to a peaceful state of mind.”

Painting in direct response to the environment whilst surrounded by the bush or on the beach, Moyra finds that the experience of painting, the bird calls, warm sunshine, breezes or sound of buzzing insects is somehow incorporated into the physical painting.

She can frequently be found on the beaches or bushland of the Bellarine Peninsula with her paintbox, painting en plein air (outdoors).

Moyra’s home gallery is located on the Bellarine Peninsula, with her works found at the Ocean Grove Neighbourhood House during the Arts Trail.

For more information, head to moyraleblancsmith.com.