Vibrant exhibition to launch at Lon

The Bellarine’s captivating landscapes have inspired painter Jo Reitze and feature in a new exhibition at Point Lonsdale’s Lon Retreat & Spa.

Ms Reitze will open her exhibition Lon Surrounds on July 7, showcasing works that depict locations in and around the Gill Road property.

The Surrey Hills-based artist began painting for the exhibition in January 2022, following almost two years of pandemic lockdowns.

“I am thankful to owner Claire Gemes for inviting me to be a Lon artist in residence,” Reitze said.

“I love a project, and this provided me with endless new subjects.”

Ms Reitze said she preferred to paint on-location prior to COVID-19 and adapted her artistic process during the pandemic producing works from iPad photographs.

Jo Reitze At Lon 2022, gouache on paper.

“Far from the sea, I obsessively painted or drew the resilient windswept trees at Ocean Grove beach. Their bending to survive gales seemed pertinent in COVID times,” Reitze said.

“By the end of two years I had completed a series of approximately one hundred works big or small, so it was time to move on.”

Jo Reitze at Lon Garden in Spring 2023, oil on linen.

Lon Surrounds is Ms Reitze’s first exhibition not painted on location, but created from several photo shoots around Point Lonsdale.

Ms Reitz’s submission to the 2023 Queenscliff Art Prize, “At Lon”, will also feature at the exhibition.

“Jo Reitze at Lon’s Spring Garden in 2022”, gouache on board.

“My joyous paintings, in oils or gouache, and pen drawings are freely executed, with lyrical mark-making, vibrant colours, diverse patterns and/or strong tonal contrasts. My distinctive style is still evident,” Reitze said.

“Subjects include the magnificent moonahs. I had not depicted these trees before and was fascinated with their twining branches and dense foliage. I captured them in gouache or pen.

“I also painted gouache flower, plant, and tree studies, and drew a series of the windbreak and a pair of fallen branches with untamed vegetation.

“As a painter of gardens, I was delighted to capture Lon’s garden in spring and summer in three major paintings.”