The Colour of Summer (90 x 90 cm) is a vibrant stand-alone painting created from the rich source material I gathered during my residency at The Acres in 2023–2024. For many months, I sketched weekly in ink and crayon, recording the flowers that bloomed and flourished across the seasons.
The zinnias stood out above all others. They were the only flowers to bloom through the long Queensland summer, their colours so vivid they seemed almost unreal. Always buzzing with bees and alive with movement, they became both a subject and a symbol for endurance, resilience, and joy. I made countless drawings and photographs of these blooms, and I suspect zinnias will remain a theme in my practice for years to come.