Created as part of my 2023–2024 residency at The Acres, Symphony of Summer draws on months of weekly sketchbook studies. Most of these began as ink drawings, with crayon marks to note colour, building a rich bank of observational material for my studio work.
That summer, the Queensland heat and rain were unrelenting — and yet the zinnias thrived. They were the only flowers to withstand the season, bursting into outrageous shades of pink, orange, red, and lime green. At times, their vividness felt almost unreal. I photographed them endlessly, drew them from every angle, and watched bees, butterflies, and dragonflies turn them into a living festival. This painting captures that season’s energy — a true symphony of summer.