Robert Brownhall
Artist Statement
I have a very simple approach to painting. I like to paint the things of interest in my city, and the nearby coastline, realistically. The lighting and colours in my work are from my imagination. I am always looking at the changing light of day and night on architecture and the landscape. When working from a line drawing only there is always a distortion of light and colour, this happens naturally and accidentially. If i see an area working successfully I leave it, other areas need to be worked over and over until they "sit right" with the mood im trying to create.
I have always tried to paint my human characters in a natural and realistic way too, fitting them to the chosen light of the background. The figures in my paintings have always been fictional. I realised a long time ago that for flexibility i would have to learn to "make them up". As i match them to a background they seem to tell a story, and when it is interesting and convincing enough, i stop.
The colours of the afternoon, dusk and night have always fascinated me. From my verandah on a hill behind Brisbane i watch the landscape and sky change from warm yellows to the deep blues of dusk, then the orange and red city lights begin to appear. I always choose, before i start, whether a painting will be mainly cool (blues and greens etc.) or warm (yellows, reds, browns etc.) I think the contrast between warm and cool colours in a painting is an interesting one.
Painting for me is a meditation. I think the "refining" and "perfecting" processes that happen when making an artwork are good for the mind and the soul. I have noticed that many of the greatest artists seem to live a very long time, perhaps it is painting that keeps them going.