The Victorian coast, and Wilsons Promontory in particular have always been the focus of my paintings. In the manner of the Australian Impressionists, I like to use rich colouration and lively brushwork to portray the light, form and atmosphere of this dramatic coast.
I am drawn to painting places and scenes that I have a strong emotional connection with, and so it is only natural that the majority of my paintings are of the bays and headlands of the Prom’s eastern coast. There are such varied landscapes within a short walk of the campsite – lichen covered rocks and deep tannin-stained pools to the bottom of Tidal River, the sweeping beaches bounded by weathered boulder stacks at Whisky and Picnic Bays, and the clear turquoise inshore waters merging with the ultramarine depths of Bass Strait.
I began drawing in primary school and first exhibited pen & ink drawings of maritime scenes and native botanical studies in 1990. After joining the Victorian Artists Society and exhibiting my first oil paintings in 1992, I have regularly entered works in the Camberwell Art Show, Victorian Artists Society shows and various annual exhibitions since.
My first solo exhibition of 32 paintings of Wilsons Promontory was held at the Victorian Artists Society Galleries in East Melbourne in 1999. This was followed by a second solo exhibition of 30 works of coastal scenes in 2001, and a joint exhibition of Seascapes in March 2002. All three shows were successful with over 2/3 of all works sold.
My most recent exhibition – Wilsons Promontory and Recent Travels – was also held at the Victorian Artists Society in March 2015. It was incredibly well received and attended, with over 60% of of the 47 oil paintings and pencil drawings sold.
I have been a finalist in the AME Bale (oil painting) award on three occasions, and won the Best Painting in Show under $400 at the Camberwell Rotary Art Show, 2007, and a Highly Commended at the San Remo Art Show, 2011.
I am not currently exhibiting work in any galleries, preferring to organise viewings and sales from my own studio in Northcote, Melbourne, Australia. If you wish to purchase or enquire about any of the works on this site, or would like to organise a viewing, please email me at enquiry@neilmoorhouse.com.au
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