Painting,
Camp X-Ray

This piece was commissioned by SMEAC. This painting was donated for auction at their gala event held in October 2021.

Oil painting on canvas (152 x 122 cm) depicting SMEAC Camp X-Ray in action on the shore of Ewen Maddock dam, Landsborough, Sunshine Coast, Queensland. I visited the campsite prior to commencing this painting and spent several hours there just “soaking in” the place, including a guided tour by Tim Cuming. During the site tour, Tim described the future plans for the camp and the mission they planned to achieve. Tim’s enthusiasm and optimism for this great project to help our support our veterans were highly contagious! One of my favourite quotations for an artist is “paint what you feel, not what you see”. My goal was to capture Tim’s enthusiasm and optimism into the painting, so I used bold colours and lots of activity to convey the high energy level Camp X-Ray will have when up and running.

The Camp X-Ray site seems to blend into the natural environment around the beautiful Ewen Maddock dam. I was left breathless by the brilliant blue sky, the variety of massive eucalyptus trees towering above me, the vibrant shades of green in the foliage and myriad bird species chattering away. A stroll along one of the many bush tracks opened up yet another layer to this awesome place; lush ferns, native plants and flowers, lizards, butterflies... I was reluctant to leave this magical place. The beauty, peace and tranquillity were breathtaking.

I hope the viewer of this artwork will appreciate the magnificence of The Camp X-Ray site and the possibilities it holds for the future.

I hope the viewer will “feel” the high energy level, enthusiasm, optimism and not just “see” the elements in this painting. If that is the case, my goal as an artist will have also been achieved. Best wishes and success for the SMEAC team, Camp X-Ray, the volunteers and all of the Veterans it will help and support in their journeys.