Maheno En Pleine

Approx 1000x800mm.

The Maheno was washed ashore on Fraser Island about 75 years ago but because of it's iron construction, much of it remains. Many parts of the ship are easily identifiable, and even some of the wooden deck is intact. This was painted on the beach at about 2pm...not an easy task with such a large canvas and 15 knots of breeze! The sun highlights the rich ochres of the iron and timber. I love the deep colours and their contrast to the pale sky beyond. Not everyone's ideal subject, but the abstractions within the painting make people stop and look.