Kathryn Ryan
New Paintings 2012

Winter landscapes of South West Victoria, misty and foggy, rain soaked paddocks, cows sheltering under cypress hedges planted as windbreaks. Weather beaten old pines and newly planted cypress trees, undulating paddocks opening up to vast skies and views to the horizon. An evocative, subdued and quiet landscape. The light breaking through clouds, and the glow of a fading evening light, the rise of light in to the day, the last light before nightfall… Light paints the landscape for me… the differing mood and contemplative mystery enhanced by the changing light.
Landscape has always been an energizing source, a place to go quietly, to contemplate, a place to re charge and be energized by nature. To look, see, absorb and feel the surrounding elements, the way the light falls and weather changes.
I am currently living in Dubai, a world away from the Australian landscape which has inspired much of my work. In time I have found that I have continued to be drawn to the landscapes I know best.  Accentuated by the distance and longing , I have found that continuing to paint these landscapes from afar has continued and strengthened my connection to them.  From this very different way of life and surroundings, I have been able to retreat in to my studio here in Dubai and go within to these landscapes, remembering and focusing on the elements that have captured my interest and inspired my artwork. It is a grounding experience to be reconnected in this way to the landscape when I am surrounded by a vastly different urban landscape and culture in the UAE.
 The new urban landscape of Dubai has inspired much photography from the old Arabic heritage buildings to the re interpreted Arabic style within the new parts of Dubai. Again it is the light that inspires me here, a brilliant sun soaked light all day, through to the stunning, mood and mystery created by the use of lighting on all the buildings and street features in the night.

Kathryn Ryan, Dubai, September 2012