Renowned local artist Andrew Hmelnitsky is spending this week painting en plein air in the superb setting of the Tweed Regional Gallery in Murwillumbah. Painting around eight hours a day Andrew is thrilled to be painting such an amazing view.
‘I have become enthralled with the light of the valley. Especially the afternoon light – I’m addicted to those last two hours of atmospheric magic as the sun descends towards the calderas rim, through those tumultuous cloud groupings that layer upon themselves, then split open allowing shafts of light to illuminate the hills and fill the valleys behind as if they were bowls of light.’
Set up amongst his own solo show, The Tweed Valley Weather Report, Andrew is painting the landscapes that surround the gallery.
‘I’ve been inundated with people asking questions,’ he continued.
‘It’s great to have the opportunity to paint the view. As much as the subject is ‘The Greatest Performance on Earth’, so too must my role be in the ordeal. To paint en plein air is to perform at your very best, to put all your energy, focus and technique to the test. To spew your heart and soul out, to battle with your psyche and question your existence in order to produce something of beauty.’
Andrew will be painting daily until August 13 between 9am–4.30pm at the Tweed regional gallery.
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