“Cliffs of Moher,” 2026

James Brown

“Cliffs of Moher,” 2026

Oil on canvas

Size: 49.8 x 39.5 cm

This painting originates from a snapshot I took during a bus trip to see the iconic Cliffs of Moher (Aillte an Mhothair) on the southwestern edge of the Burren region in County Clare, Ireland. While the initial inspiration was rooted in that view, I suspect there is more creative interpretation than strict topographical accuracy in this piece. 

My focus was not so much on the dramatic 200-metre drop from the cliff edge to the tumultuous waves below. Instead, I was captivated by the stark contrast between the unyielding, solid wall of the cliffs and the raw power of the waves crashing against it. There’s a dynamic tension—a power play—that mesmerized me and became the essence of this work. 

“Yorkshire Dales at Skipton-Buckden,” 2026

James Brown

“Yorkshire Dales at Skipton-Buckden,” 2026

Oil on canvas

Size (diameter of unframed canvas): 49.5 cm

This painting emerged from a quick photograph I took during a bus trip through the Yorkshire Dales. What surprises me is that I’ve revisited this same image multiple times—each time exploring different formats, from square and oblong to this circular version.

While the terrain of a tree-lined ridge may not epitomise the quintessential landscape of North Yorkshire, upon reflection, I see echoes of the terrain I find intriguing in Australia: sparsely spaced trees, sharp tonal contrasts, and touches of pinkish earth tones underpinning lush green foliage. 

“Orakoy Mosque, Turkiye,” 2025

James Brown

“Orakoy Mosque, Turkiye,” 2025

Pastel and oil on wood panel

Size: 35.5 x 27.8 cm

Based on a photo from a recent trip, this painting began as a pastel drawing but was completed in oil to enhance the richness of the colours.

“Miena, Tasmania”, 2025

James Brown

“Miena, Tasmania,” 2025

Oil on wood panel

Size: 50 x 39.8 cm

Inspired by a 2022 photograph of scrubland on the outskirts of Miena, Tasmania, near the southern end of Great Lake in the Central Highlands, I created this painting. The landscape's inherent beauty caught my attention, particularly the interplay of muted grey tones punctuated by vibrant tufts of green grass and exposed ochre earth.  The slender gum trees, their bark shedding and branches reaching elegantly skyward, also held a strong visual appeal.  These spindly forms, with their sinuous lines, resonated with the organic flow and rhythm I sought to capture.

“Magpie Geese in a Grove of Mangoes, Townsville”, 2023

James Brown

“Magpie Geese in a Grove of Mangoes, Townsville”, 2023

Oil on wood panel

Size: 40.6 x 50.9 cm

On my morning walk with Isabelle, we often follow a path through a shaded grove of mango trees, a haven for local wildlife. Wallabies bound through the undergrowth, magpie geese bob their heads inquisitively, and the ubiquitous Australian white ibis, or "bin chickens" as we call them, slowly plod through the leaf litter. The cool, dappled light filtering through the canopy, combined with the ankle-deep layer of fallen twigs and leaves, transforms the walk into a delightful game of discovery. There's always something new to see.

This painting captures the essence of that moment.  Filtered sunlight makes the carpet of fallen leaves glow and the colour contrasts with the magpie geese with their heads tilting and bobbing as they forage for mangoes. Their world, contained within the shadowed grove, feels both serene and intensely alive.