“Landscape with Figures”, 1977

James Brown

“Landscape with Figures”, 1977

Acrylic with pencil on Arches paper backed on canvas

Size: 42.5 x 60 cm

Revisiting this painting, created almost five decades ago, offers a fascinating glimpse into my development. As a part-time instructor at Brisbane's College of Art, I was on the cusp of a significant career change. Just a year later, in 1978, I secured a full-time position at Townsville College of TAFE. This seemingly straightforward piece held a pivotal role in this transition, as it caught the eye of the College of Art's head, ultimately contributing to my appointment the following year.

More than just a painting, it represents a synthesis of artistic influences that deeply shaped my practice. Drawing inspiration from three key figures—Godfrey Miller, John Passmore and Ian Fairweather—I sought to absorb their distinctive approaches. I absorbed Miller's structured layering of strokes and rhythms, and his evocative use of spatial ambiguity. Passmore's direct handling of paint, and interplay of masses, became integral to my process. Finally, I adopted Fairweather's limited palette of earthy tones and his almost calligraphic brushstrokes. This painting, therefore, stands as a testament to the amalgamation of these influences, a critical juncture in my artistic evolution.