By Aaron Cordy
PLEIN Air Art was the French impressionist style that became popular in the 19th century. It is also the style Kialla West artist Raymond Hill has made his own, inspired by Australia’s landscape and those he has seen around the world.
Don’t Fence Me In, is Raymond Hill’s new show featuring a selection of his breathtaking plein air paintings displayed at the Kyabram Town Hall Gallery until Thursday, July 31.
The exhibition consists of 40 paintings of both his stunning Australian landscapes and his striking paintings of his trips to Europe, Canada, the USA, Japan, the UK, Ireland and Italy.
Ray began painting when he was 17 inspired by the Beatles’ song ‘Fool on the Hill,’ before his love for the Australian bush turned his hand to the plein air style, painting on location, and producing works true to the colour of the surroundings. But it wasn’t until a tragedy, Raymond turned his passion into a career.
“I’ve always been doing dabbling and painting when I was full-time building. And then we go away and usually get frustrated because I couldn’t paint,” said Raymond.
“I was managing a building company at the time, so I threw the towel in there and went full-time painting. Then from that, things just seemed to happen.”
Travel has inspired Raymond’s work as much as the Australian landscape, with overseas tutoring other artists, creating networks and continuing to develop his art with new dimensions and connections to the land that inspires his work.
As well as creating his own beautiful works Raymond does Plein Air painting lessons at his Kialla West Studio. For more information about these lessons or his artwork email raymond@raymondhill.com.au or call 0407 837 466.
Don’t Fence Me In will be on display at the Kyabram Town Hall Gallery, 199 Allen Street Kyabram, Monday to Saturday from 10am to 4pm until Thursday, July 31.
