Rural Life by Renee
Australia is a place of dichotomy, the city and the bush. Most Australian’s easily and readily identify with “the bush” and the host of characters it is home to, but the vast majority live within a stone’s throw of the coast, in major cities and centres and never experience rural life. This is a great shame as the people, places, scenes and lifestyle is wonderful and rich, sprinkled with characters and new experiences. It is still an integeral part of our Australian identity.
I was born in the city, but never really identified with it. I have always been more at home out of the city, in quiet places like where we now call home on the Atherton Tablelands in North Queensland. We have travelled extensively across Australia and had the good fortune to spend lots of time in the bush, meeting the people that make a home and a living there. My paintings are mostly from photographs that we have taken along the way.
Many include horses as I have had an affinity with these teachers-of-patience-and-humility from a young age. While the age of the working horse has passed in many areas, they are still a common sight across the country and remain part of rural life.
Once the indispensible working team on the farm, the stockman, the dog and the horse. While the horse has largely been replaced with the motorbike, and the dog largely relegated to pet status, this working team still exists in many parts of Australia. Watercolour 380mm x 460mm in recycled timber frame (species unknown - Northern Silky Oak?)
The bond between a stockman and his dog often goes well beyond a simple working relationship, especially with Blue cattle dogs which are famously one-person dogs. Watercolour 230mm x 230mm in recycled timber frame (species unknown – Northern Silky Oak?)
The handling of stock on the Atherton Tablelands by most graziers we have come to know has been a revelation. The cattle are extremely well treated, quiet and easy to handle, borne out of understanding, selective breeding and many hours of patient effort by the grazier. The Atherton Tablelands being a cattle Nirvana of deep rich grass may also help … Watercolour 370mm x 500mm.
Once the indispensible working team on the farm, the stockman, the dog and the horse. While the horse has largely been replaced with the motorbike, and the dog largely relegated to pet status, this working team still exists in many parts of Australia. Watercolour 380mm x 460mm in recycled timber frame (species unknown - Northern Silky Oak?)