Who doesn’t love the spectacular views of the Monaro plains. I’ve painted three works of this region and each one left me with indelible memories of the windswept landscape.

On the road to Baroona was a cool ;en plein air’ oil painting study, which I completed in 2023. One painting captures a passing storm in the distance and another a fading rainbow which lit the distant mountains.

The newly formed region is located on land traditionally home to the Ngarigo, Walgalu, Bidawal and Southern Ngunnawal people and covers a diverse geographic area. Growing up in Canberra I’ve driven on the Monaro highway many times and each time it captures my imagination. There is something haunting about those rolling plains and rugged mountain ranges and windswept plains and their ever changing poplar trees.

According to Wikipedia, “Monaro (/məˈnɛəroʊ/ mə-NAIR-oh), once frequently spelt “Manaro”, or in early years of settlement “Maneroo” (an interpretation of an Aboriginal word for big plain, or an Aboriginal word meaning ‘the navel’ or ‘a woman’s breasts’). Located in the NSW region the Monaro highway is one of the most scenic drives you can make. The last time I was captivated by the views was when I was on my way to see my older brother in Bermagui, NSW Australia.

I was compelled to paint these one very large and two smaller studies. The later are for sale in the current – ‘Yarralumla Gallery Exhibition’ 8 Sept – 20 October 2024 at the historic Yarralumla Gallery and Oaks Brasserie. The Gallery is open 7 days a week and has a fabulous garden cafe, adjacent to the Heritage Nursery in Canberra. Shout out to Rhys and Kate for their invitation and support to bring this exhibition to fruition.

People may not know that the actual Monaro is a 285-kilometre-long (177 mi) highway in Victoria, New South Wales, and the Australian Capital Territory. The part I love the most is the section from Cooma to Canberra, obviously as that is where I was inspired to paint these three works.

So hope you can pop down to the Yarralumla Gallery, brilliant spot to view some art, have a coffee or simply explore the gardens, nursery of nearby lake foreshore.