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Jeanne Cotter
Goulburn River, Victoria
Soft Pastel
This painting is my response to the quiet rhythm of the Australian bush—a place where stillness is never truly silent. Standing by a river like this, I’m drawn to the gentle movement of water as it reflects the sky, constantly shifting yet calming. I wanted to capture that sense of place: the sounds of birdcall, and the soft, continuous flow of the water.
Working in soft pastels allowed me to build the atmosphere through layered colour. The ability to blend the pigment directly on to the paper softens the edges, merges sky and water, and creates the hazy depth of the distant trees. I used this technique to echo the quietness of the scene to express not just what the landscape looks like, but how it feels and sounds to stand within it.
Size: 65 × 87 cm
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About Jeanne Cotter
Working primarily in soft pastels, I am drawn to the immediacy and expressive exploration of the medium. Each piece is a personal response to the beauty I see in native Australian flora and landscapes, especially the wildflowers that flourish in our environment. I am endlessly inspired by the interplay of light and colour, and I strive to create works that invite viewers to pause, zoom in, reflect, and connect with the natural world. My creative journey has evolved alongside my life experiences. Art has always been a grounding force for me—a way to express gratitude, wonder, and joy.
