'Finding My Way' Exhibition at Lon Retreat
By Natalie Martin
'Finding My Way' is a new body of work, 20 watercolour and crayon paintings on paper and panel that local Artist Natalie Martin has created during her residency at Lon Retreat.
"I couldn't be more excited to finally share these pieces with you, they've been a long time in the making."
ALL WORKS ARE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE AT LON RETREAT OR THROUGH NATALIE'S WEBSITE HERE
Natalie Martin is an artist based on Wadawurrung country in Victoria. She works in vibrant watercolour and is particularly fond of native Australian flora, birdlife and the landscape. She feels a deep connection to being outdoors and observing and learning from nature, working en plein air is a significant part of her practice. Seasonal shifts, daily rhythms, weather and change inform her creative process. Working from her studio at Ashmore Arts overlooking the beautiful Spring Creek valley in Torquay, there’s an endless source of inspiration within reach.
Exhibition is open daily from Friday 15th November 2024 and closes Sunday 5th January 2025
You're welcome to visit any time during Lon's opening hours. Drop in to see the artworks and whilst you're there treat yourself to a massage or a dip in the mineral pool.
All artworks in this collection are available to purchase online through Natalie’s website at https://nataliemartin.com.au
1 Day Art Retreat
3 January, 2025
Lon and Natalie have teamed up to create a 1 Day Art Retreat to kick off the new year with a deeply restorative and relaxing day designed to completely fill your cup.
“My first journey to the moonah forest on Lon’s property completely captivated me and it’s from this experience that ‘Finding My Way’ sprung. The walk itself felt like a little adventure with awe and discovery around every corner. Spending time amongst the ancient trees had a visceral effect, calming and contemplative. I left feeling grounded and inspired.
Through the process of the work the trail also became a perfect little metaphor for navigating my way through life, especially after a testing few years. Discovering new versions of myself, stumbling along, feeling a little lost, growing and learning, finding myself in the weeds and working my way out.
The body of work came together using watercolour and crayon on paper and panels. Granulating pigment is a subtle but consistent baseline in the underpainting of each work. I enjoyed the grit and imperfection that brought to the surface, it reminded me of the feeling of dust and salt on my skin on the walk. I played with the softness of watercolour in conjunction with more raw, hand-drawn elements with opaque crayon to build a language of boldness, movement and curiosity.
Working from photos, sketches and memory a colourful, fluid representation of the forest emerged, dancing the line of reality and dream. I used various aspects and perspectives to evoke the ranging emotions of the experience as well as changing light and times of day.
Having the moonah forest at the heart of everything felt like I was let in on a very special secret.”
