Leonie Barton’s practice is profoundly informed by her environment and how the complexity of nature is in constant flux. Recently relocating to Wootton, in country NSW, after decades spent in Sydney’s Pittwater area, this series of oil paintings documents a transitional time for the artist, imbued with narratives of change, transformation and resilience. These paintings tell stories of a pivotal time in Leonie’s life through their evolving composition and palette. Having begun the series amongst the suburban landscape of Sydney, busy and controlled compositions embodied the bedlam of urban life. As Leonie’s environment shifted, so did her paintings, metamorphosising into loose, untethered compositions and a colour palette that reflects her new landscape.

Both the power and stillness of the outdoors have informed Leonie’s practice; she works intuitively, discovering shapes, balance and harmony in compositions. Time spent in nature is essential for its ability to ground and allowance to encounter the intimate details of life — slowly.