Arts
FRESH Perspective By Andrea Louise Thomas Photos Yanni
M
ount Martha artist, Liam Waldie, moved to the Mornington Peninsula from Brisbane’s Bohemian West End two years ago. He was immediately struck by the Peninsula’s moody rugged coastline, verdant rolling hills, big skies, stands of windswept trees, hidden surf breaks and beautiful unspoiled beaches.
He sees it all with the eyes and imagination of an artist whilst bringing a traveller’s enthusiastic wonder of discovery in a new place into the bargain. Waldie puts his own unique spin on iconic Peninsula locations, bringing a fresh perspective to familiar places using bold colours in an expressive, evocative style. His paintings are based in experience. He draws on site and sometimes paints en plein air (provided his materials are not blown away!) “I can’t just use photographs, I need to be there,” he says.
E ssence
34 | PENINSULA
November 2019
He wants to create a body of work that captures the Peninsula's essence. “There’s a painting in every footstep! I want to give my impression of the Mornington Peninsula as a newcomer. I want to share that,” he says. Waldie’s grandfather was an artist who specialised in watercolour. He had an art studio at home and it was there that young Liam made his first drawing. In fact, that very same drawing table is in his own art studio today. Seeing his grandfather’s drawings and paintings sparked his interest in art. Then, at high school, he had a teacher who recognized his talent. She mentored him and encouraged him to become a professional artist. continued next page...