The Art of Jan Bracher
Tyalgum
By comparison to many people, I lead a very fortunate life indeed.
My comfortable home is nestled within forests and pastures overlooking the magnificent Tweed caldera, and, I have family and friends that I cherish. I love my work as a psychologist since it is inspiring to be part of each of my client’s journey. But over-work is inevitable with my practice and I often feel my world contract as a result. Just getting through the day becomes my sole focus. This is where art is MY therapy. When in front of the canvas, my world expands again. With each painting session I connect deeply with the beauty that is part of the natural environment. This helps me rebalance and my work practice resumes its correct place. But I want my art to be not only for me but also for others to enjoy. Being a traditional 'realistic' painter allows me to depict scenes that are easily understood. I paint what I find inspirational around me and hope people will also feel the beauty I try to depict. My goal is to play a small part in inspiring others to respect and cherish the natural environment that supports us all. |
Hoop Pines in the Mist Soft pastel Hoop Pines, Araucaria cunninghamii, can be seen silhouetted against rising mists on a precipitous slope at the eastern edge of the Border Ranges National Park. Being a large native coniferous tree, it has an important role in rainforest ecosystems by hosting a variety of flora and fauna. Historically, extensive logging depleted most natural stands, however the species continues to thrive in protected areas in the region's World Heritage listed Gondwana Rainforests. As I sit on my patio at home, I can look up into this distant scene of mist covered rainforests and their remarkable diversity. I also hope that humans worldwide can balance their demands upon forests by regenerating depleted areas. |
River Life - Headwaters of the Oxley River Soft pastel The Oxley River is formed by the confluence of a number of small creeks (including Tyalgum Creek) flowing down from the western slopes of the Tweed caldera rim. Eventually, the Oxley joins the Tweed River at Byangum near Murwillumbah. These smaller headwater creeks are an example of a vital localised ecosystem. This involves biotic (living) interactions as well as abiotic (nonliving) physical and chemical interactions, with good water flow being the key to maintaining a healthy ecosystem through oxygenation. I thoroughly enjoyed painting this stream-bed with its worn and random shaped rocks - some rounded, some sharp, some large, some small, and some with cracks. This artwork project took many, many hours of patient perseverance. |
Afternoon Walk - Butlers Road Soft pastel The Tweed caldera region is one of great natural beauty and, from an artist's perspective, totally inspirational. The varied shapes and textures of the forested escarpments are often brightly illuminated by plays of sunlight producing dramatic effects. These are are sometimes subdued by the rolling mists during the wet season. The adjoining farmlands and rolling hills create forest edges which are so important for wildlife. As I walked with my dogs late one summer’s afternoon, I reflected upon this scene and was so grateful to be part of it. With gratitude I feel connected to this landscape and am motivated to looking after it and promoting its preservation. |
Textures of Nature - Oxley River Headwaters Soft pastel This section of a small un-named stream is very near where I painted the turbulent 'River Life' scene last year. This time the stream is at peace with very little water flow. As a result, oxygen levels in the water are low with associated reduction in diversity of living organisms. The surrounding trees are reflected in the water along with rocks worn smooth and randomly shaped by erosion forces. To paint the reflections in particular was a major undertaking since the artwork itself is reasonably large. |
Tawny Frogmouth - with Attitude Soft pastel These nocturnal birds are not owls but are more closely related to nightjars and kookaburras. The Tawny Frogmouth has been called a bio-sentinel species since it serves as a barometer of environmental health. It has adapted well to human habitation but seems to be paying a very high price for that adaptation with a high mortality rate in urban areas. They are often killed or injured on the roads as they fly down to seize moths attracted by streetlights. Fortunately, they remain abundant throughout their range including the Tweed. This particular individual was 'caught' napping during the day and expressed a degree of 'attitude' which I endeavoured to convey in my painting. |
Wollumbin Cloudscape Oils The Wollumbin Mt Warning summit, as seen from the north, appears to have a distinct overhang. The mountain has a haunting and inescapable presence within the Tweed region. This 'cloudscape' suggests impending summer storms which contribute to the yearly average rainfall in my nearby area (Tyalgum) of over 1600 mm. This rain is integral to supporting the remarkable biodiversity of the Tweed caldera region. This was my first journey into the use of oils as a painting medium....a big departure from my usual medium of soft pastels. |
Contact Jan
janbracher@me.com |