The Art of Andy Reimanis
Murwillumbah
Born and raised in Ballarat, Victoria, an interest in wildlife was fostered while riding my pushbike to school around the shores of Lake Wendouree.
Since moving up to the Tweed region 30 years ago, life has been a blur: co-founding the Tweed Bird Observers and Osprey breeding surveys, initiating the annual Caldera Art Awards which promoted biodiversity values, 'artist-in-residence' at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary and Binna Burra Mountain Lodge, establishing an art gallery in the World Heritage Rainforest Centre, co-ordinating the Green Cauldron Panorama painting (a 16 metre long painting depicting the 360 degree view from the summit of Wollumbin Mt Warning) and moving same twice as a result of Tweed River flood events. Now having established the Caldera Wildscapes Gallery & Studios in the Murwillumbah CBD, I'm content to teach art there one day a week, paint there one day a week, and then head out into the rainforests to explore/paint for the rest of the week.... woohoo! |
Tweed Shield Volcano
Acrylic Twenty million years ago, the outpourings from this mighty volcano began to ease. During its previous three million years of activity, layers of lava flows had built up the mountain to an altitude of over two kilometres resulting in high rainfall, particularly on the coastal side. The high rainfall shaped the volcanic deposits into deep gullies and sharp ridgelines. In this painting, the late afternoon light illuminates the western escarpments and casts deep shadows within the eroding landscape. After painting the volcano, ridgelines and valleys, I struggled to place a strong foreground to give the painting perspective .... a soaring Wedge-tailed Eagle was the answer. |
Tweed River Steamboats - Murwillumbah 1917
Oil Like so many NSW inland towns, Murwillumbah began as a river port. Early photos show several very busy wharves servicing passengers and commerce on both sides of the Tweed River. The early 1900's were the golden years of river transport. After WWII, adequate roads to the coast were being built for motor vehicles. The passenger ferry service to Tweed Heads ceased operating in the 1940's. This painting depicts the four main active wharves, the former bridge spanning the Tweed River (replaced by the current bridge in the 1960's), and the steamships SS Mibbin and SS Booyong. |
Albert's Lyrebird Display Acrylic The Alberts Lyrebird is heard more often than seen since it generally inhabits the deeper gullies of the Qld/NSW border region rainforest reserves (including Border Ranges, Nightcap, Wollumbin, Springbrook and Lamington National Parks). The spectacular displays and songs are usually at their peak during the winter breeding season. Very limited in distribution, the Alberts Lyrebird is an iconic bird species of Australia's Green Cauldron whilst the Superb Lyrebird is found elsewhere along the Great Dividing Range. Having barely seen a fleeting glance of this species in the wild during my years of exploring the forests, it was an absolute privilege to experience the lyrebird's display with all its remarkable vocalisations, mimicry and dance moves. |
Great Egrets Over Clarrie Acrylic In a departure from my usual painting style, I have attempted to convey the essence of the colours of the Tweed in a more impressionistic way. The shire is surrounded by mountain ranges cloaked in a variety of forest types with a rich tapestry of muted colours fading off into the distance. I am especially drawn to the region's waterways which reflect the splendid patterns, colours and movement of the surrounding landscape. A pair of Great Egrets take flight from a wetland which not only supports native species of flora and fauna but also harbours exotic water weeds. |
Remnant Volcano Acrylic From an aerial perspective, the mighty Wollumbin Mt Warning appears as a weather beaten, fragmented landscape. After some 20 million years of erosion by the forces of wind and rain, the summit is now half its former height of two kilometres above sea level. The ring shaped deposition of lava from the central vent is apparent with the late afternoon light illuminating the western escarpments and casting deep shadows in the eroded gullies. Forests within this World Heritage Reserve are dynamic ecosystems with remarkable biodiversity.... from giant rainforest trees on south facing wetter slopes to resilient dry heathland on the summit, and a Wedge-tailed Eagle cruising the thermals. |
Skimming White-eyed Duck Soft pastel The Tweed region is a refuge for waterfowl, more so when inland Australia is in drought. The White-eyed Duck flies swiftly and has its feet set well back for underwater swimming but in order to gain air speed when taking off from water it must skim along the surface for over ten metres. This was one of my first paintings using soft pastels. Artistic licence was used to render the colour of the duck’s plumage. |
Mt Doughboy Sunrise Oil pastel From the Nightcap Saddle (a vantage point on the southern rim of the Tweed erosion caldera) the rhyolite outcrop known as Mt Doughboy emerges from the surrounding landscape. The mighty Wollumbin Mt Warning dominates the distant skyline. Along with Egg Rock in the Numinbah Valley, these outcrops were created as side vents when lava flows formed the Tweed shield volcano some 23 million years ago. Erosion has taken these landmarks down to half their original height and formed Australia's Green Cauldron. Unfortunately this vantage point is now inaccessible from the Tweed side since it is on private land. I was very fortunate to have been invited by the landowner to see one of the most spectacular vistas in Australia. |
Cram's Farm - Clarrie Hall Dam Oil pastel Accessible to the public, Cram's Farm Recreation Area allows for sailing, canoeing, picnicking, bushwalking and superb views to Wollumbin Mt Warning. Its also one of the best bird watching locations in the Tweed Valley. The Clarrie Hall dam wall was completed in 1983 and holds back water flows of the Doon Doon catchment. The reservoir is the major water storage facility for the Tweed Shire. This would also have to be one of the best places in the Tweed for 'plein air' painting, especially when the early morning light offers strong contrasts. |
After the Storm Oil pastel Wollumbin Mt Warning dominates the Tweed landscape. The colours of this spectacular sunset after a summer storm, with mists still rising, reflect the fiery origins of our caldera region. The Tweed River near Murwillumbah is in the foreground, with a pair of cattle egrets winging their way to roost for the night. In a departure from my usual approach to painting 'the mountain' the canvas was rather small (A4 size) hence the texture of the canvas can still be seen in this small print. I never get tired of painting Wollumbin Mt Warning. |
Grey Goshawks over the Borders
Acrylic One of nineteen birds of prey species recorded in Tweed caldera, the Grey Goshawk prefers to live in heavily timbered country, including rainforest margins. Their relatively short wingspan allows for greater manoeuvrability whilst hunting prey near ground level and in the tree canopy. Goshawks pair for life and maintain home territories which they often survey in the early morning. The Border Ranges National Park is home to several pairs. I vividly recall my first encounter with this species west of Bar Mt. some 25 years ago, and vowed to one day paint the scene as it unfolded that early morning....and here it is! |
Tweed River in Flood Oil pastel With cloud and mist shrouding the distant profile of Wollumbin Mt Warning, the Tweed River spills onto the floodplain after days of constant rain. From December to May each year, the chances of significant rainfall and flood events in the Tweed Valley are high. 2017 was especially significant as river levels were the highest ever recorded since European settlement. As artist-in-residence at the Caldera Art Gallery (located adjacent to the river) I had witnessed dramatic floods during the wet season whereby soil and debris from the remnant volcano continue to be washed down the river. |
Osprey with Catch
Acrylic The highly adapted Eastern Osprey feeds almost entirely on fish, with the common mullet being a favoured target species. It plunges into the water with outstretched legs, capturing its prey with strong feet and long talons. The Tweed is fortunate to have many breeding pairs thanks to the construction of special nesting towers and public awareness of the dangers of discarding recreational fishing tackle. Having been involved with monitoring the recovery of this species over the years, it was most gratifying to receive a commission to paint this amazing bird for a client who was equally interested in its welfare. |
Tweed Shield Volcano & Erosion Caldera Comparison: 23 Million Years ago to Present Acrylic As 'resident' artist in the World Heritage Rainforest Centre in Murwillumbah, I endeavoured to produce several interpretive paintings in order to visually make visitors more aware of the fascinating and complex natural history of the Tweed region. This painting, with assistance from Mark Comport, was completed prior to the Green Panorama project in 2012. It now hangs in the Caldera Wildscapes Gallery. |
Hinze Dam Legacy
Acrylic on canvas commissioned by David Waller As seen from a vantage point along Pine Creek Road the early morning light reveals a dramatic landscape of weather beaten trees long since perished as a result of the Hinze Dam upgrade in 2011. Originally constructed in 1976, the waters of the dam quench the considerable thirst of the Gold Coast. Some live trees remain on the waterway's margins and the area's ecosystem now supports diverse fauna such as White-bellied Sea-Eagle, tortoise and freshwater fish. Less welcome is the 'duck weed' which can choke shallower sections of the waterway. The distant Beechmont Plateau remains in a relative time warp with farming communities and villages resisting the need for a McDonalds (or has it?). |
Contact Andy
[email protected] |