Ashes to Ashes – Australian Bushfire Painting is a striking realist acrylic painting that captures the raw force of an Australian bushfire. Painted as part of my Bushfire Series, the work reflects not only the beauty and power of nature, but also the vulnerability of the communities who live in its path.
This series was born from personal experience. The Canberra fire of 2003 and the Black Summer fires of 2019–2020 threatened my own family across three regions of NSW. The fear, grief, and helplessness we felt during those days compelled me to paint — as an act of healing, but also as a warning.
The painting immerses the viewer in the flames and heat, urging compassion for those who endure these disasters. It also raises questions about climate change, government response, and the future we are leaving for the next generation.
My realist approach gives this painting a visceral presence — the scorched tones, the fiery reds, and the engulfing smoke are all rendered with precision. As a collector’s piece, Ashes to Ashes is both an artwork and a statement, speaking to one of the most urgent challenges of our time.