Paterson Sunrise – SOLD

Paterson Sunrise 30cm x 40cm Original Oil on Canvas Board by John Bradley

In this painting John has used an “Artist’s S” which is the river leading your eye towards the focal point being the farm house and barn, to create distance. This linked with stunning reflections and light extending from the water in the foreground right up into the glowing sky high above the Paterson Valley thus giving the feeling of enormous depth of field. Paterson River flows past the village of Paterson which was named after Lt. Paterson who was the Governor Surveyor of the colony, who first came to this district in 1801 looking for good agricultural land. Paterson is just a short journey from Maitland. Once paddle steamers rippled the water at what was a thriving river port. Paterson is a tiny but attractive little hamlet settled amidst mountains on the Paterson River which has its source in Barrington Tops to the north. The main road and train line twist through this village which is located 175 km north of Sydney and 18 km north of Maitland. As with so many colonial settlements, timber cutters, after local supplies of red cedar, followed in the footsteps of the explorers and surveyors. Indeed, the Hunter River, into which the Paterson River flows, was then known as the Cedar Arm due to the abundance of timber.
The upper reaches of the Paterson River are well stocked with fish such as Australian Bass. The cold waters flowing from Barrington Tops part of the National Park are pristine with their clear running water and ideal for cold-water species. This delightful painting shows stunning use of light, structure, perspective and balance to produce a wonderful scene with enormous depth and dimension. This visually striking painting has been professionally executed with masterful use of colour and tone designed to stir the heart and lift the soul.

John is recognised as one of Australia’s most versatile artists, able to accurately paint Australian landscapes, seascapes, 20th century street scenes, night scenes, sunsets and sunrises, misty mornings, Blue Mountains valleys, locomotives, aircraft, lighthouses and ships.
Working in oils, John’s techniques range from traditional realist work through to impressionistic works, with broad brush strokes and palette knife techniques. John is largely self-taught and has not been influenced by any past Australian Painter. John’s real love is the Australian landscape and he travels extensively in search of new material. Some of his favourite themes include steam locomotives, sailing ships, old historic buildings and street scenes, all reminders of times when the pace of life was a little slower .