Capturing the Essence of Australia Through My Banksia Series
- Laurie Franklin
- Apr 29
- 5 min read
In my Banksia Series, I explore this iconic tree across diverse Australian environments, from the deep red earth of inland regions to the soft coastal plains. This series is more than a collection of paintings; it is a journey through place, light, and texture, expressed through a unique blend of traditional and contemporary techniques.
The Banksia tree is a powerful symbol of the Australian landscape. Its rugged form and distinctive flowers have inspired artists and nature lovers alike. Banksia trees hold significant cultural importance in Aboriginal culture, particularly for their nectar, which was traditionally consumed as a sweet delicacy or soaked in water to make a sweet drink.
The Inspiration Behind the Banksia Series
My artistic practice is deeply rooted in observation and response. I aim to capture the spirit and the atmosphere of the landscapes it inhabits. The series uses a pared-back palette of neutrals combined with metallic accents like gold, copper, and silver. These elements evoke the shifting light and textured surfaces found in nature.
A significant influence on my work is the tradition of Chinese and Japanese ink painting. This art form distills landscapes and natural forms into expressive brushwork and subtle tonal gradations. By blending gestural marks with layered ink and acrylic, I connect my Australian landscapes with this quiet yet powerful "language" of brush and contemplation. I think this allows my work to follow in a broader tradition of landscape art that values simplicity, mood, and the essence of nature.
The Banksia motif acts as a visual anchor, often depicted in gold leaf highlights not just the importance of the tree but the Light in the landscape. The motif also serves to ground the work in place while allowing the washes of earthy tones and charcoal and ink highlights to create depth and atmosphere.
The artwork below is Small Banksia Hill which I feel speaks to the simplicity and calm of burshwork and contemplation.
Exploring the Australian Landscape Through Art
The Banksia tree thrives in a variety of Australian environments, each with its own character and mood. My series traces these variations, reflecting the diversity of the land:
Inland Red Earth: The deep ochres and rusts of the interior provide a warm, rich backdrop. Here, the Banksia appears resilient and enduring, its form emerging from layers of textured pigment that suggest cracked soil and dry heat.
Coastal Plains: Softer, cooler tones dominate near the coast. The metallic accents shimmer like sunlight on water or the glint of morning dew on leaves. The Banksia here feels lighter, more delicate, yet still rooted in the earth.
Transitional Zones: Between inland and coast, the landscapes shift. My paintings capture this transition with blended washes and layered marks, showing how the Banksia adapts and thrives in changing conditions.
Each piece in the series invites viewers to experience these places through a sensory lens, feeling the textures and light as much as seeing the forms. My studio is open by appointment to ensure you can view the artwork when it suits you.
This large scale abstract landscape is called Banksia Cliffs Edge
At 3m long this large abstract landscape creates a focal point in any room. Depicting abstracted Banksia trees along a mountain range, the calm landscape in warm neutrals shows the sun dapples through the trees and mountain edges - casting a golden glow.
Techniques That Bring the Series to Life
The process behind the Banksia Series is as important as the final images. I combine several techniques to achieve the desired effect:
Gestural Mark-Making: Quick, expressive brushstrokes capture the energy and movement of the tree and landscape.
Layered Ink and Acrylic: Multiple layers build texture and depth, allowing light to play across the surface.
Metallic Accents: Gold, copper, and silver add a dynamic quality, shifting with the viewer’s perspective and enhancing the sense of atmosphere.
Subtle Tonal Gradations: Inspired by Asian ink painting, these gradations create a sense of space and mood without relying on detailed realism.
This approach allows me to balance abstraction and representation, making the Banksia both a specific subject and a symbol of place.
The artwork below is Shadow Ridge, with inky depth and highlights of gold it depicts a landscape partly in shadow, with areas catching the sun.
The Banksia as a Visual and Emotional Anchor
The stylized Banksia motif serves as a constant thread throughout the series. It provides a familiar shape that viewers can recognize and connect with, even as the surrounding colors and textures change. This repetition creates a rhythm and coherence, inviting contemplation.
The metallic elements in the paintings are especially effective in conveying the shifting qualities of light and atmosphere. Depending on the angle and lighting, the gold or copper can glow warmly or cool down to a silvery gleam. This variability mirrors the natural environment, where light and shadow constantly transform the landscape.
The artwork below is Overhang with Banksia and the negative space creates a foil for the sharp brush strokes.
Bringing the Banksia Series to Viewers
Exhibiting the Banksia Series involves creating a space where viewers can engage with the work slowly and thoughtfully. The subtle tonal shifts and metallic highlights reveal themselves over time and from different angles. This encourages a contemplative experience, inviting viewers to connect with the landscapes and the spirit of the Banksia.
The series also sparks conversations about the relationship between art, nature, and place. It highlights how a single motif can carry deep meaning and evoke a strong sense of identity.
Studio visit or See it in your Home
So if you live in Melbourne you can experience the beauty of my artwork in your home or at my Studio.
The studio is open by appointment.
To schedule a home visit today to help you visualise how your favourite pieces will look on your walls.
I am excited to assist you in making the perfect choice, and if the size is not quite right we can discuss the option of a custom made artwork.
I coordinate any stretching/framing for the art you buy - making it a seamless, easy process
I am able to work around your schedule and can do evenings and weekends.
Once you have narrowed it down to your favourites - note the artwork/s title and call or email me so we can make a time that suits.
If you live outside of Melbourne - we can do a virtual viewing.
With a video call so you can see the artwork in detail.
If you send a photo of the room (different angles are great) - I generate how the artwork/s will look and we can discuss your options in the same way I would if I was there in person.
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