Sunrise, January 2nd, 2024

This painting depicts the Newcastle Ocean Baths, on a warm summer morning. I was up early before the sun, sitting at the baths by myself, watching the sun wake up. There is something so beautiful about morning light – soft pinks and lilacs evolve into glorious golden hues as the sun lifts above the horizon. I wanted to capture a fleeting moment in the everchanging sky, as bright sunrays cascaded over the clouds, flooding the atmosphere with a beautiful golden glow. Early morning swimmers came and went. Some in groups. Some by themselves. I felt a strong sense of gratitude in that moment. I was reminded of the joy and peace to be found in nature, by oneself. By being present. Ocean baths are an iconic aspect of the Australian coastal landscape. For the early morning swimmer, they are a place of stillness, solitude and calm. For families and friends, they are a place to play, socialise and relax. For me, the Newcastle Ocean Baths are a reminder of the joy of summer, and the simplicity of my childhood. This painting is a celebration of ocean pools and the lifestyle they provide, one which is loved by myself and so many others.

Hannah is a self-taught, emerging artist based on Victoria’s Surf Coast. In a painting practice largely driven by colour and light, she explores a variety of subject matter, ranging from landscapes to still life. Her work is inspired by life’s simple pleasures, drawing inspiration from her childhood, her travels, her immediate surrounds, and nature. Hannah was born in Manly and grew up visiting Newcastle. She has always been close to the ocean and loves the coastal lifestyle – this is a theme which she explores often in her paintings.

Hannah’s love for art has been fostered from a young age. She revisited painting during her VCE Studio Art studies in 2022, which saw her final artworks exhibited in the Geelong Gallery Future Creatives Exhibition (2023), and shortlisted for NGV Top Arts (2023). She has since refined her painting practice through self-led exploration of various mediums, materials and subject matters. Currently, she is working predominately with oil paint.

Hannah’s love for painting only continues to grow. She describes painting as her outlet for self-expression and creativity. It brings her joy to be able to share her artistic passion with others.