Painter Edith McNally introduces Fred Marsh, one of the artists opening their studios this weekend for the inaugural Northern Illawarra Art Trail

Fred Marsh is an impressionist artist from Coledale, who was recently awarded first prize in the Wollongong Art Gallery “Postcards from The Edge” 2022 art prize for his nocturnal painting of Brickyard Point from Sharkey Beach.

He is inspired by the diversity of mood and light, exploring the themes of light in both the local urban areas and coast. He has been exploring the “magic hour” of the coast in the morning and evening when the sparkle energises the water and the moody mysterious atmosphere of urban areas at night.

He finds the interplay with cool and warm colours particularly exciting in capturing form and luminosity in a painting. Usually, he has a clear view of what he wants. However, sometimes a bit of “magic” happens and it reaches a stage when he can see that the painting is trying to take over and lead him somewhere else. He finds it satisfying to let go and let the painting take him wherever.

Painting and sketching outdoors plays a big part in his practice. “Nothing beats painting outdoors where you can feel the sun and wind, and ‘hear’ the landscape such that it always turns out to be a very satisfying day at the ‘office’,” Fred says.

Fred’s work is in private collections in all states of Australia, most states of the US, UK, New Zealand, and Singapore. Work is also held in corporate collections in the US and Australia.

His work has been seen in recent exhibitions at Wollongong Art Gallery, Hazelhurst Regional Gallery, and 55 Parrots Bulli.

Fred and his partner and fellow artist Barbara Gray have established a gallery in their studio, which will soon be opening by appointment.

Fred’s paintings can also be found on his website at www.marshstudio.com or on Instagram
@marshstudio