Sydney, Sotto Voce

Original bokeh oil painting

For the first time, one of my paintings reaches beyond New Zealand, but the philosophy remains the same: look less, see more.

Sydney, Sotto Voce captures the Sydney Opera House after dark. Its distinctive 'sails' emerging through the surrounding lights and gathered people. But rather than painting this instantly recognisable landmark in crisp architectural detail, I’ve painted it in my signature soft-focus lens - blurred, luminous and deliberately less literal.

Sotto voce is an Italian musical term meaning “in a soft voice”. It seemed the perfect title for my painting of the Opera House: an iconic building usually seen in bold, sharp detail, here becoming something quieter and more atmospheric.

Unframed | Free shipping worldwide | Oil on card | 26cm x 17cm 

The Glimmers Collection

Glimmers are considered tiny moments of joy in your day. This collection of small oil paintings are intimate little paintings about light, atmosphere and the beauty hiding in the blur.

Bokeh does 2 things:

1. It magnifies - the soft focus allows light & beauty to grow, and
2. It simplifies - the art takes the focus off 'sharp edges' and 'nitty gritty details'.