Sunshine Coast Cane Fields:
Golden Cane Fields of Bli Bli
There’s a particular kind of magic that happens when you step into the world with an open mind, and lately, I’ve been finding that magic in the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia. I’m on a new painting adventure here, reconnecting with nature in a way that feels both grounding and electrifying, stepping away from the hustle and bustle of the city, and into the quiet country life. This region Bli Bli, is quite well known for its sugarcane fields, and being out among them has given me a whole new appreciation for the landscape and ideas to paint!
Over several evenings, I set up in the cane fields just as the sun began its slow descent. The golden light stretched across the paddocks, catching on the tops of the sugarcane like tiny flecks of fire. The breeze moved through the rows in long, whispering waves, and the rustling of the cane seemed to carry its own rhythm —steady, gentle, and alive. The whole scene felt like it was inviting me to slow down and actually see.
When I begin a painting, I’m not thinking about details. I’m searching for big, abstract shapes of color, the foundation of everything to come. In that moment, the cane fields broke down into bold blocks of warm golds, deep greens, and soft purples from the shadowed hills. Those early shapes guide the rest of the painting, It’s almost like laying the foundation of a house, where I first map out the essence of a place before refining the story within it.
I’ve always believed that the goal of plein air painting isn’t to finish a piece in one sitting. In fact, trying to do that often feels like rushing a conversation with nature. Instead, I prefer to return over several sessions. Each day brings something new: a shift in the light, a different wind, fresh colors hidden in places I didn’t notice before. Working this way lets the landscape reveal itself slowly, offering surprises and deepening my connection with the subject.
These cane fields have already given me more inspiration than I expected. They’ve reminded me to stay curious, to keep looking, and to let the land speak at its own pace. I can’t wait to see where this new painting adventure leads next.
Golden Cane Field of Bli Bli, Oil on Linen, 18” x 26”
