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SELF PORTRAIT, OIL ON CANVAS, 2017

This artwork depicts a moment of personal transformation as I emerge from the water, symbolizing the possibility of renewal and growth. The use of red in the background and the wash of drips represent the shedding of old selves and the embrace of new beginnings. Through this painting, I invite the viewer to contemplate their own potential for personal growth and the beauty that can be found in the process of change.

Deep Down Things, Oil on Canvas, 2015

"Deep Down Things" visually echoes Gerard Manley Hopkins' exploration of the profound and often unseen depths of nature in "God’s Grandeur." This artwork delves into the intricate layers of existence with a mesmerizing array of blues that ripple across the canvas, capturing the mysterious and elemental beauty of the deep. The dynamic interplay of light and shadow invites a contemplation of the unseen depths within the natural and spiritual world.

SO SIGHS DEEP, OIL ON CANVAS, 2013

This soft blue-toned painting captures the powerful moment of emerging from water, reflecting the beauty and vulnerability of new beginnings. The figure depicted appears to be both sinking and rising, evoking a sense of tension and release. The painting's title is inspired by the poem "Ash-boughs" by Gerard Manley Hopkins, which speaks of the beauty and fragility of life. Hopkins' words, "So sighed, so sank, so sad, so sweet, / So gone!" perfectly capture the emotional complexity of this painting. Through "So Sighs Deep," I invite viewers to contemplate the fleeting nature of life and the beauty that can be found in moments of change and renewal.

NOW BUT NOT YET, OIL ON CANVAS, 90 X 120 cm

The artwork "Now but Not Yet" invites the viewer to contemplate the beauty and mystery of creation. The image of ripples on the water suggests a hidden presence, just out of view, evoking a sense of longing and wonder. The vibrant colors and upside-down perspective add to the sense of otherworldliness, hinting at the possibility of a transcendent realm beyond our immediate experience. This piece speaks to a universal human desire to connect with something greater than ourselves, to glimpse the divine in our everyday lives. It taps into a deep-seated yearning for redemption and renewal, for a world made new.

THE CREATORS HAND, OIL ON CANVAS, 2014

"The Creator's Hand" depicts a woman immersed in a pool of water, her eyes fixed on the fluid surface as she contemplates its creative possibilities. The painting captures a sense of wonder and curiosity about the natural world, and the way in which it inspires creativity and imagination. The use of color and form evoke a dreamlike quality, inviting the viewer to reflect on the beauty and mystery of nature and our place within it.

Of The Ponderous Sea, Oil on Linen, 2015

"Of The Ponderous Sea" captures the serene yet profound depth of the sea, inspired by Gerard Manley Hopkins' "A Vision of the Mermaids." The artwork portrays a figure immersed in the tranquil abyss, with fluid brushstrokes that mimic the gentle flow of water. This piece reflects on the vastness and mystery of the natural world, inviting viewers to appreciate the intricate relationship between humanity and the environment.

The Leaden Echo, OIL ON CANVAS, 2012

The Leaden Echo is a painting that explores the theme of transience through the lens of memory and the human experience. The figure in the painting is caught in a moment of contemplation, gazing upwards as if lost in thought. The muted tones of white and blue create a dream-like atmosphere, evoking a sense of nostalgia and impermanence. The shadow behind the figure suggests the passing of time and the idea that our memories are constantly in motion, changing and shifting as we move forward. The title references a poem by Gerard Manley Hopkins, which is a meditation on the beauty and transience of the natural world, and on the human desire for something beyond the material realm. Through this painting, I hope to capture the beauty and complexity of the human experience, and encourage the viewer to reflect on their own fleeting moments of existence.

BEAUTY’S SELF AND BEAUTY’S GIVER, OIL ON CANVAS, 2011

Beauty's self and Beauty's giver" is a painting that captures a moment of intense emotion and intimacy between two individuals. The figures in the painting are caught in motion, as if they are moving towards each other in a blur of energy and desire. The use of soft brushstrokes and muted tones creates a dream-like atmosphere, emphasizing the transience and ephemerality of the moment. The title of the painting is inspired by a poem by Gerard Manley Hopkins, which explores the idea of beauty as both a reflection of the self and a gift to others. Through this painting, I hope to evoke a sense of the complexity and richness of human relationships, and to encourage the viewer to contemplate the power of beauty in our lives.

FLEET, OIL ON CANVAS, 2011

"Fleet" is a self-portrait that explores the theme of transience and the fleeting nature of human existence. The figure in the painting appears to be side-stepping, captured in a moment of movement that suggests the transitory nature of our lives. The use of a blurred effect enhances this sense of ephemerality, while the bright red jumper worn by the figure contrasts with the muted tones of the background, drawing the viewer's attention to the subject. The title references a poem by Gerard Manley Hopkins, "The Leaden Echo and the Golden Echo," which reflects on the beauty and transience of the natural world and the desire for something beyond the material realm. Through this painting, I seek to capture the beauty and complexity of the human experience, and encourage the viewer to reflect on the fleeting moments of existence that shape our lives.This artwork was a finalist for the $50,000 Metro Art Prize for emerging artists, and reflects my ongoing exploration of the themes of transience, mortality, and the search for meaning in life

WISDOM IS EARLY TO DESPAIR, OIL ON CANVAS, 2011

Wisdom is early to despair is an artwork that captures the emotional turmoil of rejection and the dark side of love. The blurred figures suggest rapid movement and struggle, as if caught in a moment of intense conflict. The muted tones and intentional blurriness of the painting create a dream-like atmosphere that invites the viewer to explore the complexity of human emotions. The title is a reference to a poem by Gerard Manley Hopkins, "The Leaden Echo and the Golden Echo," which explores the transience of beauty and the fleeting nature of human existence. Through this painting, I aim to evoke the complexity and contradictions of human relationships, and encourage the viewer to contemplate the fragility and beauty of life.

BEAUTY IN THE GHOST, OIL ON CANVAS, 2011

"Beauty In The Ghost" is an exploration of transience and memory through the lens of the human experience. In this painting, a girl is caught in motion as she raises her head from below. The soft, muted colors and intentionally blurred image create a dreamlike atmosphere, evoking a sense of nostalgia and impermanence. The figure's pose suggests a moment of self-reflection or contemplation, inviting the viewer to join in this introspective mood. The title is taken from Gerard Manley Hopkins' poem, "The Leaden Echo and the Golden Echo," which speaks to the fleeting nature of beauty and the human desire to capture and preserve it. Through this painting, I aim to capture the beauty and complexity of the human experience, and encourage the viewer to reflect on their own moments of transience and memory.

IT’S A LONG WAY - SID, OIL ON CANVAS, 102CM X 76CM

"It's a Long Way - Sid" captures the essence of a child's adventure through the Australian bush, drawing inspiration from Sydney Long's "Pan." This artwork is to be included in an upcoming children's book exploring Australian Birds. The play of light and the flight of lorikeets add a magical quality to the journey, inviting young readers to dive into the vividness of their imaginations.

LA PIETA AND THE PITTA, OIL ON CANVAS, 102CM X 76CM

This artwork is from a children’s book collaboration that I am still developing. Children are on an adventure, through Australian bush. The composition draws on Michaleangelo’s La Pieta, which depicts Mary Holding Jesus’ lifeless body. The image captures a moment in the story when the children are filled with lifeless exhaustion, but the Pita bird urges them onward.

Wonderer Above the Fog, Oil on Canvas, 2017

This artwork intertwines elements from Caspar David Friedrich's "Wanderer above the Sea of Fog" and Eugene von Guérard's views of Mount Kosciuszko, crafting a unique narrative set in the Australian bush. It depicts a child embarking on an adventure, framed by a dramatic backdrop that evokes the grandeur of Romanticism. The presence of laughing kookaburras enriching the scene with a sense of wonder and Australian familiarity.

GOLD VERMILLION, OIL ON CANVAS, 102CM X 76CM

"Gold Vermillion" captures the dual emotions of caution and delight, inspired by my niece's initial encounter with the sea. This artwork draws on the phrase from Gerard Manley Hopkins' poem "The Windhover," which celebrates the rich, diverse splendor of nature. The use of vibrant golds and deep greens reflects the unique blend of sunlight and seawater, inviting viewers to revel in the fleeting, colorful moments of life and the youthful excitement of new experiences.

GLORY OF THE BRIGHT, OIL ON CANVAS, 60CM X 90CM

"Glory of the Bright" is a vibrant self-portrait from my childhood, setting the stage for a series on family life in the 90s. It captures the playful spirit and vivid colours of youth, inviting viewers to reminisce about their own early adventures.

THE WRECKERS YARD, OIL ON CANVAS, 102CM X 76CM

"The Wreckers Yard" delves into the world of imagination and exploration, depicted through a vivid scene at a car wreckers yard. This artwork, part of an upcoming children's book collaboration, uses rich, evocative colors and dynamic scenes to captivate the curiosity and adventure inherent in childhood. It invites young readers to envision stories and adventures that spring from everyday surroundings.

LONG AND LOVELY, OIL ON CANVAS, 102CM X 76CM

"Long and Lovely" celebrates the vibrant essence of nature through a vivid study of green foliage. This piece, the first in a series, captures the dynamic vitality and lush diversity of organic life, inviting viewers to delve into the deep, rich layers of the natural world. The artwork's intense colours and fluid forms echo the inherent beauty and complexity found in tropical Queensland.

THE WORLD IS CHARGED, OIL ON CANVAS, 2011

"The world is charged" is an oil on canvas artwork created in 2011. A naked man is depicted in a void-like space, hunched over at the bottom left-hand corner of the painting. The background showcases an array of bright colors swirling through the atmosphere. The composition creates a sense of tension and dynamism, with the figure seemingly struggling to maintain his balance amidst the charged environment.This artwork was selected as a finalist for the prestigious Metro Art Prize, a $50,000 art prize for emerging artists. It was created as part of the Eden Unravelled series, inspired by the poetry of Gerard Manley Hopkins. The painting explores the idea of the charged energy that underlies all of existence, and the struggle to find one's place in such a powerful and overwhelming universe. Through the use of color, composition, and subject matter, "The world is charged" invites viewers to contemplate their own relationship with the natural world and the forces that shape our lives."

AWAY GRIEF'S GASPING, OIL ON CANVAS, 2012

Inspired by Gerard Manley Hopkins' poem "That Nature is a Heraclitean Fire and of the comfort of the Resurrection", Away grief's gasping is a painting that depicts a man in the fetal position, sitting on an abandoned car seat in the Australian bush. The soft blue and green tones of the painting evoke a sense of vulnerability and fragility, inviting the viewer to consider the impact of human actions on the natural environment. The contorted posture of the man suggests a tension and disconnection between humanity and nature, highlighting the potential consequences of neglecting the natural world.

FOR THE LAND THAT BRED ME, OIL ON CANVAS, 2012

For the Land that Bred Me is an exploration of my personal connection to the natural world and the land that I call home. The title is taken from a poem by Gerard Manley Hopkins, which speaks to the deep bond between a person and their place of origin.The artwork is a double exposure image of a man wearing glasses in a shirt, superimposed with an image of a forest. Through this juxtaposition, I aim to convey the interconnectedness of human beings and nature. The use of muted blue tones in the oil painting creates a sense of calm and introspection, inviting the viewer to contemplate their own relationship with the environment.Ultimately, For the Land that Bred Me is a tribute to the power of nature and its ability to shape us as individuals. It is a reminder to cherish and protect the land that sustains us, and to recognize our responsibility as stewards of the earth.

SIRENS, OIL ON CANVAS, 2016

Sirens is a painting that continues my exploration of the relationship between the human form and nature. In this work, a woman is depicted without clothes, walking towards the hills in the horizon. The warm tones of the woman's skin contrast with the cooler green earth tones of the background, emphasizing the tension and disconnection between the two.I created this artwork for my friend Ben Abraham's album launch, also called Sirens. The album explores themes of love, loss, and the search for meaning in life. Through this painting, I aimed to capture the emotional landscape of the album and reflect on the fragility of the human experience. The brushstrokes with flood drips in the horizon add a sense of uncertainty and chaos to the piece, reminding us of the potential consequences of neglecting the natural world.Sirens invites the viewer to reflect on their own relationship with nature and the impact of human actions on the environment. It reminds us of the beauty and fragility of the natural world and encourages us to appreciate and protect it.

WHILE WE SLUMBERED, OIL ON CANVAS, 2012

While we slumbered is a painting that takes its name from Gerard Manley Hopkins' poem "The Golden Echo". The artwork explores the relationship between humanity and nature, highlighting the tension and disconnection that can exist between the two. The man depicted in the painting is shown naked in a tree, his flesh contorted and entwined with the fleshy branches. The use of high key white and blue tones creates a sense of tension and unease, suggesting a gradual breakdown of the idyllic state of Eden. Through this work, Tom Gibbs invites us to reflect on our relationship with nature and to consider the potential consequences of neglecting it.

NOW TAKING COMMISSIONS

A painted portrait is a gesture of honour and a story held in oil. Whether capturing a moment, a milestone, or a memory, my commissioned works are created through thoughtful conversation and careful attention. Each painting is a reflection of presence. Crafted to endure, invite reflection, and carry meaning for generations to come.

Artworks are about legacy.

They offer an opportunity to remember your story and cast a vision for the future.

Portrait of Marty

This is a portrait of a long time collector, encourager and friend, Marty Smith. Columnist in the Adelaide Advertiser.