Jae George
IW sunset with cat
 
Oil on canvas,
31 x 41 cm
 
I like to observe slices of life while wandering through the characterful old brick, sandstone and wooden houses that are (or were), ubiquitous in the Inner West. Their textured surfaces, changing patina and weathered colours are reminiscent of the trees and rocky outcrops in local parks. There's a sensory delight to be found in that rich variety of natural and man-made forms. Trees in cities play an important role in supporting diverse populations of bird and other species, according to recent studies. The pocket of locally endemic plant species in our small Inner West backyard attracts a surprising amount of wildlife. Despite appreciating the trees and shrubs around the place, I left the plants out of the painting to concentrate the focus on the built forms of the urbanscape.