Growing up in Seaham, artist Ebony Bennett has a connection to the Gloucester region which has been captured in the exhibition she has recently brought to town.
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Ebony's Larger Than Life exhibit, now on at the Gloucester Gallery, embodies her fascination with nature.
Her work is heavily influenced by a childhood surrounded by bushland and holiday camping trips in the Barrington Tops.
In January, Ebony returned to Gloucester for a holiday and travelled the back roads snapping photos and drawing sketches in preparation for this exhibition.
"It feels like my extended home. I feel connected to the region," Ebony said.
She calls herself a wildlife landscape artist and her passion is evident across her range of the large canvas, colourful oil paintings of Australian flora and fauna.
After being asked by a gallery to paint a large bird with no landscape background, Ebony found herself in a new realm.
Painting big birds allows me to work in more detail.
- Ebony Bennett
"Painting big birds allows me to work in more detail," she said.
The size of the works give room for her to brushstroke the fine lines of each feather, giving the painting a realistic look.
Ebony started painting at nine-years-old, and with the assistance of her grandmother, she was able to capture the beautiful landscape.
After completing an Environmental Science degree and working in the field, Ebony longed to make her passion of painting her full time career. So she went back to school and completed a Masters in Natural History Illustration at the University of Newcastle.
Ebony has had her work displayed in several art galleries around NSW and the ACT.
Larger Than Life runs until Sunday May 16 at the Gloucester Gallery, 25 Denison Street. The gallery is open from Thursday to Saturday from 10am until 4pm and Sunday from 10am until 1pm. Entry is free.
Anne Keen
Anne has been a journalist with the ACM (Australia Community Media) since 2016. She primarily works at the Gloucester Advocate but also contributes to the Manning River Times.
Anne has been a journalist with the ACM (Australia Community Media) since 2016. She primarily works at the Gloucester Advocate but also contributes to the Manning River Times.
