Exploring the Bush: An Interview with Figurative Landscape Artist Mary Tonkin

What is it that catches your eye when you are determining what to paint? Do you look for color that speaks to you, are you drawn to certain subjects or locations? Growing up in Australia, Mary Tonkin quickly became enamored with, “The bush” - a term mostly used in the English vernacular of Australia and New Zealand where it is largely synonymous with backwoods or hinterland, referring to a natural undeveloped area. Mary completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1995 and a Master of Fine Arts in 20...