But it might also be considered less serious – just a pretty picture painted in a domestic setting. It was partly for that reason that Laura Jones initially resisted the flower as subject matter, until it was clear to her that that’s what she should be painting.

Her exploration of the flower has developed over the years and took an interesting direction in her spectacular recent show ‘Too Much, Not Enough’ at Sophie Gannon Gallery. The show sold out quickly and a waiting list is in place for collectors.

Jones is also a passionate environmentalist and her show at Olsen gallery last year resulted from residencies in the Great Barrier Reef after a severe bleaching event. Those works were both awe-inspiring and shocking.

In this episode, we talk about the flowers and the reef as well as Jones’ portraiture and a lot about process and colour.

Jones grew up in Kurrajong near the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney. This episode starts off with her talking about a time when she was studying for her Masters at the College of Fine Art at the UNSW, working part time as a florist and planning to move into a new studio which was to become the creative Birmingham studios in the Sydney suburb of Alexandria.

Feature photo above (cropped) by Rachel Kara

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgPxcoQmXi8

‘Healing Flower’ 2018, oil on linen, 183 x 152cm

‘Banksia Speciosa on Striped Cloth’ 2016 oil on linen (from ‘Wildflowers’ exhibition)

‘Symbiosis’ 2017, oil on linen, diptych, 152 x 244cm overall, pictured in the studio

‘Capricorn’, 2017, oil on linen, 152 x 122cm

‘Back to You’ 2018, oil on linen, 183 x 152cm

‘Marieke reading’ 2015 oil on linen 142 x 112cm

‘Jenna’ 2015, oil on linen, 71 x 61cm

‘Selfie’, 2016, oil on linen, 71 x 61cm