Sunrise Over the Sandcastle

Ben Randall is an abstract artist painting out of his studio based in the Hawkesbury region, NSW. While a trained artist, Ben found creating “realistic” art didn’t challenge him, and thus started painting in an Abstract style. He relished the dichotomy of painting abstract art; a rewarding challenge; a style that offered freedom and pushed him beyond his comfort zone.  

Relishing the challenge of abstract art, Ben creates colourful, multi-layered, textured oil paintings through bold colourisation and gestural brushstrokes. He paints ‘Alla prima’ with a dynamic yet deliberate application, and Randall’s colours are often mixed in bowls with solvent and linseed oil, allowing for fast application and for the colours to interweave on the canvas. 

The process of creating is not limited to applying the paint to canvas, as the entirety of the development involves sketches using charcoal, oil pastels, and pencils. Inspiration is drawn from the everyday – birds and insects in his garden, the lyrics to a song or even a long-forgotten memory – stamping a personal imprint into each painting. 

Randall’s intent is for the audience to feel engaged with the art as his works are highly expressive. As his art embodies his energy, he calls for the audience to drown in the colours, shapes and textures, leaving them connected to not only the artwork but more deeply to themselves.