Michael Ambriano

In my paintings I am interested in exploring the microcosms and beauty of the Australian bush and the surrounding landscape. This theme of incorporating fauna, flora and the inter-connection between their ecosystem and its surrounds drives me in my artistic endeavors.
I've always worked from plein-air and from memory. Plein-air captures my first thoughts of location, colour and contours of the land, this then activates my memory back in the studio. As a child I have always had a fascination with the landscape and in my paintings I try to harness this passion whether it is in the renderings of a kangaroo skull on a hillside, a frog etching or simple description of a waterfall- I always aim to capture the essence or the spirit of whatever I'm painting.
Landscape for me is a vital artistic pursuit and I'm always looking to add to its rich tradition by incorporating different elements into each picture. My influences range from Fred Williams, John Wolseley, Clifton Pugh, Guy Warren and John Olsen.
With a land as inspiring, expansive and as harsh as Australia, there are ample opportunities for us all to interpret it in our own way and in my work I hope to explore it through paint in a relevant, incisive and contemporary fashion.

Life Drawing, Sydney Community College.
News limited, Sydney Art Department.
Associated Diploma in Fine Arts.
Sydney Institute Technology, Ultimo. Certificate in Printing Machining.

2014 Limitless Vista, Hazelhurst Regional Gallery, Sydney
2013 Tones of the Shoalhaven, Shoalhaven City Arts Centre, NSW
2012 Off the Trail, Hazelhurst Regional, Gallery, Sydney
2007 New Paintings, Hazelhurst Regional, Gallery, Sydney
2006 New Paintings, Make Art Gallery, Sydney
2004 Etchings, Duckprint Studio Gallery, Sydney