Weathering the Storm
soft pastel 51 x 71 cm / framed 72 x 92 cm Weathering the Storm Capturing the dramatic contrast between a sunlit Australian landscape and a moody, stormy sky above, reflects my long-standing fascination with the power and unpredictability of the weather. For many years, my friends and collectors of my work have referred to such skies as a “Shelley Sky.” The deep, dark intensity of the clouds, set against the brightness of the land, explores the coexistence of light and darkness, calm and intense. Wherever these moments appear, I am drawn to them. This view was captured on a friend’s property where the open landscape allowed the storm building overhead, to command attention.
This artwork is no longer available.
Shelley McLean
In Between
soft pastel
71 x 51 cm / framed 92 x 72 cm
In Between
This view towards Pulpit Rock Lookout was inspired by a late afternoon walk at Govetts Leap near Blackheath in the Blue Mountains. As the sun lowered, deep blue shadows moved across the cliffs and tree canopy, hiding details in mystery and shifting the mood of the landscape.
Shelley McLean
The Edge of Stillness
soft pastel
66.5 x 96 cm / framed 89.5 x 119 cm
The Edge of Stillness
This artwork is the largest pastel painting I’ve ever created. I chose a large scale to convey the grandeur of the scene, with layers of mountains stretching into the distance. A place close to my heart since childhood, the Blue Mountains continue to captivate me with their breathtaking scale, rugged beauty, and the quiet power of the majestic cliffs and rock formations. Whether clear, cloudy, or hazy skies, the changing light subtly alters the mood of the landscape, highlighting different aspects of the mountain panorama
Shelley McLean
Rippled Reflections
soft pastel
43.5 x 31.5 cm - image size
64.5 x 52.5 cm - framed
Rippled Reflections
The surface of the river is always shifting, with reflections that move and change in mesmerizing patterns, catching the summer light of the Australian bush. The Potholes Reserve and Bargo River, Tahmoor, are places I often return to. This painting invites quiet reflection and a gentle moment of calm.