I was invited to visit this special family property in the heart of the Barossa Valley, South Australia. The family wanted a bespoke artwork celebrating the home and the memories held within it.
Rather than working from a single photograph, I spent time immersed in the landscape, walking their property, observing the changing light across the paddocks, listening to family stories, and taking in the details that make a place feel truly lived in and loved.
“From the first visit to the final print, Sally approached our family story with warmth, sensitivity, and genuine curiosity. The finished artwork feels deeply connected to the land, our memories, and the generations before us.”
As I wandered the land, I sketched, photographed, and gathered visual notes, paying close attention to the character of the old gums, the rhythm of the fencing lines, the tracks worn into the earth, and the vast open skies so unique to this region.
These elements became important threads in the final composition, allowing the artwork to hold both the physical likeness of the home and the family’s emotional connection to it.
Back in the studio, I carefully developed the drawing before hand-carving the design into lino. Every mark was thoughtfully cut by hand, building layers of texture and detail to reflect the richness and history of the Barossa landscape. I then hand-printed my block in my Ingleside Studio, using traditional relief printmaking techniques, giving the work a tactile and timeless quality.
Gomersal is a richly historic region deeply shaped by generations of farming families, resilience, and connection to the land. Through this piece, I wanted to honour not only the family home itself, but the heritage, stories, and sense of belonging woven through the landscape.
This artwork hangs now in the family home as a lasting tribute to place, memory, and the enduring spirit of the Barossa Valley.
