Industrial Cathedral

Industrial Cathedral
"Industrial Cathedral" charcoal on paper 131 x 131 cm Jane Bennett. Finalist in 1998 Dobell Drawing Prize Art Gallery of NSW Finalist 1998 Blake Prize Winner 1998 Hunter's Hill Open Art Prize

About Me

My photo
Sydney, NSW, Australia
I'm an Industrial Heritage Artist who paints "en plein air".If it's damaged, derelict, doomed and about to disappear, I'll be there to paint it.
Showing posts with label Thompson Square. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Thompson Square. Show all posts

Friday 17 July 2020

Monet and Streeton meet Windsor Bridge

Windsor is one of the 'Macquarie towns' on the Hawkesbury River created in the early 19th century by Governor Lachlan Macquarie as the foodbowl of Sydney.
Plein air oil painting of the old Windsor Bridge painted by heritage artist Jane Bennett
 TSWB1 Windsor Bridge from western side
2013 acrylic on canvas 46 x 61cm


















Thompson Square, established in 1795 at the centre of Windsor, is thought to be the oldest public square in Australia.
The old Windsor Bridge was a beam bridge built in 1874 for horse-drawn vehicles.
This canvas was painted in 2013 before NSW Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) department had started work on the replacement bridge, 35 metres (115 ft) downstream from the existing bridge.
The bank on the Freeman's Reach side of the Hawkesbury, where I painted this idyllic view marks exactly where the new bridge is now situated.
I painted these scenes in jacaranda flowering season as the bluish mauves offset the bright greens of the foreground.
Plein air oil painting of the old Windsor Bridge painted by heritage artist Jane Bennett
TSWB3 Windsor Bridge early morning from western side
2013 acrylic on canvas 46 x 61cm
Available
The old bridge is an austere construction with modestly proportioned piers and the engineering of the cross bracing  consistent with the challenges of its location.
Plein air oil painting of the Hawkesbury River from the old Windsor Bridge painted by heritage artist Jane Bennett
TSWB12 View from Windsor Bridge in jacaranda season
2015 oil on canvas 25 x 51cm
Available
As you can see from the painting above, the real charm of Windsor Bridge is revealled in its river vistas.
Monet would have loved this spot. And my gallerist, on seeing these works, did ask if I'd painted them in France.
This area certainly inspired Arthur Streeton, one of the Australian Impressionists, who painted his masterpiece "The Purple Noon's Transparent Might" not far from here.
Plein air oil painting of the construction of the new Windsor Bridge painted by heritage artist Jane Bennett
TSWB16 'Construction of the new Windsor Bridge' 2019
oil on canvas 91 x 183cm
Available
But now the timeless harmony of the sleepy river and the Georgian, Victorian and Federation architecture of Thompson Square has been surrounded by a maelstrom of excavation and construction.
Most of the old trees have now been felled.
The new bridge opened to traffic on 18th May 2020.
The new approach road rises up on a large visually intrusive embankment as it cuts a swathe  through the square.
There is now a bitter battle to save the 140 year old bridge from demolition. The RMS has stated that it will start removal in the coming months, but many would prefer the old bridge to be restored and left in situ. 

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Monday 4 August 2014

Fish and chips, painting in Windsor

Painting a Thompson Square panorama

in Windsor

Painting Windsor Seafoods and its neighbour Gloria Jean's Coffee from just outside the Macquarie Arms Hotel.
My favourite fast food shop in Windsor!
plein air oil painting of shops in George st from Thompson Square Windsor by artist Jane Bennett
 TSW11 'George st from Thompson Square '
 2013 oil on canvas 31 x 153cm

Enquiries
 I usually painted the trees, river and the graceful Georgian architecture on either side of the park. I found that I really enjoyed painting Windsor's George st shopping strip or "Eat St".
I've decided to paint a series of studies of individual shops.
plein air oil painting of Windsor Seafoods A.C.Stearn building in Thompson Square Windsor by artist Jane Bennett
Starting to paint a small canvas
'Windsor Seafoods and Gloria Jean's Coffee'
2014 oil on canvas 28 x 36cm

Enquiries
Windsor Seafoods at 74 George St Windsor is in the AC Stearn Building.built in 1907.
The name "A. C. Stearn" and date is helpfully written in decorative maroon lettering on the top floor of the facade of this impressive heritage building.
One of the legendary attractions of Windsor Seafoods is their macaw.
However "Snappa" is only in residence 3 or 4 days a week, and by the lack of raucous screeching, this must have been one of "Snappa"'s days off.
plein air oil painting of Windsor Seafoods A.C.Stearn building in Thompson Square Windsor by artist Jane Bennett
Starting to paint a small canvas
'Windsor Seafoods and Gloria Jean's Coffee '
2014 oil on canvas 28 x 36cm

Enquiries
The original balcony of this handsome two story building  was unfortunately removed in the 1950's.
However it was later restored to its former grandeur  in 1975, and then was updated again in 1988, in preparation for the Bicentenary celebrations.

plein air oil painting of Windsor Seafoods A.C.Stearn building in Thompson Square Windsor by artist Jane Bennett
Halfway through painting a small canvas
'Windsor Seafoods and Gloria Jean's Coffee '
2014 oil on canvas 28 x 36cm

Enquiries
There is a little laneway between Gloria Jean's Coffee and Windsor Seafoods which is topped by a cream wall that I initially thought was a walkway from the top floor of one building to another. It isn't, or if it is, you'd need the skills of a tightrope walker.
On closer inspection it's just a few rows of bricks strangely attaching the two buildings, with no real function. It could be a leftover from a previously existing building, possibly even the Sir John Young Hotel which was built in 1865, then demolished in 1915 following a fire in 1913.
plein air oil painting of Windsor Seafoods A.C.Stearn building in Thompson Square Windsor by artist Jane Bennett
Halfway through painting a small canvas
'Windsor Seafoods and Gloria Jean's Coffee '
2014 oil on canvas 28 x 36cm

Enquiries
 Gloria Jean's Coffee is one of 3 little eateries in what apparently used to be a single building.
The other 2 are "Grill on George" and Stir Crazy" but aren't visible in these pictures.
plein air oil painting of Windsor Seafoods A.C.Stearn building in Thompson Square Windsor by artist Jane Bennett
Starting to paint 
TSW18 'Windsor Seafoods'
2014 oil on canvas 36 x 28cm

Enquiries
I finished lunch and my first painting, then started another.
This time I used the same size canvas, but turned it around to paint a vertical study of Windsor Seafoods.
plein air oil painting of Windsor Seafoods A.C.Stearn building in Thompson Square Windsor by artist Jane Bennett
TSW17 'Windsor Seafoods and Gloria Jean's Coffee '
2014 oil on canvas 28 x 36cm

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One of the charming eccentricities of the architecture is that the levels of the crenellations of the roofline of the 2 outer buildings are lower than that of the centre building.
plein air oil painting of Windsor Seafoods A.C.Stearn building in Thompson Square Windsor by artist Jane Bennett
TSW18 'Windsor Seafoods'
2014 oil on canvas 36 x 28cm

Enquiries
All 3 buildings have blue and cream striped awnings, which with the white canvas marquee, fluttering yellow and orange flags and blue and cream umbrellas of Windsor Seafoods, give the whole streetscape a jaunty air.

Thursday 6 February 2014

The Phantom Toll House

Plein air oil painting of Windsor Tollhouse by artist Jane Bennett
Starting "Windsor Tollhouse" 2014
oil on canvas 25 x 51cm
  Enquiries 

By noon I had finished the first small oil study and started a larger canvas to reveal the Tollhouse in the context of the surrounding landscape.
The exterior of the Tollhouse had been lovingly restored in 1997.
I had heard that a local historical society used to open it for tours, but it looks as though it has not been opened for several years at least.
Plein air oil painting of Windsor Tollhouse by artist Jane Bennett
Starting "Windsor Tollhouse" 2014 
oil on canvas 25 x 51cm
Enquiries 
The 1974 version of Fitzroy Bridge is the 5th incarnation of the bridge over South Creek.
Plein air oil painting of Windsor Tollhouse by artist Jane Bennett
Painting "Windsor Tollhouse" 2014 oil on canvas 25 x 51cm
 Enquiries 
In contrast to the current surroundings, this 1875 photo of the Tollhouse with the "Jolly Frog"  shows  the prominent place the Jolly Frog and Toll House once played as gate posts leading into Windsor.
Plein air oil painting of Windsor Tollhouse by artist Jane Bennett
Painting "Windsor Tollhouse" 2014
oil on canvas 25 x 51cm

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As you can see in this photo, the Tollhouse is invisible from the main road. Unfortunately despite its site as Windsor's heritage gateway it isn't able to function as a tourist drawcard.
The bridge definitely needs to be at this level or even higher, due to frequent  flooding, so there is no easy solution to the problem of the Tollhouse.
Plein air oil painting of Windsor Tollhouse by artist Jane Bennett
Painting "Windsor Tollhouse" 2014
oil on canvas 25 x 51cm

Enquiries 
 The land is close to the river, and even more prone to flooding than the other side of the road which is slightly more elevated.
The Tollhouse is now buried deep in a hole.
Plein air oil painting of Windsor Tollhouse by artist Jane Bennett
"Windsor Tollhouse" 2014
oil on canvas 25 x 51cm

Enquiries 
In the shadow of the concrete wall, this little heritage gem stands no chance of becoming the tourist drawcard that it so richly deserves to be.
Plein air oil painting of Windsor Tollhouse by artist Jane Bennett
"Windsor Tollhouse" 2014
oil on canvas 25 x 51cm

Enquiries 
 I managed to complete  this painting by 5.30 pm.
Plein air oil painting of Windsor Tollhouse by artist Jane Bennett
"Windsor Tollhouse" 2014
oil on canvas 25 x 51cm

Enquiries 



















What a contrast between the sensitivity of the texture of the convict cut sandstone blocks and the brutality of the concrete aggregate wall!
I think that my painting really expresses the feeling of claustrophobia given by the oppressive concrete wall looming over the Toll House.
The wall has a threatening, almost malevolent appearance, and the building seems to be in danger of being buried by it.

Saturday 20 July 2013

Painting Thompson Square, Windsor

Thompson Square, the oldest public town square in Australia,  is a charming and unique relic of the colonial Georgian era Sydney. It is the only town square remaining from the original five ‘Macquarie towns’ planned and designed by Governor Lachlan Macquarie.
Plein air oil painting of Thompson Square, Windsor by artist Jane Bennett
Starting a plein air oil painting of Thompson Square, Windsor
oil on canvas 25 x 152cm

Enquiries 
This Precinct is listed on the Register of the National Estate, the National Trust and also on the NSW State Heritage Register as being of State heritage significance.
Plein air oil painting of Thompson Square, Windsor by artist Jane Bennett
Starting a plein air oil painting of Thompson Square, Windsor
oil on canvas 25 x 152cm

Enquiries
Most of the buildings in Thompson Square are regarded as of crucial historical and architectural merit. 
Plein air oil painting of Thompson Square, Windsor by artist Jane Bennett
Half-way through my plein air oil painting of
Thompson Square, Windsor
oil on canvas 25 x 152cm

Enquiries
The charm of Thompson Square is that it still retains the village square character originally intended by Macquarie.
Plein air oil painting of Thompson Square, Windsor by artist Jane Bennett
Half-way through my plein air oil painting of
Thompson Square, Windsor
oil on canvas 25 x 152cm

Enquiries
Windsor Bridge is the oldest existing bridge crossing the Hawkesbury River. The caisson deck supports are original and over 130 years old.
It was designed by the Public Works Department and constructed, between 1872-1874, by contractors Andrew Turnbull and William K. Dixon.
Plein air oil painting of Thompson Square, Windsor by artist Jane Bennett
Half-way through my plein air oil painting of
Thompson Square, Windsor
oil on canvas 25 x 152cm

Enquiries
A plaque that was placed on the bridge to celebrate Australia's Bicentenary quoting the then Minister for Public Works John Sutherland, who opened the bridge in 1874, states:
"I hope this bridge will last longer than the life of the youngest child who passes over it today.'
Australia's heritage.
Plein air oil painting of Thompson Square, Windsor by artist Jane Bennett
Half-way through my plein air oil painting of
Thompson Square, Windsor
oil on canvas 25 x 152cm

Enquiries
There are so many lovely viewpoints of the bridge, park, river and Georgian architecture that I found it difficult to choose!
Plein air oil painting of Thompson Square, Windsor by artist Jane Bennett
Half-way through my plein air oil painting of
Thompson Square, Windsor
oil on canvas 25 x 152cm

Enquiries
I decided to paint a panoramic canvas from the "Doctor's House" on the far left to the "School of Arts" building over the road on the right, with the lovely park in the centre.
Plein air oil painting of Thompson Square, Windsor by artist Jane Bennett
Half-way through my plein air oil painting of
Thompson Square, Windsor
oil on canvas 25 x 152cm

Enquiries
The historic Windsor bridge, just to the right of the "Doctor's House" is linking the middle distance to the background, and the Hawkesbury river can just be glimpsed between the trees.
Plein air oil painting of Thompson Square, Windsor by artist Jane Bennett
The artist painting Thompson Square, Windsor
oil on canvas 25 x 152cm

Enquiries
Painting 'en plein air' in the oldest town square in Australia. I'm following the footsteps of Arthur Streeton, who painted "the Purple Noon's Transparent might" in the Hawkesbury district.

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