Painting Light: a conversation on process, emotion and Australian bird art

In episode 3 of Smerdon Toast, myself and Seabastion Toast explored the theme of light—not just as a visual element, but as a subject rich with emotional weight and technical challenge. I think our chat offers a compelling glimpse into the creative process behind my bird paintings and still life paintings but also about other expressive contemporary works.

“Light is colour, right? Colour is just a reflection of light… what we can actually see is a very small section of that. And then what we can actually paint is an even smaller section of that. So it’s this never-ending puzzle of how do we paint light, that we can’t paint and then we can’t fully see.” - Anne

That challenge, to paint something so intangible, was a central tension in this episodes painting prompt. I took an experimental approach to the subject, using a blue gel to cast coloured light over my scene. By putting that coloured light on it, it unified everything and there’s just something really nice about that. Though I chose to paint a white teacup under this filtered light, which quickly became technically demanding. Because white is so hard to paint!

“I painted the teacup three times… I’d wipe it back and then I’d paint the exact same thing on and be like, ‘No, that can’t be right.’” - Anne

Meanwhile, Toast reflected on the overwhelming openness of the topic and how structure—or its absence—can push an artist into discomfort. “I believe in courage,” she said. “Painting is like a journey… are you just gonna leave it there and walk back? Or are you gonna look around the corner?” She likened painting to exploration: sometimes it leads to a magical result, and sometimes to more struggle—but always somewhere new.

We both agreed on the importance of embracing imperfection.

“When I find my work is best, is when I’m just making it for me. Like sometimes I tell myself, this painting’s for home… and I always do a good painting.” - Anne

For collectors of Australian bird art, this insight into process reveals the heart behind the brushwork. Perhaps there is something quite novel about owning a bird painting knowing that it wasn’t intended for a public audience. Rather, it’s a personal piece special to the artist.

So whether you’re decorating a home with bird art prints or bird canvas art, episode 3 of Smerdon Toast will enlighten you about the conversations and depth that goes into every one of my pieces.

Anne Smerdon is a Gold Coast artist and Northern Rivers artist who specialises in bird paintings and Australian bird art.