First Fire on a New Moon is an original oil painting inspired by a planned burn I witnessed while wildflowering at Marcus Beach High Dunes, within Noosa National Park on Queensland's Sunshine Coast. Returning a few days later, I wandered amongst the charred vegetation, drawn to the blackened banksias and the beautiful colours emerging from the burnt landscape.

Back in the studio, I wanted to capture the contrast between the darkness of the charred vegetation and the warmth and glow of the fire. I've always been fascinated by the resilience of the Australian Wallum heathlands, and the important role fire plays in their regeneration. While fire marks the end of one season, it also makes way for new life and the eventual return of the wildflowers.