DUNE DIARY
A SOLO EXHIBITION by ANITA BARRETT
21 AUGUST - 12 OCTOBER 2025
Lon Retreat Gallery
Open Daily 9am-4pm
Drinks & Snacks Available
All works in this exhibition are available to view and purchase through Lon Retreat's Shop at The Little Shop of Lon.
EXHIBITION OPENING EVENT - 21 AUGUST, 4-6PM at Lon Retreat with drinks proceeds to Melanoma Research Victoria
Anita Barrett is returning to Lon Retreat as an artist-in-residence for the fourth time. Anita uses her sketchbooks and photographs as references to create her artwork, which typically focuses on calm and peaceful scenes featuring birds in a coastal landscape. Her style can be described as impressionism, and she often paints within a circular shape to draw the viewer's attention. Anita creates her artwork by sketching on canvas or Birchwood with acrylic paint, building layers for colour and texture. She also uses the sgraffito technique to scratch away areas and reveal underlying colours.
"Spending time in the coastal landscape is one of my cherished and most calming experiences. The coastal dunes natural beauty and dynamic shapes have greatly inspired my artwork. Being an artist in residence at Lon is a dream come true for me, as I have access to all their land, including private pathways that lead through incredible to the beach."
"I start by immersing myself for hours, sketching and drawing in the serene atmosphere. My sketchbooks are filled with impressions influenced by the native plants and vegetation found in the dunes. Dunes form in response to various environmental conditions, such as wind patterns and vegetation, and they play a crucial role in coastal protection and ecosystem health. I find joy in documenting my time there, sticking to the pathways and being mindful of where I tread to avoid damaging this precious environment. "
