I was sitting on a large old fig tree on the Cairns Esplanade. This was during the time before the lagoon – now so popular with tourists and locals – was built. I saw a fish jumping up though I didn’t paint it, and a small mangrove coming up. The tide was coming in.
 
The lights of the Pier were reflecting on the water and were so vibrant they captured my imagination. It was a splash of colour. I was fascinated by all the patterns I could see and had to paint the scene through my eyes. There was a swirl in the water as though nature was unfolding its mysteries right in front of me.
 
Height: 57cm
Width: 41cm