Robert Malherbe Arcadia Road, Blackheath

I’ve lived with my family in Blackheath in the Blue Mountains, New South Wales, for over 17 years. In the late afternoon, I walk my dog or ride my bike around the neighbouring streets. Very often I see things that are inspirations for paintings.

I came across this motif on Arcadia Road while cycling and came back the next day at the same time with canvas and paints. The people around here are used to my behaviour and seem sympathetic to the plights of a plein-air painter, at the end of summer, struggling against the dying light.

Robert Malherbe, 2018