Jessica Sutherland, Sydney Contemporary Artist

Colour has always been my way of seeing the world.

After a career in corporate law in Sydney and New York, I eventually listened to the creative voice that had always been quietly calling. Today, I paint from my studio in Northbridge on Sydney’s Lower North Shore, creating expressive works inspired by the beauty and distinctive colours of Sydney—its harbour foreshores, gardens and coastal tracks.

My paintings are intuitive and evolve layer by layer. I rarely set out to paint a particular scene. Instead, each work emerges slowly through memory and imagination, guided by a process of layering and mark-making, gentle addition and subtraction, revealing itself only in the final stages.

My work is less about documenting a place - whether that be a coastline, park, or bush track - and more about capturing a feeling of being in that place: the energy, atmosphere and emotion that linger long after the moment has passed. I work primarily in acrylic and oil pastel.

I draw inspiration from abstract expressionism, colourists, textiles, folk art and the natural world.

I believe art has the power to shape the way we feel and experience the world around us. In a world that often feels as if it moves too quickly, I like to think my paintings - through my distinctive and fresh use of colour, texture and gesture - encourage us to slow down, notice and celebrate the beauty of our Sydney surrounds.

Live Artfully. Live Colourfully.

“Art is something that makes you breathe a different kind of happiness” - Anni Albers, Artist and textile designer

“Colours placed next to each other change how we view them. They influence each other. Colours don’t do well in isolation, just like people.” - Tsia Carson, Textile designer

“Colours have a language of their own; they can speak louder than words” - Cecily Brown, Artist

Prizes

Lifeline Art Show North Sydney 2025 - finalist

Ewart Art Prize 2025 - finalist

Northern Beaches Gallery Summer Art Prize 2025 - finalist