Left: Steve Salo, ‘Lady with an Ermine’ after Leonardo da Vinci (1489), oil on composite panel, 20 x 20 cm

Steve Salo, ‘Journey at the Dawn of Day’, oil on board, 40 x 40 cm

Steve Salo, ‘Bush Symphony’, oil on canvas, 76 x 76 cm
Steve Salo, ‘Cape’, oil on canvas, 76 x 76 cm

Steve Salo, ‘The Australian Psyche in the Summer of Fire’, oil and resin on canvas on board, 34 x 28 cm. SOLD
Steve Salo, ‘New World Disorder’, oil on canvas, 81 x 81 cm

Steve Salo, ‘Saint Agatha’ after Francesco Guarino (1640), oil on canvas, 100 x 100 cm
Woman of grace, self-determination and faith. Patron saint of breast cancer patients and nurses.
I began this painting using an old technique that the masters used, called verdacccio. The mix of black, white and yellow pigments was used to define the tonal values, forming a complete monochromatic underpainting. Colour layers were then added. I contemplated the contemporary elements for over a year until one day I just knew I had to add a red cross. The cross can represent many things in Agatha’s life – her strong belief, a protective shield of inner strength and defiance, the violent act committed on her, and remembrance. Painting in the cross felt brave, it was the final stage and afterwards I sat in my couch for about an hour just looking at her knowing the painting was now complete.

Steve Salo, ‘Lucien Freud’, oil on canvas, 63 x 52 cm
Steve Salo, ‘J. R. R. Tolkien’, oil on perspex, 20 x 20 cm

Steve Salo, ‘Standing Figure’, ink and oil on polymer composite panel, 60 x 50 cm
Steve Salo, ‘In the Eye of the Beholder’, ink and oil on polymer composite panel, 80 x 54 cm