Max Thomson — Studio Visit
The enchanting world of painter, Max Thomson.
We had the pleasure of visiting the studio of our long time friend and cherished painter, Max Thomson, who resides in the seaside town of Devonport. Walking into Max and Chrissie’s home is like stumbling into a mesmerising museum. It takes about 10 minutes to walk down the hallway, not because it is particularly long, but because there are so many beautiful and intriguing things to look at.
The low, warm lighting and sound of the crackling fire draws you in, not to mention the smell of something sweet that has just been lifted out of the oven. Paintings line the walls— and on the table are collections of volcanic rock, polished tree gum, recipes cut from the newspaper, fresh greens from the garden and a particularly handsome raven drawn by their son Billy, many years ago.
“”It seems everything: each painting, each photograph, each object in their home holds a story, a memory… and like Max’s paintings, each one draws you in to its beautiful and captivating world.
Max shows us to his studio, a room that is filled with canvases, big and bigger! Being a photographer for over 30 years his approach to painting is informed by framing and light. He works from photographs he has taken, often on long walks around Mt Victoria with Barley the dog, and later printed off and pinned up beside the canvas he is working on. Still lives. Landscapes. Trees — a celebration of green!
His studio is a treasure chest of family photographs, paintings and other enchanting findings, found roadside, on his daily walks. Max is an energetic storyteller enthused by inspiration in its diverse and random forms. It seems everything: each painting, each photograph, each object in their home holds a story, a memory… and like Max’s paintings, each one draws you in to its beautiful and captivating world.
Photography and words by Ophelia Mikkelson