Jean Isherwood’s collection of 32 watercolour paintings is inspired by Dorothea Mackellar’s seminal poem “My Country”.

Painting always played a significant role in Jean Isherwood’s life. In 1959, when she realised her passion lay with painting landscapes, she borrowed £50 to buy a car and began travelling. While driving through Crookwell, NSW, Jean was struck by the dramatic vision of “stark ring-barked forests.” She thought, “I simply must paint the poem ‘My Country’”, which she had learned at school.

Over a period of years, Jean sketched and photographed various phrases of the poem. In 1974, Jean drove to Alice Springs and spent three weeks enjoying the colours of the landscape in Central Australia. 

On her way back to Sydney, she decided to visit friends at Tamworth and fell in love with the “very paintable” district. In 1976, she moved to the Tamworth district and bought a property at Moonbi.

Sometime later, Jean heard Mrs Mikie Maas from Gunnedah on the radio about the proposed sculpture of Dorothea Mackellar being created by Jean’s friend, Dennis Adams. This was the catalyst Jean needed to paint ‘My Country’ and thought “If I’m going to paint the poem, it has to be done NOW and it has to be ready for the unveiling of the sculpture on Australia Day 1983”. Jean contacted Mrs Maas and soon after, began work on the 32 watercolours. She had only two months to complete her assignment and so, working on kitchen tables and sideboards, Jean worked tirelessly.

The watercolours were finished on time and were ready for viewing on Australia Day 1983.

Following the completion of the watercolour collection, Jean produced a collection of oil paintings. These paintings were all sold individually and are hanging in various locations throughout Australia.