This research brings attention to the ‘obsolescence of periodization’ (Hoptman, 2014, p. 13), a phrase applied to some contemporary painters who do not consider themselves restricted to a painting style or period. Rather, these artists acknowledge influences from a variety of periods. Research produced for this study acknowledges the influence on my practice of seemingly diverse fields of painting and performative art: The Sublime, Expressionism, and Relationality.

The research is focused on affect and sensory-emotive transference, originating from my encounters with land. Affect is synaesthetic, implying a participation of the senses in each other (Massumi, 1995, p. 96). Embodiment of sensory-emotive content is examined in the well-researched fields of Sublime painting and Expressionist painting. I also question whether my research focus, emphasising human reciprocity with land, extends to the ‘contested critical terrain of relational art’ (Watson, 2015, p. 151).

Process, in this study, became a record of dialogue between the activity of land and the activity of painting, whereby ‘feelings were seen to emerge out of sensory immersion’ (Kirk, 2014, p. 120). It consequently became less important to have finished works and more important to have active readings of the dialogue formed with the land through art practice. While including painting and drawing, process expanded my practice to also include digital video, sculpture, installation and performance drawing, in a broad range of art activities termed relationscapes.

One Work is the result of collaboration between artists Frances Alter, Stuart Boggs, Rowen Matthews, and Robyn Jackson who were inspired by the landscape and environment at Digger's Camp in the Yuraygir National Park, between Yamba and Coffs Harbour. The exhibition's centrepiece is a massive multi-panel painting that mixes up work of each artist to create a single artwork responding to the site. Each artist contributed towards creating a visceral impression of the rugged coastal environment and seascape. The work established a new innovative methodology for art practice that challenged notions of single authorship of artworks by artists. Dr Frances Alter conducted the creative practice research throughout the development of the project and this involved recordings of planning meetings, videography of artist's practice on location, and final presentations of research outcomes in a public lecture alongside the One Work exhibition held at the New England Regional Art Museum in Armidale from October to November 2015.