Petra Meikle de Vas
Just beyond the shoreline of Cairns, about 15 nautical miles from the Great Barrier Reef, artist Petra Meikle de Vlas works closely with the ocean around her. In her coastal studio, the sea is both inspiration and guide. Using her hands, a spray bottle, a blowtorch and even gravity, she shapes paint into reef-like textures and flowing forms. Each piece evolves through experimentation and a deep connection to nature, creating work that feels alive, part painting, part ocean.
We spoke with Petra about her process, her connection to the sea and how she brings the ocean to life in her art.
Growing up near the coast, what early experiences first sparked your love for art and nature?
I didn’t actually grow up right on the coast — we were a couple of hours inland. So whenever we visited the ocean it felt incredibly exciting. I was completely fascinated by it. We’d camp there regularly, and I’d spend hours watching the waves and the changing colours. That’s where my love for the ocean began — in Victoria, at a coastal place called McLaughlin’s.
How did your journey as an artist begin, and what challenges or surprises did you encounter along the way?
My journey started back in school when I realised art was something I was naturally good at. It came easily to me and felt like the one place I could express myself fully. From there it just kept evolving.
Your work often captures the textures and movements of the reef and ocean. How has living and working near the Great Barrier Reef influenced your style and techniques?
Living so close to the Great Barrier Reef has had a huge impact. I’m able to visit it often and really understand its flow — the currents, channels, depth, light, and colour shifts. Watching how seasons and weather affect it — all of that helps me understand its patterns and translate them naturally into my work.
Your creative process is quite unconventional, involving tools like blowtorches, hairdryers, and spray bottles. Could you describe how you use these techniques and perhaps share a moment when experimenting led to an unexpected result?
I stumbled across those tools while trying to recreate what happens in nature — wind, water, gravity, movement. When I used things like a blowtorch or spray bottle, I realised I could get the same impressions in paint as those forces create in real life. It was a turning point. That’s how I learnt to shape and control my pieces in a way that still feels organic.
What themes or emotions are you most drawn to explore through your art, and what inspires you to keep experimenting and learning?
I find it really fulfilling to experiment and discover new outcomes. That’s where most of my breakthroughs have come from — just trying things, even if they fail. There are plenty of flops, but there are also those exciting moments where something works beautifully. That balance keeps me motivated. It’s all part of the process.
Is there a piece that feels like a personal milestone or favorite, representing a turning point in your career?
There are definitely milestones, but I can’t point to one single painting. Every five or ten works feel like small steps forward — you learn, refine, and build. It’s a steady, ongoing progression rather than one big leap.
“I find it really fulfilling to experiment and discover new outcomes. That’s where most of my breakthroughs have come from — just trying things, even if they fail."
When people experience your work, what sensations or thoughts do you hope they take away?
I hope people feel something positive — that calm, clean, floating sensation you get in shallow, clear water. Most people have felt that peace in the ocean or a river. Aqua and turquoise feature a lot in my work because they reflect that feeling of clarity and connection to nature that so many of us love.
Looking ahead, are there new projects, collaborations, or techniques that excite you most?
I’m always thinking ahead - I’ve got more ideas than I could ever keep up with. That’s what keeps it exciting: there’s always something new forming in my mind that I can’t wait to bring to life.
Just for fun, what’s the one tool, color, or quirky source of inspiration you always turn to when you need a creative spark?
Definitely the blowtorch! My favourite colour is turquoise or aqua. And I’m constantly inspired by other artists’ work — seeing what others create always gives me a burst of fresh energy.
Petra Meikle de Vas’s artwork brings the ocean to life, capturing the movement, colour, and textures of the reef in a way that feels both vivid and alive. To feature her work in your store or creative projects, contact us to discuss licensing opportunities and terms.
View the full collection of her artwork here
