Pastel painting of Bathing Boxes on the Mornington Peninsula by award winning Australian artist Emily Holsman.

Bathing Boxes

The bathing boxes that are dotted around Port Phillip Bay and Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula have long captured my imagination.

Built over a century ago (to comply with the Victorian era’s morals in regard to bathing) many have been lovingly maintained to this day.

They are both quaint and colourful, while each one holds a family’s stories and secrets between its walls.

Strictly speaking, each one is little more than a shed (with no water or electricity), yet for the most part they continue to be appreciated and maintained by generations of owners with the utmost care and attention.

Bathing boxes add an entirely new dimension to the beachscape and they lend themselves beautifully to the pastel art medium, the way the sun and the water enhances the myriad of colours that somehow combine in a delightful, eclectic balance.

I love their colourful weatherboard panels and corrugated iron roofs – each box’s owner injecting something of their family’s own character and personality to the exterior decor.

The background to my original painting in the series was cluttered with houses, which needless to say detracted from the boxes themselves, so I deployed a degree of artistic licence and replaced those buildings with trees.

Suffice to say, that made all the difference and I was delighted with the outcome. The final result has become my best selling art card and arguably my most popular painting.

Here on the peninsula the style, design and colour schemes of our bathing boxes are unique to this particular area and I find it fascinating to study the subtle differences with boxes from other parts of the world.

My Bathing Box Beauties series now numbers four and I was delighted when one of my paintings was chosen to feature in the short film ‘Diffraction’ that screened at the Tropfest Film Festival.

A beautiful pastel art print, delivered unframed with a certificate of authenticity – signed and numbered by the artist. A limited edition of 300.

Available in two sizes: 12 x 18 inches and 16 x 24 inches.

Free shipping worldwide with Australia Post.

Printed on 180gsm enhanced matte art paper.

Pastel wall art makes the perfect gift or a beautiful addition to your home or office.