Hugh Schulz: The Master of Patterns

Anne Newman, Andrew

Jun 16, 2023 • 4 min read

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I have been talking and showcasing many posts of late about patterns. And before I leave this aspect of art - as luck would have it - our team member and Art Collector, Andrew from the Hunter Vallery Region of New South Wales, has just purchased some new paintings which were created by one of the Masters of Patterns - Hugh Schulz (1920-2005).

**After Rain, Broken Hil** ( 24 x 34.5) by Hugh Schulz (from the Collection of Andrew from the Hunter Valley Region of New South Wales)

After Rain, Broken Hill is a superb example of the impact the use of patterns can have on bringing a painting alive. I also like this painting very much for the limited use of colours in the palette - three contrasting greens to represent the lush growth which can suddenly appear in the outback, the beige of the solid rocks and the red earth reminding us of the Australian outback location.

Hugh is also known for hiding animals in amongst the patterns of the landscape composition. This painting is no exception with a kangaroo just making it into the foreground scene- which is appropriate as kangaroos are rather shy creatures.

**Broken Hill Scene** (40 x 50) by Hugh Schulz (from the Collection of Andrew from the Hunter Valley Region of New South Wales)

I don't think there is one Hugh Schulz painting which doesn't feature birds - especially the bird he loved most of all - the wedge-tailed eagle. Patterns of birds feature above toning in beautifully with the landscape below the cobalt blue sky. Hugh Schulz always aimed for harmony in his paintings and this one sings like a musical score. In fact, the composition of the landscape does look like an orchestra with the dead tree full of galahs ready to conduct!!

**Country of Broken Hill** (40 x 60) by Hugh Schulz (from the Collection of Andrew from the Hunter Valley Region of New South Wales)

And don't you just love this painting with an exquisite blend of constrasting colours and shapes to make up the Schulz pattern motifs - completed with the trio of emus reminding us that this country is alive with wildlife. The king of the outback, the wedge-tailed eagle, soars above in total control of its environment.

**Kinchega Lake - Mendindie** (22 x 30) by Hugh Schulz (from the Collection of Andrew from the Hunter Valley Region of New South Wales)

The painting of Kinchega Lake - Mendindie above is quite different in style and at first I thought it was painted much earlier in Hugh's career. However, a letter of valuation came with this painting dated 12/7/93, this of course doesn't mean that Hugh painted it in '93 but a good chance that he did.

And as we note - Hugh's love of feathered creatures was there from the start and I do rather like this view of the magnificent eagles. Andrew believes the other two birds are one of the many waterbirds found around the Menindee Lakes, possibly Cormorants or Darters which are common throughout NSW. Also present is the dead tree motif which again appears frequently in the Schulz oeuvre.

**Red Sandhill** (23.5 x 34) Hugh Schulz (from the Collection of Andrew from the Hunter Valley Region of New South Wales)

Above is a tonally subtle painting with no attempt to hide the donkeys which I understand having lived in the outback and therefore know how difficult it is to ignore the donkeys which roam wild. If you can't see them - you can definitely hear them!! However, I do like this trio who blend in, thanks to the brush work of master artist Hugh Schulz, to the landscape. Note the motifs of birds (the ever present wedge-tailed eagles) and the dead tree.

**Sturt Peas Broken Hill** (24 x 37) by Hugh Schulz (from the Collection of Andrew from the Hunter Valley Region of New South Wales)

And finally the wedge-tailed eagle soars above the landscape where the glorious sturt desert peas dominate the image and pattern making. And this is because this wild flower is perfect for pattern making because of its distinctive shape.

If you like these paintings and don't know the works of Hugh Schulz, please go to the home page of the AnArt4Life blog and use the Search tool (in the menu on the right hand side) to see past posts on Hugh Schulz - of which there are many - as Hugh is one of our most favourite artists and we love to showcase his delightful works - thanks to Andrew.

Thank you also to Andrew for sharing his collection of Hugh Schulz paintings on the AnArt4Life blog.

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