Rising artist Peyton Johnson is set to debut her first-ever solo painting exhibition, marking a significant step in a creative journey that began with simple pencil sketches on printer paper. While the exhibition title is still under wraps, Johnson hints at Country Race Day as the inspiration behind the vibrant new body of work.

A self-taught artist from Coonamble, Johnson began drawing quietly at home — unnoticed at first — until a lion sketch entered in a local show caught her sister’s eye. Since then, she’s nurtured her creativity, evolving from pencil drawings to expressive paintings made with anything she can find — often borrowing materials from around the house with her mum’s permission.

“This exhibition is the first time I’m showing paintings instead of drawings,” says Johnson. “I’ve learned a lot while preparing, and I’m still using my quirky, colourful self — the colours are a bit more muted this time, but the personality is still there.”

Johnson’s work is deeply personal, drawing on family memories and rural life. Her dad and grandpa feature as muses in many of the pieces, including a tribute to the Thallon pub and a lovingly painted riding saddle. Influenced by artists like Lottie Rae and the lesser-known Barry Eyles — whose rustic depictions of farm life first sparked her passion for art — Johnson’s collection brings the energy, charm, and eccentric style of bush race days to life.

“I want people to enjoy looking at it,” she says. “To feel happy, to stop and notice the quirky little details. That would mean a lot.”

Peyton Johnson’s exhibition promises a unique blend of old and new — a fresh take on rural Australia through the eyes of a bold young artist.