Light, Laughs and Lanes is an original painting by Australian Coastal Artist Rachel Rae.

Set against the backdrop of South Curl Curl’s iconic ocean pool, Light, Laughs and Lanes is a celebration of simple summer joys with kids wading, and floating through sun-dappled water. This scene captures not only the movement of water and people but the atmosphere of carefree community that coastal ocean pools invite. The composition leads the eye gently from the playful foreground to the stillness of the horizon, balancing energy and calm. Each figure is painted with a sense of lightness and spontaneity, inviting the viewer to recall their own memories of saltwater swims and rock-hopping adventures.

Loose, layered brushstrokes bring the water to life, with swirling colours echoing the ever-shifting light on the surface. I used a mix of soft blending and quick, confident marks to convey the reflections and motion of the pool. Colour guides the emotional tone — cool aquas, warm skin tones, and unexpected purples and pinks mingling in the water. There’s a deliberate sense of imperfection and play in the technique, allowing the scene to feel alive and in motion. It’s this painterly approach that I love — capturing fleeting, familiar moments in a way that feels both personal and shared.

This original painting by Rachel Rae is painted in acrylic with a protective varnish on a deep stretched canvas, framed in Tasmanian Oak it is ready to hang.