Petra Meikle creates with an artist’s soul and a diver’s eye. Her work is a love letter to the Great Barrier Reef - its ever-shifting blues, its kaleidoscope of marine life, its quiet, breath-held wonder. From her coastal Cairns studio, just 15 nautical miles from this natural marvel, she channels the rhythm of the reef into rich, layered compositions that feel as fluid as the tides themselves.
A Journey Shaped by Land and Sea
Petra’s story begins far from the tropics, in rural Victoria, where creativity was a way of life. Her family’s art gallery cafe, Meikle Cottage, was more than a home - it was a canvas, a gathering place, a space where artistry and conversation intertwined. Those early years instilled in her a deep appreciation for expression in all its forms.
The pull of the ocean eventually led her north, to the lush warmth of Tropical North Queensland. Here, inspiration was waiting. The endless blues, the intricate coral gardens, the shimmering interplay of light on water - each element found its way into her work, shaping her distinctive style.
Painting with Air, Fire, and Motion
Petra doesn’t simply paint - she sculpts with movement. Her process is an intuitive dance, guided by air guns, spray bottles, blow torches, and gravity itself. Layer by layer, she coaxes texture and depth from her materials, mirroring the organic formations of reefs and shifting currents. The result? Pieces that don’t just depict the ocean but embody it - restless, alive, ever-changing.
Q&A with Petra Meikle
We sat down with Petra to learn more about her inspirations, creative process, and the connection between her art and the reef.
BL: Your art is deeply inspired by the ocean. What draws you to the Great Barrier Reef as a subject?
Petra: The reef is alive - constantly shifting, changing, and moving. I love how light dances across the water and how colours morph and blend beneath the surface. I’ve just returned from Sudbury Reef this week, and it’s fuelling my inspiration! I’m always searching for hidden, untouched spots - pinning them on the sounder, naming them myself. I’m crafting my own map of the reef - caves, drop-offs, breathtaking coral - feeding my wanderlust.
BL: You use some unconventional tools - air guns, blow torches, and gravity. How did you develop your unique process?
Petra: I started thinking about how nature shapes the world—the sun beating down like a blowtorch, currents shifting under the moon’s pull, much like gravity moving the paint, and waves driven by the wind, just as air guns push colour across the canvas. My process reflects these forces, letting the elements shape each piece as they do the reef itself.
BL: Your work has been exhibited across Australia and internationally. What has been the most rewarding part of sharing your art with the world?
Petra: The most rewarding part of sharing my art is seeing people connect with it and I find it exciting to reach people across the world. Licensing my work to print houses - from Israel and Indonesia to the USA, and more recently, France - has definitely made it more accessible and it’s thrilling to see it resonate across cultures, transcending language and creating connections everywhere.
BL: What’s next for you? Any exciting projects on the horizon?
Petra: I’ve begun experimenting with a drone which is fun and I'm creating some hyper-local pieces, drawing direct inspiration from some hidden spots on the Great Barrier Reef and the Tropical North Queensland coast. In 2025, my focus is on crafting original works - one-of-a-kind pieces that capture the essence of a place and moment.
Recognition and Reflection
Petra’s work has made waves across Australia, earning the Art Lovers Australia’s People’s Choice Prize, while also captivating a global audience. Her pieces are regularly showcased at prestigious events such as the Swiss Art Fair and the Miami Art Show, where collectors and art lovers are drawn to their fluid, immersive quality.
But beyond accolades, Petra’s true success lies in the emotion her work evokes - the quiet awe of standing before a vast seascape, the wonder of a world hidden beneath the waves, the feeling of being small yet deeply connected. Each piece she creates is an invitation to slow down, to immerse, to drift a little longer.
Explore Petra's Work
Discover Petra’s world of ocean-inspired artistry across multiple platforms:
• Official Website: Offers insights into her latest works and artistic process.
• Instagram: Provides a visual journey through her recent projects and inspirations.
• Facebook: Features updates on exhibitions and new artworks.
• YouTube – Behind-the-scenes insights and time-lapse videos of her artistic process.
Petra’s studio in Holloways Beach is a 13-minute drive from Bellbry Lodge. Open by appointment, it provides a private viewing experience where guests can explore her artwork up close. To arrange a visit, contact her at petrameikle@gmail.com or call 0413 670 649.