Through Stuart Murphy’s eyes: an Oceanstays artist residency
“Art, to me, is a medium through which I interpret and relay the beauty and intricacies of the natural world.”
— Stuart Murphy
There is a reason we hold artists so close to our hearts at Oceanstays.
In the hurry of daily life, we often rush past the subtle details that ground us—the shift of the tide, the rhythmic patterns of sand beneath clear water, the way morning light plays across an estuary.
Artists see things differently. They pause, notice, and interpret the natural world into visual stories that touch us on a deeply emotional level, giving us a perspective that moves us and makes us feel.
That same philosophy drives everything we do at Oceanstays. As a female-led agency managing 152 stunning properties across Yamba and Angourie, we believe a holiday home should be far more than just a place to unpack. We handle every single detail behind the scenes to deliver spotless, seamless, thoughtfully curated spaces so you can step away from the noise, reconnect with the people you love, and immerse yourself in the beauty of moments that make you feel truly alive.
We don't want mass-produced art gracing our walls; we want pieces that carry a soul and tell the authentic story of this coastline. That vision is why we created our Artist in Residence Program.
Aerial Perspectives of Yamba
Where Art Meets Science
When we searched for our next resident artist, we wanted someone who didn't just capture images of Yamba, but deeply understood the pulse of its ecosystems. That search led us straight to Clarence Valley local artist Stuart Murphy (@stu_murphy_australian_artist).
Stuart is an artist comfortably nestled at the captivating intersection of environmental science and visual arts. With deep roots in environmental science, his heart beats for rivers, wetlands, and complex aquatic ecosystems. Over more than a decade of artistic exploration, Stuart has blended environmental consciousness with creative medium—transforming scientific understanding into evocative fine art.
A three-time finalist in the Australian Photography Awards, Stuart’s top-down aerial drone photography lifts us off the shoreline and places us high above the landscapes we so often walk past. From this bird’s-eye perspective, the crystalline estuaries, tidal lines, sand textures, and rich colors of Northern NSW become striking abstract compositions—giving voice to the ongoing conversation between our environment and our creativity.
For Oceanstays, Stuart is the ultimate collaborator. His work achieves precisely what we hope a stay in one of our homes offers: it elevates your perspective, inspires a deeper appreciation for our coast, and creates a moment of reflection on the delicate balance we share with nature.
His Yamba home: Crest on Convent
During his residency, Stuart stayed with us at Crest on Convent.
Having a home for a few days gives you time to settle into a place. To head out without fitting everything into one afternoon. To return to a spot that caught your eye and see it again in a different light.
That is part of what we hope to offer through our residencies: time to explore, room for ideas, and an Oceanstays home to come back to.
For Stuart, that home was Crest on Convent in Yamba. For you, it could be the setting for your next few days away.
Stuart’s Residency Stay
Crest on Convent
Make yourself at home in Yamba, just as Stuart did.
Find your stayCheck your dates for availability, total pricing and stay terms.
Crest on Convent reviews
4.75 / 5
Get to know Crest on Convent through the guests who have made themselves at home here.
Read guest reviewsMoments from Stuart’s residency
Meet the artist, explore his work and revisit his time with us.
@oceanstays.com.au
There’s something about waking up on Yamba Hill
that makes you want to look a little longer.
Watch on Instagram ↗
@stu_murphy_australian_artist
I’m the artist in residence this coming week at Crest
on Convent in Yamba. Follow along to see what I get up to.
Watch on Instagram ↗
@oceanstays.com.au
A different angle. A different appreciation.
A reminder that sometimes you need to change your
perspective to really see what’s been there all along.
Watch on Instagram ↗
@stu_murphy_australian_artist
Rounding off a cracking North coast winter week
stitching a little footage together.
Watch on Instagram ↗
@crestonconvent
This piece is now hanging upstairs for our guests to enjoy.
Come see it for yourself 🎨 View on Instagram ↗
Behind the artwork
The Winner’s Choice
Printed on premium 380 GSM canvas and framed in a handcrafted Tasmanian Oak floating frame (50 x 70 cm), Stuart’s work offers a way to bring coastal perspective into your home permanently.
To ensure the piece fits your personal aesthetic, the giveaway winner will have the choice between two distinct works created during Stuart's residency—from vibrant, cool beachy water compositions to rich, textured coastal land formations.
Win Framed Artwork + $500 Oceanstays Voucher
($1,500 Total Value)
To celebrate our collaboration with Stuart, we are giving away an exclusive prize pack valued at $1,500! One lucky winner will receive a framed 50 x 70 cm canvas print by Stuart, paired with a $500 Oceanstays accommodation voucher so you can experience the magic of Yamba firsthand.
How to Enter:
Step 1: Get Social
Follow both @oceanstays.com.au and @stu_murphy_australian_artist on Instagram and Facebook.
Comment on our official competition post on Instagram or Facebook and tag 3 friends or family members you’d love to spend your $500 Oceanstays accommodation voucher with!
Share the official competition post to your Instagram or Facebook Stories for bonus love!
Step 2: Submit Your Entry Below
Complete the entry form at the bottom of this page.
Upload a screenshot proving you follow both Oceanstays and Stuart Murphy on Facebook and Instagram.
Key Competition Dates:
Entries Close: Sunday, 18 October.
Winner Announcement: Monday, 19 October inside our Seaside Sojourn email newsletter!
Terms & Conditions: Open to Australian residents 18 years and over. Total prize valued at $1,500. Competition closes Sunday, 18 October. The winner will be officially announced on Monday, 19 October via our Seaside Sojourn newsletter and tagged on social media. Accommodation voucher ($500 value) is valid for off-peak stays, subject to availability, has no cash value, is non-refundable, and is subject to standard Oceanstays booking terms.
A Continuing Story of Art and Place
Stuart joins a growing family of creators who have found rest, inspiration, and a fresh perspective with Oceanstays.
Our Artist in Residence Program offers gifted stays designed to give artists the quiet space to immerse themselves in Yamba and Angourie. Each collaboration takes its own unique shape—from fine-art photography and original paintings to charity auctions, limited print drops, and community projects.
Oceanstays Art Shop
Want to bring the soul of our holiday homes into your own space? You can shop authentic, limited-edition fine art prints from our resident artists directly through our online store
Could your next chapter begin here?
If you’re an artist drawn to this part of the world, we’d love to see your work
Our Artist in Residency Program brings together creative people, Oceanstays homes and the places around them.
Tell us about your practice, what interests you about the region and what you might like to explore during a residency.
Museum quality reproduction of original watercolour artwork by Cass Deller. Available on 320gsm textured cotton rag paper or a unique 'raw' canvas.
ABOUT THE ART
Inspired by the serene beauty of Yamba Beach, this artwork weaves together the raw elements of the ocean—saltwater, sand, inks, and acrylics—forming its textured foundation. The detailed upper layers pay tribute to the iconic man-made landmarks of the Yamba Pool and Surf Club, creating a harmonious blend of the natural coastline with these cherished structures.
MATERIALS
My originals are captured in such incredible detail, that the printed reproduction is almost impossible to differentiate from the actual original. Giclee printed on either textured cotton rag (museum grade paper that mimics real watercolour paper) or a unique 'raw' poly-cotton canvas, which doesn't have a plastic coating on it like other canvas reproductions, giving it a beautiful, soft matte finish with lots of texture.
Canvas prints are stretched, so they arrive ready to hang. You can add a 'floating' frame to create a contemporary finish. The floating frames are 1cm wide on the face, with a 5mm 'shadow line' (gap between the stretched canvas print and the frame), and 4.5cm deep and available in raw oak, smooth black or smooth white.
POSTAGE
Postage in Australia included. International postage POA.