Description
The painting “Flying Doctor’s New Website” – by Howard William Steer
Flying Doctor’s New Website is a fun and creative painting by Broken Hill artist Howard William Steer. In this picture, his well-known Flying Doctor character flies across the wide Australian outback. Below, a group of Indigenous people points up at the plane in surprise. Meanwhile, spider webs hang from the trees. This clever detail is a play on words, making a joke about the “new website.”
Howard Steer is known for his bright and lively paintings that show life in rural and remote parts of Australia. He often mixes humour with storytelling. His characters are big and bold, and his scenes are full of funny, unusual moments. This playful style helps him show both the joys and the challenges of outback life.
Because Howard grew up in Broken Hill, he understands outback life very well. His personal connection to the land and the people gives his work real meaning. He uses strong colours and simple shapes to bring the harsh beauty of the outback to life. His paintings also celebrate the cleverness, strength, and good humour of the people who live there.
Howard has a strong connection to the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS). When he was young, he looked up to them for the important work they do. The Flying Doctor appears often in his paintings. He shows the plane flying over empty, dusty landscapes, bringing help to people who live far away from cities.
Through paintings like Flying Doctor’s New Website, Howard shares his love for the outback and his respect for the RFDS. He combines humour with heart, helping us see the outback not just as a place, but as a story full of courage, care, and community.
