Struan is based in Little River on Banks Peninsula. His work typically portrays remote wilderness areas of Southern New Zealand and he is especially interested in portraying the New Zealand native bush. ​ For Struan, painting is a way to combine creativity with an interest in the outdoors and in hiking. Hiking trips inevitably become photographic journeys and a means to gather source material. His style of painting continues to evolve and recent years have seen a shift away from landscapes to focus more on wilderness. This interest in wilderness reflects a fascination with the natural world, where human modification is less apparent. The paintings are intended not only to communicate a sense of awe for the natural environment, but also to stimulate gratitude, reminding us that nature is precious and requires our care to restore and protect the natural environment.