Nimbin

I was contacted by Southern Cross Hemp in Nimbin to apply some artwork on a couple of newly equipped grow rooms. The client provided the designs and I was able to turn this project around at short notice prior to VIP’s visiting the nursery to see their investment growing. Portraits on a corrugated surface was challenging…every time I paint corrugated I declare I will never do it again and I’m sure fellow artists can relate. That said painting cannabis leaves on top of grow rooms for the police helicopters certainly makes for a memorable experience.

Oxenford

I enjoyed kicking off the new year with a large scale work at Oxenford State School. The P&C provided the opportunity to paint a native flora & fauna mural which serves as a colourful welcoming statement. I packed in lots of details along the 50m long wall and included some of the animals that were hanging about whilst painting such as bees, spiders, magpies and the resident blue tongue lizard “Bluey”. The feedback has been amazing, from staff, students, OHSC, parents, other contractors, local politicians and residents many of whom have voiced positive comments whilst driving past or stopping to take a closer look and check out the art making process and progress.

2021 Wrap up

The last few years has been challenging. Whilst I’m still running my business on two bars of 3G and no reliable internet in sight (this post has literally taken several attempts to load because its raining) the pandemic has virtually shut down the arts. Due to state political situations for the best part of two years I have either been stuck behind a physical barrier cut off from work or working and unable to return home between ever changing restrictions. I still don’t understand why couch surfing and camping around Queensland is safer than sleeping in my own bed just a stones throw south of the border but anyways were all in this together yeah? 

Operating a 100% Queensland business and having to apply for a permit, commute 45 kms in the wrong direction to sit at a checkpoint cue to be questioned by maskless police and army then return the long way home through congested roadworks for no reason has taken its toll. I’m cool with doing my bit for a public health crisis but when the LGA you reside has zero cases and Brisbane is 8x closer than Sydney, it makes no sense to be denied the opportunity to access work, let alone the quickest route in an emergency all while sports events continued take place in packed stadiums with athletes flown in from interstate hotspots. I feel for all those adversely affected in recent times and in my own experience I’ve had to make snap decisions to be temporilary homeless or income less by my own state gov, Ive been forced to buy materials and hire equipment I have sitting in my workshop just down the road, Ive watched competitors poach my work and witnessed the premier promoting public art and tourism projects across Queensland one of which I literally had on hold because of cross border restrictions. Ive missed medical appoints and couldn’t cross the border for original scheduled 2nd vaccination, been cut off from friends & family, and I even buried our dog in a family members yard because if i layed her to rest in my garden I was unable to return for work. I have put my heart and soul into Queensland over my 20 year career and the lack of any support for border residents from both state governments compounds the failings from a federal level. The uncertainty of ever changing restrictions has disproportionately placed challenges on small business and the most vunerable whilst many large companies are handed tax payer funded subsidies and the obscenely wealthy cash in on Covid. Were all left wondering how celebrities and football players receive magical exemptions to the rules and why double standards have become accepted as the norm.

However during this time I have been fortunate theres been plenty of interest in my artwork. Throwing any sort of work/life balance out the window I have tried to make the most of every professional opportunity. Knowing how disproportionately the arts sector has suffered with Covid restrictions I am grateful to still be operating two decades after starting my business. Completing 25 projects this year entailing of 4 tours of Queensland, projects with 11 schools from Brisbane, Ipswich, Logan, Gympie & Gold Coast has all been a bit of a blurr.

When lockdowns have been looming I have purchased canvasses and bunkered down in my studio to put time into developing an exhibition. Another side project I have been working on is a cartoon featuring my sidekick/manager Mac the Fox Terrier. Like many artists I have utilised down time to prepare new work and avoid total insanity! 

Theres been a few firsts and no shortage of ups and downs and surprises along there way. Some of the most of memorable experiences of 2021 include collaborations with Ronell, Kosie 1, Lucy Ann Artistry and Blurg. Its been great to make several new friendships, discover fresh walls, observe koalas from the studio and share food, drinks and conversations with homeless people at campsites whilst wealthy grey nomads complain about the dust and cost of fuel in the outback. Further to the counter productive border restrictions mentioned earlier some other challenging experiences include having 2 flat tyres & getting bogged in the same week and the past couple of months recovering from injury and experiencing chronic pain but I am looking forward to getting back to business and splashing some paint around again soon.

Thank you for the support and stay tuned as theres plenty more art in the making and projects planned for the new year,

Sauce

Windaroo

It was great to work with students at Windaroo Valley SHS engaging an art class with a stencil spraying workshop. I assisted students to apply designs that continue their current art research theme: built vs natural. We discussed and documented the process and I demonstrated some techniques which many of the class applied in their own works. It was great to see a variety of approaches and the standard of work can be attributed to the commitment by students and staff alike.

Alpha

It was great to return to Iningai country to complete another public art commission in Alpha. This time it was awesome to have the opportunity to work with another artist and good friend Lucy Ann Artistry. This collaboration has been several years in the making since meeting Lucy in her role as an art teacher in Blackall.

We painted and talked visual art non stop with the exception of exchanging numerous motorbike and broken bone stories. We endured extreme heat, rain and wind sometimes all at once but that’s classic outback Queensland conditions. Our dogs Mac & Diesel supervised, overseeing much of the creative process whilst seeking pats from the public and locals alike. I am very much looking forward to working alongside Lucy for future projects growing her mural painting experience and art business knowledge and expanding my portraiture and figurative painting skills.

Several local community members and visitors checked on progress and it was great to receive such positive feedback on the new murals.

The project was supported by Red Ridge Interior Queensland, Alpha District Tourism and Development Association and Barcaldine Regional Council. A special thanks to Louise & Sharon for driving the project. Also Lavina, Lenard & Skowy for making us feel welcome in Alpha.

2F61C2C1-DA5D-4ED1-85E6-78AFB7323A1A.jpeg
9775951E-4245-46C1-8A98-3E3AE921FEF0.jpeg
077664AC-DBB3-496E-8C84-56021CFBBDE9.jpeg

Ormeau

After a productive school holidays completing murals at 4 schools term 4 has kicked off as busy as ever. It was great to be a part of Livingstone Christian College’s art talent workshop programme last week. I worked with several groups of eager students to explore stencil and aerosol art techniques. It was cool to see students taking part in numerous workshops taking place on campus including special effects make up, battle of the bands and pavement chalk art.

89098BE7-BC43-4939-89DA-589D6AA7F36B.jpeg
DFC3C41A-98A2-48FD-8145-192B8BFAC3DC.jpeg
A3E52866-13AD-401C-B574-C3BA0EF8A564.jpeg

Robina

It was great to return to Robina State School and reconnect. I recall painting a mural with students in the early 2000’s as a part of a Gold Coast City Council Youth Arts project. The sports houses mural was completed in 2012 and the Robina Champions in 2016. This time around I was assigned the Tuckshop. I enjoyed the combination of sign painting and mural work which complemented the surrounds.

598DCC07-E421-4710-BD2B-F9579E36F007.jpeg
BE2E3735-BCB0-4878-8ED4-DD017431A6C8.jpeg
A5C4AB2F-EFB6-4119-96F9-8EE41856C6A1.jpeg
9036DBCA-8414-483E-8F90-DADE3B51E7A8.jpeg

Regents Park

After completing murals at Regents Park State School’s Tuckshop and Uniform Shop earlier this year I recently returned for Book Week. It was a challenge painting the pavement and staircase but the result was well worthwhile. The 10 book titles were voted by the students and it was interesting to note a few classics in there I was familiar with as a youngster.

65C7A4B9-8895-4760-A9BF-E199DB309310.jpeg
CC0926FE-1A69-4AF3-AB8B-396ED2368E51.jpeg
55C1CDAD-EAD5-4FAD-B50C-61CED3D6B54C.jpeg
8B93DC88-F156-4178-932A-8CBA6012EC82.jpeg

Upper Mt Gravatt

It was great to return to Upper Mt Gravatt State School after completing quite a few murals around the school grounds over the years. This time I was commissioned to create a backdrop for the newly established Community Garden. I really enjoyed contributing to this initiative as I believe every school should have some form of edible garden. It ties to many subjects and promotes healthy eating amongst an array of beneficial outcomes. Also whilst painting I noticed community members visiting to say hi to the chickens and tend to patches. Many local residents don’t have the space for gardens or animals so these types of spaces are a valuable resource, providing an opportunity that would not otherwise be accessible. A huge thanks to the Upper Mt Gravatt P&C for the opportunity to be involved and I can’t wait to to see the gardens continue to grow.

0690046C-E7CF-47A3-A2AF-50A4D72E5B6C.jpeg
B74B27FD-962F-4AF1-93CF-FB839974C7FA.jpeg
4EC8FC5B-9970-44A5-B392-3CC3EDAEAAF6.jpeg