Aramac

Ive struggled in recent months…its been challenging trying to process the continuation of exclusionary practices and incompetence in regards to public arts projects in my area. My ability to focus has been disrupted for sometime knowing historical connections are overlooked, experience means nothing and anything but local is prioritised despite my substantial efforts locally and expertise in community arts being second to none.

In the wake of witnessing overt nepotism and hideous gentrification hurting my eyes, I decided to get a breath of fresh air and leave the latte sipping, paint by numbers, craft making (craft is the abomination of what could have been art) and oh soo trendy creatives on the coast. I travelled to Central Western Queensland with my first stop in Aramac. I have completed almost 30 murals and a bunch of signs in Aramac over the past couple of decades. Commissions include the local school, bowls club, pub, nursery, cafe, library & information centre, multiple food vans and vehicles, memorial park, mechanic, racecourse and even a 140m long tourism mural for Barcaldine Regional Council.

This time around I was commissioned by the Aramac Ambulance Committee to work some magic with the newly renovated thrift shop. The building has a long history and has undergone a complete transformation whilst retaining most of the original architectural details and character. Its great to tell the story and history of the Aramac Ambulance service alongside the new chapter of the thrift shop building.

Despite inclement cold weather the entire process was enjoyable…no fuss. The committee were flexible with options, trusted my expertise and assisted with research. Committee members and the council area manager came to check out the progress and offer support.

The butcher offered Mac dog a huge lamb shank, the cafe provided free coffee and someone rocked up with a carton of beer to cover the balance owing on a previous job. The sparky working onsite turned out to be a student of an arts workshop I facilitated a decade ago in a neighbouring town. I painted a couple of cars on the fly and lined up numerous possible commissions for the next trip.

Friends, familiar faces and people I don’t think I have ever met greeted me with “Hi Sauce” throughout the duration of my stay. Its with a huge amount of gratitude I thank Aramac for once again making me feel welcome and all the great chats, proving that community is still alive…just what I needed. I am looking forward to the store re-opening soon and feel proud to be a part of the new Ambulance Thrift Shop journey.

Blackall

Braving 37 degree temps for much of the week is was great to be back in Blackall. This time I had the opportunity to work with Blackall Historical Woolscour which is home to the last working steam powered facility of its type. The woolscour has seen numerous of upgrades over summer and tour guides are gearing up for a busy tourist season ahead.

I enjoyed working with awesome locals, Ros and the team at the scour are driving fantastic projects to benefit the community and the visitor experience. During the painting process I  learnt a fair amount about local history and their knowledge of horse anatomy and wool transport was invaluable to ensuring accuracy. A big thanks to Blackall State School and St Josephs for their involvement in the art making process.

Featured in the image is George Gill (1884-1961) with horses and a local wool wagon. We also applied some of the original hand cut steel wool bale stencils which likely date back to the 1930s/40s.

Handmade tin stencils from as far back as 1930’s & 40’s

2023 Wrap Up

As the year comes to a close I wish to thank everyone who made it an epic one. I always enjoy splashing some paint around along with the opportunity to work with great people and see familiar faces. I kept busy in 2023 and took on a variety of commissions including a 9ft kangaroo, a ceiling, beer label designs, signs, a street library, sports club, tanks, hotel, campground, airport, toilet block, a couple of aged care facilities and fourteen schools!

With my trusty K9 sidekick/supervisor Mac we completed projects all across Queensland and beyond: Aramac, Blackall, Bundamba, Burringbar, Casino, Chinchilla, Coalstoun Lakes, Coraki, Daisy Hill, Flagstone, Guluguba, Harrisville, Jericho, Lennox Head, Miles, Mulgowie, Murwillumbah, Muttaburra, Ormeau, Oxenford, Peak Crossing, Regents Park, Roma, Shailer Park, Tallebudgera, Toowong, Waterford West and Windaroo Valley.

It’s been a top year at The Sauce Studio, thanks for being along for the journey. There are also a stack of exciting projects locked in for coming months so stay tuned.

Sauce

Chinchilla

On my travels to outback Queensland I take every opportunity to stop by Charley’s Creek Campground. I continued the murals at the camp kitchen area with more local flora and fauna. The feedback from all the fresh art has been incredible and I think Charley’s Creek takes the cake for the most murals in one vicinity.

The Brewery is almost underway and keen to maintain some momentum whist under construction Charleys Creek Brewery has released an American Pale Ale. The One In A Melon sour beer was a real hit winning a Gold Medal and I was chuffed the artwork (of a cow smashing a watermelon) turned out great.

For the second beer the Pale Ale label design was also an interesting brief. The concept revolved around a star bull called Golden Nuts and it all came together well, I am very satisfied with the artwork and so stoked to see my client wrapped.

I also painted a tree for The Blue Tree Project which is a great cause and looks great amongst the natural bush surrounds.

Peak Crossing

It was great to return to the traditional lands of the Mununjali, Wangerriburra and Ugarapul Peoples. For this project design options were developed and the school students picked the winner to be applied on a large wall at Peak Crossing State School. The winning concept entails of the iconic Peak Crossing landscape including Flinders Peak, Ivorys Rock and some local animals. I always enjoy the painting process, hearing the kookaburras laughing while I was painting their images was a joy. A big thanks to the P&C team for making this project come to fruition.

Muttaburra

It was great to be back in the Burra, Muttaburra the Centre of Queensland and home of the Muttaburrasaurus. This visit I worked with the local Rural Fire Service and applied a mural on their station roller door. The artwork turned out great and I just wish I could have stayed longer as theres plenty more public art in the pipeline so I’m very much looking forward to returning soon.

Blackall

It was great to be back in Blackall. This time I was kept busy painting local facilities prior to the upcoming Better In Blackall Festival. I took on a challenging design considering the rough bricks but really satisfied with the result and copious amounts of positive feedback offered from locals and travellers. It was made possible by the support of the RADF, Flying Arts Alliance, Blackall Tambo Regional Council and with the assistance of Lucy Ann Artistry and a bunch of locals.

Mulgowie

I was contacted by the Mulgowie Community Hall Committee to apply a mural on a new water tank. The brief was for the design to reflect the local surrounds, farming and arts & Culture. There was no shortage of inspiration as Mulgowie is situated amongst a scenic rural location in the Lockyer Valley and is host to many great events.

Chinchilla

Charleys Creek is such a fantastic place to camp on Barunggam land. I recently continued the murals at the camp kitchen and some signs

Jericho

It was great to return to scenic Iningai country and complete the artwork for the Jericho Street Library. I cant believe it was way back in 2012, I completed murals at the local school…time flies! Thanks to The Jericho Community Tourism Association for making this project possible.