Artists Statement
I was born in Sydney in 1958. Like all kids I was drawing and painting a lot, never thinking I had any special talent, until I won the “ Wear a Yellow Raincoat “ poster competition for a children’s TV show. After seeing the Disney animated “ The Jungle Book” at age nine, I was fascinated and decided then and there I wanted to be an animator. I left school at a very young age and spent a year at Julian Ashton Art School.
My first job was at an animation studio that produced TV commercials. I started as a junior at age sixteen and worked my way up, becoming an award-winning animation and live action director. Throughout that forty-year career I always dreamt of becoming a full-time artist. After I lost my father, I had a sudden urge to simplify my life and chase that artist dream.
I entered art prizes and was selected as a finalist in the Archibald Prize in 2017. Seeing my work hung in the AGNSW was a huge thrill, having entered for the first time, and gave me the confidence to keep moving forward. I’ve since entered a number of art prizes and have been a regular finalist in a good number of them , managing to win a couple as well. Other than the competitions, I spent most of my time doing commission work.
It’s only been recently that I’ve realized creating art isn’t all about painting for competitions and taking requests so I’m painting more for myself these days, and paint what I feel, as a true artist should. My work covers a vast number of styles and I’m inspired by many artists, from Monet to Mombassa, I like to challenge myself with different moods and disciplines.
Having gallery representation has allowed me to paint as I want and thoroughly enjoy my craft.
