My Melbourne Exhibition in October 2018 was a massive undertaking.  I worked solidly and with great focus for a year to pull the collection together. 
Brian built two large crates and the full collection was transported unwrapped, they were packaged like a filing system within foam boarders.  Watching as my artwork “filing system” was loaded precariously on and off the back of a truck was nerve wracking to say the least!  

The exhibition went well and 14 pieces were retained for representation by Without Pier Gallery and Hawthorn Studio Gallery in Melbourne.
We were left with 2 of the largest works, and with costs mounting for the return of the collection we hatched a plan to leave the largest piece, Geikie’s Whisper, in Melbourne.

We approach John Paul Fischbach of the Auspicious Arts Incubator.  JP agreed to display the painting in his corporate office, and we decided this would be a great opportunity to give back.
On the sale of this piece we have offered to sponsor an artist from regional Australia to undertake one of the many artist learning journey courses run by The Auspicious Arts Incubator.

I have just completed the artist transformation school and have found it to be incredibly helpful in adjusting my focus and giving me guidance as I stumble my way through the maze of creating an art business.
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So, with this blog, I ask that you share the information to any individual or company that you feel might be interested in purchasing a large, curved, stunning artwork on aluminium that expresses the ancient mysteries of the spectacular Geikie Gorge in the Kimberley of WA. 

 In the purchase of this piece they will not only have this striking work on their wall, they will also be proud in the knowledge that they have philanthropically assisted a regional artist on their own personal art journey.

I am at the magnificent Eco Beach, 150km South of my home in Broome, WA. We have stepped away from town for a much-needed break and to celebrate a significant birthday, of with I am struggling to accept….
It’s just after 5.30am and I have woken with a painting swirling around in my head.  This often happens to me, it is rather lovely.     I lie in the stillness of the new morning and let the picture form, I see the colours, imagine where the glimpses of Aluminium will glow through to give light and difference to the piece.    In my morning mind painting I always envisage the sky first, the sweep, the glow, and the light play, then the horizon line – is it over the ocean, the land, is there an element passing across it, where will this significant line sit in the composition of the painting?
By 6.30 I’m on the sofa, sketch book in hand, pencil scratching out the thumbnail from my morning mind painting.   These are small, simple sketches, they just show the profile of the canvas or aluminium panel and the way the work will be pulled together.  I work until I am happy with the composition, weirdly enough I have a sense of satisfaction at this stage, as though the painting has been achieved.

The end result may well change, but at least I know where I am headed when I put the brush to the sub-straight.
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As you can see it did change somewhat, but I was happy with the finished product, it's all in the planning, this takes the guesswork out of the composition, helps you iron out any 'glitchie' bits on the paper rather than your canvas.  Happy painting everyone.  I will endeavour to blog again soon.....

​I have been Painting for 16 years, it’s funny, I have had moments when I look at those years and wonder why I am not better at my craft, why haven't I progressed more in the 'art world'?  I have a frowny moment and think why haven’t I grown more…. Then I look at what has transpired of the last 16 and realise the truth of the matter is the first 4 - 5 years at least I was ‘learning’ how to paint.   I shifted to Derby in the North of Western Australia where I was geographically and artistically isolated.   Those first works away from the side of my tutor were simplistic and somewhat awkward, but I persisted in between running a business and raising 2 young boys.  The next 5 years I continued to raise my family, battle with the strain of running a business and through it all my painting became my friend, it was my time of peace and stillness. 

The next 3 years I was in rebuild and recovery mode after my marriage breakdown, my art continued to be my constant companion through this time, it was mine, no one could take it from me, it gave me strength, stillness of mind and a sense of identity when I felt I had lost all. 

With a shift to the magnificent coastline of Broome, there has been a change of pallet and an exciting new beginning.

​Step into my most recent past and the last 3 years have seen a great amount of growth in my work, I am looking at my craft with different eyes. After many hours of online seminars and art blogs I am trying to consolidate my creativity from the frenetic ramblings of the past to create a true body of work.  I have worked on my technique with laying glazes, have experimented with application and changes in substrate from canvas to Aluminium and, as a result I find my art is making a shift from realistic modern landscape to representational landscape.  Through the love and support of a new partner I am moving toward a new and exciting chapter in my life.

​I guess the purpose of this first blog is to give fellow artists and students some encouragement.  It is the old saying that Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is the growth of your artistic ability.   Tenacity and persistence is the key.    If it doesn’t work, try again, the internet is a wonderful resource, leaving isolation a thing of the past.  Learn new methods of application and technique, push your boundaries, never give up on something you believe in.