Following an earlier career in geology Colin completed a Diploma of Visual Art majoring in painting at the Melbourne CAE in 2005. From 2005-2009 Colin worked from Appleton Street Studios in Richmond Victoria, including an Artist in Residence Program to Antarctica with Theme Australia. He has been a finalist in numerous prizes including The ANL Maritime Art Prize, The Calleen Art Prize, The Corangamarah Art prize, the Norvill Art prize, The Heysen Art Prize, The Whyalla Art prize, the John Leslie Prize 2012, The Glover Prize 2013, and most recently a finalist in the 2021 Australian Monoprint Prize. In 2011 he was the GrowWest Landcare Award winner . His main thematic concern is the nature/culture dichotomy.