BIOGRAPHY -- GLEN GILLARDOn completion of six years in the Regular Army, Glen Gillard embarked on a career as an artist. This involved much study and learning with various tutors, and an ongoing commitment to improve and grow as an artist working in the traditional manner. Eventually Glen was able to work full – time in this his chosen field. His preferred mediums are oils, watercolour and pastel. He is equally excited by and interested in urban and rural landscape, seascape, portraiture, and still life. Glen has published two sketchbooks [ Boolarong ] both dealing with the Queensland Gem fields. He is a member of the Royal Queensland Art Society, Brisbane branch and is a past President.Glen has held more than twenty solo exhibitions, the most recent in May / June, 2018.His portrait of wife Verna was selected for the Doug Moran Portrait Contest in 1990. He has won approx. thirty first prizes, numerous second prizes and been commissioned to paint a dozen public murals, dealing with Queensland history. FROM THE ARTIST.My approach to painting is quite straight forward and simple, and if I may be so bold as to quote the poet, Elizabeth Barrett Browning,......"Earth is crammed with Heaven, And every common bush afire with God......" and so it is that I see in the "ordinary ",that which I think is quite extraordinary. I find no necessity to invent or conjure up subjects, and indeed, have no capacity for doing so.We are surrounded with so much beauty and interest, unusual, strange and amazing material in the physical world, which is just waiting for our response. Consequently, I am continually on the look out for a subject to paint - a fascinating head, glorious flowers, a rugged landscape, or a quaint building. I have no particular "theme", or rather, I have many themes, so am never at a loss for something to paint. Sometimes it's a matter of what to paint first, which often becomes a matter of having two or more subjects on the go at once. I do not find this a difficulty, { other than sometimes an energy concern } but more a blessing - having much work to accomplish.Working as an artist is mostly a solitary occupation, and perhaps sometimes a selfish one. If the artist is serious, getting the work done requires isolation and concentration,especially if preparing for an exhibition or a contest. But in all fairness, I know artists who paint and sketch for the simple pleasure of that activity. often in the company of like - minded friends. There is great value in this.However, that solitary artist, poor fellow, remains dependent on many people and circumstances - someone to feed and cloth him, and generally look after him [ or her ] while he engages in the uncertain business of expressing his feelings in paint. It could be called a privileged life - indeed it is, in my case, thanks to my very supportive wife, so please forgive me if I don't surface too often. I'll be busy being solitary in my shed, I mean studio, painting the best painting the world has yet to see. I know you can't wait.OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS include : Commissioned to paint a dozen murals relating to the history of Queensland - 1989 / 2019.1989.......Carson Mural - Bowen1991.......Aviation Mural - Bowen1995........Farming Mural - Bowen1996........Denison Hotel Mural - Bowen1997........South sea Islander Mural - Bowen.1997.........Greenslopes Hospital Mural - Brisbane1999.........Cattle, Coal & Farming Mural - Clermont2000.........Sheep Mural - Clermont2001.........Peter Delamoth Mural - Bowen2005 ........Bauer Mural - Bowen2014..........Coal Industry Mural - Bowen.1990 : Finalist in the Doug Moran Portrait contest, with a painting of my wife, Verna. [ see glensstudio.com.au ]