Born 1956. I started to paint the Australian landscape, it's light and forms as a young man back in the 1970's. I grew up in the Bush and I love to draw and paint the landscape in oils, acrylics and watercolours. I have always enjoyed the paintings of Arthur Boyd, Fred Willians and Bret Whitely. A lot of my Art has it's roots in these artists styles and palettes.
Each of my landscape paintings originates from plein air studies. These initial impressions are then carried back to my studio, where they evolve into major works on canvas.
I work in layered oil paint, enriched with Damar varnish tints that bring out the subtle and shifting colours of the landscape. Over the past fifty years, I have honed this multi-layered technique to create textured surfaces and colour harmonies that imbue each painting with depth and atmosphere.
In my art studio I may work up these watercolour sketches into major works. The Gungarlin series started that way. Over the years I have created several series of paintings called the" Sorry Arthur but I can't afford one of yours" and "Sorry Fred...." these influences and series will continue. Celtic influences and ideas are often reflected in my latest works which are now forming as part of the Australian landscape.
I have had many solo and mixed exhibitions starting back in 1974 at the Sapphire North Gallery at Sapphire Beach ,Coffs Harbour and have continued to exhibit up until 1994 at the University of Queensland Staff Club.
I won the Commonwealth Bank prize in 1974 and have been highly commended in the Suncorp Art Prize in 1988 and 1989.
Currently I live in Brisbane and spend my time between fly fishing and in my new Art studio drawing and painting.