I’ve had about seven tries at my profile, all of them generic, but I think this one is most accurate. Art takes sweat and tears. My art keeps me up at night and makes me trudge into my studio (or in my case, more like a woodworking shop), at 5am most mornings. I create large works of art, only to then destroy and dispose of them if I don’t think they’re good enough. I must be happy with what I create and satisfied that a client will feel the same. It must be right.
I’m a mixed media and design specialist based on the Mornington Peninsula (I’m also an Accountant). My Mother was an interior designer, my Father was a struggling cartoonist, watercolour and pen and ink artist, my Grandfather, a Master Carpenter, who lead up some of the most crucial steps in constructing the Sydney Opera House.
I create textured works of art from primarily wood, plaster and paper. I avoid traditional paint on canvas, and I seek new, unusual media to work with. Working with various methods of fabrication and art, I aim to create pieces that offer something that differ from the norm. My focus is on shadows and varying tones to create three dimensional and complex pieces. Most of my works are large and range between one to two metres square. Each work is unique and doesn't follow a single theme or colour combination. Some are abstract, some are not. Some have a deep meaning to either himself or the client, but some are design oriented, commercial pieces that aim to blend in with an existing or planned décor, but again, they must be ‘right’. I need to love them, or they don’t make the cut.
Most of my works are framed. This is usually a permanent, integral frame that makes up part of the piece itself. This applies primarily to the wood block and plaster pieces.
The pixelated wood pieces have been a real focus of mine over the past few years. I think the variations are endless with stained wood on board and my brain is always churning with new images, techniques, shapes and methods, to create something truly special. Of course, all the cutting, sanding, staining and other prep work (not to mention a lot of overengineering to make them practically indestructible) is substantial but it leads into creating a piece that my client loves and will last for many years.
Suffice to say that you won’t see me creating any videos of me barefoot, wearing linen trousers and placing candles next to my displayed pieces in spotless, white surrounds. I’m in my workshop, cutting, sanding and toiling to create a piece that both myself and my client can be proud to display.