I live on a rural property in the hinterland of Byron Bay. Beautiful lush countryside, with undulating hills, I am surrounded by a community of friends that are a lovely mixture of miscreants and misfits. They colour my world. My teenage daughter reminds me of a character out of Gabrielle Garcia Marquez’ novel and I often feel the need to stop her floating into the skies.. There is a Brahman bull, Angus cattle, neurotic dogs, bad tempered ducks and a forgotten garden, a sad and lonely chook yard, one too many battles with the crafty foxes. All on the to do list.
I like to paint. Stepping over the cobwebs and chewed up dog bones, paint on my verandah looking out at this vast world.
I am motivated to paint by the need to express my thoughts and imagination.
I have a strong desire to bring people into my storytelling. The figures, creatures and visual references often reflect a wide range of curiosities and references and intrigues. They come from a diverse range of sources that include fragments and abstractions from the world of mythologies, the kabbala, poetry, literature, popular culture, current affairs, personal memory and daily rituals.
The works become a metaphorical place to find a haven and safe place to roam from the harsh realities and complications of the modern world, the shadow of which is still often discernible. This makes for a strangely compelling cocktail of innocence, whimsy, longing and menace.
My work is also about hopefully gaining knowledge, about experimentation and about the skills of painting and mark marking.