Haitches on the highwire Painting

I'm a painter and poet born in Sydney Australia, now living a little further south in Wollongong. I've been painting for the past 23 years. I create busy, boldly coloured compositions that often have a post-industrial, highly structured feel. There's also often a touch of absurdity or light-heartedness in the works. People tell me my works remind them of their childhood and to me this is a good sign. Although there are many visual artists whose work I'm influenced by - Van Gogh, Rembrandt, Diebenkorn, Australian artists John Olsen, Elizabeth Cummings, Idris Murphy - I'm also very influenced by writers and other creatives - Leonard Cohen; Australian writer Helen Garner; George Saunders. Often it's their approach to their work and faithfulness to the craft that inspires me the most.