Night Magik Painting

From my earliest memories, the desire to be an artist has been an integral part of who I am, a dream inspired by my father. He, too, pursued his passion at what was then known as East Sydney Tech, now the National Art School (NAS). When I was fortunate enough to be accepted into NAS at just 15, it felt like a dream come true. The next five years were a deep dive into the art world, where I immersed myself in creativity, technique, and artistic theory, shaping my identity as an artist. Upon graduation, my family relocated to the Gold Coast, and I was eager to continue my artistic journey by exhibiting my work in this new environment. I approached a local gallery with high hopes, but the experience was disheartening. The owner delivered a harsh critique, bluntly stating that I had no talent and suggesting I seek a different career. This moment shattered my dreams and led me to abandon my artistic ambitions for many years, during which I drifted from one unrewarding job to another. However, life has a way of guiding us back to our true passions. After years of soul-searching and with the unwavering support of friends and loved ones, I decided to re-enter the art world. This time, I approached it with a newfound resilience, maturity, and determination to succeed. I embraced the challenge, armed with the lessons learned from my past. Today, I find joy in the small things—like being a dedicated cloud watcher and indulging my addiction to art supplies. There’s something meditative about watching paint dry, and you’ll often find me in my studio, where I immerse myself in my work from around 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. I’m driven to make up for the lost time I experienced earlier in my career, which fuels my prolific output. A friend once remarked, “too many paintings, not enough time,” and those words resonate deeply with me as I strive to create as much as possible. While I sometimes explore other mediums, oil paint remains my favorite. My work often delves into introspective themes, reflecting fundamental truths about ourselves and our world, and the intricate relationship between the two. Inspiration manifests in myriad ways—whether it’s the beauty of a landscape, the rhythm of sound, or the power of the written word. Landscapes are my preferred genre, yet I continually experiment, pushing the boundaries of my techniques and materials.