It was a pleasure to work with Barcaldine Regional Council and Barcaldine State School again. Escaping consistent precipitation on the coast, the weather was fantastic for painting in Outback Queensland. I enjoyed catching up with a bunch of great folk whilst in town and keeping productive on the brushes. The Sand Goanna was definitely a winner being the local champion Rugby League team.
I was contacted by the owner of Contrology Pilates to apply some artwork at their new premises in Underwood. The client had a design in mind and was ready to roll so we turned the job around at short notice during the fit out before any equipment was installed.
Earlier this year I applied another mural at Oxenford State School. This artwork continues the theme from the adjacent oval and celebrates regrowth amongst the school grounds seeing the flora & fauna return. Thanks to school staff and the fabulous P&C for being a pleasure to work alongside.
The fabulous team at the Amby QCWA Branch wanted to give the Boringa Shire Hall a facelift. The hall is home to the Spein-a-yarn display of spinning wheels and items handmade from locally sourced animal yarn.
I channelled the enthusiasm of group members into the artwork and very much appreciate their hospitality and generosity throughout the process. Painters were busy, the gardens were tended and the area is looking great for upcoming Anzac Day services.
The project was made possible with the support of Maranoa Regional Council and local sponsors Tyrepower Mitchell, Samios Trading, Lawsons Butchery, Springhill Retreat, Mucka Pub, Western Qld Spirit, Morelands Nursery, Mt Abundance Homestead and Surat Hotel.
This was a fun commission I completed last year at Oxenford State School. Painting floors is the best way to remind me of my dinosaur bones however aches and pains aside it is totally satisfying to create large scale interactive art. Another good example of transforming a space with some imagination and a splash of paint.
I was recently contacted by staff at Kingston State College and took on a small project at short notice. The school is planning an event to celebrate Harmony day and the mural will create a backdrop for the site of night markets. It’s always a pleasure to work with a new school and the positive feedback from staff and students during the painting process. We were lucky to squeeze this one in with recent weather not being favourable but i’m glad we could make it happen and share a the message Together We Belong.
Over some seriously hot days this summer I visited Charleys Creek Brewery to complete some more art. I worked some magic on the tap trailer, finished two of the ammenities blocks and also took on a stage backdrop. I thoroughly enjoyed getting back on the brushes and what better location than a shady spot by the creek in Chinchilla.
The stage mural was set to a reasonable undertaking especially to paint on the fly. I prefer to have a plan or concept to work from so after discussing a couple of approaches with the owners I sat down and sketched a rough draft on the spot…literally as the final wall panels were being installed! It’s a special thing to maintain balance between the challenge of commercial work (the ability to suit a brief) whilst playing to my strengths as a painter. Its also great to work with businesses who make things happen, no mucking around and meetings to decide the next meeting.
I had a slow start to the year spending several months suffering from chronic pain only completing a small number of commissions during the first half of 2025. As I recovered I was able to get through a backlog of jobs and returned to full time with a fully booked schedule several months in advance.
Completing almost 20 murals and more than a dozen signs from Murwillumbah to Outback Queensland and FNQ. These commissions saw me working with 8 schools (a bunch of fabulous P&C’s and Education Queensland) Queensland Health and Queensland Transport and Main Roads.
As another year comes to a close I wish to thank my family and friends. Also a big thanks for the support goes out to: Alexandra Hills State School, Aramac Ambulance thrift shop, Barcaldine State School, Capalaba Amateur Swim Club at Capalaba State College, Cairns & Hinterland Health Service, Charleys Creek Brewing Co Chinchilla, Animal Welfare League Coombabah, Leichhardt State School, Longreach State High School, Maleny, Coyotes Cantina Murwillumbah, Muttaburra Museum, Oxenford State School, Regents Park State School, Searles Outback Store Winton, Winton Outback Festival, Tattersalls Hotel Winton and Wondall Heights State School.
Meanwhile despite attempts to be involved, a $316,666 NSW funded, Tweed Shire supported project saw numerous artists from outside the area offered paid commissions on prime CBD walls whilst no such opportunity for The Sauce Studio to apply. Historical, cultural and community connections were disregarded while communication was shut down to ensure my exclusion. Unfortunately this is what collaborative placemaking and community engagement looks like in Tweed despite my experience in community and public arts being second to none and my efforts to see this type of project come to fruition suppressed and remain unsupported in the past. I will continue to tell my story and support the communities that support me, remaining independent of authorities that favour bullies, latte sipping trendy crafters lacking substance and frivolous notions of “local”…oh and what a shame the new welcome to Murwillumbah tourism sign does not contain any local artists work.
The first half of next year is almost fully booked so keep your eyes peeled for some exciting artworks. Share my work, support handmade, keep it real and I will catch you in the new year.
Ok I’m a bit late on this but it needs to be addressed as Ive witnessed and endured many changes in the industry over the years. During my early career I narrowly missed out on likely the last sign painting apprenticeship available. Digital printing had desecrated hand painted signs ensuring cheap, mostly poorly designed clip art became par for the course applied by anyone with a computer and printer. Sure these products serve a purpose but a niche market remains for quality, bespoke artwork which has longevity, particularly in all weather and extreme conditions.
Moving on and the public art industry has exploded with a million street artists most of whom have never done it on the street. These paint by numbers trendsetters armed with iPads and degrees applying pastiche designs tend to be flavour of the month for tenders and EOI’s but I wonder how many of these folk would survive without technology to assist. Just like tattooists, some artists are competent mural applicators but lack ability to develop a variety of original content and many entirely consumed by their social media image and half strength soy latte order. Call me a dinosaur but I miss the days of sending physical photos to potential clients before websites and internet were the norm and I still reckon I got paid quicker receiving cheques in the post than todays digital systems.
Over the past short while, the number of AI designs provided by clients has increased exponentially often accompanied with the request “I want this but can you make it better” This immediately restricts artistic integrity and reduces my income. Sure as a commercial artist Ill take a clients money to apply whatever they want but it undermines authenticity and disregards the skills developed over years to sketch and conceptualise an original design. Whilst I understand other artists have different methods I have never used a projector and will never use AI for concept development. Maybe Im a luddite or it’s my learning difficulties but computers have not made my life easier. New technology sucks the soul from creatives and will continue to decimate the entire industry with regulation lagging behind…I feel for early career artists and the struggles they will encounter. Copyright used to be a thing but as an independent artist I have little chance to protect my work or take on tech giants for unauthorised use. Its becoming almost impossible to source reference images that don’t look like robot vomit!
Share my work & tell a friend, its free to do so. Also be assured you are supporting handcrafted art made with love and a lifetime of dedication to the skills, knowledge and an authenticity that can’t be replicated.
Find more info on this topic via: https://thehumanmade.org
I was contacted by the team at Animal Welfare League on the Gold Coast to apply a design they had approved. As a dog person I jumped at the chance to assist as I am well aware of the fantastic role AWL does to re-home animals big and small. The volunteers offered great feedback as the mural progressed but it is them that truly do a wonderful job, I am more than happy to contribute to improving the aesthetics for adopters and their future best friends. The mural is situated in the shelter adoption area located on the Coombabah site and was supported by Gold Coast City Council.
Handcrafted Artwork Since 94 - The Sauce Studio
Mural Artist - School Murals - Sign Painter - Public Art
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