In August, I toured Central Queensland for the third time this year and painted like was no tomorrow. I had an overnight stay in Tara, a small township forty minutes from Dalby where I was looked after by the Crew at Ink Addict and Body Piercing. The only plan was to add some colour to the wall. I think I did alright.
When I received the following list from the kids at Holland Park State School Outside School Hours Care I thought they were pulling my leg.
A pickle
Nike, converse, vans (shoe brand logos)
Ironman
Invader zim
Lightning bolts
Easter eggs
TNT and explosion
Rainbow
Coke bottle with ‘PCYC’ on label instead of ‘coke’
Stars
Ninja stars
Alien and ray gun
Graffiti writing - ‘SENIOR OSHC’
Leprichauns with pot of gold
F1 eleven
Some of the things didn’t make the final cut, but with a bit of imagination, I managed to squeeze as many possible item in for the undercover mural. It was great to work with Mt. Gravatt PCYC again on another fun interior mural.
The pace slowed down this week as I journeyed down to Evans Head and created a mural for a family in the local caravan park. It made a nice change from sitting in the Brisbane traffic and I was well looked after by the family. I was even treated to a beer or two. Cheers!
This week I created a mural at Wynnum West State School which incorporated the school creed and reminded the students to be responsible, respectful and safe learners. The enthusiasm of the students was evident during the lunch breaks and I’m looking forward to working with the school again in the near future.
Some days in the Northern Rivers you just, can’t understand why there are so many closed minds and cliché groups. As a professional artist, who has moved back to the area I have really struggled to find my voice amongst the naysayers and the pretentious creative types who have taken over. I’ve spent the past decade building my professional mural business and I have nearly twenty years of experience in working with aerosols and and creating public art, but the doors of the gallery are still jammed shut. To find somewhere to create my art, I have to traipse up hills and search over the countryside to find a place to paint, when in reality there are plenty of great public places which would be perfect for a professional mural. And that doesn’t even begin to cover how the Treasures of the Tweed is devaluing my profession. Some days in the Northern Rivers, you just wonder where it all went wrong; it’s a great place to live, but a difficult place to work
The Cultural Arts mural is my second visit to Tambourine Mountain State School this year and it is always a pleasure to work with such an appreciative client. I first met Mr Smith in Blackhall, where he helped create a positive learning environment for Blackhall State School. Mr Smith and I planned this Cultural Arts mural to represent all the different artistic endeavors the school is involved in. The award winner school choir is even featured in the background. I need to give an extra shout out to the supportive tuck-shop personnel, as they put on a tasty spread for a working lad.
To celebrate this years Youth Week, I packed my bags and headed to Julia Creek, home of an endangered marsupial The Super Dunnart. I was hoping to get away from the rain, which has put a dampener on some of the projects in the pipeline in Brisbane, but no such luck! With some help from the locals I brought the skate park to life on over couple of sunny days after the rain.
The Sauce Studio is now up an running! On the 23rd of March this year, my wife and I officially opened The Sauce Studio to a warm reception from family, friends and visitors. We had a great turn-out and it’s good to feel supported by such an appreciable group of people. So a big thanks to all who came.
The studio will allow me to focus my efforts of taking my artwork to the next level. The work I have explored under the banner of Aerograffix has been great, and I have enjoyed meeting all of the kooky characters and completing some excellent murals which will continue, however between projects I want to challenge my own artistic ability. I want to experiment and to harness intrinsically driven concepts while enjoying a creative atmosphere in the studio.
At The Sauce Studio, my wife Ainslie Rose, will take care of the administration and front-of-house. If you’re emailing or calling, it’s probably her you’ll be talking to. We’re also open during the week, as I will have a collection of my fine art available for viewing and purchase, along with some prints, tee-shirts, hoodies, post-cards and mugs (All of this can also be purchased online). Next time you’re heading this way, feel free to drop in.
The Sauce Studio
Shop 4/15 Cnr Proudfoots Ln & Commercial Rd
Murwillumbah
02 6672 1929
It has been all systems go this week. After a mad scramble to get the Opening Night @ The Sauce Studio happening, I was zombiefied. But, there is no rest for the wicked and the next day saw me painting a van for a friend with Mr Fires.
