It was my first trip to Boulia and what an adventure! After recent rain the flora and fauna of Outback Queensland was not like I’d seen in years. I completed two large murals at Boulia State School. Thanks to the school staff and community for making me feel welcome and the students who shared their experiences and cultural heritage.
This project wrapped up my second tour of Queensland this year and The only thing I won’t miss are the flies!
Over the years I have been a part of a variety Youth Week projects in Longreach with great outcomes and this year was no exception. The Garden of Youth engaged my expertise to assist them to paint a mural at the community garden. It’s great to see the space being utilised and gardening is something I enjoy when I’m not painting so it was awesome work with a likeminded team and learn a few tips myself. I also took on a commission to revamp Eagle Street Pizza while in town.
It was a pleasure to recreate Edward Hoppers “Nighthawks” at a private residence in Barcaldine. The more I studied the painting the more I loved it and can see why Edward Hopper is regarded as one of Americas most influential fine artists.
It was only a few weeks since my last visit to Emerald but always happy to return. This time I facilitated stencil art workshops for Youth Week and completed a demo at the skate competition. It was great to be part of an extensive program co-ordinated by Central Highlands Regional Council.
I always enjoy my time in Emerald and it was great to make new connections at Emerald North State School and catch up with old friends whilst in town. I continued the tradition of completing a new piece at Emerald BMX. After Blackall and Barcaldine this Central Queensland trip was a brief yet productive one.
It was great to return to Barcy and once again I spent more time chin wagging than working! This time around I completed a shopfront mural for Beauty & Beyond and a school tuckshop.
Over many weeks in the studio and on location in outback Queensland I designed, painted and installed five large signs for the fabulous Acacia Motor Inn, Blackall.
It was great to colab with a few artists to freshen up the Moreton Bay Girl Guide hut at Wynnum. Thanks goes out to the Girl Guides who gave us the opportunity to return about 12 years after we completed the original project. I was with good company with experienced artists Rems, Kasino, Skonz and Kradl.
Over the past 18 years as principal artist at The Sauce Studio I have achieved many goals and endured my fair share of challenges. I thank you all for your support throughout my career. The time has come to make some changes, this year I am looking forward to taking things a little slower and handing the reins and responsibility of the business to my offsider. It is with excitement I can announce that Mac has completed training and will be managing all aspects of operations this year. The position will allow him to apply his artistic skills and further develop customer relationships along with all of the stuff that happens behind the scenes such as administration, ordering materials, equipment maintenance, tour scheduling and design development. As pictured below, Mac’s enthusiasm to help with the day to day tasks has shown he is a more than competent to manage all aspects of being a public artist and has even painted a couple of houses under my guidance.
I will be around in a limited capacity during this handover period to ensure a smooth transition and will be making the most of studio based projects whilst Mac is onsite. I am not sure how he will go answering the phone and doing the accounting, he’s kind of a lazybones in the office but can shred documents like a pro. He loves a good bin dive and working on any job wheres theres a lunchroom… come to think of it there was also regular occurrence of disappearing sandwiches from the work ute. Although unlicensed he’s happy to drive anywhere (especially the beach) and has a tendency to be distracted balls, sticks and anything remotely edible. It is time to pass the baton to the next generation of artist, Mac will be catering for all of your mural and art requirements.
Sauce
