I recently answered the call to complete a couple of small murals at Tallebudgera Valley State School on the Gold Coast. The Tally Tiger is the coolest cat around so I developed a cartoon version of the school mascot to assist in reinforcing the school mantra and positive behaviour.
Its always a pleasure to be back in my old hood. A fresh fence mural has kind of become a tradition and is a great excuse to catch up with friends despite the rain.
I had a very productive week at Windaroo Valley SHS. Having completed the first mural featuring Captain Green in 2014 it was great to return and brighten up a whole bunch of new sites.
I was recently commissioned to give The Racing Snail Van a fresh coat of paint. With the blessing of a trusting owner allowing me an open brief, I thoroughly enjoyed letting the concept and colour palette evolve. Ensure you give these friendly folk a wave when you see them in Murwillumbah and around the Tweed. Also a huge thanks to Jugs for artistic assistance.
The new decade kicked off with a couple of projects in Emerald, Central Queensland. I completed the first stage of a project with Emerald State High School which saw a stack of positive messages in focus. I also completed a number of artworks for the Green Space Youth Drop in. This is an initiate of Central Highlands Regional Council, PCYC & Anglicare. Putting a day between projects to use to paint a new piece at the local BMX track wall made for a super productive couple of weeks.
I want to say thanks to all who have supported The Sauce Studio throughout the year. This year saw numerous tours Central & Western Queensland my home away from home. I also completed commissions in Cairns along with a few projects across Brisbane, Gold Coast and Tweed. As always it’s been a variety of public art commissions, youth and community projects and the odd private commission.
It’s been great to connect with new friends and continue relationships with existing clients, some for almost 20 years now. Using my skills to pay the bills is cool but the best thing is to see people engage with art, particularly in a public setting. The friendships and travel adventures also make me genuinely humbled by your support and awesomeness.
It hasn’t all been smooth sailing though, professionally it has tough at times witnessing both Redland City and Brisbane City remove hard earned and successful projects. These incidences highlight a disregard for councils own policies and ongoing exclusionary practices. Any incentive to do your art legitimately has long gone and I can safely say over the course of my career I have had more issues with clients breaching contracts than with any vandalism by wayward youth.
Personally I have struggled with chronic pain at times from a condition which has forced me to slow down considerably in the past few years. I will however continue painting large scale murals for as long as my health allows and as long as it remains sunny in Queensland…and it’s always sunny in Queensland!
I am looking forward to many more adventures in 2020 so after a short break I will be back splashing paint around your neighbourhood.
Sauce
I really enjoyed working with Lifeline to create a visual merchandising backdrop for the Burleigh Heads store. With the artwork to serve as backdrop I originally envisaged a more abstract design but the client provided some references I was happy to work with a cartoon style approach & it turned out great. Its not everyday I get to paint alongside a red headed roller skating mannequin but I guess were both doing our jobs, to get customers in the door.
I had a busy week creating two murals for residents, staff and visitors of the dementia facility at the Southern Cross Care facility at South Tweed. The artworks depict local landscapes to engage residents and provide a point of reference and discussion in the living and hall areas. During application I quickly realised my artwork was merely complementing the efforts provided by a bunch of dedicated staff. It was heartwarming to witness the care provided by staff and visitors alike…sometimes the most challenging environments and interactions can be the most rewarding.
I had a blast contributing to Burringbar Public School’s 125 Year Celebrations recently. It was cool to catch up with friends from the area and re-connect with fellow past students. It was awesome to see the community get behind the celebrations and showcase what the village is all about.
I was assigned the task of completing an addition to the memorial wall at Mt Cotton State School. It is never and I hope the artwork brings joy to the memories and assists with the healing/grieving process. The great manners and initiative of students to open the gate while my hands were full put a smile on my face.
Mt Cotton State School I think was the the first school I completed a project back in 2000 or 2001. I have enjoyed a great relationship with the school with 9 Murals over the years, each still serving well. Previous principals and teachers have engaged my services at their new schools and many of these works have been great folio examples.
Handcrafted Artwork Since 94 - The Sauce Studio
Mural Artist - School Murals - Sign Painter - Public Art
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