2023 Wrap Up

As the year comes to a close I wish to thank everyone who made it an epic one. I always enjoy splashing some paint around along with the opportunity to work with great people and see familiar faces. I kept busy in 2023 and took on a variety of commissions including a 9ft kangaroo, a ceiling, beer label designs, signs, a street library, sports club, tanks, hotel, campground, airport, toilet block, a couple of aged care facilities and fourteen schools!

With my trusty K9 sidekick/supervisor Mac we completed projects all across Queensland and beyond: Aramac, Blackall, Bundamba, Burringbar, Casino, Chinchilla, Coalstoun Lakes, Coraki, Daisy Hill, Flagstone, Guluguba, Harrisville, Jericho, Lennox Head, Miles, Mulgowie, Murwillumbah, Muttaburra, Ormeau, Oxenford, Peak Crossing, Regents Park, Roma, Shailer Park, Tallebudgera, Toowong, Waterford West and Windaroo Valley.

It’s been a top year at The Sauce Studio, thanks for being along for the journey. There are also a stack of exciting projects locked in for coming months so stay tuned.

Sauce

Mulgowie

I was contacted by the Mulgowie Community Hall Committee to apply a mural on a new water tank. The brief was for the design to reflect the local surrounds, farming and arts & Culture. There was no shortage of inspiration as Mulgowie is situated amongst a scenic rural location in the Lockyer Valley and is host to many great events.

Jericho

It was great to return to scenic Iningai country and complete the artwork for the Jericho Street Library. I cant believe it was way back in 2012, I completed murals at the local school…time flies! Thanks to The Jericho Community Tourism Association for making this project possible.

Alpha

It was great to return to Iningai country to complete another public art commission in Alpha. This time it was awesome to have the opportunity to work with another artist and good friend Lucy Ann Artistry. This collaboration has been several years in the making since meeting Lucy in her role as an art teacher in Blackall.

We painted and talked visual art non stop with the exception of exchanging numerous motorbike and broken bone stories. We endured extreme heat, rain and wind sometimes all at once but that’s classic outback Queensland conditions. Our dogs Mac & Diesel supervised, overseeing much of the creative process whilst seeking pats from the public and locals alike. I am very much looking forward to working alongside Lucy for future projects growing her mural painting experience and art business knowledge and expanding my portraiture and figurative painting skills.

Several local community members and visitors checked on progress and it was great to receive such positive feedback on the new murals.

The project was supported by Red Ridge Interior Queensland, Alpha District Tourism and Development Association and Barcaldine Regional Council. A special thanks to Louise & Sharon for driving the project. Also Lavina, Lenard & Skowy for making us feel welcome in Alpha.

Chinchilla

Last year I camped at Clover Hill Ranch. It’s a scenic campground on Charleys Creek just a few minutes walk from the town centre in Chinchilla. The new owners were gearing up to upgrade facilities and wanted to make a point of difference. This stay I didn’t get a lot of time relaxing by the creek, kayaking or taking my dog for swims and walks amongst the gum trees. My services were required to paint an amenities block and food trailer.

https://www.cloverhillcamping.com.au

Winton

Another adventure began with a catch up in Blackall with some friends before heading to Winton for a large project. This time I was commissioned to paint two murals and a series of workshops.

Winton is the dinosaur capitol of Australia so a dinosaur mural was a good fit for the laneway between the library and bakery. This theme also referenced previous work on this site by Bill O’Brien who’s hand painted signs I have admired for many years. Incorporating the existing bricks into the artwork created a lot of interest and invited passers by to take a closer look. The large wall demanded decent sized features and I also managed to squeeze in smaller details to create points of interest along the laneway.

The second mural took shape on the local newsagents recently re-clad side wall. This time we focussed on other elements that have played a role in Winton’s recent history. The owners liked the idea of a mandala inspired design incorporating iconic local imagery. Through this consultation and concept develoment process I discovered a story that needed to be told. The owners late father was a well liked local character who built a successful transport business. Alan “Buddo” Grant became a living legend in 1995 when he broke the Guinness World Record for the longest road train. Winton is well known for Banjo Patterson, birthplace of QANTAS and opals which are reflected in many other public art installations and tourist attractions so It became apparent that Buddo’s legacy needed to be the main feature for the mural. I painted the original truck used and the 34 cattle trailers (including 4 fuel trailers) which were used in the amazing feat. Some of the local station brands were also incorporated into the design.

I had an epic time in Winton and can’t thank Winton Shire Council enough for their efforts to make this project happen. The feedback both from the murals and workshops was fantastic and no doubt this is a great example of best practice, where a number of stakeholders enabled positive outcomes. Mac & I are looking forward to next time already!

Richlands

Back in 2010 I was contracted to paint several large scale murals in Richlands in conjuction with the opening of the Darra to Springfield Transport Network. This one was themed Night & Day and stretches 87m of the motorway and bicycle paths. I was recently provided the opportunity to carry out some re-juvenations, maintenance and additions with thanks to RoadTek Department of Transport and Main Roads for making it happen.

Aramac

I was kept busy again in Aramac with a number of commissions including a 140m long fence. I always enjoy the super friendly people, inspiring outback landscape and abundance of native flora and fauna. The Lake Dunn Sculpture trail is well worth the visit and I also thoroughly enjoyed my time at White Station Sacred Healing Circle.

Thanks to Barcaldine Regional Council for the opportunity, Aaron Skin for the drone footage and video expertise and Blurgg for the contribution.

Pottsville

I thoroughly enjoyed painting this mural in Pottsville. It reinforced what I love about being a public artist and that’s to engage an audience that wouldn’t normally be interested in art or step foot into a gallery. It’s also rare to paint a wall that is not too big, not too small, reasonably smooth, in good public view without obstructions such as trees, signs and windows. The owners trusted my expertise, I have had a fantastic response and it was fun in the sunshine indeed!

Cairns

I escaped the cold winter briefly and headed to sunny North Queensland to visit family. While in town I was commissioned to do a large wall I had discussed with the owner a couple of years ago when I painted the stairwell. I explored several design concepts each using an illusion element and the owner chose the “funky” one. It was great to see this mural come to fruition and able to put the time in the wall deserved.

During this trip I delivered a canvas to its new home and as always no visit to cairns is complete without a paint session and a cold beverage with the talented and friendly locals, Mint & Wal.