Aramac

Ive struggled in recent months…its been challenging trying to process the continuation of exclusionary practices and incompetence in regards to public arts projects in my area. My ability to focus has been disrupted for sometime knowing historical connections are overlooked, experience means nothing and anything but local is prioritised despite my substantial efforts locally and expertise in community arts being second to none.

In the wake of witnessing overt nepotism and hideous gentrification hurting my eyes, I decided to get a breath of fresh air and leave the latte sipping, paint by numbers, craft making (craft is the abomination of what could have been art) and oh soo trendy creatives on the coast. I travelled to Central Western Queensland with my first stop in Aramac. I have completed almost 30 murals and a bunch of signs in Aramac over the past couple of decades. Commissions include the local school, bowls club, pub, nursery, cafe, library & information centre, multiple food vans and vehicles, memorial park, mechanic, racecourse and even a 140m long tourism mural for Barcaldine Regional Council.

This time around I was commissioned by the Aramac Ambulance Committee to work some magic with the newly renovated thrift shop. The building has a long history and has undergone a complete transformation whilst retaining most of the original architectural details and character. Its great to tell the story and history of the Aramac Ambulance service alongside the new chapter of the thrift shop building.

Despite inclement cold weather the entire process was enjoyable…no fuss. The committee were flexible with options, trusted my expertise and assisted with research. Committee members and the council area manager came to check out the progress and offer support.

The butcher offered Mac dog a huge lamb shank, the cafe provided free coffee and someone rocked up with a carton of beer to cover the balance owing on a previous job. The sparky working onsite turned out to be a student of an arts workshop I facilitated a decade ago in a neighbouring town. I painted a couple of cars on the fly and lined up numerous possible commissions for the next trip.

Friends, familiar faces and people I don’t think I have ever met greeted me with “Hi Sauce” throughout the duration of my stay. Its with a huge amount of gratitude I thank Aramac for once again making me feel welcome and all the great chats, proving that community is still alive…just what I needed. I am looking forward to the store re-opening soon and feel proud to be a part of the new Ambulance Thrift Shop journey.

Muttaburra

After delays from cyclones and floods I finally made it back to Mutttaburra, Centre of Queensland. This time I installed a mural for the Dr Arratta Museum display. I began work on the panels in my studio over summer and had a challenging time due to the paint not drying in consistently moist weather on the coast. Completing the panels once installed onsite in outback Queensland to experience the issue of the paint drying before I could get it off the brush in super dry conditions! Despite delays and challenges i’m happy with how it turned out and compliments the space. If you’ve never been to the Centre of Queensland it’s a special place where dinosaurs once roamed, on the land on Iningai peoples and the rivers meet. There’s also plenty of cool fresh air and hot artesian bore water in winter and friendly locals all year round.

2024 Wrap Up

Another year comes to a close and it’s been a roller coaster here at The Sauce Studio. My priority has been to support a close family member who has been unwell since January. I also took some time out to manage my own health as I suffered a chronic pain flare up which impacted my ability to work over several months. Despite all this going on I managed to do a few trips out west to complete numerous regional projects and squeezed in some commissions with schools on the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Logan and Moreton Bay. A big thanks to my clients and friends in Aramac, Blackall, Burringbar, Carina, Chinchilla, Emerald, Goovigen, Longreach, Muttaburra, Nerangba, Oxenford, Regents Park, Tambo, Waterford West and Winton.

My trusty sidekick Mac & I are very much looking forward to catching you in the new year with the current schedule fully booked into March. Thanks for your support, feel free to share my work and catch you in 2025.

Muttaburra

I headed to Muttaburra from Winton and completed the front of what was once a butcher shop. I applied a faux aged look and kept the design simple to let the architecture feature. These old walls certainly have plenty of character.

Muttaburra

It was great to be back in the Burra, Muttaburra the Centre of Queensland and home of the Muttaburrasaurus. This visit I worked with the local Rural Fire Service and applied a mural on their station roller door. The artwork turned out great and I just wish I could have stayed longer as theres plenty more public art in the pipeline so I’m very much looking forward to returning soon.

Blackall

It was great to be back in Blackall. This time I was kept busy painting local facilities prior to the upcoming Better In Blackall Festival. I took on a challenging design considering the rough bricks but really satisfied with the result and copious amounts of positive feedback offered from locals and travellers. It was made possible by the support of the RADF, Flying Arts Alliance, Blackall Tambo Regional Council and with the assistance of Lucy Ann Artistry and a bunch of locals.