Redland Museum

Late last year, we received a phone call from Redlands Museum with a request for an interior mural with a horse ploughing a field. “Easy done!” I said. “No worries mate.” That was before I learnt it was a 14m x 6m wall. But, with Sauce being a professional I was confident the mural would be an interesting and suitable challenge. 

After some further consultation with the staff and volunteers, the theme and images were determined. The layout and design was relatively simple as the concept needed to be historically accurate since it was a part of the tractor display in the museum. The staff and volunteers at the museum were great to work with and it was refreshing to see such a professionally managed facility. With any luck, Sauce will be painting more backdrops and murals for the museum to help set the scene for their carefully curated displays. 

Update on 2014-03-04 00:54 by sauce

This mural made it into the local paper. 

Update on 2014-04-22 01:46 by sauce

The team at Redland Museum were so impressed with Sauce’s work on the farming display, they decided to commission him for a second mural for the Grand View Hotel display. The Grand View Hotel was the first licensed establishment in Queensland and is located in Cleveland, Redland City. The pub still stands today and as past residents of Redland City, both Sauce and myself have enjoyed a beverage or two at the old pub, especially on Christmas Eve, but that’s another story.

This mural was one of the most challenging and intricate murals Sauce has undertaken since the backdrop required a high level of detail to recreate the historic pub. The angle of the mural was also significant, as the pre-existing doors needed to be worked into the mural.

As always, the staff and volunteers were amazing to work with. Sauce tells me he was fed scones with jam and cream and had free reign over the tea room. Excitement indeed!

Back in Black

It’s not everyday that Sauce is given permission to paint whatever he wants on a wall. In fact, most of his work is subject to a design brief and a rigorous consultation phase. So when his mate from Redland City suggested it was time to refresh an old piece, it was only a matter of time before the task was completed. Since it wasn’t a professional job, Sauce indulged in a few rums and kicked back with the boys in between painting. The results speak for themselves. 

City Girl

Last week I put the finishing touches on a mural at Coolnwynpin State Primary School, and I enjoyed working with the different subject on this colaboration with Skone. As an artist, I am always looking for new ways to broaden my skills base and work with new themes, and this portrait is another example of trying new methods and ideas. 

Birkdale Breakers

Last week I returned to Birkdale and worked with the great team at Birkdale Breakers Swim Club. The breif was to enliven the pool complex ahead of sign on and the upcoming swimming season. I designed the artwork to appeal to the popular learn to swim program and incorporated a beach theme as suggested by the club. Once again I enjoyed working at Birkdale and wish to thank the staff, students and pool committee for the fantastic feedback.

Attack of the Quadcopters

Art Has No Boundaries

Art certianally does have boundaries not to mention legal paramaters. After sixteen years of basing my business in the Redlands I decided to move to greener pastures twelve months ago. As a young person and a community member I took part in numerous youth and art committees, and I was a gallery volunteer at the Redland Art Gallery in Cleveland. Despite my active involvment in community based projects and the knowlegde I gained over the years, I was consistantly ignored or under valued by local council. I was even nominated by Redland City Council for a “Youth Up Front” award in 2002. Many promises have been broken by council and we are still yet to witness preventative measures towards youth crime and graffiti issues which are effective and culturally appropriate. On numerous occasions I have offered free or low cost artwork only to be denied the opportunity and graffiti removal continues. Several opportunities to train appropriate local artists have also been denied. The money spent on graffiti removal continues to increase as does the incidences of graffiti. I have had meetings with the Mayor and other important stakeholders requestiong the council takes a more broad approach to art and to look beyond Yurara or Coochie Art Group, the two most publicised and council supported art organisations. There are many different policy documents specifying how to involve the use of murals and the type of work I am experienced in. Art has many boundries in Redland City. Mainly too many white picket fences and too much red tape.  Read more: 

IN-SYNC Sign

After ten years of service the time came to retire the old IN-SYNC Youth Service sign at Cleveland and replace it with something fresh.

 

Mt Cotton State School

Mt Cotton State School sadly lost a valued teacher to cancer last year. Butterflies, gingham and purple are themed throughout a garden in memory of Teresa Peters (Jones).

 

Frog Garden

Cerebral Palsy League have been busy creating a fantastic new garden area at the Capalaba Day Service. The Frog Garden mural was painted to compliment all of their great work entailing new paving, garden beds, a veggie patch and frog pond. It was great to catch up with clients and staff at the celebratory luncheon and enjoy the food and entertainment. I appreciate the ongoing support towards visual art projects and feel honoured to have the opportunity to contribute to another fantastic project with CPL. See more

Endangered Species

A new species of koala has emerged in Redland City and the surrounding areas. The new species is related to Phascolarctos cinereus, however the “Urban Koala” has evolved unique characteristics which include the ability to adapt to suburban environments and a resistance to the STD chlamydia which is devastating other species of koala. A rapid increase numbers is evident as the urban koala can be sighted almost anywhere, anytime, often appearing in shopping centres, cinemas and schools. Commissioned studies have indicated the urban koala can be linked with developers, often sighted carrying briefcases full of cash. This new breed does not display noticible differences in physique to its gum tree dwelling counterpart but it has learnt a basic grasp of the english language and can be heard, regularly stammering, “sorry, that’s not my department”. The koala also displays an ability to write policy documents as it has infiltrated a range of government jobs. Despite being one of approximately sixteen thousand threatened species, the urban koala has successfully dominated local media ensuring youth, community, indigenous and other relevant issues are rarely mentioned. Now positioned at the top of the food chain, the urban koala dictates a complete control where all things are regulated and creative ideas are excluded guaranteeing conformity.

Humans are now the endangered species.