Event Details
Art has always been part of my life and over the years for extended periods of time I painted in oils and acrylics, practiced woodcarving, pyrography, digital art and various types of drawings, as a hobby.
I was always driven by curiosity and happy to try new techniques. Sometimes I applied my art skills in my job as a technology teacher and that created the opportunity to take art classes in some of the high schools I worked for (Blackfriars HS; Pasadena HS; Whyalla R10; Modbury HS).
About twelve years ago, I went part time with my job to get more time for my art. It was a good decision.
Initially, I painted mainly portraits in acrylics taking commissions and exhibiting. The most important commission came from Modbury HS – a large acrylic painting including all the five principals, over the last 50 years. My style was academic, and my main influences were Albrecht Durer and Rembrandt, at the time.
I was doing well, getting noticed with my acrylics but the feedback I was receiving for my occasional watercolours made me to focus more on that medium. At some stage I noticed that I was trying to create watercolour effects in acrylics and that made me redirect my focus.
Coming across the work of Joseph Zbukvic and Corneliu Dragan Targoviste convinced me that I need serious training and I took watercolour classes with Alan Louis Ramachandran and later Alan Philips, at the Adelaide Central School of Art.
One day I just realised that watercolours are offering me all the challenges and the avenues I need in the creative process and since then this medium takes all my time and interest.
I am honoured that my school, Modbury HS displays in the reception area three of my large watercolours depicting scenes of school daily life.
I was invited to teach watercolour techniques at Clipboard Art Supply, in Prospect and the Campbelltown Arthouse and I enjoy sharing the pleasure of painting in this medium with anyone. It is the joy of watercolour.