Biography
Take one Aussie kid living in Outback Australia in the 70's. Administer a big spoon full of country bumpkin seasoned with extra amounts of creativity. Add good old fashioned table wisdom served in loving spoonfuls from a wise parent. Shake, bake, then relocate to the tropical rainforests of northern Australia. Add nature, a playful attitude and stir vigorously, layer hormones, hammer in early 90's music with a love for drawing. Combine a sense of humor and a good sprinkle of laid back attitude, then leave to rise naturally. Next add a keen interest in experimentation and a love for art, lightly whisk 1 part 'ability' with 8 parts love for all things weathered and decayed, throw in some bitumen, nails, glue, found objects and a few lumps of heartbreak. Then some art school, add a twist of fate for good measure. Season and relocate to Norway, add love, a language , isolation with a good hearty dousing of dedication and determination. Let simmer for a few years and garnish with copious amounts of passion.
History
I am an Australian Mixed Media Artist who has just moved to Melbourne after living in Norway for 7 years. My work for the past six years has been focused on creating interesting texture and layering techniques.
Being a mixed media artist I like to use lots of different materials, those include bitumen (tar/asphalt), glue, acrylics, tiling filler/spackle, spray paint, oil crayons, foil, metal, encaustic wax, plexiglass, and other found objects. I also like to work with video.
My two main areas of interest are painting and assemblage. In regards to painting, I have two distinct styles, one I would classify as being figurative and the other contemporary abstract.
I have followed my heart in terms of my art education and have been a bit of a nomad. Studying art at university and taking many workshops/courses over the years with travelling and local artists.
I have not exhibited much over the last 6 years due to location.
I conduct workshops both 'live' and 'online' and I am also the creator of a social network called 'Loving Mixed Media' which is a meeting place for mixed media artists from all over the world.
I am very laid back, I drink far too much coffee and my motto is 'Inspire, Create and Educate while having a darn good time.'
Being a mixed media artist I like to use lots of different materials, those include bitumen (tar/asphalt), glue, acrylics, tiling filler/spackle, spray paint, oil crayons, foil, metal, encaustic wax, plexiglass, and other found objects. I also like to work with video.
My two main areas of interest are painting and assemblage. In regards to painting, I have two distinct styles, one I would classify as being figurative and the other contemporary abstract.
I have followed my heart in terms of my art education and have been a bit of a nomad. Studying art at university and taking many workshops/courses over the years with travelling and local artists.
I have not exhibited much over the last 6 years due to location.
I conduct workshops both 'live' and 'online' and I am also the creator of a social network called 'Loving Mixed Media' which is a meeting place for mixed media artists from all over the world.
I am very laid back, I drink far too much coffee and my motto is 'Inspire, Create and Educate while having a darn good time.'
Curriculum Vitae
Education
James Cook University
Began studying for a Bachelor of Visual Arts (Completed 1 year) Major : Painting, Printmaking and Art History
'I don't think art schools can do anything for artists today. One sees the people who have been taught. What are they doing?After all, they never make anything new, they just go back to a kind of academic drawing which was better done by artists in the past'- Francis Bacon
University has its place if you want to be an art teacher or specialise in a particular art field. But if you just want to be an artist my advice is that you're better off joining an art community or trying to educate yourself by undertaking as many artist run workshops in the areas of art practice you are most interested in. It will save you a lot of money and you will be working with real artists.
I am self taught apart from one year of academic study. Love and fate then stepped in, and as a result I relocated to Norway. That is when I really began to follow my own creative instincts.
The only downfall with not having an art degree is that unfortunately a lot of galleries will not take you seriously or treat you like a professional, so if you can live with that GREAT! I know I can.
Online Presence
Youtube
I have a pretty successful Youtube channel named 'Capricornartist73' with 6o43 subscribers (as of 13th March 2012). This channel documents my artist journey, my creative thought process and anything relating to art.
Loving Mixed Media
I also own and run a social network called 'Loving Mixed Media' with 2534 members (as of the 18th January 2012).
Loving Mixed Media is an educational site dedicated to nurturing mixed media artists through the learning of techniques and the sharing of other valuable ideas and resources.
Because of my online presence I have acquired a great fan base of followers who are dedicated, supportive and interested in the type of art I create.
Exhibitions
Because I lived in the middle of nowhere (remote part of Norway for the past 7 years) it has made it hard to exhibit regularly, but in saying that I opened my studio several times a year to the public. These studio openings have become pretty popular and I have had fans travel from the United Kingdom.
I also exhibit at Art Fairs and Markets several times a year.
Group Exhibitions
2012 - 'Urban Art' Brunswick Street Gallery (16th March- 29th March)
2012 - 'Dead Rockstars' Eugene Oregon at Blunt Graffix then at The Wave Art Gallery
2010 - Haugalandsutstillingen - Haugarhuset Skeisvannvien 16, 5519 Haugesund Norway
2009 -'The Nature of Art', Municipal Gallery, 262 E. Grand Avenue, Escondido, Ca 92025
2008 - 'Secrets Within', Rosendal Tourist Hotel
2007 - 'Jubileumsutstilling', Galleri Ramfjord, Oslo Norway
2007 - 'Flight' Kick ARTS, Cairns, Queensland Australia
2004 - 'Compact Prints' international print exhibition and exchange 15 October - 14 November, Umbrella Contemporary Art Gallery, Townsville
2003 - 'REMNANTS OF PRESENCE', Sugarama Gallery, ASIM Mourilyan FNQ (4 May - 29 June)
2002 - 'BLUE', Kick Arts, Cairns Dec.
Selected Publications
Critical reviews and media coverage:
2008 - Haugesund Newspaper Feature Article
2003 - Lou West 'Remnants of Presence': Nineteen contemporary artists' Arts Nexus July-Sept p.26
2003 - Innisfail Advocate EXHIBITION REVIEW
Books
2012 - 'The Pulse of Mixed Media: Secrets and Passions of 100 Artists Revealed' by Seth Apter published by Northern Lights.
2009- 'The Artful Scanner' by Gary Reef published through Blurb.com
2009- 'Many Hands Many Lands' by Gary Reef published through Blurb.com
James Cook University
Began studying for a Bachelor of Visual Arts (Completed 1 year) Major : Painting, Printmaking and Art History
'I don't think art schools can do anything for artists today. One sees the people who have been taught. What are they doing?After all, they never make anything new, they just go back to a kind of academic drawing which was better done by artists in the past'- Francis Bacon
University has its place if you want to be an art teacher or specialise in a particular art field. But if you just want to be an artist my advice is that you're better off joining an art community or trying to educate yourself by undertaking as many artist run workshops in the areas of art practice you are most interested in. It will save you a lot of money and you will be working with real artists.
I am self taught apart from one year of academic study. Love and fate then stepped in, and as a result I relocated to Norway. That is when I really began to follow my own creative instincts.
The only downfall with not having an art degree is that unfortunately a lot of galleries will not take you seriously or treat you like a professional, so if you can live with that GREAT! I know I can.
Online Presence
Youtube
I have a pretty successful Youtube channel named 'Capricornartist73' with 6o43 subscribers (as of 13th March 2012). This channel documents my artist journey, my creative thought process and anything relating to art.
Loving Mixed Media
I also own and run a social network called 'Loving Mixed Media' with 2534 members (as of the 18th January 2012).
Loving Mixed Media is an educational site dedicated to nurturing mixed media artists through the learning of techniques and the sharing of other valuable ideas and resources.
Because of my online presence I have acquired a great fan base of followers who are dedicated, supportive and interested in the type of art I create.
Exhibitions
Because I lived in the middle of nowhere (remote part of Norway for the past 7 years) it has made it hard to exhibit regularly, but in saying that I opened my studio several times a year to the public. These studio openings have become pretty popular and I have had fans travel from the United Kingdom.
I also exhibit at Art Fairs and Markets several times a year.
Group Exhibitions
2012 - 'Urban Art' Brunswick Street Gallery (16th March- 29th March)
2012 - 'Dead Rockstars' Eugene Oregon at Blunt Graffix then at The Wave Art Gallery
2010 - Haugalandsutstillingen - Haugarhuset Skeisvannvien 16, 5519 Haugesund Norway
2009 -'The Nature of Art', Municipal Gallery, 262 E. Grand Avenue, Escondido, Ca 92025
2008 - 'Secrets Within', Rosendal Tourist Hotel
2007 - 'Jubileumsutstilling', Galleri Ramfjord, Oslo Norway
2007 - 'Flight' Kick ARTS, Cairns, Queensland Australia
2004 - 'Compact Prints' international print exhibition and exchange 15 October - 14 November, Umbrella Contemporary Art Gallery, Townsville
2003 - 'REMNANTS OF PRESENCE', Sugarama Gallery, ASIM Mourilyan FNQ (4 May - 29 June)
2002 - 'BLUE', Kick Arts, Cairns Dec.
Selected Publications
Critical reviews and media coverage:
2008 - Haugesund Newspaper Feature Article
2003 - Lou West 'Remnants of Presence': Nineteen contemporary artists' Arts Nexus July-Sept p.26
2003 - Innisfail Advocate EXHIBITION REVIEW
Books
2012 - 'The Pulse of Mixed Media: Secrets and Passions of 100 Artists Revealed' by Seth Apter published by Northern Lights.
2009- 'The Artful Scanner' by Gary Reef published through Blurb.com
2009- 'Many Hands Many Lands' by Gary Reef published through Blurb.com
