My art was resurrected when I shipped my paintings from Australia to Turkey. Several logistical snafus in customs resulted in the paintings being confiscated by the Turkish authorities, and I was unable to claim them unless I could prove I was the artist. The paintings eventually went to auction, with the opening bid being three times my maximum budget, and were sold for a very generous amount, bringing in a healthy revenue for the Republic of Turkey. These paintings are now lost, and I hope they are being enjoyed.
I am originally from Melbourne, Australia.
During high school I trained under prominent Australian painter and sculptor Ian Bowe.
In 1964, I failed all final high school exams except art, gaining second degree honours.
I enrolled at Prahran Technical College in Advertising art and was told not to come back for the subsequent year.
After many years in Europe, In 1979 I had a chance meeting with professional portrait painter David Parle, and attended his classes on the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia.
My original works in oils were on cardboard boxes but Parle was impressed and further works were done on treated board which I continue with today.
In 1982 Parle returned to his usual domicile in Adelaide. Uninspired, I ceased painting.
In 1984 I was driving long distance semi- trailers across Australia and had the opportunity to pop in on Parle and work in his studio. These efforts resulted in a number of works from photograph, many of which were sold.
1988 saw a move to a small cane cutters cottage in northern New South Wales. I had first hand observation of sugar cane fires as a subject matter for paintings, which were commercially successful.
A visit to Turkey in 2004 saw a love affair with that country and meeting my partner Dina Street.
I returned to live permanently in Bodrum Turkey in January 2007, operating my 18 meter traditional Bodrum gulet, and painting again.
I am originally from Melbourne, Australia.
During high school I trained under prominent Australian painter and sculptor Ian Bowe.
In 1964, I failed all final high school exams except art, gaining second degree honours.
I enrolled at Prahran Technical College in Advertising art and was told not to come back for the subsequent year.
After many years in Europe, In 1979 I had a chance meeting with professional portrait painter David Parle, and attended his classes on the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia.
My original works in oils were on cardboard boxes but Parle was impressed and further works were done on treated board which I continue with today.
In 1982 Parle returned to his usual domicile in Adelaide. Uninspired, I ceased painting.
In 1984 I was driving long distance semi- trailers across Australia and had the opportunity to pop in on Parle and work in his studio. These efforts resulted in a number of works from photograph, many of which were sold.
1988 saw a move to a small cane cutters cottage in northern New South Wales. I had first hand observation of sugar cane fires as a subject matter for paintings, which were commercially successful.
A visit to Turkey in 2004 saw a love affair with that country and meeting my partner Dina Street.
I returned to live permanently in Bodrum Turkey in January 2007, operating my 18 meter traditional Bodrum gulet, and painting again.