Ive just finished this incredibly special painting for @thepillarsproject - a huge thanks to @danielbrock@ashtaylr for facilitating this and many works from some of my favorite artists over the last decade.
There are many others i would love to thank for helping me paint a work like this, so close to my heart, including my family and some very important helpers along the way. You know who you are.
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This work explores nostalgia and memory, depicting my dad Clay, telling my little Lottie, a story from a family camping trip in Northern Australia in the mid-90s. The trip nearly ended in disaster for our family and close friends but decades later, the story is told with a lighthearted tone, creating a sense of adventure and optimism. The piece highlights the contrast between the reality of the past and how it is remembered and retold over time. It suggests that memories can shift, and the way we recall them can change their meaning.
I want to give a big shout to my sister and fellow artist @beth_any_f who’s recent paintings inspired this kind of story telling.
Ive enjoyed delving into old memories and realized so much in the process.
A whirlwind of a couple of weeks in Theodore painting this big old water tower in the heart of town.
This work celebrates the towns most treasured attribute; ‘The Dawson River’. It is said that this river made Theodore. This year Theodore celebrates its centenary. We depicted two young locals Cooper and Yakani enjoying the river, fishing for the iconic Saratoga and Yellow belly as many of their kin have done for generations.
We left Theodore with a bitter sweet as we made some great friends in our time leading up to this work. Thank you all for making us feel so welcome.
Thankyou to the Theodore Chamber of Commerce in particular the ever helpful @chateranne Thankyou to the @bananashirecouncil Thankyou to @wattylpaint for some bright colors.
Thankyou to @drapl for bringing this to life with me.
‘Three Moon Silos’ Monto, Queensland 2020.
The Three Moon silos tell the story of passing time. Over generations, the origin of the three moons has been told through many different lenses. As the landscape has evolved over mil- lenia, many moons and stories have come and gone. The work looks to pay tribute to the legends past, present and future whom told the story of the night sky and the three moon country.
A huge community lead effort to bring this work to life. Thank you all so much for looking after @drapl and I. Tonight I’ll release a short film about the three moon Journey!
Big love to @wattylpaint@northburnettrc@mel_j.j #montomagic
Being Kind - Thinking BIG - Stepping Up - Paying it Forward. These are some school values we can get behind!!
Thanks to @thegapshs for allowing us to bring this massive work to life on your school grandstand. We worked with the Grade 12 visual arts in practice students for many weeks on this work from design to installation, such troupers. Honestly one of the most logistically challenging works to date. A big shout out to @wattylpaint for helping support us with some popping colors!
Bringing some School Mascots to life for crew at St Columbans College in Caboolture. What a fun little throwback to some earlier Zookeeper styles! What you recon - more slam dunkin Zoocreatures?
A new piece for Mirani Swimming Club and Caravan Park. This paintings on the doorstep of some of the most beautiful river systems and gorges in Queensland. The painting represents platypus beach and much of why people live in this beautiful spot.
Such a nice time painting and exploring the area. Thanks to all the locals who showed me around, organized and stopped by to watch me paint! Ill be back.
#thezookeeperart #miraniswimmingclub #pioneervalley #mirani @visitmackayisaac
We had to say goodbye to our dog Winnie a few weeks ago. Ive been so crushed since it happened - I havent felt like doing much at all. She was a beautiful dog and i feel so robbed having lost her. One of the things i loved the most about her was that she would chase shadows around the yard all day. She did it with this huge smile on her face. She had this crazy joyous zest, which brought a lightness to our life.
I haven’t had an ounce of creativity these last weeks. Just after it happened, my good friend and photographer Jarek sent me this photo he took of a tissue box sitting beside the window ceil. Harsh light, spilling onto this inanimate object. The photo really floored me in the moment. The beauty of the light and the shadow cast over the box of tissues, made me feel so raw. I knew he probably understood it meant more than words. I said it would make a painting one day.
So yesterday i made a painting of it. I really struggled making it. It was shit. It brought me a lot of sadness. Painting in the yard where Winnie once roamed. Sitting under a tree, watching bird shadows go by, without Winnie. It felt like self imposed torcher.
Today, i feel different about it. I feel comforted by the process of doing the painting. I feel this sense of relief. I dont really understand. Sometimes i wonder where art fits in my life. I battle with feeling like its pointless. Then other days it can be this incredibly powerful vessel, that helps me make sense of my human experience. I am really thankful to have an outlet like this, for all of life’s feelings.
