I guess I have always been artistic and creative.

I won my first art competition in 1976 when I was 12 years old. During my school years I was always asked to draw pictures for my peers, often with surreal and fantasy themes. I also painted murals on the bedroom walls for my friends.

In 1982 I purchased a SLR camera and for some years experimented with various photographic techniques which includes processing and developing B/W images. I still enjoy photography today with digital technology adding just another dimension for creativity.

Having a flair for fashion, I also enjoyed redesigning and ‘modernizing’ my clothing to express a more contemporary and alternative style that was unavailable at commercial outlets at that time.

During these early years I developed my own painting style and technique that I continue to redefine to this day.

At the start of 1985 I was fortunate to grab a community arts traineeship working on the Sydney Youth Festival as an assistant designer. This afforded me the opportunity to work in multifarious areas of the arts and also work with all types of interesting individuals from diverse backgrounds giving me a taste of all aspects of the creative spectrum. This experience required me to work in a variety of mediums which included: painting, drawing, designing, writing, photography, administration, prop and set making, performing, film and video, puppetry, assisting with art projects in schools and a variety of other related projects. And as a diversion, I enjoyed some creative input for the ‘Mattara Festival’ in Newcastle, situated on the mid North Coast of New South Wales. It was also very satisfying yet humbling to see my cartoons published in 2 separate monthly publications and for a few years I held the position as the graphic artist and Sub-Editor simultaneously for one of these journals. Having an appearance on the ABC television program ‘Beatbox’ added to a very fulfilling year.

1986 I took on work as a freelance photographer and artist /cartoonist while completing additional training in photojournalism. I was also involved with the invigorating street theatre group “Hit and Run”, performing in a variety of venues and settings, and also becoming deeply involved taking promotional photographs and providing creative input for the Sydney based hard rock band ‘Shaman’.

1987 I had some input in the ‘South Pacific Festival’ held at the Bondi Beach Pavilion and did some sign writing for the Bicentennial Travelling Exhibition in 1988.

In 1989 I was employed briefly as a function photographer in various venues through the Greater Sydney area just prior to relocating to the lower Blue Mountains region. Living here I concentrated on my B/W photographic and darkroom techniques while continuing to experiment with and refining my painting techniques.

1996 came and I relocated to Jervis Bay which lies on the South Coast of New South Wales, Australia. With a new larger studio and inspired by the tranquil beach and bush surroundings I concentrated on my Art. I started teaching Fantasy Art and Caricature through the ‘Southern Adult Education College’ and enjoyed being involved with various community art projects in the area. Using a printing system of my own design, I created a range of printed T-Shirts that I sold reasonably successfully at a local retailer.

1997 saw me undertake a small business management course and began my first art company called “Art-Bay” which created large works specifically for the corporate sector to enhance a business image. I put “Art-Bay” to rest in 2002 to concentrate more fully on other projects, one end result of these being a mural for the Department of Community Services. (see photograph on right).

At present, I paint primarily for private collections, occasional exhibitions and my own enjoyment. I also get the occasional request for murals, illustrations, caricatures and interior concepts. And for a few years now I have been making full use of the opportunities available on the internet to sell my creative concepts and also as an affiliate marketer through aretsfreedom.com.

I now live with my family on the tranquil picturesque wine growing regions of the North Coast of NSW, Australia, where we relocated in 2022. The relaxed country lifestyle, historic little towns with the surrounding rural and bush settings within close proximity to our glorious coastline of white sandy beaches continue to awe and inspire me to paint, take photos and live a creative existence as long as I have breath in me.