THE GREAT OUTDOORS

There is a lot to be said for painting outdoors. It clears the mind of course and allows the creative juices to flow.  

Sitting inside sweating over a canvas does nothing for me.  I feel stifled when I am sitting under a fluro light.

It is so unnatural and plays havoc with my eyes. I guess it also stems from my indigenous heritage.  My ancestors were of the land. Everything evolved around being at one with nature. Sitting under a tree to paint is the most natural thing for me to do. 

Given that I live in North Queensland, Australia the lighting conditions are perfect for working outdoors most days of the year. When it is cloudy I am saddened to be forced indoors to paint. 

My outdoor Art Studio

"Life & Death" 2011

"YOUR PAINTINGS ARE TOO BUSY FOR ME!"

Upon hearing this, I was bemused to say the least. I thought much about these words at the time.

I came to the conclusion that it was because I am not a "Traditional Aboriginal Artist" in my style.

I don't conform to people's impressions or beliefs of what an Indigenous artist should be creating. 

I don't restrict myself to the use of the earthy tones - the browns, the reds, the blacks the ochres.

I love colour and I make no apologies for that. 

I have also been told that my work needs to be "marketable". 

I never was interested in connecting the dollar sign to my paintings.

Afterall, if I were dollar-driven I would have been mass producing my paintings to "fill a need for greed." 

Aboriginal culture is not based upon financial gain.  It is about sharing of the knowledge.  

If I were to place financial gain at the centre of my paintings, they would have no meaning - no dreamtime story. 

I would be lifeless.  My spirit would not be allowed to shine through with every brushstroke.  My art is my contribution to the world. 

These two paintings were the first two paintings I sold as an artist.  

It is so difficult for me to sell one of my paintings because of their cultural significance and my attachement to those stories.

Everything I need to know about my art will be revealed on the canvas through the guidance of my ancestors.

Busy or not - these are my stories to share.

EMU (BOOLUN)

David and Jenny Black Collection

"Emu chick no longer

for he's a daddy emu now

emu chicks behind him

what he knows they will learn how

Emu daddy struts along

in the image of his dad

give credit to his father

'cause that's all he's ever had!"

extract from my poem titled "Daddy Emu" 2005

WEDGE-TAILED EAGLE (BADTHI)

4 circles represent the tribes

4 corner symbols represent tribal elders who speak for country

Wedge-tailed eagle is the spiritual protector of the tribe and its people

Yellow outer dots also represent journey through country as witnessed by Badthi the the wedge-tailed eagle

White and gold inner dots represent the spirit and aura of Badthi as he passes over the land

 Phil and Helen Cook Collection

Dean and Robyn Jackson Collection (Commissioned)

I am pleased with the results of both these paintings.

To me, they have a male feel about them - strong and dominant.  

SECRETS OF THE PAST - (completion stages)

SPIRIT COUNTRY (BALLUN THA)

STORY: This painting represents a spiritual journey through country (Birth, Life, Death)

The central "Y" shaped area leading from left to right signifies the flow of the natural progressions of life, birth and death

The orange and brown dots within the "Y" shape indicates your mother and father and how their blood flows through you regardless of where your journey takes you through life

The circle at the centre represents life force

The dots with blue highlights represent the spirits that watch over you as you journey through life

BIRTH: is represented at the bottom of the painting as new and flourishing wild flowers

LIFE: is depicted in the area where the fork appears in the "Y". Many changes and transformations as a person learns and grows.  Life is multi-faceted with many teachings 

DEATH: is illustrated at the top - ceremonial. Th black dots in this section indicates sorrow and sadness. A mortal life complete.   

SACRED SPRING (MURRANAH)

STORY: Ceremony at Sacred Spring, depicts ceremonial and tribal business taking place.  This is a fertility painting.

Large blue circle at centre represents the Sacred Spring

The 2 smaller blue circles represent family

The face-like symbols around the edge are symbolic of smaller, impish water spirits

The green circles represent ceremony, life cycles and seasonal changes

Yellow represents sunlight and life

The 4 brown symbols represent tribal people asking the water spirit to replenish the land

Pink and purle dots indicate female influence and the presence of a female water spirit

Yellow, red and orange dots indicate that water, air and sunshine radiate the life force of all creation upon earth

Gifted to family member

TOTEM OF THE FRILL-NECKED LIZARD (BALLINGEE)

STORY: This painting represents Ballingee and his dreaming

The 2 red circles (top and bottom) indicates 2 tribes

The circle in the centre of the 2 red circles represent Ballingee's spirit and how it is considered sacred

The brown and orange dots (on the left and right running from top to bottom) represent ceremonial markings

The smaller dots orange, black and brown indicates ballingee's journey through the sacred country of the 2 tribes

The 2 circles that look like eyes, shows Ballingee is all-seeing

Ballingee is sacred and would never be used as a source of food or adornment by either of the 2 tribes

These 2 tribes are the keepers of Ballingee's spirit which is honoured through sacred ceremony

The many dots black, red and brown represent Ballingee's frilled neck

The various other dots represent tribal people (men, women, children) and their journey through their respective country to attend ceremony

To inherit Ballingee's spirit is to be blessed with his speed

MODERN DAY MEETING

STORY: This painting puts a contemporary spin on the ancient traditions of the meeting place. Once we met out under the trees, we now congregate around conference tables in board rooms to discuss our business.

The 4 round circles in each corner represent the country for which we speak.

The 3 joined circles at the top and the bottom of the painting represents the distinct difference between who speaks for which country in the north, the south, the east and the west.

The central piece in the middle is the table. On this day there were 5 points of discussion thus the 5 red circles on the table

On either side of the table are 4 seats for the attendees with 2 seats at the end for the heads of the meeting

The dark single line represents that we are all at the meeting for a common cause and anticipate a favourable outcome

The different colours represent the difference in the landscape of where each participant is from. Yellow - sandy region, dark brown - hilly, light brown - flat plain land, green - scrub lands

"Barrett Family" Private Collection

CROCODILE CREATION (MIRRINDI)

STORY: A tribute to the survivial of the crocodile and its ability to withstand the test of time. To inherit the crocodile spirit is to be fierce in strength.  With few natural enemies, the crocodile is free to swim its chosen waterways where it deserves to be respected and feared.  This is a fertility painting.


The two crocodiles are females with their eggs, which they laid on opposite sides of the riverbank

The dark brown and black represents the silt and mud of the river

The 6 large circles in the middle of the waterway (3 in the upper left and 3 in the lower right) represents the water spirits that watch over the crocodile and their young

The 3 symbols that surround each crocodile are totemic representations as it relates to the story above

The 2 three-pointed yellow symbols along with the large circle in the centre represent fertility

THE WEDDING

STORY: This painting depicts a tribal wedding ceremony.

Left hand side: lines, circles and dots represent the bride's totems and tribal markings

Right side: lines, circles and dots represents the groom's totems and tribal markings

Snake symbol at top belongs to the woman

Snake symbol at the bottom belongs to the man

Four symbols (1 in each corner) represents 4 male elders of the tribe overseeing proceedings

Large circle at the centre represents the ceremonial ground

As with every culture, a very festive and joyous occassion