1 ::: Why are you an artist Chris?

I am driven by an unexplainable passion to create, exress and communicate on canvas. I have always painted since I can remember but a near fatal car accident in 1996 was a catalyst to take my work as an artist seriously.

+2 ::: Could you tell us some more about your paintings?

I have had a major shift from painting tonal impressionist still life to quirky figuratve. I work in oil on linen, a medium which I love and I am very generous with the thickness of the paint. My aim is to extract a reaction and an individual interpretation from the viewer, I do not want to paint innate purely decorative work, but to evoke humour or make a comment for example - euthanasia.

+3 ::: Do you try to tell stories with your paintings?

The work is narrative - My Ned Kelly series was used alongside Sidney Nolan`s work for the Kelly theatre production - New Zealand Festival of Arts. I have other narrative projects planned. Every painting tells a story.

+4 ::: What artists have influenced you, and how?

I have been influenced by many artists - mostly Arthur Boyd, Sidney Nolan, Edouard Manet, Claude Monet, Pablo Picasso, and Berthe Morisot.

+5 ::: What other interests do have (besides painting)?

I also occasionally work as a landscape consultant - designing subdivisions, private residences, apartments buildings, shopping centres, etc.

+6 ::: What inspires you to paint and how do you keep motivated when things get tough in the studio?

Working towards an exhibition I find is the best way to keep motivated and when your work is selling well you have to keep the galleries happy. Inspiration for my work comes from the nature around me and from the many dinner parties I have had over the years, life in general and from observing people.

+7 ::: How have you handled the business side of being an artist?

Fairly well as in a previous life I was a sales manager in a department store for the rag trade (fashion). Marketing is one of my strengths.

+8 ::: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

I am hoping to be established in galleries in New York, London and Paris.

+9 ::: Could you talk about your latest series of paintings and what you are trying to achieve with them?

My latest series is continuing from the sell out exhibition I had in Melbourne recently and demand for my work is still fairly high.