+1 ::: When did you first realize that you were an artist?

I started feeling like an artist when my work started to sell. Up until then I felt like I was trying to be an artist.

+2 ::: You say that the process is just as important as the outcome. Can you give examples of this?

I also feel that the end result of what you have produced should make you think.

Recently I did some spontaneous glass artwork with some friends that involved putting some empty wine and beer bottles into a hot camp fire over night. The process was heaps of fun but I didn’t think much of the end result.

I was also with some other artists and rather than hiring a model they just took their clothes off and drew each other.

+3 ::: Your money series of paintings seem to be getting a lot of attention online. How has the Internet helped your career as an artist?

The current artwork would not exist with out the internet. I feel that my web site is part of the art. The current online attention has resulted in sales to about twenty different countries. From living in a small town I have to rely on the Internet for sales. I do not have a choice. Local opportunities are limited.

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

Norman Lindsay. After I saw the movie Sirens (with Elle Macpherson, Kate Fisher & Hugh Grant) I knew that I had to become an artist. I found the intellectual debate, the good food and wine, the big house in the Blue Mountains quite appealing.

Pro Hart – I loved the paint cannon, the painted Rolls Royce and the carpet ads. To me he made the production side and the life of an artist look fun. When I got older I hated his red neck political views.

Andy Warhol – Not so much his artwork but reading about his artwork. He worked really hard and he also got to enjoy the results of the hard work. When I first bought a house I painted the entire bathroom including the toilet S-bend silver in Andy’s honor. I think that Warhol’s talents where not in the production side but really in the sales and marketing side.

When I am unsure of something I often think “What would Andy Warhol do in a situation like this?”

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

Looking at architecture, community work, politics, caring for the environment.

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

When my art is selling it inspires me to paint and when it is not selling it inspires me to work on the promotions side.

I find that reading biographies and articles on successful artists helps.

My local Regional Gallery in Rockhampton puts on some great speakers and films about artists and this always helps the motivation.

I do have a studio to paint in but I prefer to paint on my balcony which has good views of Keppel Bay and the Yeppoon township. I think painting in a nice environment helps.

Kiss the rock group. I sometimes wear make up when I paint. When I do this I feel like the person I want to be rather than the person that I am. When the members of Kiss put on the makeup and outfits they suddenly become different people. A bit like when Zorro puts on his mask he then becomes another person.

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

I try and deal with everybody with a high level of honesty and integrity. I believe that this makes the business side easier and makes my life more enjoyable. I always enjoy those movies were a small lie turns into another lie and then a complete disaster (eg “Derailed”).

+8 ::: Could you talk about your latest series of paintings and what you are trying to achieve with them?

The latest series was the Euros Series.

I only wanted them to be sold only to people who found me on the Internet I also wanted them to be sold to people who have not bought my work in the past. I really wanted to find a new audience for my work. Up until the Euros Series I had only sold my work to people in three different countries Australia, USA & UK. Now my work has been exported to over twenty different countries.

+9 ::: What advice would you give to an artist just starting out?

Expect to be poor. Make sure you really love it. I just finished reading Jeffrey Smart’s biography. In the book he talks about establishing an income that is not dependent on your art work. I think this is a good idea even if the income is small.