My Story

Artist Statement

I am a painter and illustrator. I am interested in storytelling and enjoy creating narratives in my work. Often, I will make up my own scenes with different elements, generally using egg tempera, watercolour or spray paint to help me express my ideas. Where possible and relevant, I like to inject a sense of humour into my work.

I am a big fan of wildlife. I am fascinated by their ability to inspire, give a comforting presence and astonish with the incredible variation in their forms. They provide another dimension as I watch their antics and interaction with each other, with people and with the built and natural environments. I also have ecological and philosophical concerns regarding wildlife. In particular, why do we glorify some animals and denigrate others as pests and scavengers? If there is an imbalance in biodiversity, resulting in “pests”, should we look more closely at our own role in this occurrence? This is why wildlife, in particular, the unglorified urban animal or insect is often the key motif in my work.

Aesthetically, my illustrations and paintings are inspired by a mix of historic and contemporary art traditions including graffiti art, Surrealism and Western Medieval art. I am particularly fascinated by medieval bestiaries and the wonderful and strange sense of humour.

Biography

Born and bred in rural Western Australia, I grew up with a love of wide open spaces, freedom to roam and an appreciation for both domestic and wild creatures. I wasn't naturally drawn to painting and drawing, except I remember desperately wanting to always be at the finger painting table at kindergarten. I also adored the paint books where you painted water on a picture and it suddenly burst to life with different colours. I loved comic books, including Asterix & Obelix and Garfield and looked forward to watching cartoons such as He-Man, She-Ra, Transformers and Looney Tunes.  

One of my sisters suggested I study art in high school. I enjoyed it greatly and liked to draw castles and dragons with ink pens while listening to Michael Nyman’s soundtrack album of The Piano. At the end of high school, I thought about applying to study graphic design, but not really sure what I wanted in my life, I took some time off before studying finance at university. Fast forward to my mid-twenties, art drew me back again and I signed up to part-time classes.

Naturally drawn to castles, I undertook full time art studies in Edinburgh, Scotland. I completed a Foundation Course at The Leith School of Art. This was followed by a Degree in Painting at the Edinburgh College of Art. During these years I developed an attraction to narratives, making up my own scenes with different elements, and began to use egg tempera and spray painting, among other mediums, to help me express my ideas. I continue to develop narratives and use these mediums in my work.

I am currently living and making art in Victoria, Australia.

Education & Qualifications

2017-2018,  Diploma in Illustrating Children's Books (Distinction), London Art College UK

2011-2014,  Bachelor of Arts (Painting), Edinburgh College of Art, Edinburgh UK

2009-2010,  Diploma in Foundation Studies (Art & Design), Leith School of Art, Edinburgh UK

Short Courses

January 2021, Egg Tempera The Luminous Medium, Koo Schadler, Acorn Arts, US (online)

March-April 2020, Drawing Nature, Science and Culture: Natural History Illustration 101, NewcastleX (online learning initiative of The University of Newcastle, Australia)

July 2018, Street Art Techniques Workshop, Jody Thomas, Bristol UK

September 2017, Introduction to Concept Art and Illustration, CG Spectrum College of Digital Art and Animation, Melbourne Australia (Mentor Fabrizio Bortolussi)

January 2016, Two Traditions of Icon Painting with Philip Davydov and Olga Shalamova, Melbourne, Australia

June 2013, Certificate in Botanical Illustration, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, UK   

Public Art Commissions

June 2022, Coffee Superhero Red Squirrels and Flying Coffee Red Squirrel, Digital Prints on Perspex, 250mmx300mm, (Commissioned by DelishYoss Coffee Bar)

July 2014, Saving One Another, Digital Print on Tile Installation, 5230x3590mm, Canal Point Student Accommodation, West Tollcross, Edinburgh (Commission coordinated by Edinburgh College of Art in conjunction with Watkin Jones, one of the UK's leading construction companies)

Exhibitions

October 2023, Rotary Art Show, Hamilton, Victoria, Australia

October 2022, St Columba’s Hospice Care Exhibition, Edinburgh

October 2021, St Columba’s Hospice Care Exhibition, Edinburgh

September 2021, Perthshire Open Studios, Aberuthven

April 2019, Easter Exhibition, Ps and Gs, Edinburgh

December 2018, “Oren Leibowitz Tuesday” Book Launch, George Heriot’s School, Edinburgh

November 2017, Beaverhall Open Studios, Edinburgh

November 2016, Beaverhall Open Studios, Edinburgh

September 2015, Straffe Artists Contest 2015 Edition

August 2014, the artist writing room at e.c.a., Edinburgh College of Art

March 2014, Side Salad Third Year Exhibition, St Margaret's House, Edinburgh

March 2013, MIDL Second Year Exhibition, Edinburgh College of Art

April 2012, First Year Students' End of Year Exhibition, Edinburgh College of Art

June 2010, Students' End of Year Exhibition, Leith School of Art, Edinburgh

Dec 2009, Students' Christmas Exhibition, Leith School of Art, Edinburgh

Dec 2008, Students' Christmas Exhibition, Leith School of Art, Edinburgh

Prizes

Winner of Scottish Association of Writers 2020 self published category for Oren Leibowitz – Tuesday

(joint collaboration with writer Rosemary Hector)

Professional Memberships

Melbourne & Victorian Artists Inc.

a-n The Artists Information Company

Society of Scottish Artists