A Sense Of Purpose
Artists Drawing and Inspiration|Issue 31

Painting is part of this talented man’s life. It gives him a sense of purpose and it is how he relates to the world … by producing outstanding art which is undeniably honest and believable.

Ross Roorda
A Sense Of Purpose

My full-time occupation is Principal for a behaviour school in Sydney’s western suburbs. My home is at Lawson in the Blue Mountains.

I completed an Art Certificate course at Meadowbank TAFE in 1987 and then went on to what was then known as City Art Institute to complete a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Fine Arts in 1989. I returned to university in 1994 to do a Diploma of Education at the University of Western Sydney.

I have continued to paint and draw since leaving University; and although I never did art at high school, I had always drawn as a kid. My Year Six art teacher withdrew me from the class to talk with me because I had shown potential in rendering form – a concept that was apparently supposed to happen much later. It was the only real highlight from my schooling that still stands out.

I have always been passionate about drawing people and animals – especially their faces.

As a kid, I used to live with my grandmother and we would always fight. It was after one of those fights that I put pencil to paper and did a portrait that pretty much summed up the way I saw her and felt about her. She found the portrait the following day, and was so angry that I received one of the biggest hidings I ever had. For some reason my drawings weren’t destroyed . . . and when I looked at them again I realised for the first time that art had the ability to make people feel.

The interest in portraiture and faces continued to grow from there – and faces have become an obsession for me; they represent all that makes us human.

David Hockney states: “Faces are the most interesting things we see; other people fascinate me and the most interesting aspect of other people – the point where we go inside them – is the face. It tells all.”

Denne historien er fra Issue 31-utgaven av Artists Drawing and Inspiration.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra Issue 31-utgaven av Artists Drawing and Inspiration.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA ARTISTS DRAWING AND INSPIRATIONSe alt
Pelicans To Portraits
Artists Drawing and Inspiration

Pelicans To Portraits

This lady has painted everything from pelicans to portraits. She has completed commissions including cats, dogs, horses, possums, numerous beach scenes… and even a Scottish piper.

time-read
6 mins  |
Issue 39
“I Cannot Imagine Life Without Art”
Artists Drawing and Inspiration

“I Cannot Imagine Life Without Art”

Throughout her story you can feel the delight and joy that radiates from this artist as she describes her passion for art.

time-read
5 mins  |
Issue 39
The Noble Equine
Artists Drawing and Inspiration

The Noble Equine

Coloured pastel papers have been used to create this beautiful horse.

time-read
3 mins  |
Issue 39
To Be at One With Nature
Artists Drawing and Inspiration

To Be at One With Nature

“My art is who I truly am, and it has given me a freedom to become ‘just me’,” claims this talented lady.

time-read
3 mins  |
Issue 39
Making The Picture Sing
Artists Drawing and Inspiration

Making The Picture Sing

Using her fine attention to detail, this artist creates a loving tribute to her subject.

time-read
4 mins  |
Issue 39
Thanks to Da Vinci
Artists Drawing and Inspiration

Thanks to Da Vinci

Wicked classroom caricatures and tattoos fired up the passion for this self taught artist to strive to produce the perfect drawing.

time-read
5 mins  |
Issue 39
My Story
Artists Drawing and Inspiration

My Story

Sharing her passion for art has become a way of life for this determined and talented artist.

time-read
6 mins  |
Issue 39
Link to Life
Artists Drawing and Inspiration

Link to Life

This artist adores pastels … a medium which she believes can fall between painting and drawing. Her art is truly her link to life.

time-read
4 mins  |
Issue 39
Don't Rock the Boat
Artists Drawing and Inspiration

Don't Rock the Boat

What comes first … the title or the painting? For this colourful artist, it can be either – and experimenting can lead to accidentally creating individual techniques.

time-read
4 mins  |
Issue 39
Art for Steven
Artists Drawing and Inspiration

Art for Steven

Some years ago, this man was inspired to make the transition from cartooning to painting. He had always wanted to express himself in this way, and he dedicates every painting to his late brother Steven who inspired him.

time-read
7 mins  |
Issue 39