A Tale Of Talent

This award-winning, self-taught artist has immersed himself into a variety of mediums and subjects, constantly learning and sharing his skills.

- Graeme Compton

I was born in Narrabri, in North-West NSW, where I now live and work as a piano teacher and artist. I combine these two aspects of my life by drawing instructive cartoons for my students!

I have been drawing for as long as I can remember and have entered community exhibitions infrequently over the years, but my present career began in 2007, when a visitor to our home saw a color pencil portrait I had made of my wife, Donna. The visitor enquired if I would do a portrait of each of her sons. That was my first commission! I have had many more since then.

I am self-taught, having followed my own creative path since childhood, but I have been impressed and inspired by a great variety of artists: Klimt, Escher, and Dali are favorites. I also enjoy studying Asian art, modern and classical, along with the usual European masters, from Michelangelo to Monet and the Australian Impressionists. The fantasy art and graphic novels have always attracted my attention.

My collection of books and magazines has grown phenomenally over the past few years as my desire to improve my abilities has increased. A particular favorite author of mine is Juliette Aristides, whose Atelier series is very informative and inspiring. Another great read is ‘Colour’ by Victoria Finlay, an exceptional and informative adventure.

My passion is the power of the imagination. My primary interest at the moment is attaining the technical skills and finesse to reveal the full scope of that imagination. In my major works, I like to tell a tale. I try to retain simplicity, whilst overlaying it with sophistication and detail. In many of my works, a simple figure will underpin the composition and any intricacy of design.

My artistic interests have had the same basis for as long as I can remember, though I have certainly broadened in my tastes and the way in which I express myself artistically. I see myself as a developing artist.