Happy New Year to readers of my blog. If you’re new to my posts or even a recent follower of my Instagram, I welcome you. I’m writing this post on the eve of returning to my day job for the year, so I’ll try not to let my dread colour this post too bleakly. You’re more than likely being overloaded with people’s content across social media regarding their reflections on the previous year and their intentions for the new one, especially if you follow a lot of artists and creatives....
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Continuing from my last post, I’m moving out of the emotionally analytical and experiential part of what I’m dealing with at the moment and now moving into how it impacts the creative part of my life. Who am I kidding, this is me and this is going to get emotional. But first, a quick update. It’s been three weeks since I last posted, and almost six weeks since I’ve been discharged from hospital. My health is still a work in progress. I think generally I have been feeling the same...
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Just a short note: This will be a two part post, so if you want to skip this one about feelings and wait for the one more grounded in my arts practice that I'll release in the coming week, by all means. If you would like to read please be aware that If you’re affected about content relating to death, mental health and illness, I would suggest you don’t continue. I have had a very strange few weeks and there have been thoughts and situations that have been very confronting...
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I may sound a like a broken record in this post as I’m processing a lot of things currently, so apologies if you’re hearing all the same stuff, but if you’re here for it I appreciate the ears, hearts and shoulders you’re lending me. I’m starting pull myself back together and feel like I’m recovering from the burnout I’ve been experiencing for what seems like years. I haven’t been in my studio much other than to drop off materials I’ve been ordering, but I’m starting to get that strong urge...
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Continuing from my last post, I was unable to create any painting worthy of submitting to the group show at Jacky Winter Gallery. I’ve ended up selecting a work that I’ve exhibited previously. The amount of pressure and stress I was causing myself over the situation wasn’t helpful. Because my resilience is extremely low due to burnout (how many times have I used that word in the last nine months?) it doesn’t take much stress to push me to my limit. As I’ve mentioned previously, stress is a major trigger...
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If you’ve been following my Instagram stories and posts recently, you’ll know I’ve been struggling with the work I’ve been making. I have this strong urge that something new needs to emerge, but anything I create doesn’t feel right and I end up feeling unsatisfied or disinterested with anything that comes out. Something is missing from the work, but I’m unable to pinpoint what that is, or how to solve it. I’ve only been back from my three-month studio hiatus for a few weeks now (due to creative exhaustion and...
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If you’ve heard me speak about the concepts and themes behind my work or have some insight into why I do it and what it all means, you’ll understand that my work is essentially a safe space for me to explore my cultural heritage and identity — both in regard to my ancestry and my sexuality. Ultimately, what I’m trying to work out is who I am and where I belong. I’m Australian-born and of Filipino and mixed European descent. If I go by my Ancestry DNA test, I’m 50%...
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This is going to be an emotional post, so if you’re not up for thoughts and feelings, I understand. Feel free to wait for a future art update post in the coming weeks. For those of you brave enough to venture further, I’m locking the door behind you — there’s no escape. If you’ve been following along with my Instagram, I posted in February about the burnout and overwhelm I’d been experiencing. I mentioned that I was taking a break from art until I could put myself back together and...
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My first blog post for 2025! It’s been a bit of a break since my last post—life has been interfering, and for me, the last half of December to the first half of January is usually a write-off. But I’m back at my desk, typing away and looking forward to all the exciting potential for my career. My solo exhibition, which I’ve been diligently working toward over the past few months, opens tonight at RED Gallery. This coincides with a group show where I have two pieces on display over...
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For the last two weeks, the routine I’d built around my art practice has gone out the window. The main reason for this was a shift in priorities. As most of you are aware, after being made redundant, I now have a non-existent income, so when an opportunity came up for a freelance design job, I had to take it. All my attention and time have gone into developing that work, which has now been delivered, so I can pick up where I left off before chasing some dollars. The...
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Starting off with some updates: The Merri-bek Summer Show opened last weekend at Counihan Gallery, where you can see my work Mestiso. It’s a great gallery and an interesting show, featuring work from 109 other artists. My piece follows the concept of (Be)Longing, which deals with, as the title suggests, belonging, but also yearning and nostalgia. Some other exhibition news: I’ll be exhibiting in two group shows in the lead-up to Christmas. I’ll have work in Essence at Gallery Unbound, and the Christmas Group Show at RED Gallery. I was...
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A close friend of mine recently posted some vulnerable thoughts and feelings on topics like imposter syndrome and insecurity as a creative. We had an in-depth chat, and I shared a lot of my experiences and processes that help me deal with those roadblocks. It really made me reflect on my own journey as an artist and as a person, so I thought I might share some of those experiences. I might be having a bit of an old man ramble here, so I hope what I’m saying resonates with...
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