My subject matter is as varied as my influences — shaped by my past, triggered by an experience or event, or simply floating into my imagination. On the one side there is engineering with a strong pull towards maritime subjects, with a great influence from growing up in a Naval family and having served in the Royal Australian Navy myself.
On the other side is fantasy work which blends into illustration with some subjects that are appealing to a much younger audience. These two sides usually fight for the opportunity to become a reality on canvas. This has led me to having at least two streams of work on at any one time.
The thread that brings my work together is the desire to reproduce the work in a highly detailed and realistic manner, whether it be graphite pencil or acrylics. I've delved into digital art, but I love the tactile interaction with paint and pencil and revel in unplanned mistakes that can create a new style or quality to my work.
Galleries
About Darrell
I was born in New Zealand, and moved to Perth in the mid-1980s with my family. Although I had a passion for drawing and painting from an early age, I followed in my parents' footsteps and pursued a career in the Navy. During that time, in between watches, I continued with my passion for drawing, producing artworks that were frequently mistaken for photographs. After seven years of service I made a career change to Experience Designer, but I have continued to produce artworks throughout the years.
My work has earned significant recognition. The National Maritime Museum of Australia purchased two of my pencil drawings for their permanent collection. The West Australian Cricket Association commissioned an oil painting of HMAS Sydney II for their 'Lest We Forget' display, a work that has since appeared in several publications on the Sydney. I have also exhibited widely, including the 1st International Online Marine Art Exhibition, and created an extensive range of illustrations for the Western Australian Department of Environment and Conservation — work that appears on promotional material, activity books for children, signage and playground equipment.
While life means art must often be pursued around other commitments, I bring the same dedication to every piece I take on. I now reside in Melbourne, Australia with my wife and children, and continue to produce works for clients around the world.