To much Inspiration

An artists life is my life. A life full of thoughts and ideas,a life full of questions. Its the life that choose me and the life that takes me to surprising parts of myself. I spend my days and nights searching through my mind,finding insight and inspiration in the world around me. A lucky life that has taken me around this world of pleasure and pain. I often ask myself if I should keep painting but the fact is, I cant change the artist I  always have been. 

The Dreamer

As I looked at the clock above the teachers head and I counted down the hours, minutes and seconds  for school to be finished. I dreamt of far away lands. Adventures I have heard about but seemed impossible for a young suburban boy. To sail the wild blue seas and find a piece of paradise. Now it seems ironic that after so many years of travelling and dreaming that I should find my slice of paradise at home in Australia. It was a good adventure and I cant wait till the next time I find myself on the side of the road waiting for a friendly driver to pick me up. Life is different now but I'm still the dreamer sitting in the back of the room dreaming of my bucket list.

WANTED: Blog Followers

Gidday all. I have been working on this blog for about 6months now. I have learnt alot and have found a voice for my passions. Now I need some followers on this site.Don't be shy.Find the followers button and get on board. I have alot of fresh ideas for stories and am always up for ideas from any interested people. Give yourself a voice and click the followers button.Thank you,regards Burthurmarr

The Loss of Aboriginal Identity

What will happen to us as a proud people if our young reject their heritage and throw it in our faces? As a blue eyed Aboriginal man I am forever in the firing line for those people out there who try to stereotype us as all being the same. Personally I have held onto my identity through contact with my family and always trying to learn about my culture.
I worry for the future of the Aboriginal race when I see and hear of the disrespect shown by some of our children. Is it a phase within their lives or has the steady erosion of our spirit and the successful assimilation of our young driven a wedge between us and our families.
I know it is not happening in communities with a strong connection to land and family but it is happening in some metropolitan suburbs. Is this the beginning of the end?  Once we lose our colour and our spirit,we lose our true selves and let go of the power which comes with being a part of the oldest living race on the planet.
The future can still be bright for the Aboriginal people. When I look around and see the many beautiful souls that are respectful and make you proud.

Australian War Criminal

In 1943 a rape occurred and a baby was born. This man thought he was a bit of a stud. Spreading his seed among the local Aboriginal girls. His DNA was spread like a plague, corrupting the young and beautiful women of the north. Evil he was and unpunished he stayed. The pain that he caused still last to this day.
The owner of Abington Downs cattle station probably thought no one would care about these Aboriginal women. I have a long memory and so do my family.
People sometimes wonder why we as Aboriginal people are so mad at the world. The answer to that is that sometimes sorry is not enough. Sometimes men like Percy Edwards needs to be punished.

Human Infestation

Why do we humans have the belief that we are more important than the animals of our world. In the small suburb of Kabra in Rockhamton, Queensland exists a colony of humans living close to  a large colony of Flying Foxes. These humans are not too happy sharing this beautiful part of Australia with their Flying neighbours. Calls for culling are growing by the hour. I have only been here for a few days but still get excited when i see them flying in the early evening in search of food. The way they move together like shoaling fish, moving as one amazes me. It seems obvious that these animals need to be studied so we can gain a better understanding of their nature and find ways to live in harmony. Somehow the small voices of the animal lovers is being drown out by the very vocal non-native homosapians of this area. Maybe its not the bats that need to be controlled but the people willing to kill for comfort.

Kangaroo Fear

For me one of life's loves is being able to share my home and surroundings with our native animals. To see Kangaroos leaping over fences and grazing is a joy. When I hear of Kangaroos being culled because they are a pest. It saddens me and makes me angry. It seems like humans feel it is our right to give and take life as we see fit. I heard a vegetarian enviromentalist today complain about the roos feeding off native plants. I don't get it. He is not native himself and I have to worry when intelligent (hippies in the day) speak against nature. What must the older generation of farmers be thinking of our national emblem "The Kangaroo".

Spirit Festival and me

I started painting this week in preparation for the Spirit Festival 24th - 26th of Feb 2012 in Adelaide. After finishing last year on a high after my exhibition "Eleven". I have enjoyed getting away from the paint brushes ever since. But like all good obsessions, its back. The love and passion to tell a story on canvas. As my ideas flood my mind and I swim through the maze of my imagination. I am looking forward to see where it all takes me. I know I will be at Rymill Park enjoying the music and mates at The Spirit Festival 2012. See you there. I will be the one covered in paint with a big smile on my face.    

Art Gallery Search 2011-2012

I write this blog with the hope of finding the right fit for me and my art.I have enough quality art in my studio to exhibit in a large to medium sized gallery.I would like to exhibit and sell my art either here in Australia or overseas.In an ideal world I would be thinking: New York,Paris,Barcelona.Truth be known...I'm unsure and could use some ideas.So please,if you have any contacts or even better,have a gallery.Get in contact and leave a message.

facebook addiction

Its been one week since I dipped my toe into the ocean of information called Facebook. Having  an addictive personality I was a bit tentative to start and was unsure if I could spare the time in my lifestyle.I really wanted to catch up with friends and family.Having no internet at home makes it easy to leave the internet alone.I can see myself spending hours in front of the keyboard.Maybe its good to keep in touch with those who we cant see often but maybe a phone call or a visit might be a better use of my time. But for now,here I go again.Facebook here I come.

Burthurmarr about the end of "Eleven" the exhibition

Now that the end of another exhibition is here, I don't really know how i feel about it. When you put your heart and soul into creating and sharing an art exhibition it is a gamble. Gambling with your time, talent and emotions. I could have sold nothing and I would have had to question if I was good enough to continue with art as my main income. I am happy to say my exhibition "Eleven" was a success and 19 of my paintings are going to good homes. That was at last count. Their is still half a day left.
I have also been very happy to meet so many people from so many different cultures. From Adelaide to Alaska, France to Freo and Mexico to Madrid, so many interesting and kind people. I feel a mixture of happiness and sadness. I would like to thank Tandanya,Scotch College and Seymour College and not to forget my partner Ann Holland and son Devon Crebbin. Now I have to make a plan and move onto my next challenge.  

Weekends at Tandanya

I have been spending my weekends here at Tandanya. Deciding at the start of my exhibition to use my time in this wonderful gallery and to not waste the chance to put on a beautiful exhibition. I set up my table just out of the way of the entrance and paint. I like to have some music playing and set the scene to create and share my stories.
My creative processes all stems from my love of storytelling and my thirst to learn about my people. I am an urban Aboriginal man and I hope that I can break down barriers and stereotypes. 
People from all sides of the globe stop and chat. Some leaving a message in my visitors book others tell me in their smiles or their tears as they feel somehow touched by the artwork.
My exhibition called "Eleven" goes from the 15th of July to Sept 25th 2011. 

At Scotch College

As part of my Artist in Residency I was invited back to Scotch College Adelaide to run workshops on Aboriginal art techniques and symbols.