Perhaps Aboriginal Australians never had such long canoes. I don’t care – I’m not an anthropologist, just a painter. I like the teamwork, the communal spirit.

One of my first paintings – heavily borrowed from a picture seen. When sold proceeds were donated to the Karen Fitzgerald Foundation.

Your mood might dictate whether this seems friendly or edgy, or both ( or of course neither ). It is a large painting.

Yes, another ship. I love wharves and ships, the arriving, the loading and unloading, the noise and lights, the anticipation of going ashore to explore a place not known to me.

I feel strongly for refugees. I volunteer to help. I’m not trying to preach. The painting is grim, but sometimes painting is cathartic and more eloquent than words. Permanently exhibited at the D’Arenberg Cube, McLaren Vale.

Painted from my cabin aboard a containership in Turkey, part of a series

It’s nice when we get to see the curvature of the world – on top of a mountain, at sea, seeing an horizon. I get this treat a lot when on container ships. It reminds me the world is maybe not so large.

You will notice there are two pieces together. Probably belong together but available individually if wanted. To me it’s set in the outback and rolling hills – it seems all mines are found in the outback. I bet they’ve got a strong community, and sports teams.