Janice Creenaune meets Graham Sinclair, a maintenance fitter and tool-maker before retirement, who now has a passion for reconstructing landscape and still life through painting and sculpture.
Thirroul resident Graham Sinclair, 71, has been exhibiting his art since the early 1990s and he has been a prize-winner in various art shows.
“While working full time I began studying a Fine Arts Diploma at St George TAFE,” Graham says. “Earlier, I had studied art in many different forms, lead-lighting, printmaking, portrait paintings and photography. I am now concentrating on landscapes (often in abstract forms) and sculpture.
“I have painted alongside portrait artist Dave Thomas and he remains an exceptional mentor to this day, still encouraging me in my artwork.
“Dave opened my eyes to my own capabilities, although I still see myself as a practising hobbyist.
“Detail is really important at every step, and I use a painter’s licence to manipulate colours and create interest in the composition. I paint whatever I feel, and I work on the composition to the point where I think I make it interesting.”
Graham works in acrylic and oils.
“The tonal composition must be correct, the darks are especially important and the use of a palette knife for the big paintings and smaller brushes for the intensity of the detail I need in my work. I play around with the colour and with the lines to capture the effects of the scene or composition.”
He’s often inspired by the sea, but the bush and the nuances of the natural and built environment have enveloped him as a painter and sculptor.
“The move to Thirroul, 10 years ago seemed to offer me everything I needed to develop my passions. Painting is indeed like a drug in that I just have to do it, and my intuition is developed too within my work.”
Occasionally, Graham has managed to combine his love of sport and his art. One such piece was a limited-edition print “Brothers in Arms”, depicting the Waugh brothers, and raising money to send a junior basketball team to the USA.
“I spent hours signing these limited-edition prints for the worthy cause.”
Among his art prizes, Graham won the Thirroul Seaside Festival in 2022 and was a finalist in the North Sydney Art Prize in the same year. He has been a multiple prize winner in the Sydney Royal Easter Show Abstract Sculpture Prizes in 2019 and 2022. He has also been awarded Commended prizes in the 2022 Bowral Small Sculpture Prize, the 2021 John Copes Watercolour Prize, and the Camden Art Prize for sculpture.
“I paint every day and surprisingly my paintings and sculptures has become a focus in retirement. I recently held my first solo exhibition at the Bowral District Art Society (BDAS) gallery and had great sales and positive feedback to encourage more solo exhibitions.”
Family looms large in Graham’s life.
“I am able to continue my art thanks largely to my wife, Deb, who encouraged me to not only retire from work, but to pursue my art. My daughters, Kim and Peta, both busy, yet they continue to show my works on Instagram to a larger audience. I am grateful to them all.“
Graham also appreciates his inclusion in The Barracks Art Studio Thirroul Incorporated.
“I simply would not be able to continue my passions without the generous support from family, friends and colleagues in the local art world.”
Visit @graham_sinclair_art on Instagram
Janice is a volunteer for PKD (Polycystic Kidney Disease) Foundation Australia. Email janicecreenaune@gmail.com