A dissatisfied student of Architecture for four years at U.N.S.W. I left to study at the Julian Aston School in Sydney. I loved the classical observational approach to drawing and painting and was awarded the school prizes for Life Drawing ,Painting, Portraiture and landscape. I then studied for two years in London and Paris where my love France and French painting evolved .
Subsequently I taught at the Julian Ashton School, privately in my own classes and at numerous workshops around Australia and France
Artist are always searching for studio space and in 1985 I came across a derelict industrial building in Newtown, which I could buy cheaply . Drawing on my architectural training and periodic work as a builders laborer I designed and built , by myself, a studio and residence where I still live and paint today .
With my wife, painter Vicki Parish and son Bryn I lived France for three years near Tours . Bryn went to school and Vicki and I ran an Art Center for visiting painters.. While there we discovered, in a small nearby village, another derelict building , this time a disused winery, that we could afford to buy. Another round designing and hard work repairing and renovating followed We now have an Atelier and Residence in the country side where return each year to paint , exhibit talk French and catch up with friends.
I have exhibited fifteen times individually and in multitudes of group shows in Australia and France. I was elected a Life Member of the Australian Watercolour Institute i2019.
For more details ianchapmanart.com
