My name is Simon Dowling and my passion in life is illustrating. To create art for a living is a childhood goal I have nurtured. I thrived in art classes at both primary and high school level. My first artistic accolade occurred when I was 14, being accepted into the ‘Operation Art’ Student Artworks Contest for a portrait painting I completed. It featured in the Art Gallery of New South Wales and then was placed on permanent display at the Westmead Children’s Hospital in Sydney. I have been fortunate to have lived in several NSW towns, all surrounded by prolific bird life. In my early 20s, this inspired me to research and sketch birds and wildlife. In addition to this interest in nature and travel, my hobbies include hiking, rock climbing and music.
I studied Graphic Design at St George Design Centre in Sydney (2008-2010), then worked as a graphic designer for the industry-leading advertising agency Millmainie Entertainment (2013-2015) in Sydney. However my real passion is purely illustration. During my late 20s, whilst working less as a freelance Graphic Designer, I took the opportunity to travel overseas, experience different cultures and art forms and accepted commission work along the way as a freelance illustrator. Whilst in Europe, I was invited to participate and be featured in my local Art Festival ‘Escape ARTfest’ in Ulladulla. I was featured over a weekend and had five large-scale bird artworks displayed. To date, I have sold originals and prints of my artworks on Bluethumb Online Gallery and Etsy.com. Completing commissions for many clients including wildlife illustrations has been rewarding, especially seeing the pleasure the recipients have expressed.
I am 31 and presently working on several illustration projects including custom bird illustrations, portraits, mountainous landscapes as well as logo designs. My vision is to merge art and environmental issues together. I have been seeking the opportunity to focus and create art pieces that are bold, meaningful and powerful within the art industry. Art has a powerful impact on lives and I endeavour to create works that interest, inspire and educate the viewer. It would be humbling and rewarding to feel that my work has contributed in some way to a more wholesome environment. I desire and will aspire to propel my passion and career to the next level of professionalism as a full time artist.