Featured Artist: Cary McAulay
A popular internet meme describes Australia as a land of milk and honey… Well, free public healthcare and a liberal approach to differing viewpoints, at least. Long has it been known as “the lucky country”. So, what is life like for the inhabitants of this veritable wonderland?
The work of Cary McAulay is a good starting point for curious types who have never been so “lucky” as to visit and find out. McAulay’s work depicts life particularly in rural and coastal Australia: The iconic beaches, informal cricket games on dusty red streets of country towns, surf and fishing culture. (Actually, to a population which is largely urbanised, the images are, for most, more accurate depictions of aspirations for the weekend than of the daily routine.)
The artist works primarily in acrylic or oil on canvas from a number of locations mostly around beautiful Queensland. His story behind the work Self with Past Lives is not only a moving tale for any artist, but is also an eye-opener in so much as the realisation that even highly prolific artists can suffer from painter’s block. What a way to come back, though!
We’d like to leave you with a quote from the Dalai Lama, who, asked what surprised him most, responded, “Man. Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health.” Reading through Cary McAulay’s stories of life both in and out of the studio, it seems the artist has tapped into the great man’s wisdom and found a life of beauty and the artistic expression thereof. May we all take a leaf out of his book. McAulay also shares his knowledge with aspiring artists, teaching his craft in Brisbane and Kingaroy.
See Cary McAulay’s full portfolio here.
