After migrating to Australia from Egypt with my family as a child, then completing primary and secondary education, I studied architectural drafting at Box Hill Institute of Technology. I then worked as a draughtsperson for 5 years before enrolling at RMIT to study Fine Art, majoring in painting, which was a full time course for 3 years as a mature age student. After graduating, I was drawn back to architectural drafting by the strong demand in the building industry for workers. I put aside my love of art to re-establish myself as a draughtsperson working for various architects in Melbourne.

 

Having artistic interests and a love of the burgeoning computer technology, I developed 3D modelling techniques which led me to establish my own business creating architectural illustrations for the marketing of building projects.

​​

After working for about 20 years since finishing my art course, my interest in art began to re-emerge. I started with life drawing and landscape painting using acrylic paints on canvas. I also started to re-visit the great painters of Western Art and found I was mainly inspired by the works of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist painters, artists such as Manet, Monet, Degas, and Sargent, etc. I’m influenced by their use of loose, broad brushstrokes, saturated colours and their simple but true forms, with little distortion. I also admire semi-abstract works by artists such as Picasso, Matisse, and Bonnard.

 

In order to pursue my interest in painting, I rented a studio at Argyle Studios in Port Melbourne in an old warehouse and met a group of eclectic characters who shared my love of painting. I also joined a number of art societies, including Glen Eira Art Society (GEAS), Emerald Hill Art Group (EHAG) and the Victorian Society of Artists (VAS).

​

I’ve had many opportunities to exhibit my paintings, mainly in group exhibitions with fellow artists, especially with the Emerald Hill Art Group which has an annual exhibition at the Gasworks Park Art Gallery. My first solo exhibition was held at a Port Melbourne Wine Bar in 2016. I’ve also entered many painting competitions, and have won several awards, and received ‘Highly Recommended’ awards for some of my paintings. I also exhibit regularly on-line via Instagram and BlueThumb, a platform upon which I have sold numerous paintings.

 

Since the demolition of the old warehouse which housed Argyle Studios, I converted the front room of our home to a studio, where I can work at my leisure, day or night, whenever inspiration strikes (this can include occasional visits from our curious cat!). Painting never leaves me. I live it, think of it, and breathe it daily. It is never far from my thoughts or consciousness. A painter and an artist is who I am, and aspire to be.

​

Peter Roccella