QUINTON (Jack) Atkinson has never considered himself an artist.
But with his first solo exhibition, titled Looking, kicking off at the Swan Hill Regional Art Gallery this week, his hand has been forced.
“I’m going to have to admit it now,” Mr Atkinson says.
“I can’t believe I did these.
“It really has shown me a different part of myself.”
Mr Atkinson, who does not plan his art works in advance, says he starts with one focal point, and builds on that.
In the case of his favourite painting (pictured) Mr Atkinson started with the Murray cod, right in the centre of the canvas.
From there, a painting evolved depicting all the ecosystems in the Murray River and how they intertwine.
“Paintings find me,” Mr Atkinson explains.
“It’s more of a release than anything else.”
Drawing on traditional methods of crosshatch and dots, Mr Atkinson tries to paint with vibrant colours, not the earthy tones usually associated with Aboriginal art.
He describes himself as a contemporary traditionalist.
“I’ve always wanted to be different and paint things I’ve never seen before,” Mr Atkinson says.
Looking runs until Sunday, September 6.
The opening takes place at the art gallery at 6pm tonight, in conjunction with the opening of Quoting Others by Jules Pilgrim.
For more arts and culture news, pick up a copy of today’s Guardian (Friday, August 7).
