A FRASER Coast mural artist feels painting in public spaces has helped him learn a lot about life and exploring his creativity.
Chad Turnbull started painting about four years ago after never really considering himself ‘an artist.’
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He believes painting murals requires you – like in everyday life – to take a step back and look at what you’re doing.
“You need to work and reflect,” Chad explained.
“When you’re up against the wall painting, you don’t always get the full picture, you’re not able to see exactly what you’re doing.
“You need to take a few steps back from time to time and take it all in.
“But just as you need to make time to reflect, you can’t just sit back and watch otherwise you’ll never get anything done, never achieve anything.”
Good News Fraser Coast caught up with Chad at one of his murals along the Charlton Esplanade in Torquay yesterday.
He’s busy painting on the side of the old fish and chips shop opposite the sailing club parking lot.
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“I’m doing the work for free and using it to help showcase my skills,” said Chad.
The latest addition to the wall is a colourful rainbow lorikeet.
The feature took just under four hours to complete earlier this week.
Chad’s now calling on the Fraser Coast to help him decide want to paint next on the wall – utilising the space between the lorikeet and the crab.
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“I only ever paint where I’ve been given permission to do so and I think there is a need for more spaces to be allocated to mural artists. Spaces where people can practice and refine their skills,” said Chad.
He believes providing an area for mural artists, like quiet walkways or walls on private property, will help reduce graffiti and people randomly ‘tagging’ public spaces.
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Stressing the importance of only painting where you’ve been given permission to do so, Chad said the artform gives people a challenge and an outlet that could benefit the community.
“Providing these spaces would give kids a place to work and stay out of trouble,” he said.
“Art is exciting when it’s in public.”
For Chad, murals make walls disappear and become part of the environment.
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The artwork is also only there for as long as it’s allowed to be – this could be determined by the quality of the paint or the property owner’s intentions with the wall.
Chad said he’s always on the lookout for new spaces to create his art.
If you’re a property owner – business or residence – and would like to chat to Chad about creating a mural on one of your walls, you can reach him on 0423 989 111.
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