Jasper

Chris is a well-known artist, tutor, and judge in the Sunshine Coast art community, with more than 32 years' experience teaching art.

Chris's acquaintance with the 'black dog' (depression and extreme anxiety) started many years ago, when he became a lone parent of two sons following his marriage breakdown. Luckily, his latent art talent came to the rescue, and Chris discovered that painting (often late into the night) gave him inner peace and control.

Happily painting in either oil or pastel, Chris has taught in many workshops for art societies around Australia and overseas. In 2004, he was awarded Master Pastelist by the Pastel Society of Australia.

Follow Chris on Instagram, Facebook and check out his website.

Macaws like Jasper often outlive their original owners and end up in a nursing home for ageing parrots. Well, I'm not quite yet ready for the nursing home. But, like Jasper, I have outlived many friends and do tend to sit on the perch and contemplate the journey of life. Seeing Jasper at his nursing home - Paradise for Parrots at Glasshouse Mountains - I suspected that this old chap, like me, has many a story to tell.