1990 - 2024 Rusty Roo Artist Retreat

 We purchased 40 acres in the Esk Shire, Valley of the lakes overlooking the Wivenhoe Dam. On the site is a shed and a lot of rubbish, but we hope to make it into a place where artists can create art work.

 

1988 - 1990's Buka, North Solomon Province to Brisbane

Leaving PNG was difficult. Cameron was born in Rabaul, I grew up in Port Moresby. Arron, our Son spent the first three and a half years here. We left behind a lot of people whom we considered good friends and a lot of employees who were very close to us. Also we left behind a couple of our pets. Re-locating them with friends whom we knew would look after them. 

Spent the 90's managing a convenience store, looking after children and completing my Certificate in Fine Art at the Brisbane Institute of Art, South Bank. Each semester they would have exhibitions for the staff, students, members and tutors. I would enter work into most of these.

1996 - I opened Lee's Visual Art Supplies, selling art materials to the students.

While I operated the shop I completed all the necessary subjects/ classes to complete a Bachelor of Art.

During this period I continued to attend semester art classes: painting (with Warren Palmer, Sally LeEstrange, Magena Mafe, Glen Henderson) Print making (with Win de Voss, Jennifer Hamilton, Nancy Brown, Glen Skien.) Sculpture (with Stphen Newton, Warren Palmer, Sharon jewell) Jewelry making (With Renata Fojtikova) Computer technology (with Paul ) and numerous weekend workshops conducted by visiting tutors.  

Throughout this period entered work into the regular exhibitions held by BIA