George Petrou is a well-known Melbourne graphic designer who has turned his artistic talents increasingly to painting in recent years with contemporary works which display bold and original thoughts.
George has always wanted to paint and in the past couple of years has devoted an increasing amount of his time to pursuing his passion!
Born in Cyprus, he says personal experiences dictate a range of styles, favouring a spatula over a paint brush.
“In recent years I have found my preferred style with bold colours and using warm earthy colours. I also enjoy using both oils and acrylics and often other organic materials, which give my works a blend of interesting colours, surfaces and textures,” he says.
“It’s all a matter of expressing your own thoughts on canvas.
“The most exciting time for me is when I begin a new work. I have no idea where it will go or when I’ll finish.
“Painting is my inner passion and although I devote several hours each day to it in my Mont Albert studio, I am enjoying my escape from the fairly defined limitations of graphic art for advertising and printed materials.”
George’s paintings were first shown at his successful inaugural exhibition at the Yering Station winery in the Yarra Valley in December ’06 – January ’07, which led to his invitation to exhibit at Walker Street Gallery and a group exhibition (three other artists) at fortyfivedownstairs art gallery in March, 2009.
