100 Artworks for a Koala entry by Jason McBRIDE. Title: ‘Chewing Koala’ – acrylics on canvas.
Jason McBRIDE
Artist from Outback Australia.
“…my style arose from the misery and disappointment of disability. ”
100 Artworks for a Koala entry: Title: ‘Chewing Koala‘ .
Size: W 60cm (24”) x H 45cm (18“) | Medium: acrylics on canvas board, mainly using scalpel with brush and airbrush.
“While at a Koala Park and Hospital I remember the guide making a comment about the length of time Koalas spend sleeping – 16 to 18 hours a day, and that much of the remainder was dominated by eating. So when I decided to do this Koala portrait it was dedicated to the Koalas most significant wake-time activity – chewing,” Jason McBride
Artist bio
Jason McBride, a New Zealander residing in the Australian Outback.
“I have been out here for the last decade with my wife living in indigenous communities while she provides healthcare and I do what I can to assist. Prior to this I had the misfortune of a traumatic brain injury in a motor vehicle accident that dramatically changed our lives. Nevertheless, one of the impressive functions of the human brain is the level of its elasticity and adaptability. Due to the damage caused during the accident my brain had to compensate for compromised regions. It does this by repurposing undamaged areas to take over essential roles. With damage to my left and frontal brain areas the great weight was taken over by my right brain. One of the consequences of this was an unprecedented and unexpected aptitude to paint, and to do so with realism, mostly as a result of increased activity around the creative centres of my right brain. Entirely self-taught and influenced by prior perfectionism my style arose from the misery and disappointment of disability. Today I focus on what I call ‘animal portraiture’. Painting has been a great release and encouragement to me through tough times.”
Artist contact
© TORRES Goya
@LOVELL Liz H