north east regional extra | July 15 - 21, 2020
nemedia.com.au
1.
July 15 - 21, 2020
Paintings on buildings and silos? Oh my!
By BELINDA HARRISON
◆ INSPIRATIONAL: Inspired by artists like Frida Kahlo and the powerful lighting of Caravaggio, Tim Bowtell creates art with a personal connection. PHOTO: Belinda Harrison
FROM an apprenticeship in graphic reproduction to painting murals on buildings and silos across North East Victoria, Tim Bowtell’s work is familiar to locals and visitors alike. Born in Melbourne and moving to Geelong at the age of 10, Tim’s working life started with an apprenticeship in graphic reproduction at the age of 17. By the time he was 25, Tim was married with two young sons, had completed his apprenticeship, moved into the graphic design department and then moved on and started his own freelance graphic design business. Around that time, Geelong was starting to take off as a major city centre and Tim found himself restless working for hours on end in front of a computer. He sought a tree-change. Both of Tim’s sons suffered severe and frequent asthma attacks but on the occasions they holidayed in the North East, Tim and his wife noticed that their asthma was basically non-existent - the fresh air seemed to be a healthy environment for them. The stability of the weather was also a drawing factor, having lived through the ‘four seasons in one day’ weather of Geelong for years. “I also had a yearning to build my own earth house and thought a career path may be in the building trade,” Tim said. “We purchased a three acre property 20 minutes from Benalla and I began building. “With the internet getting better, and my design clients still wanting me to continue doing their work, I was able to work remotely and build my home in between design jobs.” The move provided more for Tim and his family than just fresh air and settled weather. It was while Tim was building their house (as an owner-builder) that he met Mike Larkin. An electrician by day, Mike was also an artist in his spare time and he and Tim had many discussions about art while they wired up the house.
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