In the early seventies Phil Sleeman studied Fine Art at the East Sydney Technical College in Darlinghurst, learning various techniques in painting as well as in other fields of visual arts.

In late 1974 he embarked on travels throughout Asia, studying batik painting in Java, gemology in Thailand and silversmithing in Bali.

Settling on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland in 1976 Phil experimented with batik, fabric and oil painting, as well as handcrafted silver and gold. He sold through various galleries in both the Sunshine Coast and in Brisbane.

After moving to Adelaide in 1984 Phil became inspired by Australian native birds and lotuses. The exhibition he held in Hahndorf, in the Adelaide hills, was entitled Parrots and Lotuses. The exhibition sold well and since then Phil has accepted a number of commissions from bird lovers to paint their favourites.

In 1992 he moved to the Northern Rivers NSW where he continues to work and paint. In the last few years Phil has exhibited in Bangalow, Byron Bay and Lismore.

Phil is currently working on a new body of work entitled Australian Birds and Waterlilies that he plans to exhibit in about eighteen months time. This series will embrace rare and common bird species in their natural habitat. The Australian billabong with its nymphaeas and bulrushes is a thriving habitat for native birds and Phil hopes to capture the spirit of such unique places in oils. Phil uses only artist quality oils on high grade canvas.

Philip Sleeman was born in 1951, Christchurch NZ.

Copyright © 2012, Philip Sleeman - Bangalow, NSW