biography

Born in Holland in 1920, Frank migrated to Australia in 1954 and supported his family by carrying on business as a baker. In 1955 they moved to the LaTrobe Valley, where, inspired by the beauty of the South Gippsland Hills, Frank was overpowered by the urge to paint. They finally made their home in the Yarra Valley and Frank painted on location around Flowerdale, Yea and Alexandra.

Basically Frank was self taught, and it was not until 1970 that he painted full time. He held many successful exhibitions since that time. Frank hoped that his paintings portrayed the beauty of this wonderful country and created a deeper appreciation of our precious heritage.

For years Frank painted the Australian landscape and was inspired, rewarded and amazed by its constantly changing beauty.

On his painting trips Frank usually headed for the Yarra or Goulburn Valleys. Regardless of which track he followed, the one thing that brought him to a halt was the magnificent gum tree. He found these trees a never-ending source of delight. Frank remembered the first time he saw one: he stood there spellbound. It was love at first sight and familiarity over the years only increased its intensity. Fortunately for Frank these trees thrive in Victoria and are such an intrinsic part of the countryside.

The beauty of our gum trees lies in the effect the ever-changing light has on the texture and form – quite a challenge for an artist to paint. Eucalypts show endless variety. These trees took Frank to some most unusual places, guided by information given by enthusiastic nature loving friends, or from chats with friendly farmers during his painting trips. He sought the Mountain Ash, with its great columnar trunk, and the mighty River Red Gum that follows the water courses along the banks of rivers and streams, and the White Gum with its silky bark splashed with brown, gold and sienna. To Frank, these trees became as much a symbol of Australian landscape as the koala and kangaroo.

Frank was always found squeezing onto his palette the reds, blues and yellows to paint what has become a favourite to many Australians and art lovers all over the world; the fascinating gum tree with its beauty and unmatched gracefulness.