biography

The Victorian coast, and Wilsons Promontory in particular, has always been the main focus of Neil’s paintings. In the manner of the Australian Impressionists, he uses rich colouration and lively brushwork to capture the light, form and atmosphere of the dramatic coastal scenery.

Neil began drawing in pencil and pen & ink while in primary school and first exhibited native botanical studies and maritime scenes in this medium in 1990.

He has attended workshops and classes with Peter Smales and Herman Pekel, and studied for 4 years with Maxwell Wilks at the Victorian Artists Society.

He joined the Victorian Artists Society and exhibited his first oil paintings in 1992, and has regularly entered works in the Camberwell Art Show, Victorian Artists Society shows and various annual exhibitions since. He has been a finalist in the AME Bale (oil painting) award on three separate occasions.

His first solo exhibition of 32 paintings of Wilsons Promontory was held at the VAS Galleries in East Melbourne in 1999. This was followed by a second solo exhibition of 30 works of coastal scenes in 2001, and a joint exhibition of Seascapes in March 2002.

In 2007 Neil won the "Best Painting in Show under $400" Award at the Camberwell Rotary Art Show.

Neil lives in Melbourne with his wife and 2 children.