Doug Beetle chats with:
Artist
George Manioudakis
Image: George Manioudakis
George Manioudakis is an artist and designer based in the Dandenong Ranges, outside of Melbourne, Australia. George is inspired by nature.
Doug Beetle: Please tell us a little about yourself. What kind of art do you create? What materials do you like to use for your artworks?
George: My name is George and I have been working as a professional artist since 2010. I studied graphic design after I finished high school. I live in the Dandenong Ranges (south-east of Melbourne, Australia) with my partner and my 1-year-old son. I love rock climbing, going camping and exercising in my spare time. I like to create murals and paintings on canvas. I enjoy working with spray paint, oil paint, acrylic and colored pencils.
Doug Beetle: What does the natural world mean to you? How does it inspire your art?
George: The natural world is a beautiful, calming and peaceful. I often like to use nature in my artwork. A lot of my ideas come during long walks in the forest or mountains.
Doug Beetle: Please tell us about your new mural. What animals does it feature? And why did you paint them?
George: I recently painted a mural in Belgrave. It is on an old wooden shed. I used bright colors so the artwork stood out. It features the forest in the background with a swamp wallaby in the middle and two crimson rosellas (the parrots) on either side. I chose these animals because they are local inhabitants of the Dandenong Ranges and I wanted to commemorate them in an artwork.
Doug Beetle: Why did you choose this location for your mural? What message are you hoping to send to those who drive past it?
George: I sadly found a wallaby and her joey (baby) on the road not far from this location last winter. They were hit by a car and had unfortunately died. This mural was designed to remind drivers to slow down and take care of our wildlife.
Doug Beetle: Do you have a favorite animal or plant that you like to paint?
George: I had a lot of fun painting this tiger snake recently.
Doug Beetle: Do you have any advice for kids who love both art and nature and hope to become artists?
George: I would say to keep practicing and try and draw as much as you can. Try drawing a different animal every day.
Some more of George’s awesome art!
All artwork and photos by George Manioudakis.
