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Betting on Blak

Betting On Blak is my journey of learning life’s harsh lessons to finally realise that I must be responsible for my life and my family. I take a chance on my life. I bet on me. I want to be an inspiration to my son and my grandchildren.

Betting on Blak was my debut album of 12 beautiful original songs. It took me a lifetime to record them and release them to the world.

Betting on Blak debuted on 13th June 2025, and became a #1 AIR chart album success (plus four ARAI chart rankings). The album launched me as the Indigenous Artist of The Year for Queensland in the annual QMA’s (Queensland Music Awards)

Jungaji – betting on Blak music video

https://youtu.be/derifFnNLoc?si=iKfd72VXzHO-nP77

Generations

Limited Edition – 50 only.

This artwork was created for the International STEM Symposium 2025, hosted in Brisbane (Magandjin) by the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering. The theme, “Generations,” reflects the importance of learning from the past, acting in the present, and shaping a sustainable future.

At the heart of this painting is a respectful acknowledgement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge systems. For generations, First Nations people studied and cared for Country with deep understanding—engaging in practices rooted in environmental science, engineering, astronomy, medicine, and education long before Western systems defined these disciplines.

The Brisbane River flows through the piece, symbolizing the gathering place of the Academy. Sand goanna and kangaroo (murri/mari) tracks reflect local fauna and the deep spiritual connection to Country held by Traditional Custodians. The Dari, a Torres Strait Islander headdress, represents cultural diversity and identity, while the sea turtle (bo’wai’ya) acknowledges the ocean’s vital role in Islander life.

Above, the sun and Southern Cross honour Sky Country—marking seasonal shifts, songlines, and sustainable harvesting practices like firestick farming, bird egg collection, and water purification. Evidence of these sophisticated land management techniques, such as midden heaps, still remains today.

The three circles represent past, present, and future, with U-shapes symbolising Elders and knowledge holders guiding each generation. A windmill signals change—pointing to the transition from fossil fuels to renewables—while a digital circuit board overlays the background, reflecting the global network of people, ideas, and technologies coming together at the symposium.

Just as each connector leads to a central hub, so too do the participants of this event—gathering from around the world to share knowledge, honour history, and build a better tomorrow.

Because only by acknowledging the past in the present can we truly shape a sustainable future.

Special thanks to Aunty Kerry Charlton, Yagara Elder, for generously sharing her knowledge and language to bring this story to life.

Tugulawa to Humbug Reach

Large Size – Limited Edition of 200 only
Small Size – Open Edition

Tugulawa (tuh-goo-la-wa) is an indigenous word, meaning ‘place of the heart’. It is believed to refer to the heart shaped bend in the Brisbane River surrounding our suburb or maybe the heart shaped parcel of land that makes up Bulimba and Balmoral.

This painting extends from Tugulawa on the right, through to Humbug Reach in the Brisbane River near New Farm Park and East Brisbane.

On the left side, there are 5 homes that were demolished or removed amid disputation to make way for the widening of Wynnum Rd in 2018. A traffic signal box (TSB) Debra painted and named “Heritage Mourning” sits near these houses. Completed in 2016, Debra was commenting on the destruction of the traditional essence of our inner city homes and so she painted the large Moreton Bay fig trees with black lace bands around their limbs, symbolising their selection for imminent destruction. Prophetically, 2 years later the view from this TSB was total annihilation of huge Mowbray Park trees and the Queenslanders that had graced Wynnum Rd for 100 years.

The painting also shows the ever changing city skyline, ferry stops and the Brisbane Powerhouse and Woolstores at Teneriffe.

Pleione

Atlas appealed to Zeus, who turned the seven daughters into doves and then into stars. Eventually, Atlas and Pleione also became stars, and Orion became a constellation destined to chase the Pleiades constellation across the sky for eternity.

Variations on this theme exist in the folklore of many indigenous cultures.

Limited Edition Reproduction of 100 Only

Black Magic

Honouring Australia’s only World War II Indigenous Fighter Pilot, Len Waters.

At just 18, Len embarked on his journey with the Royal Australian Air Force as a mechanic, driven by his dream of becoming a pilot. Through perseverance, he overcame obstacles to fulfil his dream, flying 95 combat missions during his service.

After his RAAF service, Len pursued his aspirations, even in the face of challenges. Despite setbacks in starting an airline, he returned to shearing, embodying resilience and determination.

Styles

Need something to inspire you, browse some of these styles

The Interior

Limited Edition Reproduction – 100 Only

An interpretation of the Indigenous spirit in the Australian landscape. After a trip to Uluru, I wanted to depict the essential First Australian sprit which cannot be isolated from the Australian landscape.

Recollections of Kimberley

Open Edition Reproduction

How do red rocks turn into white sand? How can the water be so “aqua” that the sky turns Jacaranda purple? How humbling is it to find indigenous artwork and artefacts that communicate millennium of human trade and habitation in such an isolated location?

How can the growing numbers of tourists visiting this paradise continue to respect its beauty and spiritual significance without surrendering it to the development and infrastructures found in other Australian coastal areas? By appropriating and contemporising Bradshaw-style rock art figures, I hope to place the tourists deeper within the history of this unique environment.

King of the Sky

Open Edition Reproduction

The Wedgetail Eagle, the largest living bird of prey in Australia! The indigenous peoples of Kulin nation, Victoria tell the stories of Bunjil the Creator, the great eagle ancestor. Once he had created all on earth wished to go to the skies, he asked Waa the crow to open his whirlwinds to take him up there. So now when you look to the skies and see the mighty wedgetail eagle soaring high, you are seeing the creator of all. I chose charcoal to capture the power, strength and detail this mighty being has to offer.

Life is full of surprises

Limited Edition Reproduction of 100 Only

There were no iPads, laptops or smartphones when I was a kid. Not even colour TV.

At the age of 8 my imagination was ignited by comics. I spent my ‘Saturday Sixpence’ on The Dandy, Beano, Topper, Beezer or Eagle. Most were printed and published by D.C. Thomson in Dundee, Scotland. Of all places!

Desperate Dan, Roger the Dodger, Oor Wullie and a host of others were the centre of my universe. And then, when I was an art student, there were the purveyors of glamour, sexual innuendo and downright-slick advertising art – Pierre Brenot (in France) and Gil Elvgren (in America). Amongst a galaxy of others.

I like this stuff and it, obviously, still ignites my imagination and influenced the choice of themes and the choice of subject matter in this particular painting.

But there‘s other stuff too that influences subject matter.

Like the water dragon (indigenous lizard, top right) in this piece. They live on the banks of the lake on which my home sits. Just a while ago one wandered, through an open door, into the kitchen. It was rattling around caught up in the venetian blind. It was only a young fella, about 35 cms head to toe. I put a towel over it, bundled it up, took it outside and put it in a cab! I also took a picture of it which I’ve used it in this painting.

So, really my references and the images I use come from ‘left field’ and are, in essence, a collision of ideas. I just muck around with them ‘til I’ve got something I’m half happy with that fits the parameters of the canvas.

The title of this piece sums up exactly how this painting and the choice of subject matter came about – ‘life is full of surprises.’

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