BRIAN EVANS

BOEING A314

NO. 13 SQUADRON HUDSON

"IT'S ONE OF OURS!"

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ARTIST PROFILE: Brian Evans
Doncaster East, VIC
Email: evansba@optusnet.com.au

During World War II I honed my drawing skills daily (to the detriment of my school work) as I constantly drew the soldiers, military equipment, tanks, trucks, etc that were busily manoeuvring in and around my home town of Aberdare, Cessnock, in the Hunter Valley, NSW, where troops were undergoing their training prior to being shipped overseas.

I was eight years old at this time and I saw my very first aeroplane. It was a De Havilland Dragon. It landed in a nearby field and Dad organised a flight for us with the RAAF pilot. What a thrill - I have loved all things aviation ever since.

In 1946, at the age of ten, however I strayed from drawing/painting aircraft. I painted a bush orchid and it won a first prize in the Newcastle Sun-Herald Art Show. This painting was sent to America where it remains as part of an Australian exhibit.

At the age of twelve I won a scholarship for a commercial art course and I completed this by correspondence over a three-year period. At fourteen I became involved in producing posters for Surf Club Carnivals, Balls, charity fairs, etc. Unfortunately I was advised by School Careers Advisers not to pursue commercial art as it was not thought to be a good career option - there were too many in the game! I followed their advice and stopped pursuing art except for painting/drawing aircraft.

Many years later in 1992, I joined the Australian Society of Aviation Artists and started to pursue art seriously once again. I chose watercolour as my preferred medium. I have sold aviation specific works at general art shows and at shows conducted by the Australian Society of Aviation Artists in Melbourne, Sydney and Nowra. I have also completed commissions mainly for ex WWII aircrew or their families.

I was commissioned by the Australian aviation author Brett Freeman to do two paintings to be used on the covers for two of his books. His wonderful book "Lake Boga at War" features the first painting depicting a PBY - 5 Catalina overflying Lake Boga in Victoria. I also did a related painting of the RAAF Central Band playing at Lake Boga for the launch of this book. A Catalina was in the background. Both paintings now hang in the Lake Boga Catalina Museum. The second commission will be used on the cover of his next book, "Rose Bay Revisited 1939-1945", that is due to be released at the end of 2006. This painting features an Empire Flying boat undergoing maintenance.

I am a self-taught watercolourist. I plan to attend classes with some of our wonderful Australian watercolour artists to help me "loosen up", away from my technical style - although I wonder how a "loose" Spitfire would be viewed by an ex Spit pilot!

In 1994 I was elected President of the Australian Society of Aviation Artists a responsibility I held and enjoyed for 11 years until my retirement this year. I still retain the responsibilities of Secretary and Editor. As Editor I produce and publish the ASAA Newsletter.

I welcome commission work, especially when the client who requires a particular event or action portrayed, was involved in the event.

These commissions normally require a considerable amount of research, that I find most enjoyable. Thorough research is a mandatory component of the preparation for aviation art as the aviation art buyer is particularly needy and therefore critical of the inclusion of technical detail of the aircraft and the event.

Through my keen interest in flying boats, I have also become involved in maritime paintings and have received commissions to paint WWII RAN ships.

Brian Evans - July, 2006

IMAGE: Rose Bay Flying Boat Base 1939-1945