A solo exhibition has been a long time coming for artist Karl Schott.
After more than 25 years of drawing and painting, the 45-year-old Werribee resident made his debut with the opening of his Portraits and Public Places exhibition at the Point Cook Community Learning Centre last week.
The exhibition features a series of oil paintings depicting western suburbs streetscapes and personal portraits.
Schott said he was both nervous and excited at having his work on display.
“I feel as though it’s the beginning for me,” he said.
The former Telstra linesman started taking his art more seriously and entering competitions in the past six years.
He paints up to five hours a day at his home studio and can spend up to a month perfecting one of his paintings.
“I’m influenced by Edward Hopper for the empty scenes he paints; Jeffery Smarts for his impression of super realism and dramatic use of tone; and Russell Drysdale, who makes his work so romantic and vast,” he said.
Twin sister Susan said Karl was his own worst critic.
She remembers a recent incident in which her brother had painted a portrait of Adam Goodes to donate to the Sydney Swans. The artist was tempted to throw it away because he was dissatisfied with the end result.
Portraits and Public Places will be on display until July 1.
