Benjamin Thompson Selmes

I was born in Sydney Australia in 1981. I spent most of my childhood and all my teenage years living in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales.
As a child i loved to draw but it was not until i was 13 yrs old that i realised that the world of painting existed. I went to see an exhibition of the European expressionist artists at the N.S.W art gallery and Brett Whiteley’s retrospect. Seeing those paintings changed my life and from that point on i had to paint. The years following i also fell in love with photography, sculpture and collage.
I have had a hot and cold, up and down relationship with my art. Sometimes spending years keeping to my self and creating, other times having years pass without even picking up a pencil.
I had only painted about 5 paintings, a handful of drawings and 2 sculptures over a 3 year period, when about a year ago i got in contact with my biological family ( i was adopted at birth ) and was surprised to find that my mum was a painter and she had started painting around the same time i had. This inspired me to start taking my art serious again.
I now have a rich, wonderful and loving relationship with my biological family especially my Mother, Farther, Brother and Sister.
I know i have a long way to go with my art. I am still trying to find my true visual voice. So i give a big warm thanks to all the other redbubbleites who have taken the time to comment, favorite works and add me to there watchlist because this all goes towards helping me learn and grow as an artist.Thankyou :) 30/01/2012