Rural past draws artist into new life

Joe Flynn | 1st August 2009

MUNDUBBERA boys are not supposed to play with pencils.

Their hands are more equipped for gripping reins, cracking whips, scratching stubble.

In the citrus capital of Queensland, the pencil case usually goes out the window when the boys become men and get “real” jobs.

That is the case of most Mundubbera youngsters.

And it was the case for Norm Harris.

Born onto a dairy farm which later went into grain, a job on a harvester was the obvious choice for young Norm.

It was a career path he followed for more than 20 years, travelling across Australia and Asia in the construction, trucking and agriculture industries.

That was until about 10 years ago, when he had an artistic itch he started to scratch.

“I've always been able to draw,” Mr Harris said.

“I just didn't take it as seriously.

“It really clicked for me when we were in Singapore and I saw some black and white drawings that had fetched a really good price and I thought, I can do that.”

The revelation sent Mr Harris to the Queensland School of Fine Art where he honed his skills with the graphite pencil.

His work was immediately accepted across the region, taking out awards at the Bundaberg Show and featuring in exhibitions across the Wide Bay.

But something was still missing in his career.

Enter Michelle, Mr Harris's wife. They say behind every good man there is a good woman.

And this is never more evident than in Mr Harris's business, Pencil Monsta.

Michelle, an amateur photographer, provides the inspiration for her husband's drawings.

She shoots the photos, he draws the drawings.

“I go out and get the photos and then he uses them for the drawings,” she said.

“He adds his own compositions and everything to give it his own touch.”

Two years ago, with their two sons finished school, the pair decided to quit their jobs and travel Australia.

The tour gave Mr and Mrs Harris an opportunity to see the entire country.

The resulting work is a tribute to rural Australia, capturing the beauty of the bush.

“Australia is rich in fauna and flora and has the most inspirational outback culture,” Mr Harris said.

“I choose themes that inspire me from this great Aussie land - its scenery, characters and my past memories.”

Mr Harris said his connection with the bush came from his childhood in Mundubbera, growing up on the family farm.

So it is fitting that his first solo exhibition would take place in the newly opened Mundubbera Regional Art Gallery.

“It was just great when we went back there; they really made us feel like we were coming home,” Mrs Harris said.

“And a lot of people were shocked because they only knew Norm as a construction worker or a farm worker - they didn't know he could draw.”

When the initial shock wore off, the locals responded warmly.

Gallery co-ordinator Roslyn Berthelsen said the Pencil Monsta collection had been one of the most successful the gallery had exhibited.

“We are certainly selling a lot of his prints,” she said.

“It would have to be up there with any (exhibition) we've had so far.”

With his first exhibition out of the way, Norm has been spending hours at the drawing board putting together the art for his next collection.

While he is sticking with his graphite style for now, he is also considering broadening his artistic horizons.

“I have not delved in colour yet because I am so into the shades and tones I can achieve with the graphite pencil,” he said.

“The colours of the Kimberley, Kakadu and our red centre are sure to get to me sooner or later.

“But for now I have those colour memories in the photographs we have taken.

“I will probably delve into colour pencils or watercolours sooner or later.”

But just as Mr Harris has become accustomed to the artist-in-residence role at the Harris house, a threat to his title has emerged from within - Mrs Harris is planning to display her ever improving photographic collection in a gallery next year.

“Australia is rich in fauna and flora and has the most inspirational outback culture. I choose themes that inspire me from this great Aussie land - its scenery, characters and my past memories.”