General News
24 April, 2025
From shearer to fine art
From shearing sheds to fine art, Richard Allan has swapped his shearing clippers for paint pots and canvases.
Now he finds it hard to leave craft shops without a few containers of paint in his hand for his newfound hobby of acrylic paint pouring and epoxy resin creations.
However, it didn't happen overnight; in between the two careers he added another; he became an IT specialist.
"My wife wanted a computer and while we were choosing it, we heard about the internet, so we became a trial customer for the computer shop in Horsham.
"I didn't even know how to use a mouse let alone a computer so I went to TAFE for 12 months and did a computer course," he said.
"I think we were one of the first families to have the internet connected in Horsham."
Little did he know that his computer studies would lead to a long career in IT for VICacgric, Schools and Skill Invest.
However, as retirement loomed and he was offered redundancy from the IT position he held, he became a self taught artist.
"Well, I learned most of it from YouTube and like-minded people I met on the internet and exchanged ideas with; my interest and skill level has grown and I can't walk past a tin of paint now," he said.
"Every pot of paint creates an idea and I just want to make it."
But with his newfound art-work comes some risks he takes seriously.
When handling the epoxy resin and mixing the fine micah powders he wears an industrial mask and nitrile gloves.
"It gives off volatile organic compounds during the process," he said.
"Once it has dried it's safe but it is important to mitigate the risks when you work with these materials," he said.
The resin needs to be softened in winter so a nearby laundry trough helps out there, but in summer the resin remains at a pouring consistency.
Looking ahead, he is keen to increase his resin animal range with the use of a 3-D printer.
"The children love these," he said.
Along with the paint and resin work he makes wooden items but said the price of timber was becoming prohibitive in keeping the items priced to the market.
For now he is happy in retirement to keep experimenting with his art and enjoying a few trips with his wife.
Mr Allan's art is on show at the Maker's Gallery and Studio in Horsham and he attends regular markets in the region.